Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-03-24

said Gaspard, coming forward quickly;
Il thought everything was Quoted
, down again, though papa did say there
: was thunder in the air"
What about Prussia?" asked Es-
perance. knowing nothing of politics
i, Some fuss about Prince Leopold
j trying to get the Spanish throne; but
they said day or two ago he had
resigned OF course France would
never have allowed It,"
Here the door was opened by NJ. de
Mabillon, and there was an eager in
uuiry from both occupants Of the
room:
/ What news, papa?'
There Is tremendous excitement,
replied NJ de Mabilon, with more We
hemence than Esperance had ever
seen in him before THE whole city
is ia a tumult they say that Monsieur
Benedetti has been insulted by the
King Of Prussia, and war has been
declared"
"Warl with Prussia" exclaimed
Gaspard, in delighted excitement,
while Esperance startled ard be-
wldered, echoed the words in a very
different tone.
She listened TO the eager talk be-
tween her father and brother, still
scarcely takiag in this strangely sud
den intelligence
Papa, do tell me about it. Who Is
Monsieur Benedict, and why are we
going to war. | don't understand"
Monsieur Benedetti is our embassa-
dor at Berlin" said NJ de Mabilon;
and as to the reason Of the war, n
have told you the pretext giveu; but
privately | think that both nations
were anxious to provoke a quarrel, and
fight it out"
How can people ever wish for
/ War!" ghed Esperance, in such a sad
tone that her father drew her toward
/ him caressing her IN the way she liked
best
Il hope this war. at least will not
harm you, my child AS to the innate
/ love OF war. 1t Is such a mixture of
/ patriotism, policy, and personal van
ity, that neither you nor will trouble
about il"
Women never can understand"
said Gaspard, a little scornfully "Es-
perance does not seem to care for the
honor OF the country. Father. Won
VIII let me enlist as volunteer will
YOU uot?"
Esperaflce turned pale. and chung
more closely 10 her father waiting in
anxiety for his answer This seemed
to bring the war much nearer home
NJ, de Mabillon had been fully ex-
pecting such proposal, yet he hest
lated for moment before replying
OF course, you naturally wish 10
60 Gaspard,' he said, at length, "but
there are many reasons against IT.
our present circumstances for in
stance, and many other things. he
sides, II the war be of long duration.
there will be all the more need for
volunteers to come forward later on
This was evidently a grevious dlsap-
pointment; and Esperance, in her
Iehet, was sympathetic.
Poor Gaspard2 He has given n,
Two professions In one day. Never
m'hd, perhaps after all you will be
wanted later on Damel how curious
1t would be TO see you in uniform,o
Not much chance, fear. of that"
sad Gaspard, little sullenly. eve
sh0l, be sure to beat the Germans IN
no umc, perhaps in 4 month we shall
nave taken Berlin; who knows?"
lie spoke with su confidence that
ESperance looked up in surprise.
us it so, indeed papa?"
My dear little girl. | don't think
u is possible to tell yet. Every one
seems very confident of success. h,t
1t is perfectly well known that the
German army is very well organized
but we have the soldiers of Jena?"
SAID Gaspard triumphantly 81 shall
<" ana see what is being done"
ne went cut promising TO bring
oark the latest tldngs. but II 40
Ma'allon did cot put much faith IN
tAis' thinking It far more probable
loat ne would only Join the crowd ON
the bouIeyards to shout viva n
Euerre'' and give vent to his en-
thusiaSm
Espemnce, still much excited. HOY
cred about unable to settle 10 any
'hlos. until seeing that her father
was engrossed in his newspaper She
nan downstairs 10 discuss the great
topic with Nine Bemercipr
me LemercIers were the occunaDts
OF the troisteme etage. and had ar-
ready proved themselves n,e,son4
neiehbors to the De M5hinons
monsieur was connected with the
press, ana was seldom at home, but
madame who suffered from ennui in
3ls absence was delighted 10 have
visitors at any hour Of the day. ana
always made Esperanca specially wei.
come
THIS evening madame seemed even