The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-11-30

hind him accompanied By the discharg
. OF park Of cannon He glanced tow
ards the opposite hill at his back where
on the village stood. and there he saw a
was confusion and buslIe,--oflicers gal
loping to and fro, and then forming bur
rled.y into a line; he hastily gave tn
word, "As you were;" for line Of roa,
TO the north east of the hill, he saw a lhic
. cloud Of dust, from which quickly plung
ed out group Of horsemen, eWdentl
officers: the foremost not so tall as mo,
OF them, nor SO graceful rider as man,
C OF them, though he sat firmly too. wa
!, recognized by Colon and his men (loni
before he was near enough for them Il
+ distinguish single feature OF his face,
! by his grey Irock.coat and fiat three-cor
ncred cockod.hat Colon gave the wor,
o. command; The soldiers Shoudered lhel
muskets, and prepared to salute; and il
another minute, Napoleon at the head 0
his staff, reined up on the hill. lie haC
LETT the march Of The grand army somt
leagues behind, and ridden Oh toward,
Labarre, in order, with his wonted watch
iulness, TO t4ke the detachment by sur
prise, and see what they were about
His eagle eye, whose glance saw every
thing like anolher'S gaze, had at once de
tected the party on the hill, and he had
ridden from the road TO discover wha
tho object of the meeting was; a glance
too, told him that; and while he was YET
returning the salute Of the men and thei;
sergeant, he said, in voice painting al.
ter his hard galIop, "IIey Z! what's this
"a desertion ~
"Ies, sire--no, sire; not exactly" an.
swered Colon.
mot exactly what then 2" asked Ma.
poIeoD, in rather peevish tone. his lace
assuming more than its usual sternness;
for hardly anything provoked him more
than hesitation on the part OF those he ad
dressed.
"Absence against orders, sre," re-.
plies Colon.
"Aha! for how long? is this his dogl'
Yes sire; only lew hours"
"A few hours! Who gave this order
thenW
General $, sire"
"What character does the man bear?"
"lle is a brave man, sire
"He Is Frenchman," retorted Napo
leon, proudly; "but is he honest, aud SO
ber, and generally obedentl"
"Ies, sire; this is his first fault"
ellen! how long has he served!'
"Tbree years last March, sire
Alouder and higher toned 'IIem!' es-
capped Napoleon; and his attention was
at the same moment attracted by Raumer
who, with timd step. had approached
the Emperor; and, kneeling on one knee
with clasped hands and broken voice he
cried, "Oh! sire, il you--if you would
spare his Iiie--he is innocent of any in
tention 10 deSer;-that ! can"
"Are you his brolher" interrupted the
Emperor.
mo, sre," answered Reaumer: his
friend his dear friend
"And how know you what his inten-
tions were!'
"lle told them TO me, sire; he only
went last night TO see his friends, and
would have returned the same night, but
that ii advised him to meet the regi.
ment at Labarre; and know"
"And what business hadst thou to ad.
wise comrade in breach of duty p
Stand back TO thy place"
And Rcaumer retired, covered with
shame. Napoleon beckoned Jean TO him;
aud he came, and Roilo with him; and
the latter, as though understanding the
power and authority OF the man his mas
ter thus obeyed, put his fore. paws against
his strrup, and whimpered implOringly
up to him. Jean looked for a moment
in the Emperor S face, but his gaze drop.
ped, though without quaiIing beneath that
of the piercing large grey eyes that we're
fixed on him. After a short pause. Ma.
poeon asked, Thine age! Lie down.
down. good dog!" Tor Rollo was get
tlIS lHhpoiluIldle'
Twenty five years, sire" said Jean.
"Why hast thou disobeyed ordersl'
81 could not help it, SIRE"
Couldn't help it! How dost thou
mean!'
Il was so near my friends, and so
longed TO see them, that indeed | could
not help it,"
"'Tis a strange excuse. Down! | say
good brute" but al the same moment un.
gloved his hand, and gave it to RolIo to
lick; then after short pause. added
"And thou sawest thy parents"
"Yes, sire; and | was returning TO the
regiment, When ="
"Ah! is this true, sergeant!" turning
to Colon.
"Yes, sire, tits true" answered he:
1--WE met him about three quarters OF a
league from -"
''lneed not have asked, though" inter-
rupted Napoleon, 1.-THE mans face looks
true. Thy name ?" again addressing
Jean.
Jean Gavard, sire. Down, Rollo! !
fear he is troublesome TO your highness.' .
Napoleon smiled, d,-perhaps at the title
and answered, mo. no; poor RoIlo he
is fine dog. shall inquire into this af'
fair, Gavard; for the present | respite
thee"
Jean knet on his knee, and seized the
Emneror's hand 10 kiss il; hut Napoleon