Summary : La chasse au météore

This section consists of the standard Project Gutenberg licensing information, distribution terms, and digital publication metadata for the ebook version of La chasse au météore by Jules Verne. It details the open access conditions, pointing out that the text is available for use at no cost under specific license terms within the United States and various other regions. Readers outside the United States are advised to verify local laws before utilizing the material. The text also provides formal publication credits, noting that the digital version was released on August 24 2025 as ebook number 76724. It acknowledges the contributors responsible for producing the file, including Claudine Corbasson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team, with source images generously supplied by the Bibliotheque nationale de France. Additionally, the front matter lists initial structural markers such as an author note to the reader and the table of contents.

On a March morning in the peaceful American town of Whaston, an anxious traveler named Seth Stanfort arrives on horseback and repeatedly passes the home of the local magistrate, Judge John Proth. The townspeople watch him with immense curiosity, placing small bets on whether he is waiting for an adversary or an appointment. After asking the judge if anyone has inquired about him, Stanfort rides to the edge of town, checking the road from Steel with growing impatience as his self-imposed deadline approaches. At precisely ten minutes past ten, a skilled and elegant horsewoman named Arcadia Walker arrives on a foaming white horse. Stanfort and Miss Walker greet one another formally before approaching Judge John Proth's residence once again. The judge, accompanied by his loyal housekeeper Kate, steps outside to greet the visitors. Stanfort is from Boston, and Miss Walker is from Trenton, both possessing independent fortunes and a shared passion for worldwide travel. Instead of resolving a legal dispute or a lawsuit, the couple presents official paperwork fulfilling all legal requirements from Massachusetts and New Jersey. They request a marriage ceremony without even dismounting from their horses. Judge John Proth, known for his wisdom, easygoing nature, and love for gardening, inspects the documents and readily agrees to officiate the unconventional wedding from his front steps. After asking the traditional questions and receiving affirmative answers from both individuals, the judge officially declares them married. The newlyweds hand the magistrate generous financial contributions for his fees and for local charities before galloping away toward the Wilcox suburb. Left behind on the doorstep, the astonished housekeeper declares the couple must be mad, to which the philosophical judge calmly responds that those who marry are always a little bit crazy.