The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-10-11

his duty, so as to obtain proof, II possible
Of the injustice with which be was treated
Daybreak was at the head Of this league
but all its care and watchiulness we're fol
a long while unavaling.
You don't any Of you happen to know the
barracks at Nancy? for that matter il
would not signify much one way or the 9th
er even if you did; for the barracks ar
now talking Of were the old ones which
we're destroyed long ago. The armorer q
the regiment worked in little building
one story high, at the end Of The yard, aht
it was in front of that building that the
company was every day inspected by the
major at eleven o'clock. The grenadiers
were drawn up into line, and if you know
any thing of the old s,rictness Of military
tenue, you will readily suppose that the
first company Of the kings regiment was
in general faultless. From their lily white
cockades to the jet black heels of their
shoes. the brave fellows looked every day
as if they had just stepped out of box.
The major, with his cane in bis hand
passed slowly along the front and the rear
Of the line, stopping opposite each motion
less grenadier, and examining them pne
by one, with eyes endowed for the moI6ept
with the power of a magnifying glass
Now, every day when be stopped beffhd
Peep of Day, whose heart thumped against
his ribs during that moment OF suspense,
the ajor stopped down ia silence, and lay
ing the forcfnger Of his left hand on some
part of the young soldiers uniform. uttered
two words in croaking half whisper; "A
spot"
The sergeant knew what that meant,
and marked down twenty -four hours con
fnement in bis book opposite Peep Of Days
name.
When parade was over, the grenadiers
gathered round the unlucky cn!prit, and
sure enough they saw but too plainly the
black spot on his snow-white uniform.
| Poor Peep of Day used to begin furnish
ing up his clothes and acccutrements al
dawn, and sweat at it all the morning.
His comrades invariably put him through
preliminary inspection before parade, but
all 10 no purpose. The majors finger was
sure to ponnce upon the incomprehensible
spot, which changed place but not color,
and always found means TO fix itself on
some part Of the uniform.
One morning, Daybreak having twisted
his bayone, in his iron grippe, went to have
it repaired by the armorer during the hour
Of parade; and. whilst the armorer was
Strengthening the weapon, Daybreak NOV
ed softly to the window, whence he could
see the company drawn up 10 a line, with
their backs towards him, and the major al
,ernately hating and s,riding forward with
his heavy step. When he came 10 Peep Of
Day, the major stopped as usual, and
Day break, turning suddenly to the armo-
rer, with his face as pale as ghosts, ask
ed if be happened TO have loaded musket
by him. As The armorer naturally express
ed surprise at the question. Daybreak for
tunately recovered his selfpossession, and
seemed to think better of the matter.
Guess what Daybreak had seen? He
had seen how Major Lerpiniere, as he walk.
ed along the rear of the line, rubbed his
finger silly on the backing of his shoe, then
laid it on Peep of Days uniform, aud so
made the spot he pretended 10 discover.
When parade was over, Daybre told
his brother coolly. what he had SEEM
"Steady now, my lad," said he to him;
''don't let your just resentment boil up too
fast, and don't go and serve US up some
mess Of your hot southern temper, do you
see. Your innocence shines us bright as
your cartouche box; your cause is just; so
mind you don't spoil it. will go and con-
suit with the old heads; the colonel shall
be made acquainted with the rights of the
case; and see if we don't tip the major a
passado that he won't get the better Of in
u hurry, that's all"
Soup time being come, the company as
sembled round the kings platters, and Day
break harangucd them with an eloquence
that would have infamed all his hearers
even upon much less provocation. One
cry Of horror burst from every lip as he
concluded, and by simultaneous move
ment every spoon was thrust into the mac
sive government pottage, and left sticking
there.
But scarcely had the grenadiers begun
their deliberations, when, alas! it was in
terrupted by great uproar. The drum
beat 10 arms; the guard turned out, and
three or four iusiiers came with tears in
their eyes, and informed Day break and his
indignan. comrades that Peep of Day had
just been thrust into the black hole, aud the
major carried wounded to his room. This
was as good as saying that Peep Of Day
was dead man.
The unfortunate Despillets the young
er, having met the major in the first heat Of
his passion, had knocked him down with
the butt Of his musket, and would have fin
ished him but for the interference of some
persons, who ought to have come forward
sooner or not at all.
Daybreak pulled off his gold laced hat,
and banged it flat against the wall, exclaim.
al, ,.~t1