Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-07-10
sELECp ED TALE.
CAPTAIN OBSTINATE.

One fine evening in the month Of Ju.
ly, an old soldier Of the ''grand army"
who had left one OF his arms on the field
Of battle, was seated at the door Of his
pretty cottage. He was surrounded by
group of young villagers, who were
clamorously reminding him Of his prom
isc 10 tell them some Of his military adj
ventures. After moment of pretended
resistanc to their wishes, the old man
took his pipe from his mouth, passed the
back OF his remaining hand across his
li2s, and thus commenced his tale:
"In my time, my friends, the French
would have disdained to fight against
FIenchmen in the streets, as they do in
these days. No, no, when we fought it
was for the honor Of France, and against
her foreign enemies. But my story com.
mences on the 9Th Of November, 1912,
a short time after the battle of Wiazma.
We beat q retreat, not before the Rus.
slams, for they were at a respectful dis.
tance from our camp, but before the
sharp and bitter cold of their detestable
country, a cold more terrible to us than
the Russians, Austrians, and Bavnrians
all put together.
"During the preceding days our Off
GERS had told us that we were approach
ing Smolensko, where we should get
food, fire, brandy, and shoes; but in the
mean time we were perishing in the gla.
ciers, and continually harrassed by the
Cossacks. We had marched for six
hours without stopping to take breath
for we knew that repose was certain
death. An icy wind blew the drifting
snow in our faces, and from time to time
we stumbled over the frozen corpse Of &
comrade. We neither spoke nor sang
oven complaints were no longer heard
and that was bad sign. marched BY
the side Of my captain short, strongly
built, rough, and severe, but brave ant
true as the blade Of his sword; we call
ed him "Captain Obstinate" for whe'
once he said thing, it was fixed h
never changed his opinions. He hat
been wounded at Wiazma, and his usu
ally crimson face was then ghastly pale
while ragged white handkerchief, al
stained with blood, was bound round hi
head, and added to the pallor Of hi
couutenance. All at once | saw hir
stagger on his legs like drunken mar
then fall like block to the ground"
"Mor6leu! captain" said |. bendin
over him, "you cannot remain here"
"You see that can, since l do it.
replied he, sho howing his legs.
"Captnin," said I,"you must not gi,
way :" lifting him in my arms, trie
to put him on his feet. He leaned {
me, and attempted TO walk, but in val
he fell again, dragging me with him."
"Jobin," said he. call is over. Lea
me here and join your company as quic
" as possible. Ono word before you 6
at voreppe, near Grenoble, lives 60
woman. eigh,y.two years Of age, my
my mother. Go and see her, embra
her for me, and tell her that-that-t
her what you will, but give her Il
purse and my cross. 1t is all have!
Now co."
"Is that all. captaini"
"That is all. God bless you! Ma
haste. Adieul" My friends, I do
know how it was, but felt two to
roll down my checks.
"No, captain" I cried. 81 will
leave you; either you come with me,
Twill remain with you"
II forbid you to remain"
"You may put me under arrest the
you like, but at present you must lot
do 90 / please"
"You are an insolent fellow"
+ every good. captain, but you