Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-07-13
A Lucky Initial Letter
IOriginal.l

poA0 - tOohS i0ACh jill
Ger in the summer of 1870 as he refined
Ia before the chateau of Nine. Blan-
quet, "can you accommodate General
Gignoux, commanding the Tenth di-
vision of the army?"
Nine. Banquet was striding back
n forth in great excitement. Her
daughter, an attractive girl of twenty,
sat in a wicker chair, evidently not
especially in sympathy with her moth
er's emotion.
II regret" added the lieutenant,
bowling politely, ito find madame in
trouble. May | ask the cause?"
cause enough, monsieur. My daugh-
ter was to have been married tomor-
row at noOn, and this morning we re-
ceive a letter from the groom expect
ant saying that in view of the dangers
threatening France we have no bust
ness to be marrying and making merry
and that the wedding must be put off"
HAS mademoiselle no brother to re-
sent this insult?'
Il do not consider it that" replied
the lady. at is simply unfortunate.
There is bad luck in a deferred we'd
ding. Besides, NJ. Teterouge fulflls my
requirements for a son-in-law. He has
a hundred thousand francs"
D you near to say that you would
give your daughter to such q man after
such treatment"
What can 1 dor The silver Is all
marked with a IT. The table linen
is marked with a IT. My daughters
clothes are marked with a IT. Every
thing is marked t. and it would be
impossible to change the letter"
HAS NJ. Teterouge a red head?'
His hair is carrot color" put in ma
demoiselle.
Silence" snapped her mother.
well, madame" said the lieutenant
after a pause, Il am sorry for your dis
appointment, but l congratulate made
moiselle on escaping, If she has per-
manently escaped, being united with a
man of such a plebeian name. But can
you accommodate General GignouxT"
we can accommodate any Of
Frances defenders"
The lieutenant rode away, giving and
receiving a glance from mademoiselle
a~nd-soldiers are In love what they
are in war-audaciously threw a kiss.
In an hour General Gignoux rode up,
with his staff. After being received by
madame he said to her:
MY aid tells me that you were to
have a wedding here tomorrow"
Yes, general"
"And that you have been badly treat
ed
Il don't say that"
81 say it, and when l say a thing
those about me are accustomed to re-
spect it. You have been lnsulted. The
fellow should be called to account.
Now l would like something to eat,
madame, If you will be so good"
The next morning at 10 o'clock the
general, who was to leave after mid
day, said to his hostess:
Madame. you have treated us with
great consideration and kindness. We
owe you a return. Suppose | find a
young man on my staff of better fam
lily and better fortune than the man
you have in view for your daughter.
How would that suit you?"
"Ah, general, there Is one difficulty
that cannot be overcome. All the silver
plate, the table linen, my daughters
lingerie, are marked with the initial
letter. Some have been embroidered at
an expense of 100 francs each"
What is the initial letter?'
ct. The groom ex%pectant's name Is
Teterouge."
"Teterouge. Has he red hair?"
yellow, general"
LET me see,' unused the general,
mentally running down a list of the
names of his staff officers. Il have 1t.
There is a fine fellow on my staff
who's initial letter is on your daugh-
ter's wedding outfit. He is Lieutenant
de Ia Tour, of noble family and an in
come of 100000 francs"
"Oh, general, NJ. Teterouge Is bour-
geols and has only that much in capt.
tai"
Hey. De la Tourr' called the gen
eral.
Eyes. general" And the aid who
had engaged the quarters stepped in
and saluted.
ar have a duty for you which I can
not order you to perform. You must
Yes, general"
II find it Is as you told me Their Is
need Of a groom here, We are under
great obligations to these good people,
Would you help us out in repaying the
debt by becoming the groom|
Have | ever failed to volunteer
when critical work was to be doneY"
mo"
Then will not fail you now l am
ready, general"
What hour is it2" taking out his
watch. I'VE have just time. The wed.
ding was set for - noon. and the
Tenth division is never late.
Madame" he added. Il am ready to
supply you with a son-in-law."
Lucille" called the mother. When
her daughter came from the room ad-
joining the former said to her:
1T has been arranged that
Yes, yes; | have overheard. | volun-