The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-05
BIZ ?. pERTHoLp.

We are all here, are we not? Shal
dinner be served" asked Lieut.. Paul Fur
nival looking ineuiringly about the room.
'Legendre hasn't come yet, replied
his comrade, Bethune.
Nor Morris Marchton,T added Alder
Debray, Captain in the same company.
The officers were assembled in the mess
room Of the army post in the little city
of Y.
-Its no use to wait for cml" exclaimed
Lieut. Gray, First come, first served.
vote We alt down
They took their seats at the table and .
lively conversation began at once
BY the way. talking of Marchton, creo
Lieut.. Furnival suddenly, guess what
saw to-day. The Captain Is more famous
than he thinks he Is, for in the window
OF the book stores here / cav a new book
with the title, printed in big letters, Morris
Marchton.
.ohi bah shouted the others. Haven't
you anything better than fairy tales to
give us2"
Look, here he Is now said Bethune.
"Who?"
Morris Marchton.'
(which? The man or the book?"
The question was followed by q burst OF
laughter as the young officer of whom they
spoke entered the room.
what the dickens Ia 30 funny about me
that you are all so amused?" asked the new
conner.
The entire table fastened to explain.
The new novel which had jus: appeared
with title corresponding exactly TO his
own name--what did he suppose it meant?
Perhaps it was a study OF his life. Who
knew what sort of character the hero Of
this book had. whether he was ridiculous
or even detestable2 In any case, it must
be very disagreeable for him, and besides,
no one knew how much harm 1t might do
him.
But who wrote the novel;" interrupted
n voice.
yes who is the author2' inquired an
other.
wait a bit, remember it perfectly
replied Furnival. 1t was Harrison John
Harrison"
During this time Morris Marchton. per-
picked at the food OF words. questions.
protests and other sounds that deafened
his ears, did not clearly know what it was
that had happened to him His friends
seemed TO think it was something quite
dreadful, and tho young Captain tried feebly
to dissent.
Gracious, you're making lot Of noise
over nothing he exclaimed.
But a torrent of CALCULATIONS cut him
short
.Nothingl Do you mean you consider
1t nothing?
why, a mans name is private property,
No one has any right TO use IL!
Its almost the same as forgery
you ought to make a complaint"
Demand reparation-'
by arms, II needful. Wen all stand by
you
Here, send the man telegram and
ask him to explain himself If he can
A telegram blank was quickly obtained
and the whole mess was silent for mo-
ment. as the men pondered on a suitable
message. Presently Furnival seized the
pen and wrote rapidly.
Il have 1t, he cried. Listen, Marchton.
this viii do the business: II John Harri-
Marchton, officer of tho Hussars. requests
an explanation; II not granted he will de-
mand reparation by arms. Signed, Morris
Marchton.'
Good cried the men in chorus;
Marchton tried TO protest, but his COM
rades overruled him.
-Of course. it must be sent they ev-
Gracious. old man, if we weren't
here TO protect you, you'd let anybody say
anything he wanted to you"
But | can't see it is 30 very dreadful to
have book named after you, remarked
the Captain.
He changed his mind, however, during
the subsequent week Four five. ten days
passed and no reply came from the author
in answer TO the telegram.
The mess grew impatient and Mnrchton'5
vision cleared and he began to get angry
himself.
Naturally. his first care was to buy the
novel and read it and, by an extraordinary
chance, the hero Of the book had many
traits in common with the Captain. Like
him. the fictitious character was an officer
his friends declared, he was as bold as a
lion in the face OF danger and as bashfu as
4 schoolgirl in society.
The two Marchtons the real and the
false, were both confirmed bachelors
This last point, particularly; gave rise 10
host of ironical remarks and jests on the
part Of the officers at the table.
why cried Furnival, one day, -the
book is written for you and against you,
90
Evidently John Harrison is mere
for some one who knows
you,r exclaimed Lieut. Bethune.
And this business Of not answering
your telegram-it all looks pretty black
concluded Debray.
Capt. Marchton's life soon became seri-
>usly unhappy by reason of his unMcky
Wherever be went, people
ooked curiously at him; and the yellow
,overs Of the book. which now filed all the
windows Of the bookstores grew to be a