The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-27
A CAPTAINS STORY.

in the world for a fellow to do with him
self there, no theater even, only low nu-
sic hall.
"When I was off duty, gradually got
into the habit of turning into the Union
club, which, by the bye, was the only one
the town possessed.
at was called the Union I should
imagine, because there was always dis
pute of some kind or another going on
there. There was very little play at the
club except at the time of the three annual
fairs, each of which lasted week. One
autumn afternoon, just at the opening of
one of these fairs, I happened to go to the
club rather early. There was fair num-
Der of men there that day who were stran-
gers to me- wealthy farmers of the neigh
bOrhood, who rarely came into town, and
the various owners Of the country houses
around.
&C They are playing high today said
one of the habitues of the club to me- I
turned round toward the table to watch
the game and was so surprised at the sight
of one Of the players that almost ex-
claimed.
sit was a young man of some % or 90
years of age, whom I knew by sight I
was very much interested in him, for his
father had fought courageously at Magen-
ia and had been killed on the field of bat
tie, leaving his widow and son by no means
well provided for. The young man came
very rarely to the club, and had never
seen him touch a card before. was stupe-
fed, therefore, to see him holding the bank,
and good bank it was, too, for there were
plenty of notes and gold coins heaped up
in front of him.
elbow 1nuohP' called out enc of the
players.
:" OhP' laughed a wealthy farmer, NJ
de Mertens is in luck's way. He can safely
keep his bank OPEN
81 noticed that the young mans face
was deadly pale and there was an excited
look in his eyes.
Open bank, he said. And it seemed as
though the very words changed the luck.
TEN times running Mertens lost, and
in quarter of an hour his bank was clear
ed out. Another man took his place and
the play went on. 1t got so exciting that
I, too, was fascinated and Joined in. There
was no room to sit down at the table, so 1
continued standing, holding my hat in my
hand and throwing my winnings into it.
had a run of luck and went on playing
in the most excited way until was startled
by some one calling out, You are being
robbed, captainP
81 started and instinctively seized a
hand which had knocked against mine
through my sudden movement. 1t was M.
de Mertens hand, and he held the $40
note which he had just taken out of my
hat The wretched mans face was con
vulsed with emotion. Our eyes met. His
were dilated with terror, and there was a
look in them that seemed to hold me spell
bound.
- NJ. de AIertens is my partner I said
haughtily to the man who had warned me,
and am surprised that you should dare
to bring such an accusation against gen
tleman whose reputation is SO well known
''The individual who had called out had
never been to the club before and did not
Il
been standing round the table close to each
other, and seeing another player put
his hand into my hat it was very natural
that the man should have thought it his
duty to warn me. On hearing my explana-
ton he apologized most humbly to NJ. de
Mertens, and several of the acquaintance
of the latter gathered round and expressed
their regret that such an insult should
have been offered him
We then continued our play, and NJ. dc
Mertens soon after left the club. Three
days passed, and heard nothing more of
the young man. In shielding him as
had done, my first thought had been of his
father, and had determined 60 save from
disgrace the name of the brave soldier of
Magenta. OF course I could quite under
stand that the young man should now
shrink from sesiAg me again, but still it
struck mo as rather strange that in some
way, either direct or indirect he did not
apG0InpU 20 express his thanks
lone evening, however, just as I was
going out to pay some visits, my orderly
informed me that a lady wished to see
me. I went into the drawing room, and
there found woman of about As years
of age. She was very dign16ed looking,
and there was an open, honest expression
about her face which fascinated me.
" L am Nine de Mertens, she said sim
ply. My son told me everything about |
the affair at the club, and have come to
thank you with all my heart for having !
preserved for us intact the honor of our |
name
Madame. began, but she interrupt |
ed me in her emotion and nervousness.
My son had got entangled in various |
ways, and in desperation had taken to |
play. It appears he had lost every penny |
he possessed that night. You know the |
rest alasP
81 felt very much embarrassed, for the |
POOR mothers grief was terrible to witness. |
He is young, madame. You must |
not take it to heart So stammered. 1t |
was just a moments weakness. will see |
your son, and
q Ne captain, she said, shaking her
head sadly, he Is ne longer here. = He !
has enlisted and is already on his way with |
the regiment. -
We had all been listening attent1vely to |
Captain JOubert's story, and when he |
stopped speaking there was silence for |
few minutes.
''And what happened to N. de Mertens
eaptain9''
'sHe Is dead. Six months ago I !
received a letter from Kelung-a pitlful |
little differentiation with very pale ink |
and on sheet of paper that was all crun-
pied and yellow with age. There were |
only few lines for me to read. know |
them by heart. They were as follows:
90 I am nortally wounded The colo |
mel (Courbet1 has just brought me the cross; !
but am dying. 1 am sending it to |
you, my poor cross for you saved nae,
and should like you to wear It =