The daily Alaskan., 1907-02-04
A Lucky Initial Letter
lOrigiual.l

lOriGlnall | Formerly marriages in France were all of convenience. money and family aloue being considered. The wedding gifts, trousseau. etc, were all marked by the inteEtwlned initial letters Of the contracting families.
 Madame" said young French off cer in the summer of 1870 as he refined in before the chateau of Mme. Blan' quet, "can you accommodate General Gignoux. commanding the Tenth d. vision of the arnyT
 Mime. Banquet was striding back | and forth in great excitement. HeE daughter, an attractive girl of twenty sat in q wicker chair. evidently not especially in sympathy with her moth CTS emotion.
 "I regret" added the lieutenant lowing politely, ito find madame in trouble. May ask the cause"
 Cause enough, monsieur. My daugh' ter was to have beeu married tomor' row at noon. and this morning we re- celve q letter from the groom expect. ant saying that In view of the dangers threatening France we have DO busi ness to be marrying and making merry and that the wedding must be put or. '" Has mademoiselle no brother to re- sent this inSultF'
 "I do not consider 1t that" replied the lady. Tt is simply unfortunate. There Is bad luck in deferred we'd ding. Besides. NJ. Teterouge fulallS my requirements for sOn-in-law. He has a hundred thousand francs"
 Do you mean to say that you would give your daughter 10 such q man after such treatment?"
 What can l do? The silver Is all marked with a TT The table linen Is marked with n My daughters clothes are marked with r. Every thing Is marked IT, and 1t would N impossible to change the letter"
 "Has NJ. Teterouge a red head?"
 His hair Is carrot color" put in ms. demoiselle.
 "Slence. snapped her mother.
 Well, madame" said the lieutenant after a pause, Il am sorry for your dls appointment, but congratulate made moiselle on escaping, If she has per manently escaped. being united with a man Of such plebeiah name. But car you accommodate General GlgpouxY
 We 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 a kiss. In an hour General Glguoux rode up with his Staff. After being received by madame be said to her:
 My aid tells me that you were to have q wedding here tomorrow"
 Yes general"
 And that you have been badly treat ed"
 "l don't say that"
 "l 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 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 young man on my staff of better fam. fly 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."
 1T. The groom eXpectant's name Is Teterouge"
 "Teterouge. Has be red halr?"
 Yellow, general"
 Let me sec" unused the general, mentally running down a list of the names of his Staff officers. Il have It. There IS q fine fellow on my stan 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. M. Teterouge Is bour. geols and has only that much in capI. tai"
 Hey. De la Tour" called the gen. eral.
 "Yes. general" And the aid who had engaged the quarters stepped lD and saluted.
 "L have a duty for you which can. not order you to perform. You must volunteer"
 "Yes. general"
 q ind It Is as you told me. There Is need of groom here. We are under great obligations to these good people. Would you help us out ln repaying the debt by becoming the groom?"
 "Hove I ever failed tO volunteer