The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-15
Two Stories of Dr.. Evans.

| When a party Of visitors called at IN
| Evans house near the Champs-Elysee
In Paris some years ago. they hears
| sounds, as they rang the bell from beneatt
! the white marble steps where they stood
! and directly afterward Dr.. Evans emerged
I from below in his shirt sleeves, covered
with cobwebs, but not in the least discon-
| certed by being caught in such guiss
| He laughingly explained that he was n
| search of his pet duck Columbia, which
| could not be found. AS he seemed much
| distressed, his visitors followed him
| through the garden, peering here and
| there.
| 1t seemed that when very young. the
| duck showed a strong affection for Mrs.
Evans, following her about the garden and
even into the house, where she made her.
| self quite at home In the drawing room.
The bird proved so intelligent and affec-
tionate that Mrs. Evans devoted consider
able time to teaching her different tricks
and the proper manners for polite society,
till the duck finally became an acknowl-
edged member of the family, much ad-
mired by all who came to the house.
During the Commune. when Paris was
starving, this adored duck suddenly disap-
peared. and great was the grief in the Ev-
ans household. Rewards were offered and
every effort made to discover the thief.
Some months afterward, while entertain
ing a number of friends at dinner, a sery-
ant whispered, with much excitement, that
a soldier was outside who sad the duck
had been found. The good news ran
around the table. The man was brought
into the room, and there, perched on his
shoulder, was Columbia, much bedra ggled
q n pp nd far hoi :. he
and naughty bird of the past She blinked
her eyes in the candle-light, and then, sud-
denly recognizing Mrs. Evans voice. as
the hostess called her name. gave joyful
quacks and tapped across the flower
decked table to Mrs. Evans bare shoulder,
where she nestled. rubbing her head loving
ly against her mistress cheek
Then the history of the previous months
were explained. II seemed that, the gar
den gate having been left ajar one day, the
soldier spied Columbia wading comforta-
bly, along the path, fat, sleek, and to his
hungry eyes the embodiment OF goodly
meal In thrice he had the duck beneath
his coat, and was speeding down the side
street, sitting as best he could the indg-
nant quacks Of his prey. But on arriving
at the barracks and being set down in the
midst OF the men, Columbia straightway
began her programme OF tricks, waltzing,
bowling, kissing. etc, ending by nesting
lovingly against her captor's neck with
an affectionate gurgie of satisfaction. Her
faith in human kindness saved her life
The men, one and all. voted to remain
hungry rather than eat so delightful a
creature, and Columbia was their pet from
that hour.
His story finished, the soldier received
substantial reward, and all drank his
health with much laughter while Columbia
nodded approval from Mrs. Evans shoul-
der.
AS DR.. Evans ceased relating this the
heroine of the tale emerged from beneath
a lilac bush and came waddling across the
lawn to meet the visitors, stopping now
and then to bow deeply to her master
with much dignity.
Before the visitors left he showed them
the rom upstairs where Eugene dressed
for her flight. From a drawer he drew
out the shabby plaid shawl, old fashioned
scoop bonnet and lace veil which she had
worn, and had sent back afterward as
souvenirs. DR.. Evans said as he folded
them away:
"Only twice in my life have actually
known fear. The first was when I pro-
posed to my wife; the second was when I
told the guard at the gate of Paris that
had poor, mad woman with me whom
was taking TO her friends. As ne knew
me he was not suspicious; but if he had
so much as asked the Empress to raise
her veil neither of our lives would have
been worth a five-franc piece.
II could feel her trembling beside me,
and her breath coming in faint gasps but
Just then she tainted, which was the most
sensible thing she could have DONE"