The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-11-29

erg cant in the twelfth regiment of the
line, then quartered at Strasburg. He
was native of that half savage, half.
civilized part of Burgundy known un-
der the name of Morvan, and his com
rades ever spoke of him as slough
customer" Always the first and last
to fire, he had the reputation of liking
but two things iii the word-the smell
Of powder and the whistling of bullets,
Now, one day our friend Pierre took
it into his head to address a letter to
his colonel, in which he applied for
leave of absence to go and see his aged
mother, who was dangerously ill. He
added that his father, being seventy
eight years of age, and suffering under
paralytic affection, could not be Of
any use in Understanding the poor wom-
ar, and he pledged himself to return as
soon as the health of his mother should
be restored.
The colonel's reply to Pierre's appli-
cation was, "that as the regiment might
at any moment be ordered to take the
field, no leave of absence could be obs
tanned"
Pierre Pitois submitted. A forts
night elasped, and then a 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 absence, saying that she could
not state his reason for this request
1t is family secret"-but earnestly
imploring the Colonel not to deny him
this favor.
Pierre's second letter was as little
successful as the first. The poor fel
lows captain merely said:-
"Pierre, the Colonel has received
your letter; he is sorry for the death Of
your old mother, but he, connot grant
the leave of absen e you require, as
the regiment leaves Strasburg to-mor>
VOW"
"Ah! The regiment leaves Strass
burg; and for what place, may l ask
you?' said Pierre.
Fer AUSTRIA" replied his officer
1--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 fellow"
81 Pierre Pitois made no reply; but
seemed lost in deep thought. The
Captain caught his hand, and. shaking
it heartily, said:- o
"Why do you not speak, man? are Won
deaf to- day? lam telling that, in less
than week, you are to have the pleas
ure OF set to with the Austrians. and
youhave not one word of thanks for the
good news; nay, verify believe you
have not heard me-"
Indeed, Captain,I have hear devery
word, and thank you, with all nv
heart, for your news which I consider
very good"
81 thought you would" said the
officer.
"But, Captain, there is no chance of
obtaining the leave of absence?o
Are you mad?" was the reply,
leave O.. absence the very day be.
fore taking the tield?"
81 never thought of that" said Pierre
we are then, on the point of tax
ing the held, and at such a time, 1 sup
Pooe, IedVe Is never piVen?'
1t 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 1t any more; | will try to get on
without it.'s
tain.
The next day the twelfth regiment
entered Germany; and the next-Pierre
Pitois deserted!
Three months artery when the twelfth
regiment, having reaped in the field
OF battle IN abundant harvest of glory
was making its triumphal entry
into Strasburg, Pierre Pitois was
ANONYMOUSLY dragged back to his corps
by brigade of gems d'ar7ns. A court
marshal is Immediately called. Pierre
fltols is accused Of having deserted at
the very moment when his regiment
was to meet the enemy face to face.
me court presented singular spec,a.
Gle. On the one side stood forth the
accuser who cried:
"Pierre Pitois, you, one Of the brav.
est men in the army; you, on whose
breast the star of honor vet plitters.
you, who never incurred either punish.
ment or censure from your officers: Won
could not have Quilted your regiment
quilted it almost ION the eve of bat
tle-Wlthout some powerful motive to
lmpel you. This motive the court de.
mands OF you; for it would gladly have
1t IN It's power, if not to acquit YOU
which 1t ought not, perhaps, either to
40 or to deslre-at least to recommend
you to the Emperor's mercy"
On the other side stood the accused
who answered.
~ have deserted without any reason.
without any motive; l do uot repent:
II II were to do again, l would do it
again. l deserve death-pass sen.
tence."
And then came some witnesses who
deposed.
"Pierre Pitois is a deserter. We
know IL is fact, but we do not believe
it,"
And others ayerred:-
re RE Pitois ismad; she court can
not condemn mailman. He must be
sentenced, then, not to death but to
the lunatic asylum"
This alternative had very nearly
been adopted, for there was not one
person In the court who did not cons
slder the desertion of Pierre Pitois as
one OF those singular occurrences be
y0nd the range of human possibilities,
winch, while every one is forced to ad
mt as fact, no one can account for or
comprehend. Tie accused, however,
pleaded guilty most positively, and
was most pertinacious in his demand
for the just penalty of the law to be in>