Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-05
MOtfester 9ailg SPY
BIucher's Judgment.

and renewed the charge accordingly. This
tlme II was mlddle-aged man, with benevo-
lent countenance, whom they made acquainted
with their request, to see the field-marshal on
most urgent business
"Why they had chosen their time rather
badly, indeed; the general was extremely bu-
sy. Couldn't one of the secretaries do as
weIl2'
''By no means, they must see the general
himself"
''Was it information concerning the. enemy
which they wanted to deliver?'
so, no; something much more important
from Burnheim," added the schoolmaster
The middle-aged officer with the benevolent
countennce laughed and said he would try
After the lapse of about half an hour, he
came back, and beckoned to them to follow.
They were ushered into an ante-room, and di-
rected to wait for his excellency.
The door opened after another half-hour's
waiting, and an old man, with gray hair. iron
cut features and bright eyes, entered the
room; it was the commander-in-chi Old
Father Butcher, as the soldiers called him.
The country judge stepped forward and bow
ing very low, delivered the speech about
which he had been bordering ever since they
had left their native place, and which, of
course, he thought to be very eloquent. He
stated all that has been told already in the
course of this narratives how the deserters
own mother had given information of her sons
crime; how they had resolved at once to
bring him back to headquarters and concIu-
ded his address with hope that his excellen-
cy would not be induced to think worse of
their village. because of one that had render
ed himself unworthy of the name of a Prus-
sian. The tears came trickling down his hon
est cheeks.
The general looked very grave indeed
Those large bright eyes of his roamed for an
instant over his rural audience with strange
expression.
He knew at glance what sort of men they
were he had to deal with then his look rested
for awhile on the bent figure of the young
man, who with downcast eyes and care-worn
face, appeared the very image of misery and
detection. He knew his case to be a hopeless
one; deserving colors in time of war is a cap
ital crime, and Father Butcher, with his iron
will, was the last man in the world to be trih-
ed with.
On sudden, the features of the old hero
assumed an expression Of harshness. Turn
ing round towards the speaker of this singu-
lar deputation, he said, in a rough voice, and
in very abrupt manner: ''Mr. Judge you
are an ass"
The villagers started as if they had been
stung. After all the anxiety and trouble they
had undergone for the cause which they con-
sidered to be just one, they had expected
somewhat more cordial reception.
''But, your excellency"-remon the
amazed dignitary.
''Holdyou tongue, 1 says you are an ass
L know better; IN Bugnheim there are no
rUnGcGyS. And you, my son. he went on,
with his iron features relenting little, and
with that same strange expression in his large
bright eyes, ''you will show them tomorrow,
on the battlefield, what Burnheim man can
do; will you not?"
The young man dropped down on his
knees, and was stammering a few broken
words, which the general did not hear, how
ever, for when the lad rose again with high
flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes-a far diff
ferent man-Blucher had already left the
room.
The worthy peasants, whose perceptive fac
ulties were by no means equal to their hon
esty, began at last to get a glimpse Of the gen
erals real meaning. The country Judge was
the first to throw his cap high into the air,
and to give three hearty cheers for Father
Butcher; who, with one single word, had ex-
tinguished what they considered stain from
their native village, comforting the broken
heart of mother, and preserved a pair of
arms for the defence of the country-arms
that could not fail to do their duty now.
When they had given vent to their enthusi-
asm after their hearts content, and taken
leave of the young man, who was carried
away by an aid-de-camp of the generals staff,
they made up their minds to buy some provis-
ions IN the place, and to return again to the
village. They had, however, scarcely reached
the yard, when they were overtaken by the
same middle-aged officer who had announced
them to the commander-in-chief, and asked
them what in Heavens name they were going
to do now.
''Why, going back again, to be sure. To
Burnheim, you know" calculated the school
master.
And did they think that his excellency
would allow anybody to leave headquarters
without having had dinner first? He had
already given orders to that effect, and they
had but to follow this commissioned Off
Ger here, who would show them the way.
They needed not to be told twice, we may
be sure and when they were shown into
kitchen room, where dinner was served up
for them, with bottle of wine standing be-
fore each cover, they felt very grateful to his
eXcellency, and very proud at the same time,
because of the honor shown to the represen-
tatives of their village. But when each of
them found double Frederick dor under his
plate their enthusiasm burst out afresh, and
many were the healths drunk to the welfare of
Old Father Butcher.
When they had all eaten and drunk their
fill, and were about to take their leave thev
fell in once more with their friend the mid
dle-aged officer, who gave them some advice
concerning the best way of reaching their viii
lage without running any danger; for as he
said, the coming day would be an eventful
one He accompanied them through the yard
to the gateway, where he babe them farewell
pointing, as he left, to one Of the hussars
who was mounted guard before the gate
BY heavens, it was their prisoner, the hoy
Charles, now fully pardoned by his excellency
the commander in chief. How proud he
looked with flushed cheek and sparkling eyes.
He dared not address them, for he was on
duty; but he looked at them as much as to
say, "Wait and you shall see tomorrow!
Nor was he faithless to the vow. On the
evening of the following day, the memorable
26th of August, when the bloody victory at
the Katzback was gained, and the field mar
shall rode through the thinned ranks of his
men, who greeted him with enthusiastic
cheers, he was addressed by the commanding
officer of the 2lst hussars, who reported how
greatly the private Charles Fisher had distn-
guished himself above all the rest, having
taken a standard from the enemy and made
prisoner, with his own hands, the commander
Of the French regiment.
The field marshal stopped his horse, and
taking the iron cross from his own uniform,
put it with his own hands to the breast OF the
young man, said with cheerful voice, and
with that same strange expression in his large