Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-10-27

tBy Jean Rochou.l
THE MARQUIS.

IL was the second day of the mobiliza-
ton. A young mar of twentyfour forced
his way through the dense crowd OF men
gathered ON the platform, towards a first
class compartment.
That Is it," he said. as he opens the
door. Just put my bag in the corner
seat Victor" he added turning 10 an old
man who had followed in his wake.
But the station master Of the little
station in. Burgundy interviewed:
II am sorry, Marquis. but that CON-
partmcnt il reserved for officers. III You
have been called as a private you will
have TO travel third class,
~Of ccurs. How stupid Of me to forget
said the Marquis. Does the train stop
here long??'
About fifteen minutes. Marquis
His entrance into the third class com
partmcnt was greeted with sarcastic and
offensive shouts.
Look! There comes his kghness!"
How do YOU do. your gracc!"
How are you blue-blood.'
ANY news from your chatcau?s
Have you got your millions put away
in "A safe place before YOU left"
The poarchcrs will have n lovely time
in your forests now YOU are away"
without paying the slightest attention
10 their taunts the Marquis turned To a
young man seated next to the door and
said calmly:
II beg your pardon, Prosper. Will you
kindly let me have your seat for n few
minutes? The mobilization order reached
me while I was travelling and | must
write down a few instructions to my agent
before we leave"
Don't give up your seat" shouted the
men in chorus.
The Marquis belongs to my class"
said the Young man. We served together
and if he wants my seat for "A few mo-
mcnts. he shall have it,"
lie got up and stood leaning against
the door while the Marquis got out his
fountain pen and quickly wrote Il few
lines on A leaf Of his notebook. The shout
ing increased.
lie is giving orders Ia his agent"
Are YOU afraid Of losing your gold,
ch?"
Now we are going TO see what stuff
YOU are made Of"
You won't like to be- treated like one
of us. will you?"
NO first class for YOU any more
The Marquis went ON writing impcr-
turbably. Suddenly one of the men who
was looking AT the paper across his
shoulder made an angry sign 10 the
others.
"Shut up YOU fools" he said. You
don't know what YOU are talking about.
lie il every bit ms good as the rest Of us
The others stared but something in the
expression Of his face silcnccd them. The
Marquis wrote a few lines more. signed
his name. tore out the leaf and was about
TO hand il to his old valet, when the man
who had s~ilcnccI the others snatchcd
the paper and said:
II beg your pardon Marquis. There
are certain things il is well for these
shouters 10 know. And raising his voice
he read aloud:
To the Mayor If C%hampenoux.
Dear Sir: Having suddenly been called
TO the colors and having had no time Ia
make certain arrangements, | herewith
notify you that | personally want to pay
for the maintenance of all those in the
district who need assistance Of any kind
as long rs the wal lasts. No rents or
taxes Of any kind must be collected in
this district. but all public expenses are
TO be charged up To my estate.
My agent will place nj your disposal
without any limit whatevcr,any amount
which YOU may need. ] furthermore
authorize to engage the necessary staff
of surgeons and nurses and Immediately
have my chateau fitted up n an abso-
lutely first class hospital regardless of
cost.
IL gives me the greatest pleasure TO
place everything | possess ut your dis
posal and | only regret that time does
not pcrmitme To call ON You in person.
giving or Christmas day will be the less