The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-06-11
.ARSHaRR GEzTaOTdindTyDStRCtiM
IfIE MARSHAL
ByMary Raymond Shipman Andrews
Ag5n@ Tie Perfect Tribute. ETC

Francois, who was more than a COM
mon student, opportunities. Francois
should go to the college at Deles-
monies. No other man in the place
was so comfortable, and because Of
his genial and simple soul he was not
envied. lie Francois was a popular
person, and II was a pride to the VIII
lage that his name and his prosperity
were known about the countryside.
On a day in September he left Vic
ques early in the morning to drive to
the market in Delesmontes, a league
distant two pairs OF oxen which he had
bought IS calves for almost nothing
from poor stock out OF a farm leagues
AWAY. He had fed and trained and
cared for them till now they were well
set up and powerful and smooth work
ing-ready to sell for a good price.
Francois kissed his wife and the baby,
and called goodby to- the children
playing in the garden, and left the
little place so full OF hopeful life, with
as he swung along the road whistling.
what he would do with h money
which he would bring back-800 francs.
he believed 1t would be. Not a clearer
head or lighter heart passed that day
along the Roman road to Delesmontes.
At the market he found that there
were few Xxx TO be disposed of, none
which compared to his. and his ideas
OF value went up-he would get 900
francs for them, which delayed the
sale. Eight hundred he might have
had easily, but the other was a large
price, even for the best. However,
Francois was cheerful and obstinate
and confident, and such qualities ac-
complish things-he got his price,
But II came TO be. by the time his
bargain was closed, 3 o'clock in the
afternoon. and he had had no dinner.
With the cattle of his hands n the
money In hts pocket he felt a sense OF
leisure and of wealth. Hungry as a
wolf he felt also, and he turned into
the inn Of Delesmontes. where the sign
Of a huge bear, cut out Of tin and paint
ed black. swung before the door.
It was pleasant inside in the great
clean hall Of the inn, 20 feet wide by
40 long. Bars OF yellow afternoon Eun-
light patterned the white scrubbed
floor: at the tables Of black oak a num-
Der of men sat on benches, bottles and
glasses before them, and pulled at their
pipes, and the clouds OF smoke rose to
the adark wood ceiling, blush already
with much smoking; against the white
washed walls hung engravingS OF bait
ties framed In red cherry wood. Doors
and windows were open, and through
them n saw harvest fields lying gold
I'm sunlight. AS Francois sat down he
faced a window through which, down
the slow slope from Delesmontes perch
ing on the mountain, beyond q stretch
Of TRANQUIL country. lifted, three miles
away, a bunch of roofs, red tiled and
brown shingled, and the red spire OF a
church with a newly gilded ball, his VIII
lage Of Vicques. He sighed hungrily
and happily. In half an hour, after a
glass of wine and a little bread ar1
meat, he would be on his way there
with that comfortable purse OF 300
francs in his pocket, eager to tell his
good comrade and dear wife Of the
days success.
He was alone at this table. but three
or four men who he knew slightly. nod
ded with frtendliness across the room;
he was q man who inspired friendli-
ness. In the big hall, in all Deles-
monies, In all the country was no one
happier or more satisfied with life than
Francois Beaupre when he entered the
Inn of the Bear at 8 o'clock on that
s~unshiny afternoon OF September 8. Be
fore 6 he rose up to leave 1t q mar
ruined and broken hearted.
A waitress approached him-a SOM
melliere-trtm In her short calico skirt
and white apron, her hair done in the
picturesque fashion of the place
braided and turned around the head
in the back. In the front parted and
laid in two great puffs with a wide
blue ribbon between to hold IL. The girl
took his order. and as she turned to
go d man just coming in knocked
against her. and ~apologizing with many
words. caught sight Of Francois.
Good dayl" he saiuted him heartily.
Good day, Monsieur Beaupre." and
Francois, friendly always, answered,
Good day" but with a reserve. for he
did not recall the man. You don't re-
member me? That is natural, for we
met but once. sYet / have not for
gotten you. 1t was at the house of
my cousin. Paul Noirjean OF Devillier-
he who also deals In oxen. though not
so fortunately as you, perhaps. We
met there. ! saw you only a few min
utes. but ! have not forgotten you. and
my cousin Also speaks very often of
Francois Beaupre. He has a great opin-
ion OF your judgment"
Now Paul Noirjean was an old ac-
quaintance and a solid man, and though
Beaupre did not see him often. living
six leagues away, he respected him
highly. A cousin of his was to be con-
sidered, and Francois was embarrassed
that his m could not focus on the
meeting. He tried to cover this with
cordially, and invited the stranger to
share his meal.
Not at all, not at ALL" the other an
severed. Yet We must have a bottle
Of wine together, but 1t shall be my
bottle"
Francois objected; the man insisted.
At length: See. we will play cards
for that bottle" the unknown man sug-
gested, and the cards were brought,
and a game Of la rams-euchre-was Ia
progress in two minutes.
Meanwhile the wine had come, and
Francois, a touch more generous and
more cordial for II, was geniaIly sorry
when he Won and the stranger must
pay.
"Tiensl We will play again for an
other bottle" he announced with a bit
OF swagger. He was conscious OF a
right to spend silver in treating his
friends. with that fat purse in his
pocket.
mo-" spoke the stranger-Duplessis
he had said his name was. INC, i
have drunk enough. However, II you
feel sensitive at taking the small sum
Of money at my hands--it is a good
game-La rams-let US play for the
franc which the bottle would cost. Eh
bieni"
Francois certainly could not refuse
that; they playec, and again he gained.
Again they played, this tinne doubling