Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-10-08

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you have not even heard me-
Indeed, captain, heard every word
and thank you with all my heart fo
your news, which l consider very good
Thought you would, said the off
Ger. ...rt
But, captain, is there no chance O.
obtaining the leave of absence p "oa
Are you mad p was the reply. Leave
OF absence the very day before taking thu
field p
= | never thought Of that, said Pierre
we are then on the point of taking the
field, and at such time, suppose, leave
is not given ?, gt 3sg .aI
: 1t is never even asked H.
1t is quite right--it is never even
asked. Itwould have the appearance Of
cowardice. Well, then, l will not press
it any more; will try and get on with
out it.
And you will do well,' replied the
captain, 80 . I- o snel
The next day the twelfth regimen,
entered Germany, and the next-Pierre
Pitois deserted ga.l ~ aas es.
Three months after, when the twelfth
regiment, having 'reaped in the field of
-
battle an abundant harvest of glory, was
making its triumphal entry into Stras-
burf, Pierre Pitois was ignominiouslv
dragged back to his corps by brigade
of gendarmes,
A court-martial was Immediately call
ed. Pierre Pitois was accused of having
deserted at that very moment when his
regiment was to meet the enemy face to
face. On the other. side stood forth the
accuser, who cried, Pierre Pitois, you
one of the bravest men in the army, YOU,
on whose breast the star of honor vet
glitters you, who never incurred either
punlshmentor censure from your officers,
you could not have Quilted your regi-
ment-quitted it almost on the eve of
battle-without some powerful motive to
impel you This motive, the court de-
mands of you, for it would gladly have il
in its power-if not to acquit you, which
1t ought not perhaps either do or desire
lat least to recommend you to the EN-
peror's mercy On the other side stood
the accused have deserted without any
reason, without any motive | do not
rnnant II :. .-o--.S. sIo ssS.n., "VoIu
do it again. II deserve death, pass the
sentence.'sm ah." '.,'N
Pierre Pitois heard, the sentence read
with unhinching nerve. He was warmly
urged to plead for mercy, but he refused.
AS every one guessed that at the bottom
of this affair there was some strange mys
terry, it was determined that the execution
of Pierre should be delayed. He was
carried back to the military prison, and
it was announced to him, that as mark
Of special favor, he had three days given
to him to press for pardon. Heshrugged
his shoulders, and made no reply.
In the middle of that night on which
was to dawn the day fixed for his execu-
tion,l the door of Pierre dungeon turned
softly on lis hinges, and a subaltern off,
cea advanced to the side of the campbell
In which the condemned was TRANQUILITY
sleeping, and after gazing on him some
time in silence he awoke him.
Pierre opened his eyes, and staring
about him., said the hour, then, is at
last come 4sbs - h- 80
.No. Pierre, replied the officer, but it
will soon come eaist.o
And what want you with me until
then ? -a Tssq ItA 80 ..i I
Dost thou not know me, Pierre !? No
matter, know thee well l saw thee at
Austerli.zAand bravely did'st thou bear
thyself. From that day, Pierre, have
had regard for thee no less warm than
sincere. Yesterday, on my arrival at
Strasburg. l learned thy crime and con-
demnation. | have prevailed on the
goaler, who is relation of mine, to al
low me to see thee And now that have
come l would say to thee, Pierre, it is
often sad thought for man about to die,
that he has not friend near him to whom
he might open his heart and intrust with
some secret commission to discharge
when he should be no more. If thou
wilt accept me, viii be to thee thai
friend 1@
Il thank you, comrade, replied Pierre
why, hast thou nothing to say to me-?
Nothing .sV'
What not one word of adieu to thy
sweet-heart-to thy sister .
A sweetheart sister? | never hae
t.r 9.H g.