Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-08-29
A Lucky Initial Letter



in before the chateau of Nine. Blan.
quet, "can you accommodate General
GignouX, commanding the Tenth di.
vision Of the armyr'
Nine. Banquet was striding back
and 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.
81 regret" added the lieutenant
bowling politely, ito find madame in
trouble. May l ask the cause"
"Cause enough, monsieur. My daugh-
ter was to have been married tomOr-
row at noon, and this morning we re-
ceive 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. y
HAS mademoiselle no brother to re-
sent this insultT'
II do not consider it that" replied
the lady. 1T Is simply unfortunate.
There is bad luck in a deferred we'd
ding. Besides, NJ. Teterouge fulfills my
requirements for son-in-law. He has
q hundred thousand francs"
do you mean to say that you would
give your daughter to such man after
such treatment"
What can l do? The silver is all
marked with a IT. The table linen
is marked with a IT. My daughters
clothes are marked with IT. Every
thing is marked IT, and it would be
impossible to change the letter"
HAS NJ. Teterouge a red headY'
His hair Is carrot color" put in ma.
demoiselle.
"Silencev' snapped her mother.
well, madame" said the lieutenant
after a pause, II am sorry for your dis
appointment, but congratulate made.
moiselle on escaping, II she has per-
manently escaped, being united with a
man of such a plebeian name. But can
you accommodate General GignouxY
I'VE can accommodate any Of
Frances defenders"
The lieutenant rode away, giving and
receiving a glance from mademoiselle
and-soldiers are In love what they
are in war-audaciously threw 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"
Eyes, general"
"And that you have been badly treat
ed"
81 don't say that"
81 say it, and when l say thing
those about me are accustomed to re-
spect it. You have been insulted. The
fellow should be called to account.
Now I 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 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 daughter
lingerie, are marked with the initial
letter. Some have been embroidered al
an expense of 100 francs each"
What is the initial letterw
"T. The groom expectant's name is
Teterouge."
'Teterouge. Has he red hairY
"YellOw, general"
LET me see," unused the general,
mentally running down list Of the
names of his staff officers. II have It.
There is a fine fellow on my staff
whose initial letter Is on your daugh-
ter's wedding outfit. He is Lieutenant
de la Tour, of noble family and an In
come Of 100000 francs"
'Oh, general, NJ Teterouge is bOur-
geois and has only that much in CAPT
tai"
Hey! De la Tour called the gen.
eral
Eyes, general" And the aid who
had engaged the quarters stepped in
and saluted.
81 have a duty for you which can
not order you to perform. You must
volunteer"
"Yes, general"
II find 1t is as you told me. There 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 groomT
Have / ever failed to volunteer
when critical work was to be doneT
mo"
'Then / will not fail you now. am
ready, general"
what hour is itT taking out his
watch. 1--WE have just time. The wed
ding was set for IL noon, and the
Tenth division is never late.
Madame" he added, II am ready to
supply you with a son-in-law."
"Lucillev called the mother. When
her daughter came from the room ad
joining the former said to her:
1T has been arranged that
Eyes, yes; have overheard. I volun
teer the same as Lieutenant de la
Tour"
Orderly" cried the general, bring a
chaplain Immediately"
At u o'clock the couple were united
and at 1890 the general and his stan
including the groom. rode away.
Thanks, general" said De la Tour