The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-02-01


M ma stand. Take care you don't
lose tnem."
mo fear of that" replied jacques
confidently. as he tied the calf fast
and started on his three leagues jour-
ney from Etrlcourt for st. Quentin.
Arrived at the city he went straight to
the butcher Vatin, delivered the calf
and received the stipulated sixty
francs. As he drove away he noticed
that the clock indicated quarter TO
nine. and said to himself that he would
easily get back to the farm by dinner
time. He drove slowly along the street,
peering into the shop windows. One
which bore the sign, "Vinsse Soeurs.
Modistes," attracted him so strongly
that he drew up to the curb and halted
played in the window. There were
hats and bonnets of wonderful COM
plexity and riotous colors, and ribbons
of rich velvet and glittering satin.
What especially aroused his admira-
tion was big straw hat, patriotcally
adorned with blue-bottles. daisies and
poppies and broad green ribbons. He
6ismounted and stood before the win
dow, with his eyes and mouth wide
open. Some day he thought, he might
be able to buy such hat for Clemen-
tine. His mouth expanded into broad
smile as he conjured up the picture Of
her pretty face framed in this work Of
art, and thought how pleased she
would be to receive such a gift from
him. Clementine and he We're en-
ployed on the same farm, and, if not
yet declared lovers, were in a fair way
of becoming such. His revery was
rudeiy interrupted by the pressure of
a heavy hand on his shoulder. He
turned and saw his old comrade, Ze-
phyrin, and several other people, men
and women, who had stopped and were
laughing at his astonishment.
81 didn't know you with that thing
on" said Jacques, pointing to the 9TH
er's high hat. Then his eyes wandered
over the company. The men wore
high hats and frock coats or dress
coats of various vintages; the women
bad on silk dresses and shawls en-
broidered with flowers.
One girl was dressed entirely in
white and wore wreath of orange
S.ossoms and voluminous veil.
"a wedding party?' said Jacques.
eyes, and l am the bridegroom"
responded Zephyrin with a laugh.
"Come with us. We are going to lunch
con-" Jacques declined, saying that
he must be home by noon. Zephyrin
insisted.
But l can't go like this" said
Jacques, pointing to his rough blouse
and great shoes. Then the bridegroom
became angry. But still Jacques shook
his head. Then the bride, plump and
vivacious little woman, told her hus.
band that he ought not to insist, as
the gentleman evidently did not find
the society to his liking. This decided
Jacques and he accepted the invita-.
ton. The bridal procession resumed
its march; Jacques following with his
cart. On the way Zephyrin told his
mOther-in-law why he had insisted or
Jacques joining them.
"The cart will be handy if any of Il.
get tired" The bridegroom's happy
Idea was received with approval by
all. '-,-
The stars were shining. 1t was mid
night. No sound was heard in til,
deserted street except the noisy rattlin;
of the cart over the stones. Jacque.
steered devious course out of tn,
city. He muttered .ncoherent words
the most frequent of which were 9TH,
calf" Then he felt his leather purs,
and swore. Only 20 of the 60 franc
remained. He was quite sure 70
he had counted the money severa
times by the light of his lantern.
was an easy sum to count for the purs
contained just one 20-franc piece.
This Is how it came about. Afte
luncheon he had been for going home
A few hours late, what was that? H
could explain it and the master wa
good-humored. But taking a Who'll
day off was very different matter
He must go home. His companion
urged him to stay, the ladies employe
their most seductive arts, and finall
the bridegroom brought forward
very plausible argument. The part
was going out to Estrees on the Etr
court road. To accompany it to tina
point would not delay jacques great
and then he could go on his wa,
jacques yielded. At Estrees they foun
a village festival in progress.
The wine had circulated freely q
luncheon and on the way out, so ths
Jacques vas in no humor to refuse I
dance quadrille. After the quadrill
came polka, which a lady of b
party begged him to dance with he
Then he danced a waltz and MOI
waltzes and more polkas. Dancing
Thirsty PORK. and after ut el.tA each dance u