The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1905-07-28
ACAREER MADE
BY TWO PEACHES

y HE first time l saw my old chum.
Vital Herbelot, after separation
of 25 years, was at a reunion OF the
old pupils of a country school where
we had studied together. | was con-
siderably surprised to finS that he had
turned out very different sect OF man
from what l had expected.
had known him in former years
as a thin. timid fellow, always look
ing as if he had stepped out of band
box. correct and reserved in manner
and without an ounce more originality
than any of his hundred comrades who
also held places in the large bureaus.
| found him now a man of easy bear
ing, evidently accustomed to wealth
and Importance and speaking with the
authoritative tone of a man whom
others obey and who takes orders from
no one
what have you been doing?" I
demanded, curiously. Are you no
longer in the government"
mo. old man" he replied, with an
odd smile; Il am a farmer and have
been for a good many years
What! And you the son and grand
son Of a government clerk! How did
you evade your natural destiny?"
WELL he answered, laughing, "the
greatest results are often brought
about by the oldest reasons. | re-
signed my appointment because Of two
peaches"
1.-TWO peaches?"
Neither more nor less. If you'll
come out to Chanteraine with me
when the banquet is over I'll tell you
the story"
Accordingly, when the coffee and
toasts were finished we started to-
gether following the path by the canal,
and my friend began his story.
"You know he said, my father.
who was an old clerk himself, thought
there was no career like that of the
government Naturally, as soon as I
was graduated he procured a post for
me. and | set to work as dOcilely as
an obedient son should.
81 had been brought up to have a
proper respect for those set in au-
thority above me, and consequently
or two rapid strides ahead. When |
was 25 1 was promoted again. and all
my companions envied me and said
was cut out for a successful life.
at was then that | was married to
an exceedingly pretty young girl. very
good and very amiable. but without
any dowry Such a marriage was a
terrible mistake in the eyes of my
small world
'The rule is without exception there.
If the husband gets the breakfast the
wife must bring the dinner. But my
wife and l had to manage carefully in
order to have even supper.
However, we were very happy and
she was al excellent housekeeper, SO
we contrived somehow to make both
ends meet
Zone evening my chief, who was
rich and liked to entertain. invited
Nine. Herbelot and me to large ball.
MY wife was unable to go, but, as a
superiors invitation to a subordinate
savors Of royal command | was
Obliged to put on my black coat and go
"As | was getting ready. and she
was tying my white cravat, my wife
said earnestly:
cit will be very splendid. Do not
forget to look at everything so as to
tell me all about it; the names of the
ladies who are there, the color of their
dresses and the menu for supper. For
of course there will be supper and
good things, too, | am sure. | heard
some one say something of peaches
which would cost three francs apiece
Oh, those peachesl Do you know, if
you were very good to me you'd bring
me home one!'
Il tried to show her that it was ut
terly impossible for a man to put a
peach in the pocket OF his dress suit
without being seen and laughed at, but
she had got the idea into her head