The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-03-15
CUPID IN A BOX.
A Wo0ing Under Difficulties.

housey and the one who has been detail
I'd to watch me during my temporary con-
fnement. What an outrage to place an
officer under arrest for such a slight
breach of discipline as that Of which l
was guilty!
What a brutal air these sentries
have! 1t is true that l myself have not
a very spiritual air. How stupid it is
here! shall certainly disocate my jaw
with yawning. All, if the Vicomtesse de
Buala should see me thus! BY the way,
it seems to me that my friend Adjutant
Major Gelabert smiled wickedly as he
took my saber after my arrest. 1t seems
to me that he has been very assiduous
in his attentions to the vicomtesse of
late "What is it SchnickmatzY
"a letter for you, lieutenant"
Zach! Give 1t to me. 1t is from the
vicomtesse.
''Dear Monsieur--I wish you would DO 80 kind
as to accompany me to the opera this evening.
As a reward for this favor perhaps will consent
to abridge the period Of what you have so gal.
lantly called your sentry duty"
All, what happiness! BY Jove! l did
we'll to speak of sentry duty. 1t is six
months since asked for her hand, and
today she capituates, with arms and
baggage. Gelaberr is done for! "Schnick-
matz"
"Yes, lieutenant"
acct out my dress suit"
eyes, lieutenant. Are you going out?'
"You don't think want my dress suit
for you, do your"
"No, lieutenant. But the sentry?"
"Ah! l forgot the sentry. We'll, ! will
go through the stables"
"But the colonel is there looking after
the grooming of his horses"
"Confound him! He ought to be
hostlcr. Well, he can't stay there for
ever. Schnickmatz, tell me the moment
his back is turned" 1t will not do to dis
and execution! All, dear Louise! A
widow, 2G! Such beautiful hair! Such
hands! Such adorable feet! The most
charming woman in all Paris! But
must dress at once. 1t is quarter past
A, and must take the S o'clock express.
All. Louise! My darling! My life! Bing!
There goes n button! Schnickmatz"
Eyes, lieutenant"
"Has the colonel gone yet?'
"No, lieutenant"
"Then l must plan some other means
Of escape. Shall descend by the win
dow? No, should be seen. All, have
an idea! Schnickmatz, get down the box
in which my horse trappings came"
ayes, lieutenant, and l shall get the
saddlesW
mo. simpleton. Now, listen. I am
going to conceal myself in that box.
Then l want you to have 1t taken to the
station, and l want you to stay beside 1t
all the time. Ii the colonel questions
you, tell him that You are going to send
my horse trappings to Paris to have
them repaired"
Eyes, lieutenant"
"Well, now ! am ready. The devil!
I shouldn't want to travel far in these
close quarters. Now close the cover, and
be careful not to let me fall"
"Have no fear, lieutenant. will car
~ you safely down stairs. and will sit
on the box while 1t is being carried to the
station"
All, what Goliath Schnickmatz Is!
He shoulders me as though l were
child. Now we are going down stairs.
"Schnickmatz. you idiot, hold me the 9TH
er way! All the blood is running into my
headw All. thank heavens! At last am
on the cart Now we are off! Thunder!
! never knew before that this road was
so rough! shall be jolted to pieces be.
fore we reach the station! All. at last!
We are there at last! "Schnickmatz. open
the box! Quick, or ! shall be smoth-
ered!'
"Wait n moment. lieutenant; the colo
mel is at the station"
what! The colonel here? Is he 60
Ing to Parish"
"Yes: he is buying his ticket. Keep
your head down, lieutenant, or he will
see you"
"Thc devil! dare not meet the colo
mel. Schnickmatz, have me sent as bag
gage"
AS baggage, lieutenantT
Eyes; have me sent to Paris rs bng-
gage. Pay the charges. l shall Outwit /
the colonel yet"
can hear Schnickmatz talking with |
the baggage master. 1t Is all arranged.
But hope they will not forget me and
leave me here at the station. No: tho
porters are carrying me to the train.
BE careful. you brutes! They handle |
ME as though | were a sack Of p0tatoes! |
! ought to have had Handle With Care"
marked on the box. What a strong smell |
of leather! The vicomtesse will think
have come direct from the stables. Oh.
am suffocating! must widen this
chink in the box. Whew, what an odor! |
Is it possible that | am under box of |
cheese? And what's that beside me? A
coop Of ducks! What delightful sur
Curse the colonel! will send
In my resignation as soon as return to
Meaux. Well, must be patient. Let
me think Of her. She must be very good
and loving to me to make me forget this
torture. All. | shall dine with her this
evening! l shall sit opposite her in her
little dining room. What delightful
And then for the opera! l
shall envelop her in furs! shall help
her put on her gloves. demanding n kiss
for each button There are dozen!
And then two more hours together! Two
heavenly hours of music and love!
Quack! Quack! Quack! Oh, those
damnabe ducks! And to think that PEG.
pie are going to eat these unclean things!
II the vicomtesse has duck for dinner,
shall have no appetite.
But we certainly ought to be in Paris
by this time. 1t seems to me l have
been three hours on the road, or, rather,
three centuries. Oh. what cramp! l
can endure this no longer. Well. here
goes. whatever comes of 1t. What a
crash! The box of cheese has tumbled
Into the coop of ducks. ! am free! I
am free! But what a rent there is in my
coat! All, here comes q porter. snow
don't be angry, my friend. will explain
all. l am not robber. There is my
card, and here is money for the damage
I have caused. will tell you the his
tory Of my adventure another time, but
now toll mo the hour y