Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-05
The Sturu Teller.
HIS MOTHERS REPUTATION.
The Tragic Story of a French Duel.

was the daughter of one of the wealth
lest and best-known families in the
city, and the affair was most brilliant
one. When we were about quitting
the table after the wedding-feast, 1 felt
hand upon my shoulder. | turned.
Before me stood young captain OF
dragons, handsome, dashing fellow,
with curly blonde hair.
"You do not recognize me-" said he,
smiling. 49,
"1n TRUTH" said L, hesitating, II
cannot remember"
81 am Gustave Raisant, your old
chum. Why, I remember well the
first day you came to the school. You
advanced toward me as stood in the
playground, and said, Lend me some
marbles I lent you some, and we
became fast friends at once, and our
friendship lasted for three years"
I grasped his hand warmly, and we
at once began to talk over old times
together. It is always with certain
degree of pleasure that one meets an
old chum of school or college. So we
exhausted the subject of schooldays,
and took up our present prospects.
Gustave told me that his were excel
lent; he would soon have >commis-
sion as major, lucky advancement
for so young man. When l pre-
pared to leave, he accompanied me to
the station, and, after cordial fare
well, we parted.
Months passed, and I heard no more
of Gustave. Finally, one morning, 1
saw his name in the official journal, ,
and noted with pleasure that he had
received his expected promotion.
With his commission he had received
orders detailing him to garrison at
Maubeuge, on the Belgian frontier.
One August evening 1 was taking a
stroll in the Champs-Elysees. It was
a little after nine, and around me was
the usual gay crowd of a summer
night. Promenaders by the hundred ;
merry people seated at the little ta-
bles in front of the cafes, smoking,
drinking and chatting. To the right,
cafe concert, its front hung with
colored lanterns. Before me the long
Avenue des Champs-Elysees extended,
its hundreds of lights glimmering like
glow. worms in the dark. Suddenly |
saw familiar face by the light of a
street lamp. 1t was Gustave Raisant.
"Hallo, major" said I, extending
my hand, "well met"
"Ah, is it you?" said he, languidly.
81 am glad to see YOU"
His tone struck me. looked at
him attentively. He seemed to have
aged much since I had seen him be-
fore. Already there were gray hairs
showing around his temples. Linking
nv arm with his, I said:
"Come, let's take a STROLL"
"Willingly."
After we had walked some little dis
tance, / gave up attempting to make
him converse. He seemed entirely
destitute of interest in any topic that
might bring up, and plunged into
melancholy.
"Come, come, Gustave," said /,
"you have something on your mind,
haven't you?"
He hesitated moment, but finally
replied:
Eyes"
IA love affair, III be sworn"
He was silent, and 1 repeated my
somewhat brusque remark. There are
some wounds that will not bear prob
ing.
Suddenly he spoke: =,
"Lislen," said he, "and shall tell
you the cause Of my melancholy.
Perhaps I am wrong to chafe under it
as 1 do; perhaps you may give me
some good advice. 10 any event, l
shall tell you my story. Since | last
saw you there has been tragical
event in my life. Oh, you have heard
nothing of it. Thanks to the people
at headquarters, the papers were 81
lenced, and I won't bore you-my
story isn't long; and," he added Bit
terly, II think it is interesting. But
it is old-the old story of parents sins
being expiated by the children.
He knocked the ash from his cigar,
and then he slowly told his story.
Last June, as you may know, the
reserve forces, were ordered out for
their yearly service. We had some
of them at Maubeuge, where had
been stationed with the Fifty-Third
for month. One morning | was
about to start for Lille, on regimental
business, in company with a brother
officer of my regiment. We stepped
into a large eating-house to take a
chop before the train left. 1t was a
very large establishment, with marble
tables around the room, and at one
end was long bar, where those with
light purses were allowed to take re-
freshments. Our table was near the
bar, and at the time we seated our
selves there was long line of private
soldiers and laborers drinking there.
We talked Of various matters, and my
companion said {:
"'Have you the son of any celebrity
among your recruits 2
"'Yes,' said I young Myrian, son
of the wellknown painter, is in my