The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-04-22

One evening, arrlFlnB ratneE Lales was surprised to find my seat occupied by stranger, with red cheeks and very broad shoulders, and an air of great brayado. He wore captains stripes sewed on a uniform that must have been footed from some theater, and enormous boots, which proclaimed to all the world that hero trod in them.
 'M. Robillard," said Dutailly, intro ducing us, the captain of the famous Lost Children of Courbevoie."
 I had heard of the captain. His ex- ploits consisted of removing from de- serted houses in the outskirts of the city furniture and valuables which might otherwise have awakened the cupidity of the enemy, and storing them in safe places quite without the knowledge of the owners. .. .- As soon as dinner was over inven- ted an excuse to leave the house, bored by the gracious lies on the vulgar cap tain, to whom fervently hoped had said farewell forever. But this hope was doomed to bitter disappointment The following Sunday I found him in the same place, again on Thursday. Fi- nally his place was regularly spread. The Dutaillys were completely fasci- mated, madame because, the tender gall ' lantry shown her by Robillard never fails to affect ladies of her age, and papa Dutailly because of the interest the dashing captain took in his warlike predictions. Anatole, his cold worse than ever, lost ground yistbly at each meal.
 One day the corporal was obliged to keep to his Der, and for several weeks he was absent from our repast. Dur ing this time the captain boldly made known his aspirations for the handN Of Mile. Gertrude. and his advances were not repulsed by her parents.
 The day Antole, eonvalescent and as thin as a pipe stem, returned to our weekly dinners it seemed to me that the young lady's pretty eyes were red, and that there must have been some dispute during the day between her and her mother, now completely infatuated i with her Robillard. 1 Upon my. word, dear madame" cried the captain, T must prepare some sur pIlSe sMlll WIllCll lu bllCts SOA liiy 5OOd wishes for the new year,
 It was this remark that gave me the idea of my own. ssg On the first day of January, Dutailly received us with open arms. A glori- ous victory had been foretold by his favorite paper, and the obstinate patri' ct was delighted.
 Anatole brought with him rabbit which he had trapped himself. As far the captain, he presented to Madame Dutailly a large bag of marrons glaces incased in a German helmet. <
 "What!h . she exclaimed. almost speeches. with admiration. Did you kill him?" ss55
 Expressly for your fair sake, re piled Robillard, striking an attitude
 expressly and entirely that his helmet
 might serve as a box for your bon
 bons!''
 Dear me-" said I, Il am not So bolt
 as to try to rival such q man as tht captain, but I, too, have prepared lit.
 tie surprise" -
 T wonder what it can be?'' criet
 Madame Dutailly as the sergean
 brought in a large package.
 .tIt is a bombshell, dear madame"
 replied. "Dutailly has told me severa
 times that he would like to have one. {
 real one, and at my request Roland
 commanding the battery, sent me one.
 As I spoke I removed the paper ant
 the shell appeared black, sinister ant
 menacing.
 Gracious" objected my hostess
 ''what if it should explode!" ez
 Do not be uneasy" I hastened t,
 say of course. Roland would no
 have sent me any but an empty shell Besides here is his letter.
 I opened a note which lay beside tn bomb, but as I read it my face mus
 have expressed surprise and then con
 sternation, for my friends exclainae'
 anxiously: ''Is anything the mattsr?''
 Gracious powers! why--but listen and I read: F 5 i Dear Friend-Here is the bomb
 shell you asked for. It has been i'm possible for me just now to get hold 0 an arraorer to empty it, but if you vii . take it to the Avenue de HOpera tn | man there can do it. Let me warn yor . to use the greatest precaution; tn
 slightest shock or jar will cause tn shell to explode. Yours, R. A shriek of fright filled the room. "Take it away!" screamed Mne Du tailly Tt is frightful! A bombshell i my parlor! Horrible!"' 5....s F
 ."The man who brought it has gone, said the servant, his red cheeks white Then said I, q will take it.' z Madame Dutailly clutched hold of m :, coat-tails.
 Not you," she irnplored, Tt is to dangerous!" T have perfect confidence in the cap
 tain, however, said Dutailly. Come sir, take away the monster and rid II i of such a terrible nightmare. We al I know your prowess!". :" Delighted to be of service" he said , 'tbut I could not think of carrying over these icy streets, I will go an , get my friends carriage where he i | dining just around the corner at Ere bant's, and will return in ten minutes. Do hurry" begged Madame Dutail | ly. T shall be in agony until it is ou
 of the house."
 l Without onnaa ri,,or to. I,ava opy a,e