Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-12-21
ftol)t Rea0ino.
From the London Court Journal.
THE DESERTER.

| THE DESERTER.
In the year 1909, Pierre Pitois was ser
geant in the twelfth regiment of the line,
then quartered in Strasburg, Re was a
NATIVES of that halfsavage, half-civilized part
of Burgundy known Ender 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 in the world-the
smell of powder aud the whistle of bullets.
Now, one day our friend Pierre took it
into his head to address letter to his
| colonel, in which he applied for leave of
absence to 60 and see his aged mother, who
was dangerously i'll He added that his
father being seventy eight years of age,
and suffering under a paralytic affection,
could not be of any use in nurse-tending
the poor woman, and he pledged himself to
return as soon as the health of his mother
could be restored
The eolonel's reply to Pierre's applica-
tion, was, that as the regiment might march
at any moment, and be ordered to take the
field, no leave could be given. @ aA
Pierre submitted A fortnight elapsed,
and then a second letter was received by
the colonel, in which Pierre informed him
that his mother had died without the con-
ISOLATION Of giving her last blessing to her
only child, and in which be again solicited
leave Of absence, saying that he could not
state the reason for this request-it was a
family secret-but earnestly imploring the
L L al ~
Pierr's second letter was as little sue
cessful as the first. The poor fellow S
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.
All! The regiment to leave Strasburg;
and for what place, sir, may I ask you
said Pierre
For Austria, replied the officer. We
are to see Vienna, my brave Pitois we
are to fight the Austrians. Is not that
good news for you? You will be in your
element, my fine fellow. rszrE--
Pierre Pitois made no reply: he seemed
lost in thought. The captain took his
hand, and, shaking it, said
Why don't you speak, man? Are you
deaf to-day? l am telling you that, in
less than week, you are to have the
pleasure of set-to with the Austrians,
and you have not one word of thanks for
the good news; nay, verify believe that
you have not even heard me-. ~ s.--.
Indeed, captain, I have heard every
word, and | thank you, with all my heart,
for your news.
| thought you would, said the officer.
But, captain, is there no chance for OBJ
tanning leave of absence? .ta ry
Are you mad? exclaimed the officer
Leave of absence the very day before tax
ing the field?
never thought of that, said Pierre
We are then on the point of taking the
field, and at such a time, I suppose leave
is never given?
1t is never asked ~
1t is quite right-it is never asked, Tt
would have the appearance of cowardice.
Well, [ will not press it any more; l will
try and do without it,
And you will do well, replied the officer.
The next day the twelfth regiment en-
tered Germany, and the next-Pierre Pi-
tots deserted.
Three months after, when the twelfth
regiment, having reaped in the field of bat
tie an abundant harvest of glory, was ma
king its triumphant entry into Strasburg,
Pierre Pitois was ANONYMOUSLY dragged
back to his corps by a brigade of gems d.
arms. A court-martial is Immediately
called. Pierre Pitois is accused of having
deserted at the very moment when his reg
iment was to meet the enemy face to face.
The court presented a singular spectacle.
On the one side stood forth the accuser,
who cried:
Pierre Pitois, you are one Of the brayest
men IN the army you, on whose breast
the star of honor yet glltters !; you, who
never incurred either punishment or even
censure from your officers; you could not
have quilted your regiment-quitted it on
the eve of battle-without some powerful
motive to inlpel you! This motive the
court demands of you; for it would gladly
have it in its power, if not to acquit you
which il ought not. perhaps, either to dc
or to desire-at least to recommend you tC
the Emperor's mercy.
On the other side stood the accused who
answered: -
/ have deserted without any reason,
without motive; do not repent it. If II
were to do again, would doit deserve
death-pass sentence,