Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-03-21
THE FORGET-ME-NOT.


Translated from the French, by Robert D. Baird
In the year 1909, in the 18th regiment of the line
then stationed at Strasburg, there was a Sergeant
by the name OF Pierre Pitois, who was a native of
that half savage half civilized part of Burgundy.
known by the name of Morvan, who was called by
his comrades Pierre SloalIoW-ratc lie was brave
fellow in every sense of the word, and his comrades
said, fellow hard to be cooked Away, the first
on the field Of battle and the last to leave it, he was
supposed to care for only two things the smell of
powder and the whstling of balls Those who had
seen him on the field of battle, when with ardent
eyes, dstended nostrils, and bristng muustache,
he plunged into the thckest of the fight, were ac-
customed to say that slaughter was the pastme of
Pierre swallow raw
But one fine day, our friend Pierre sent letter
TO his colonel, in which he requested permission to
leave for short time, that he might go and nurse
his old mother, who was dangerously i'll. He ad-
ded that his poor father, seventy eight years old
had received paralytlc stroke and utterly in
capable of taking of his poor wife. He prom
lsed to return as soon as his mothers health was re-
stored.
The colonel sent word to Pierre Pitois that he
hourly expected the regiment to be ordered away,
and that he could expect no furlough.
Pierre Ptos did not appeal from this decision
About fortnight elapsed second letter found
its way to the colonel. Pierre announced that his
mother had died Of sorrow on account of not hav-
ing seen him once more; she had wished like a
KIND and afectlonate parent, to give him her last
blessing. Pierre solicited earnestly this time for
leave OF absence for single month. 1t was fam
lily secret. He begged his colonel not to refuse
him this favor.
Pieres second letter not more successful
than the first, only the captain said to him. Pierre,
the colonel has received your letter; he is very
sorry that your poor mother is dead but he cannot
give you the furough you have asked for-our reg
iment leaves Srasburg Tomorrow.
Indeed! the regiment leaves Strasburgh, and
where is II going, it you please"
10 Austria. We are going to Vienna, my
brave Pitois. We are going to fight with the
Austrians--don't that please you There
you'll have tan, ny fine followrs
Pierre Pitois answered nothing to all thig He
seemed plunged into deep thought. The captain
took his hand and shaking It vigorously, said come
wake up are you deaf to-day? | am telling
you that before week we will have the pleasure
Of fighting with the Austrians, and you don't even
thank me for the good news Why, you are not
listening to me y
Yes, captain replied Pitois, / have heard eve
ry word, am much obliged to you for your news
1t is very good
All so you have recovered your senses, at LAST
'And SO captain, there is no means of obtaining
that furlough"
Are You really mad ?-furlough, indeed, on the
day before battle"
of battle are we? At such time, of course, alb
sence is not permitted
1t should not even be asked for
True, it should not be asked f0r,-one would
seem TO be a coward. Besides, the one that was
requesting, no longer want, will do without IT..
'And you will do WE'LL replied the captain
The following day the 18th regiment of the line
entered Germany. On the same day, Pierre Pltos
surnamed swallow-raw,' deserted.
Three months afterwards, while the 18th reg
ment, after having gathered in full harvest of Clio
ry and honor on the field of Wagram, was making
| its triumphant entry into Strasburgh Pierre Pito.
was ANONYMOUSLY dragged before his colonel by
brigade of gendarmes.
Ere long council of war was assembled. Pierr,
! Pltols was accused Of having deserted just before
his regiment was TO have been brought to face the
enemy.
This council of war presented singular specta
Gle. On one side there was the accuser who wa
saying: Pierre Pois, you, one of the bravest sol
ders OF the army; you, on whose breast shines tn
cross Of honor; you, who have never deserved eli
Their punishment or reproach from your superors-
you could not have left your regiment, and especl
ally have left it on the eve Of battle without hav
ing had powerful inducement. The council
wishes to know your motive, for it desires, not t
acquit you, for it neither can, nor ought to; but o
least to recommend you to the clemency of tn
emperor On the other hand the accused replied
) : have deserted without any motive, without an
reason, but do not regret having done so 4; if
was to be repeated, would do it again. | hav
! merited DEATH condemn me Then witnesse
; came forward and said Pierre Piiois has desert
cd, we know it, yet we cannot believe it, Other
again: Pierre Pltois Is mad the council cannC
! condemn madman it is not to the gallows, it
to the hospital he should be sent
Little was wanting for this last plan to be alor
ted, for there was nobody III the whole council
who did not consider the dcsertion Of .4paie-tom
cru as one of those human impossibilites whic
every body acknowledges, but nobody understand
Yet the accused appeared to be so simple and log
ical in his perseverance in claiming the sentence
death he proclaimed his crime with such Dol
fankness repeating continually that he did not rt
q much like bravado, that clemency could not b
e, exercised towards him. Sentence of death wa
r pronounced. When his sentence Of death wa
read to him, Pierre Pitois did not tremble. II
was advised to plead for mercy-he refused.
I As every body saw plainly that beneath all tn
Indifference concealed some strange mystery
= it was decided that the execution of Pierre Pito
, should be deferred. The condemned man was le
O to the military prison, and told that, by a sp6
cia favor, he had four days to think on the subjec
and ask for pardon; he shrugged his shoulders al
d did not answer.
e On the of the night which precedt
his execution, the door of his prison swung ON Il
= hinges, an officer of the imperial guard advance
n to the side of the bed OH which the condemnC
man was sleeping, and having examined him atte
}, lively by the light of the lantern which he held
his hand, awoke him. Pierre opened his eyes, al
ID looking around; 'Ah, said he, the hour has con
at lastP