ad the misfortune to be struck by a stray bullet. He was
removed to an ambulance at the house of M. Delaherche, where he died
during the division of treasure of the Seventh Army Corps. The gold
coins which the sergeant put into his dying hands rolled on to the
ground, and were picked up by a wounded companion. La Debacle.
BATAILLE, an old white horse, which had been for six years in the
coal-pit at Voreux. It was killed by the flooding of the mine. Germinal.
BAUDEQUIN, a draughtsman who lived on the first floor of the house in
which lived the Coupeaus and the Lorilleux. He was a confirmed sponger
who was in debt all round, but spent his time in smoking and talking
with his friends. L'Assommoir.
BAUDEQUIN, the proprietor of a cafe in the Boulevard des Batignolles,
which was the resort on Sunday evenings during many years of Claude
Lantier, Pierre Sandoz, Dubuche, Mahoudeau, and their friends, a band
of youths devoted to art and determined to conquer Paris. Gradually,
however, the little company became submerged by a flood of newcomers,
and in time the meetings ceased. The cafe changed hands three times, and
when, after some years, Claude and Sandoz chanced to return, they found
everything completely altered. L'Oeuvre.
BAUDU (M.), proprietor of a drapery shop opposite "The Ladies'
Paradise." The business had been in existence for many years and M.
Baudu conducted it on such old-fashioned lines that in competition
with Mouret's great establishment it was rapidly disappearing. He had
acquired it from his father-in-law, and in turn he proposed to hand it
to Colomban, his shopman, who was engaged to be married to Genevieve,
his only daughter. Baudu postponed the marriage, however, from time to
time, as he did not wish to hand over the business in a worse state
than that in which he himself got it. Meanwhile Colomban had become
infatuated with Clara Prunaire, who ultimately induced him to run off.
Genevieve, who was in bad health, died soon afterwards, and before long
her mother died also. The business had gone from bad to worse, and, in
the end, Baudu lost everything, only avoiding bankruptcy by a complete
surrender. Like many of his neighbours, he was crushed out of existence
by Octave Mouret's triumphant success. Au Bonheur des Dames.
BAUDU (MADAME ELIZABETH), wife of the preceding, was the daughter of a
draper whose business she brought to her husband. Her health was broken
down by worry, and by anxiety regarding
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