Bridgeton pioneer., 1895-04-11

case like yours the choice of seconds ia
matter of great Importance. May take
the liberty Of inquiring the names of
those who act in your behalf?"
Il have none as yet,'' replied the
young provincial. 'Ishall probably take
the first two soldiers meet. Any one,
in short. I have no acquaintance in
Paris to whom can apply" ni54.
"Then, monsieur" said Staub, II
may venture to make you proposition.
Whenever l have leisure moment, I
am generally to be found in some shoot
ing gallery where our skillful marksmen
congregate Therefore, as you are un-
provided with seconds, if you will con-
descend to accept my services and those
of M. Sakoky''- .tafa- o
Willingly, monsieurs, interrupted
Symphorien, who desired nothing bet
ter. "You anticipate my wish and save
me an infinity of trouble. -
Three hours later the two principals
and their seconds punctual to the min
ute, arrived at the spot fixed upon for
the encounter. fftI.s. u
What" exclaimed Rogue, che has
chosen you?'
"He could not do otherwise. You
gave him our names and addresses, and
as he knows no one else in Paris he was
only too glad to avail himself of our
services.
Roque's sense Of humor, small as 1t
was, was so irresistibly tickled by the abb
surdity of the situation that he laughed
outright Encouraged by his unusual
geniality, his two creditors began elo-
quently to implore him to be mercifuL
Consider, monsieur" urged Sakos-
Ky, "if you deprive us Of so excellent a
customer, the loss it will be to both Of
us. A perfect treasure, who pays with
out bargaining and before the goods are
deliveredl These are hard times, M.
Roquel" rs.l saa .a-
"And we have SO many debts on our
books, M. Rogue, Staub added insinu-
atingly. .t@sr
There was parley. Rogue was clear
~ perplexed He stood moment in
thought. evidently wavering between
passion and mirth. Finally he walked
over to the outwardly calm Baliveau.
Monsieur, " said he, with a courte-
ous bow, "you are sharper witted than
took you to be-" 'aa
''Eh? In what way, monsieur?" Sym
phorien demanded. ui.ll b
"You know how to save your skin
without compromising yourself. But,
see you, tell me what made you so bent
| on q duel last niphtpi r ~ .
Ambition, frankly confessed the
provincial II wanted to be celebrated
and saw no other way" @ taa
"Ah, you have the mania, too, then?
So had once-till outlived the folly.
Well, no matter. You've courage, and
your wish shall be gratified more easily
| and safely than mine was. Get into my
cabriolet. When they see us returning
together, people will say Of you, Be-
hold, the only man who ever went out
with Rogue and came back safe and
soundP Jump in before I change my
mind, which would be all the worse for
you."
Then, agreeably conscious that he
was the object Of universal attention,
Baliveau proceeded to the Cafe de Paris
the restaurant most in vogue at that
time-where he lengthily dined, know
| ing that every eye, from the waiter to
the dame de compton, was fixed upon
him with an interest and curiosity that
| satisfied, even beyond his anticipations,
his thirst for notoriety.
Alas for the unstableness of human
felicity! Next morning there was pam
ic on the bourse When he entered Tor
toni's for breakfast, no one noticed him.
They were too much absorbed in the
profits and the losses
1t was the coup de grace to Bali
veau's brief celebrity, and weary and
dispirited he returned to his province
home. Cincinnati Commercial Ga
zette. ..