Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-01-27
THE FORGET ME-NOT.
.owrn FOR 4 MO rHrR's GRAVE.


Strasburg. a Sergeant Of the name of
Pierre Pitois, who was one Of that por-
ton Of half savage, half civilized Bur
gognia, known by the name Of Nor
van.
Pierre was a brave man, according
10 his own acceptatlon of the word;
and, as it was usually said in the reg-
ment,h he was as tough as leather He
was always the first and the last in
skirmish; he was said to love only two
,hings-thc smell of powder and the
Kissing of balls. Those who had seen
him on the field Of baltIe-h;s eye
flashing, his mousiache brisiling, and
his noslrils dilsted, and throwing HIM
self into the thickest OF the fight
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 90 and take care o! his old mother,
who was dangerously sick; he added
that his father, who was about rs years
old, and paralytic, could afford no as
sistance 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 mo-
ment to receive orders to join the ar
my, and consequently tina, there was
no hope Of dismissal or leave Of alb
sence.
Pierre Pi:ois made no complaint.
A fortnight passed away, and the
Colonel received another letter.
Pierre announced to his Colonel that
his mother had died, without the salts
faction Of having seen her son. She
had desired, as good and tender moth
er; to bestow upon him her dying bles-
sing. Pierre this time solicited leave
Of absence for a month. He professed
himself unable 10 explain the motive Of
his earnest solicituie to obtain his leave
Of absence-"t was a family secret"
But he mos, earnestly supplicated his
Colonel not 10 refuse this favor.
The second letter Of Pierre was as
unsuccessful as the first. The Captain
Of the poor soldier remarked to him.
THE Colouel has received your letter;
he is sorry for the death Of your old
mother, but he cannot gran, you the
favor that you seek, as tomorrow the
regiment will quit Strasburg.
"Ah! the regiment quits Strasburg!
And where is j, going, if you please?"
ITO Austria. We are going to WIS.,
it Vienna. my brave Piiois. We are
going to fight with The Austrians -
There's some comfort in that, isn't
there? That's where we are going,
my brave fellow"
Pierre Pitois made no answer. He
seemed to he plunged into deep revc-
RE. The Captain took him by the
hand, and shook aim soundly. "What's
the matter? Are you deaf to day? I
tell you, that, within a week, you are
TO have the pleasure Of fighting the
Ausirlans, and you do not thank me
for my good news, Surely, you did
hear me-"
"Yes | did, Captain. understood
you perfectly. thank you heartily
for your intelligence, which il, really
good news"
"How now?"
"Really Captain; then there is no
means of obtaining this leave of alb
sence?"
"Are you mad Pierrel A leave Of
absence on the eve Of marching!"
81 didn't think ofihat. We are
then going to join the army. Al such
moment they do not grant leave Of
absencei"
"They don't ask leave Of absence at
such time"
That's right. They do not ask il
1t would look cowardly. Very well,
wont ask it again. give it all up"
"That's right, my fine fellow"
The next day the l2th regiment oil
the line entered Germany. The next
day Pierre Pi,ois DESERTED. Three
months after that, while the 18th regi-
ment Of the line, after having gathered
an ample harvest of glory, was making
triumphant entry into Strasburg. -
Pierre Pi,ois was ignominiously drag
ged to his corps BY brigade Of geus
d'armes. Soon afterwards council OF
war wa, assembled. and Pierre P,tois
was accused ofhaving deserted, at the
moment when his regiment was to