The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-12-25
From the London Court Jou
TIE DESERTER.
An Anecdote of Napoleon the First.

An Anecdote of Napoleon the First.
In the year 1909. Pierre Pitos was ser
geant in the Twelfth regiment Of the line, then
quartered in Strssburg He was native OF
that half savage, half civilized part Of Bur-
gundy known under the name Of Morvan, and
his comrades ever spoke Of him as "a tough
customer" Always the first and last to fire
he had the reputation Of liking but two things
iu the world-the smell of powder and the
whistIing Of bullets.
Now, one day our friend Pierre took 1t IN
to his head to address letter TO his colonel,
in which be applied for leave of absence to
GO and see his aged mother, who was danger
ously ill. He added that his father being
seventy eight years Of age, and suffering un.
der parolytc affection, could not be of any
use in Understanding the poor woman, and he
plegcd himself to return as soon as the health
of his mother should be restored.
The coonel's reply to PIERS application
was, 'that as the regiment might at any mo-
ment be ordered to take the field, no leave OF
absence could be obtained
Pierre Pitos submitted. A fortnight elaps.
ed, and then second letter was received by
the colone', in which Pierre informed him
that his mother had died without the conso
ation of giving her last blessing to her only
child aud in which he again solicited leave of
absence. saying that 'he coul! not state his
rcaso" for this request-it was a family secret
but earnestly mploring the colonel not to
deny him this favor.
Pierre's second letter was as little successful
as the first The poor fellows captain mere
ly said:
'Pierte, the colonel has received your letter
he is sorry for the death of poor old mother,
but he cannot gran. tho leave Of absence you
require, as the regiment leaves Strasburg to-
morrow.
'Ahl The regiment leaves Strasburg and
for what place, may | ask your said Pierre.
For Austria replied his officer. We arc
to SEQ Viena, my brave Pitois; We arc to
fight the Austrans. Is not that good news
for you! You will be in your element, my fine
| fellow
Pierre Pitois made no reply; he seemed
lost in deep thought. The captain caught
his hand, and, shaking it heartily, he said:
why do not you speak man9 Are you deaf
to day am telling that, in less than week
you are to have the pleasure Of a set to with
the Austrians, and you have not one word oi
thanks for the good news; nay, verify be
lieve you have not even heard me-
Indeed, Captain, | have heard every word,
and thank you, with all my heart, for your
news, which consider vely good
Il thought YOU would said the officer.
But, Captain, is there no chance Of obtain
ing the leave of abscnceg
Are you mad z was the reply. Leave OF
absence the very day before taking the field 2
Il never thought Of that, said Pierre. I'VE
are, then, on the point Of taking the field, and
at such at a time, | suppose leave is never
givenr
1T is never even asked.
1T is quite rgLt-it is never even asked
1t would have the appearance of cowarce
Well, then, will not press it any more;
will try aud get on without it,
And you will do well, replied the captain.
The next day the Twelfth regiment entered
Geru any, and the next-Pierre Pitois desert
ed.
Three months after, when the Twelfth regi.
ment, having reaped in the field of battle AZ
abundant harvest Of glory, was making it. tr
umphal entry into Strasburg, Pierre Pitos
was ANONYMOUSLY dragged back to his corps
by brigade Of gems d'armes. A court mar
tiaI is Immediately called. Pierre Pilois is ac
Gus d of having deserted at the very moment
when bi. regiment was to meet the enemy
face to face The court presented singular
spectacle.
On the one side stood forth the accusel
who cried:
Pierre Pitos, you, one Of the bravest mer
in the army, you, on whose breast the star o
honor yet glitters; you, who never incurred
either punishment or censure from your off
cers; you could not have quilted your regi
ment-quitted it almost on the eve Of battle
without some powerful motive 20 inlpe
YOU! This motive the court demands Of you
'orlt wou gladly have it in its power. il moi
t. acqut you--whlch it ought not, porhaps
either to do ~ 20 desre-at least to recon.
mend you 20 tho Emperors mercy.
On the other side stood the accused, who
answered:
Il have serted without anw rcasnn. with
out any motive; | d. n,t repent fit were
to do sgain, would do it again. deserve
death pass sentence
AMI then come some witnesses Nh, dcpos.
ed:
Pierre Piiois is a dcsertcr. We know il !,
n fact. but we 90 not believe it,
And others avcrred:
| 'Picrrr Pitois j. mad the court cannot con.
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