The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-06
B,ucher and the Young Desertcr

Few were the youths throughout the
kingdom of Prussia that were allowed to stay
at home in the eventful year of 1919. A
war, more terrible more Wind. ctive 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 ofthat famous proclamation which
will be considered for evermore as one ofthe
noblest documents in German history. They
were true to the call--old and young they
left their homes, rushed to the colors, took
up arms, and never laid them down till they
had driven the enemy under the very walls
ofsParis. t&# &#
The inhabitants of Silesia, we'll known for
their loyalty and patriotism, had not stood
behind amidst the general enthusiasm. There
was not family in the province that had
not contributed its contingent to the nation
al affair and many heart was throbbng
painfully whenever new intelligence was
spread of another Of those dreadful battles
which, by ridding the country from an odi-
Gus enemy, threw sorrow and affliction upon
many quiet and peaceful home
On sultry summer evening, in the year
before mentioned, an old woman was sitting
before her humble cottage in the little Sile-
sian village Of Burnheim. She had put the
distaff aside, and was reading the Bible,
which lay opened on her knees. While she
was repeating the holy words in an under,
tone to herself, her ears caught the sound OF
quick footsteps, and a long shadow emerged
from behind the cottage. The old woman
trembled violently the next moment after
ward, her uplfted eyes fell upon the figure
of a handsome and well-made lad, in a mill.
tary attire. Tag}s9 ar
show are you, mother ?"
She rose, and threw her trembling arms
round his neck ''God be thanked, my boy
that see thee again But how pale and
haggard thou lookest y She went on afte,
pause "To be sure, thou must be very
tired, and very hungry toor'
She led him in the room to the old arm
chair, and urged him to sit down and repose
himselfa little, while she herself would pre-
pare him some supper.
"What did he like best +? Should she make
him an omelet, or roast chicken @, it was
no trouble at all ! Dear me, how could h,
talk Of trouble she was but too glad to dt
any thing for her own dear boy. Yes, sh,
would 60 and get him a chicken"
The old woman, all hustle and activity
left the room. M
The youth did not betray so much pleasure
at this hearty reception from his aged paren
as might have been expected. He was rest
less, and i'll at ease it seemed as if some
thing was heavily weighing upon his hear,
and when his wandering eye fol. upon tn
portrait Of his deceased father, which wa
hanging right over the chimney piece, pre-
senting that worthy gentleman in the sti,
uniform worn BY the kings garle du corp
half century ago, he felt as If the old ser
geant was looking at him with a grim frow
upon his honest countenance just as if h
experienced hearty inclination to step GU
OF his worm-eaten, rosewood frame, to seiz
the Gle knotted hazelstick in the corne,
with the brass mob at top, and to apply it t
the back Of his offspring for half an hour q
so as, in fact, he had been in the habit {
doing, many day inhis lifetime, some eipI