Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-04-16
M | S c E L L A N Y.
THE DESERTER:
Oh
BLUCHER' MENT.

Few were the youths throughout the king
dom of Prussia that were allowed to stay at
home in the eventful year of 1913. a war,
more terrible, more yindictiye than any one that
had ever visited the continent of Europe, was
raging through the land, and the country could
spare none OF its defenders. Also the king had
called his people to arms by means of that fa-
nous proclamation which will be considered for
evermore as one Of the noblest documents in
German history. They were true to the call
old and young, they left their homes, rushed to
their colors, took up arms, and never laid them
down till they had driven the enemy under the
very walls of Paris.
The inhabitants Of Silesia, well known for
their Loyalty and patriotism, had not stood be-
hind amidst the general enthusiasm. There
was not family in the province that had not
contributed its contingent to the national affair
and many heart was throbbing painfully
whenever new intelligence was spread of an
other of those terrible battles, which, by rid
ding the country from an odious enemy, threw
sorrow and affliction upon many quiet and
peaceabe home.
On sultry summer evening, in the year be-
fore mentioned, an old woman was sitting be-
fore her humble cottage in the little Silesian
village of Burnheim She had put the distaff
aside, and was reading the Bible, which lay
opened on her knees. Whilst she was repeat
ing the holy words in an under-tone to herself,
her ears caught the sound of quick footsteps,
and long shadow emerged from behind the
cottage. The old woman trembled violently
the moment afterwards her uplifted eyes fell
upon the figure of handsome and well-made
lad, in military attire.
allow are you, mother ?"
She rose, and threw her trembling arms
around b;o pool uGod ha thanl ad roy hoy
that see thee again But how pale and hag-
gard thou lookest." She went on, after pause
'To be sure, thou must be very tired, and very
hungry tooP"
She led him in the room to the old arm chair,
and urged him to sit down and repose himself
little, while she herself would prepare him
some supper.
"What did he like bestp Should she make
him an omelet or roast chickenp o, it was
no trouble at all Dear me, how could he talk
of troubleP she was but too glad to do any
thing for her own dear boy. Yes, she would
go and get him chicken"
The old woman, all hustle and activity, left
the room.
The youth did not betray so much pleasure
at this hearty reception from his aged parent as
might have been expected He was restless
and i'll at easel it seemed as if something was
'Ny "NAS"ihS upc" 'i'o HSoitj ohN "hSh q
wandering eye fell upon the portrait of his de-
ceased father which was hanging right over the
chimney-piece, presenting that worthy gentle
man in the stiff uniform worn by the kings
garde du corps half a century ago, he felt as il
the old sergeant was looking at him with grim
frown upon his honest countenance just as il
he experienced hearty inclination to step out
of his worm-eaten rosewood frame, to seize the
old knotted stick in the corner, with the brass
mob at the top, and to apply it to the back of
his offspring for half an hour or so; as, in fact,
he had been in the habit of doing many a day
IN his lifetime, some eight or ten years ago.
His restless son felt so much overcome by this
latter reflection, that, when the old woman came
busting in again, after the lapse of some min
utes, with the chicken under her apron, she
found her own dear boy with his head in his
hands, leaning listlessly upon the table.
He sat up when she came in, but did not look
at her. The old woman became attentive. In
the joy of her heart, she had never thought yet
Of asking him any questions except those con-
cerning his appetite. Now. it began to strike
her that the present period was rather strange