Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1855-12-20
Misceiiapy.
THE DEsERTER,s MOTHER.

L
In the year 1900. Pierre Pitois was ser
geant in the twelfth regiment of the line,
then quartered in Strasburg. He was a
native Of that half-savage, halfcivilized
part Of Burgundy, known under the name
OF Morvdn; and his comrades ever spoke
of him as "a tough customer" Always
the first and last to fire, he had the reputa.
ton of liking but TWO things in the world
the smell Of powder and the whistling Of
/ bullets.
Now one day our friend Pierre took i,
into his head TO address letter to his colo
mel, in which he applied for leave of absence
10 60 and see his aged mother, who was
dangerously ill., He added that his father,
being seventy years Of age, and suffering
under paralylic affection, could not be OF
any use in nurse tending the poor woman n,
and he pledged himself to return as soon as
,, the health Of his mother should he restored.
The colonel's reply to Pierre's applica-
ton was, THAT as the regiment might at
any moment be ordered to take the field, no
leave Of absence could be obtained"
Pierre Patois 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, and saying that
"lie could not state his reason for this
request-it was a family secret"-but
earnestly imploring the colonel not to deny
him this favor.
'Piene's second letter was as little sue.
cessinl as the first. The poor fellows
captain 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 for what place, may ask you !" said
Pierre.
"For Austria" replied his officer. 1--WE
are TO see Vienna. my brave Pitois; We are
to fight the Ausuians. Is not that good
news Tor you You will be in your ele-
ment, my fine fellow"
Pierre Pitois made no reply he seemed
los, in deep thought The captain ca"gh,
his hand. and shaking it heartily, said :
"Wby do you not speak, man are you
deaf to-day ! am telling you that. in less
than u week. you are to have the pleasure
Of set-to with the Aus,rians, 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 the good news, which consider very
good" ....
IL thought you would" said the officer
al So. s. al, xf oh
| tanning the leave OF absence =
"AIe you mad I" was the reply. "Leave
Of absence the very day before taking the
field %
IL never thought Of that" said Pierre.
I'VE are, then, on the point Of taking the
field, and at such time, suppose, leave
is not given I"
ut is never even asked"
Ill is quite right-it is never even asked.
II would have the appearance Of cowardice.
Well, thea, will not press 1t any more |;
I will try and get on without it,"
And you will do well" replied the cap
tain.
The mex, day the twelfth regiment entered
Germany. and the nex.--Piefre Pitois
deserted .sss
Three months after, when the twelfth
regiment, having reaped in the field Of
battle an abundant harvest Of glory, was
making its ,riumphai entry into S'rasburg.
Pierte Pi,ios was ANONYMOUSLY dragged
back to his corps by brigade Of gcndarmes.
"A court-mar,ial was immediately called.
Pierre Pitois was accused of having deser-
ed at that very moment when his regiment
was TO meet the enemy face 10 face. The
court presented a singular spectacle. On
| the one side stood forth The accuser, who
cried, "Pierre Pitios, you, one Of the bra
vest men in the army you, on whose
breast the star of honor yet giitteIs you,
who never incurred either punishment or
even censure from your officers you could
not have quilted your regiment-quitsed it
almost on the eve OF battle-without some
powerful motive to impel you ! THIS mo-
tive the court demands Of you. foi it would
gladly have il in its power-if not TO acqui,
you, which Il ought not, perhaps, either 10
do or desire-at least 10 recommend you to
the, Emperor's mercy"
On the other side stood the accused,
who answered, 81 have deserted without
auy reason, without any motive: do mol
repent. Ii il were to do again, would dc
it again. deserve death-pass sentence
Pierre Pitois heard the sentence read
with the most nnfinching gaze. He was
warmly urged soplead Tor mercy, but he
refused. As every one guessed that a, the
bottom Of this affair there was some strange
my s,ery. it was determined that the execu.
lion OF Pierre should DO delayed. He was
carried back TO the military prison, and i
was announced to him that, as a mark Of
special favor, he had three days given him
70 press for pardon. He shrugged hie
shoulders, and made no reply.
i Ia the middle Of that night on which
was TO dawn the day fixed for the execution
the door OF Pierre's dungeon turned softly
on It's hinges, and subaltern officer adj
vanced 10 the side of the camp-bed 10 which
she condemned WAS tranquility sleeping, ant
| after gazing on him some time in silence
!, awoke him.
II Pierre opened his eyes, and staring abcu
him, said. @1'he hour then. has come a
last !n
..No, Pierre," replied the officer SIT i
not yet the hour bat il will soon come"
s.And what do you want with me unit
n x.u~