San Andreas independent., 1860-12-22
THE DEsERTER.
AN ASEcDorE OF NAPOLEON THE FIRST.

| IN the twelfth regiment of the line, then quar-
tered at Strasburg. He was native of that
half savage, half civilized part of Burgundy
known under the name of Morvan, and his
comrades ever spoke of him as " a tough Gus
TONER" Always the first and last to fire, he
had the reputation of liking but two things in
the world-the smell of powder and the whist
ling 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 go
and see his aged mother, who was dangerously
i'll He added that his father, being seventy
eight years of age and suffering under par
alytic affection, could not be of any use in
Understanding the poor woman, and he pledged
himself to return as soon as the health of his
mother should be restored.
The Coloners reply to Pierre's 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 Pitois submitted. A fortnight elapsed,
and then second letter was received by the
Colonel, IN which Pierre informed him that
his mother had died without the consolation
OF giving her last blessing to her only child,
and In which he again solicited leave of alb
sence, saying that :" he could not state his
reason for this request-it was family secret"
but earnestly imploring the Colonel not to
deny him this favor.
Pierres second letter was as little successful
as the first. The poor fellows Captain merely
said
Pierre, the Colonel has received your let
ter; he is sorry for the death of your old
mother, but he cannot grant the leave of ab-
sence you require, as the regiment leaves
| Strasburg tomorrow"
"Ah! The regiment leaves Strasburg; and
for what place, may ask your" said Pierre.
Z" For Austria" replied his officer ave
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"
Pierre Pitois made no reply be seemed lost
in deep thought. The Captain caught his
hand, and shaking it heartily he said
"Why do you not speak, man? Are you
deaf to-day2 | am telling that in less than a
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 you have not even heard me-"
Indeed, Captain, have heard every word,
and thank you, with all my heart, for your
news, which | consider very good"
81 thought you would," said the officer.
! Dut, Odptdlu, is luere no cQance OF OBTAIN
ing the leave of absence? 2"
Are you mad ?' was the reply. "Leave
of absence the very day before taking the
field"
81 never thought of that" said Pierre. !" We
are, then on the point of taking the field, and
in such time suppose leave is never given
at is never even asked
!" 1t is quite right-it is never even asked
1t would have the appearance of cowardice
Well then, will not press it any more will
try and get on without it."
land you will do well," replied the Cap
tain
The next day the twelfth regiment entered
Germany, and the next-Pierre Pitois de-
serted
Three months after, when the twelfth regi-
ment, having reaped in the field of battle an
abundant harvest of glory, was making its
triumphal entry into Strasburg, Pierre Pitos
was ignominiously dragged back to his corps
by brigade of gems darmes. A court-martial
is Immediately called Pierre Ptois is ac-
cused of having deserted at the very moment
when his regiment was to meet the enemy
face to face. The court presented singular
spectacle. On the one 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 yet glitters; you, who never incurred
either punishment or censure from your off,
GERS 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 demands of YOU for it
would gladly have it in its power, if not to ac-
quit you-which it ought not, perhaps, either
to do or to desire-at least to recommend you
to the Emperor's mercy.
| On the other side stood the accused, who
answered:
81 have deserted without any reason, with
out any motive; do not repent. IF it were
to do again, would do it again. ! deserve
death-pass sentence"
And then come some witnesses who de-
posed
"Pierre Pitois is a deserter. We know it is
fact, but we do not believe it."
| And others averred:
"Pierre Pitois is mad the court cannot
condemn a madman. He must be sentenced,
then. not to death, but to the lunatic asylum"
This alternative had been very nearly adopt
| ed, for there was not one person in the court
who did not consider the desertion of Pierre
Pitois as one OF those singular circumstances
beyond the range of human possibilities, which,
while every one is forced to admit as a fact,
no one can account tor or comprehend The
accused however, pleaded guilty most posi-
lively, and was most pertinacious in his de-
mand for the just penalty of the law to be in
ficted on him. He so boldly and fearlessly
avowed his crime, continually repeating that
he did not regret it, that at length his irmness
assumed the character of bravado, and left
no room for clemency. Sentence of death
was therefore pronounced.
| Pierre Pitois heard his sentence read with
the most unf1inching gace. They warmly
urged him to plead for mercy, but he refused.
As every one guessed that at the bottom of
this affair there was some strange mystery, 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 him
to press for pardon. He shrugged his shoul-
ders and made no reply.
In the middle of the night on which was to
dawn the day fixed for the execution, the door
of Perre's dungeon turned softly on its hinges,
and subaltern officer advanced to the side of
the camp bed in which the condemned man
was TRANQUILITY sleeping, and after gazing on
him some time in silence, awoke him.
Pierre opened his eyes, and staring about
him, said:
1.-THE hour, then, is at last come"
"No, Pierre" replied the officer, "it is not
A. - - In