Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-06-08
\ A ROSE OF "a
| NORMANDY |
WILLIAM r. A. WILSON
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CHAPTER u.-CoNTINUED.

C1APIER ll.-CONTlNUED'
Get up, you rogue, or / shall turn
you over to the authorities for an es-
capped prisoner" was Tonti's reply, as
he stepped back with hand leaning on
his weapon, so as to have it ready for
another outbreak. "Why and how do
you come here, who are you, and what
do you want?"
The man arose and stood facing him
with a respectful air, as he replied:
why do | come? A cornered mouse
makes scant choice of holes How?
Over the roofs. My name? Jean Pom
pom Comarin. yOtre service, Mon
sieur; usually called Pompon for short
by my intimates, privilege l gladly
extend to you" ca muttered "Peste!
much | want Of your privileges from
Tonti) my present residence is an
unknown quantity; for the past six
years one of the lowermost dungeons
of the Bastille. My wants? Simple:
merely food and hiding-place. l
sought first to frighten you, thinking
you to be as big fool as those simple
minded children out there" He point
the crowd had been Then, thinking
you were an ally of Colbert sought
to kill you; finding you neither, | wish
to be your friend"
For a moment Tonti stared at his
companion, then, glancing at his out
stretched hand and impudent smile,
he placed his sword on the table, fell
into his chair, and lying back with
one leg thrown over its arm, laughed
until the tears blinded him and coursed
down his cheeks.
"Ventre Saint Girls! but | would not
have missed this exhibition, no, not
for a thousand pistoles. What face
and ears and teeth and-Cospetto! in
a moment he is changed from a devil
into a man. Then, too, his story-ha,
ha! A cornered mouse makes scant
choice of holes not badly spoken.
may call him 'Pompon' if l choose; he
wishes TO be my friend. l am over
whelmed with honors But look you,
friend Pompon," here he sat up and
his face became sober as a thought
seemed to strike him. "do you not ad-
nit that you are the prisoner about
to be executed that | saw but a short
while back carried along by the fright
ened Crowd?"
The man nodded
How did you get your wrists un-
tied?"
Some friendly hand cut the rope
while was struggling in my escape"
And where got you yon dagger that
you seemed so anxious to present me
with moment ago."
The same friendly hand that loosed
3ne Slipped it into my palm as l passed
by. Entering an empty building, hid
upon the roof. ! crept along to this
house, and looking over the edge,
saw the easement open, and hearing
no sound, thought the room was va
cant. Knowing that as long as dark
ness continued | would escape detec-
tion by any in the street below, l low
cred myself in"
'Well done, Pompon it seems that
thou hast something besides popping
eyeballs in that head of thine. Dame!
if your plight does not appeal to me.
Since when have you eaten and
drunken"
mot since yesterday morning, Mon
sieur"
Helm! then you must first of all be
filled. Open yon door and from the
Shelf get the remains of a game-pie
and that bottle Of wine you will find
there. 'Tis all have, but you may
share"
The man obeyed; and after draining
a glass of red wine, he closed the closet
door without touching the pie, and,
going to the window, peered forth.
"It is a bold mouse that makes its
nest in the cats ear" he said, as he
pointed to group Of soldiers who is
sued from neighboring house, en-
tered the next. and disappeared.
Ma fol! search party" calculated