Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-05-15
4 Select Calc.
PIERRE PITOIs, THE DEsERTER.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

In the year 1909, Pierre Pitois was ser
geant in the 18th regiment of the line,
then quartercd in Strasburg. He was ma
tive of that half-savage, half-civilized part
Of Burgundy, known under the name Of
Morvan and his comrades ever spoke of
him as ''a tough customer" Always the
first and last to fire, he had the reputation
of liking but two things in the world-the
smell OF powder and the whistling Of bull
lets.
Now, one day our friend took it into his
head to address letter to his Colonel, in
which he applied for leave of absence to
90 and see his aged mother, who was dam
gerously i'll. He added that his father be-
ing Seventy-eight years of age, ana suffer-
ing under paralytic affection, could not
be of any use in nurSe-tending the poor
woman, and he pledged himself 10 return
as soon as the health of his mother should
be restored.
Pierre Pitois submitted. A fortnight
elapsed and then second letter was re-
ceived by the Colonel, in which Pierre in
formed him that his mother had died with
out the consolation of giving her last bless
Ing to her only child, and in which he
again solicited leave of absence, saying
that she could not state his reason for this
requeSt--t was family secret"-but ear
nestly mploring the Colonel not to deny
him this favor.
PieTre's second letter was as little suc-
cesslu as the first. The poor fellows Cap
tain merely said-"Pierre, the Colonel has
received your letter; he is sorry for the
death of your old mother, but he cannot
grant the leave of absence you require, as
the regiment leaves Strasburg Tomorrow"
"Ah The regiment leaves Strasburg
and Tor what place may / ask you!" said
| Pierre.
"For Austria replied the officer. awe
are to see Vienna, my brave Pitois; we
are to fight the AustrianS. Is not that good
news for you? You will be in your ele-
ment, my fine fellow.
Pierre Pitois made no reply; he seemed
lost in deep thought. The Captain caught
his hand, and shaking it heartily he said;
"Why do you not speak, man? Are
you deaf to-day! / am telling that, in less
than a week, you are 10 have the pleasure
of set-to with the AustrianS, and you
have not one word Of thanks for the good
news; nay, ! verify believe you have no:
even heard me-"
'Indeed, Captain, / have heard every
word, and thank you with all my heart
for your news, which l consider very
good"
81 thought you would" said the officer
"Bui, Captain, is there no chance OF OBJ.
tanning the leave of absence ?"
"Are you mad 2" was the reply. "Leavt
of absence the very day before taking tn,
field 2"
81 never thought of that" said Pierre
awe are on the point Of taking the field
, and at such time l suppose leave is neve
f given 7"
sit is never even asked"
sit is quite right-it is never even ask
ed. 1t would have the appearance of COW
ardice. Well, then, | will not press it an
more will try and get on without it..
sand you will do WE'LL" replied th
= Captain.
The next day the twelfth regiment en-
I, tered Germany and the next-Pierre Pito
!. deserted
Three months after, when the twelft
regiment, having reaped in the field OF ba
tie an abundant harvest OF glory, was mi
king its triumphal entry into Strasburg, p
ere Pitois was ignominiously dragged bac