Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-02-16
TIE FORGET-ME-NOT.

THE FLOWER FOR A MOTHERS GRAVE
Translated from The French tor The y. s. Gos.
In 1869 there was, in the 18th regiment
Of the line, then in garrison at Strasburg, a
Sergeant Of the name of Pierre Pitois, who
was one Of that portion of half savage, hall
civilized Burgognia, known by the name oil
Morvan. .i '.'."' ''. 10 N''" s'ha ''
Pierre was brave man, according TO his
own acceptation Of the word; and as il was
usually said in the regiment, he was as tough
as leather. lie was always the first and the
last in skirmish he was said to love only
two thngs-the smell Of powder and the
Kissing Of balls. Those who had seen him
on the field of baitle-his eye flashing, his
mousiache bristling, and his nostriIs dilaled
aud throwing himself into the thckest OIL
the fght-were wont to say that carnage
was fancy ball for Pierre.
Now, one fine day our friend Pierre took
it into his head to address letter TO his
Colonel, asking leave Of absence, to 60 and
take care Of his old mother, who was
dangerously sick he added that his father,
who was about seventy-eight years old. and
paralytic, could afford no assistance TO the
old lady. He promised to return as soon as
the health Of his mother should be restored
The Colonel replied TO Pierre Pitois, that
the regiment expected every moment to re-
ceive orders to Join the army, and conse-
quently there was no hope of dismissal OF
leave of absence
Pierre Pitois made no complaint.
a fortnight passed away and the Colonel
received another.
Pierre announced to his Colonel that hi:
mother had died, without the satisfaction Of
having seen her son. She had desired, as q
good and tender mother, to bestow upon
him her dying blessing. Pierre this time
solicited leave Of absence for month. lie
professed himself unable to explain the mo.
tive of his earnest solcitude TO obtain his
leave of absence-7"it was a family secret
But he most earnestly duplicated his Colo
mel not to refuse this favor.
The second letter of Pierre was as unsuc.
cessfu as the first The Captain of the
poor old soldier remarked to him-"The
Colonel has received your letter he is sor.
ry for the death Of your old mother, but he
cannot grant you the favor that you seek
as tomorrow the regiment will quit Stras
burg" ''aa ~ fi '9i9hAti ar
-s"Ah! the regiment quits Strasburg =
And where is it going, if you please p
'To Austria. We are going to visit vi
emma, my brave Pitois. We are going to
ight with the Austrians. There's some
comfort in that, isn't there That is where
we are going my brave fellow"
Pierre Pitois made no answer. He
seemed to be plunged into deep reverie.-
The Captain took him by the hand and
shook him soundly. whats the matter
Are you deaf to-day? tell you, that with
in week, you are to have the pleasure o
fighting the Austrians, and you do no
thank me for my good news. Surely, you
did not hear me-"
eyes did, Captain. Understood yor
perfectly thank you heartily for your in
teIigence, which is really good news"
h"How now!'' "H
''Reaiy, Captain; then there is no mean
of obtaining this leave Of absence"
"Are you mad, Pierrel A leave Of alb
sence on the eve of marching p
81 didn't think of that. We are theI
going to Join the army. AT such momen
they do not grant leave of absenceW
"They don't ask leave of absence at sucl
time" oH
"That's right. They do not ask it.
would look cowardly. Very well, l won
ask it again. | will give it all up"
"That's right, my fine fellow"
The next day the 18th regiment of tn
line entered Germany. The next da
Pierre Pitois deserted. Three months afie
that, while the 18th regiment of the line, al
ter having gathered an ample harvest of Clio
ry was making triumphant entry int
SUasburg, Pierre Pitois was ignominiousI
dragged to his corps by brigade of gen
d'armes Soon afterwards council of wa
was assembled, and Pierre Pi;ois was accus
ed OF having deserted at the moment whe
his regiment was to meet the enemy face 4
face. sT lfnsa
The council of war presented a singula
spectacle. On one side there was prose
cutor, who read as follows: a71 a1s
pierre Pitois, you, one of the braves
soldiers of the army; you upon who's
breast shines 'the star of the legion of hon
orr you, who have never received eithe
punishment or reproach from your SUPER
ors; you have deserted your regiment-de
serted it almost on the eve Of battle-an
that without the inducement of any consdt
rable motive. Whatever motive you ma
have had, however, the council demands t
know it; for they would be happy to be abb
NOT to acquit you-(for they neithe
ought nor wish to do THAT,) at least I
recommend you to the kind considerable
of the Emperor"
On the other side the accused replied !
81 deserted without any cause-wthout an
motive--and do not regret it. If il was I
do again, would do it again. have de
served death. Let me be condemned"
Some witnesses came forward, who sale
"Pierre Pitois did desert We know it, bl