The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-11-18

VINO sat In a corner b~rooding. Touching
his shoulder, be said politely, Major Dur
fresno, ! have the honor to wish you a
good evening"
The person addressed raised a pair OF
tired eyes. "Ah, it's you, captainY"
You remember our little affair in the
Moscow theaterYn
"Where you insisted upon taking q
place that rightfully belonged to me
perfectly. You said, / believe, that /
ought to feel honored to give way to his
maiesty's favorite. For that / called you
a simpleton."
"And l returned the compliment with
interest, if | am not mistaken. So we
arranged a meeting for next morning,
but as Immediately afterward You were
sent into the interior to Marshal Victor
we agreed to postpone the duel for two
months-this night. Now l admit that
circumstances
"Pray, captain, where ones honor is
concerned surrounding circumstances
cannot possibly be Of the least moment"
said the major with fine spirit and an eff
fort to draw himself up to his full height
Let us co. he added. There must
be a suitable spot behind the building"
Gastellane nodded and went ahead.
He was about to say something concern
ing the necessity Of having seconds when
a great noise arrested his attention. In
front Of the imperial sled appeared the
courier, swearing and lamenting that his
majesty's baggage had been rifed. "They
killed one of my men," he cried, and l
am responsible for it. All, the Polish
scoundreli Lead is too good for him.
Meanwhile the thief was marched for
ward between two grenadiers. He turn
ed out to be a sublieutenant of the Lee
gion of the Vistula, and Immediately
great crowds of curious officers and sol
diers surrounded him. Even his grace
Alexander Berthier, prince Of Neufcha-
tel, came running out.
.Poor devil" said Castellane, "they
will place him against the wall, and then
goodby. It's a pity, though. | am sure
hunger drove him to the act"
Dufresne said nothing, but stared at
the culprit with wide open eyes.
Don't shoot me- cried the Pole. 81
have something to tell, most important
information. l will confess all. Only
give me a hearing"
He was hustled into the house, the
courier following. At that moment Du-
fresno touched the captains arm. by
my soul, all is lost"
But. major, what is this to your
Castellane lowered his voice after look
ing into Dufresne's face, which told
more than words. Impossible" be cried
at last. 'aThis wretch is lying. Pray tell
me that he is, and / will believe you."
sNo, no; he is telling the TRUTH" whis-
pered the major. Il persuaded him to
rob the sled In order to get Us a meal,
just one meal. and now he will confess
all. / am lost My honor is gone"
"But you, a major of the guards. l
can't grasp it."
Man" cried the elder officer, sif you
hadn't been travelling in the marshaIs
equipage you would know what it means
to hunger-to starye for days, weeks,
months. You are an adjutant and never
have been wanting for bread"
Even il ! had l wouldn't have turned
thief"
How do you knowy cried the major,
seizing Castellane by the arm, with hun
ger and madness staring out Of his eyes.
How does any COMPOUNDED glutton know!
You have dined well today as always.
Your clothes, | see, are of the best. Night
and day you have had a warm stove at
your elbow. All, this wal has been a
pleasure party for such as YOU But look
at me. Forty nights l have rolled on the
frozen ground, trying to find sleep, while
hunger gnawed my vitals. Have you
ever stuffed your mouth with snow until
your lips burned? l did it to get some
thing into my stomach. Once / lived for
three days on the leather of my helmet,
chewed to rags. We nave fought battles
for a mouthful of horse carcass. ! tell
you, captain, / helped three OF my men to
hang themselves on one and the same
tree at Orcha, and when / handed the
rope to the last one | said: 'Goodby, chill
dren. You are better off than we Hv-
ing"
Dufresne leaned his head against the
wall. The talking, the "reminiscences,
proved too much for him.
Castellane could say nothing. He had
forgotten about the quarrel and the
bloody errand on which he was ound.
Save this poor fellow, save him." his
heart kept repeating.
.This morning" continued the major
after a pause, I learned of the emper-
or's fight and that a sled full of provi-
sions was to be sent after him. | went
to the stables and looked on while it was
being loaded. What quantities of wine,
bread, coffee. meat and all sorts Of good
things! Then the devil tool possession
Of me. / con6ded in the Pole, but he is a
blockhead and allowed himself to be
caught. The game is up"
CasteIlane begged his newly found
friend not to despair. 81 will go and
talk with the courier. / will offer him a
large sun. No doubt things can be ar
ranged" But ever as he turned to go
the door Of the posthouse opened, and
Berthier's adjutant, the courier and sew
eral ~gendarmes came out. Castellane
doubled his steps in order to intercept
them. At that moment he heard a shot
behind him. The major had sent a bullet
into his brain, dying almost instantly.
Castellane overwhelmed the courier
with reproaches, the man suffering
weak excuses: Il had to do it. The
health of his majesty demands rich nour-
ishment. His majesty knows the extent
Of our stock Of wines, delicacies and 9th
er provisions to the last bottle and pound.
If he had missed anything. il would ave
cost me my place. Besides, you know.
his majesty is a hearty enter
How much was stolehy
The courier didn't know exactly, but
-HL+rN+ AEA4 $780, - -