Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-14
THE DESERTER.

In the year 1909, Pierre Pitois was sergeant
in the twelfth regiment OF the line, then quar-
tered in Strasburg. He was native of that
halt 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 the last to fire
ne had the reputation of liking but two things
in the world-the smell OF powder and the
whistling 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 20
and see his aged mother, who was dangerous
ly ill. He added thot his father being seven
ty-eight year, of age, aud suffering under a
paralytc affection, could not be OF any use in
nurse tending the poor woman, and he pledg ed
himself to return as soon the health OF his
mother should be restored.
The colonel's apply to Pierre's application
was that as his regiment might at any moment
be ordered TO take the field, no leave of alb
sence could he obtained"
Pierre Pitois submitted. A fortnight es
capped, and then second letter was received
by the colonel, in which Pierre informed him
that his mother had died without the consola.
ton Of giving her last blessing to her only
child, and in which he again solicited leave ot
absence, saying that, che could not state his
reason for this request--it was a family secret
but earnestly imporing the colonel not to
deny him this favor.
Pierre's 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 moth
er, but he cannot grant the leave of absence
you require, as the regiment leaves TO NOR
row."
"Ah The regiment leaves Strasburg, and
for what place, may ask you z" said Pierre.
"For Austria" replied the officer. ave
are to see Vienna, my brave Pitois, We are to
fight the Austrians. Is not that good news
for you win be in your elements, my fine
fellow"
Pierre Pitos made no reply he seemed lost
in deep thought The captain caught his
hand, and shaking it heartily, said:
"Why do you not speak, man Are you
deaf to day am telling, thai in less tllan a
week, you are 10 have the pleasure OF Il set-to,
with the Austrians, and you have not word
OF thanks for the good news nay, | verify
believe you have not even heard me-"
Indeed, captain, have heard every word
and l thank you, with all my heart, for your
news, which consider very good"
81 thought you would, said the officer.
"But captain, is their no chance OF obtaining
the leave OF absence 2"
absence the very day before taking the field {?
81 never thought OF that" said Pierre. owe
are then on the point OF taking the field, and
at such time suppose leave is never given 2"
at is never even asked"
''lt is quite right-it is never asked. 1t
would have the appearance of cowardice.
Well, then, | will not press it any more,
will try to get on without it.
"And you will do well, replied the captain.
The next day the twelfth regiment entered
Germany, and the next-Pierre Pitois desert.
ed
Three months after, when the twelfth regi.
ment, having reaped in the field of harvest an
abundant glory, making its triumphal entry
into Strasburg, Pierre PitOis was ignomin-
iously dragged back to his corps by squad
of gems d'drmeS. A court marshal is immediate
ly called. Pierre Pitois is accused of having
deserted at the very moment when his regi-
ment 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 1t almost on tile eve OF battle
without some powerful motive to impel you
This motive the court demands of YOU Tor it
would gladly have it in its power, if not to
acquit you-which it ought not, perhaps Ell.
Their 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, Ii it were to
do again, | would do it again. deserve
death pass sentence"
And then came some witnesses who depos-
ed:
pierre Pios is a deserter. We know it is
fact, but we do not believe it,.
And others averred
"Pierre Pitois is mad the court cannot con-
denim mailman. He must be sentenced then
not TO death, bus to the iunatic asylum
This alternative had very nearly been ad.
opted, for there was not one present in the
court who did not consider the desertion of
Pierre Pitois as one OF those singular circum-
stances beyond the range OF human possibli-
ties, which, while every one is forced to admit
as a fact, no one can account for or compre-
hend The accused however, pleaded guilty
most positively, and was most pertinacious in
his demand for the just penalty of the law, to
be inflicted ON him. He so boldly and fear
lessly avowed his crime, continually repeating
that lie did not regret it, that at length his
firmness assumed the character OF bravado,
and left no room for elemency. Sentence of
death was therefore pronounced.
Pierce Pitols heard hls sentence read with
the most unflinching gaze. 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, 1t
was determined that the execution of Pierre
should be delayed.
He was carried back to the military prison,
md 10 ,arlr
of special favor, he had three days given him
to press for pardon. He shrugged his shout
ders and made no reply.
In the middle of the night on which was tC
dawn the day fixed for the execution the door
OF Pierre's dungeon turned softly on its hinges
and subaltern officer advanced to the side o
the camp bed in which the condemned wa,
tranquility sleeping, and after gazing on hin
some time in silence, awoke him.
Pierre opened his eyes, and staring abou
him, said:-
M"The hour, then, is at last come"
"No, Pierre" replied the officer, dit is no
yet the hour, but it will soon come"