Maryland free press., 1867-02-14
Captain Positive.


fore the door Of his neat cottage, one pleasant
evening in Jaly. He was surrounded by several
village lads, who with one voice sntreated him
to commence his promised story. The old man
took his pipe from his mouth, wiped his lips
with the back of his remaining hand, and beg an
thus
'In my time boys Frenrhmen would have
scorned to fight with Frenchmsn in the streets as
they do now. No, no, when we fought: it was
for the honor of France, and against her foreign
enemies. Well, my story begins on the 9th of
November, 1912, n short time after the battle OF
Wiazina. We were beating a retreat, not before
the Russians, for they kept at a rc7pcctfal dis
tance from our cantonments, but before the Bit
ing cold of their detcstabe country, more terrible
to us than Russians, Ausrians and Bavarians
put together. For the last few days our officers
had been telling US that we were approaching
Smolensko, where we should be certain of find
ing food, FIRE, brandy and shoes :. but in the
meantime we were perishing in the ice, and per-
petualy harrassed by bands of Cossack riders.
"We had marched for six hours, without paus-
ing to draw breath, for we knew that repose
was certain death. bitter wind hurled snow
taking against our faces and now and then we
stumbled over the frozen corpse ofour comrades.
No singing or talking then Even the grum-
blers ceased to complain, aud that was bad
sign. I walked behind nay captain; he YVES
short man, strongly built, rugged and severe,
but brave and true az his own sword-blade. We
called him Captain Positive he for once said
thing, so it was-no appcal--he never changed
hia mind. He had been wounded at Wiazma,
and his usually red face was now quite pale :;
while the pieces of an old white handkerchief
which ho had wrapped round his leg soaked with
blood. saw him first move slowly, then stag
ger like drunken man, and at last he fell down
like block
"Mrleau! captain" said 7, bending over him,
"you can't lie there
"You sec that can, because do," replied he,
porting to his limbs
"Ca ptain," said l. you "musn't die thus"
and raising him in my arms, managed to place
him on his feet. He leaned on me, and tried to
walk but in vain; he fell once more dragging
me with him.
"John," said he f"tis all over, Just leave me
here, and join your column as quickly as you
can. One word before you goat Voreppe,
near Grenoble lives good woman, eighty two
years old, my-my mother. Go to her, SO her,
aud tell her that-that-tel her whatever you
like, but give her this purse and my cross,
That's ALL" .H- q.'.
''Is that all, captain?' s
tI said so. Good bye, and make haste"
"Boys, don't know how it was, but felt
two tears freezing on nay cheeks"
"No, captain," cried |, ''I won't leave you;
either you shall come with me, or will stay
with you."
~ forbid your Staying"
'Captain, you might just a, we'll forbid wo-
man talking" ....
eff I escape I'll punish yon severely
"You may place me under arrest then, but
just now, you must let me do as please"
ttYou'r an insolent fellow"
every likely captain; but you must come
with me-"
"He bit his lips with anger but s1id no more
raised him, and placed his body across my
shoulders like a sack. You may easily imagine
that while bearing such burthen could not
move as quickly as my comrades. Indeed soon
lost sight OF their columns, and could perceive
nothing but the white silent plain aro und me-
moved on, and presently there appeared band
OF Cossacks galopping toward me, their lances
in rest, and shouting their fendi sh war cry.
The captain was by this time in state of tc-
tai unconscousncs5, and resolved, cost what II
might, not to abandon him. laid him on the
ground, coverel him with snow, and then crept
under heap of dead comrades, leaving however,
my eyes at liberty. Soon the Cossacks reached Us.
and began sticking with their lanccs right and
left, while their horses trampled the bodies
on my left arm and crushed it to pieces. Boys,
did not say word; did nst move save to
thrust my right hand into my mouth to keep
down the cry of torture; and in few minutes
the Cossaeks disappeared.
"When the last of them had ridden of. erept
out and managed to disinter the captain. He
showed few signs of life nevertheless cont triv-
ed with my one hand to drag him toward rock,
which offered sort of shelter, and then lay
down next him, wrapping my c1pote around us
Night was closing in, and snow csntiaued to fall.
The last Of the rearEnard had long disappeared,
and the only sounds that broke tfc silence were
the whstling of distant bullets and the nearer
howliag of the wolves, which were devouring
the dead bodies. Cod knows what things were
passing in my bosom that night, which, felt
assured, would be my last on earth. But re-
membered the prayer my mother had taught me
long ago when was child by her sdo; and
kneeling down said it fervently.
"Boys, it did me good and always remember
that sincere earnest prayer will do you good too.
felt wonderfully calm when resumed my place
next the captain. But time passed on, aud was
becoming quite numbed, when saw party OF
French officers approaching. Before had time
to address them, the formest-, low-sizcd man
dressed in fur pelisse stepped toward me say
ing, "What are you doing here7 Why did you
stay behind your regiment?'
"For two good reasons" said I, pointing first
to the captain, and then to my bleeding arm.
"The man speaks the truth, sire, said one of
his followers. az saw him marching behind the
col ann carrying this officer on his back"