The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1868-01-29
From the French D'Alembert
THE HUSSAR:
Or French Military Favor Sixty
Years Ago.
BY CHARLES DEsMARIs.

the soil and almost liquifed the mud which
spread treacherou.ly over the many deer
holes and ruts, the Place became a series Of
traps in which the unwary passenger often
foundered most absnry, and even danger
ously, as upon the quicksands of and un'
known shore.
1t was after two days storm, in the
month of November of last year, that q
sleDder young man threaded the dubiou.
path of this slough, eyincing the greatest
caution in picking his dainty steps as he
directed his course toward the boulevards.
The youth seemed scarce beyond the age
of childhood, so small and delicate was his
figure, so fair and smooth his cheek, and
might have been well taken for frolick.
some young girl in masquerade from his
slender waist. tiny feet and hands, and his
long, fair, curling locks.
He was habituated somewhat foppishly
in the uniform OF the Royal Hussars, and
displayed great agility, as well as extraor-
dinary Gre, leaping from stone to stone,
clearing each muddy rivulet, and tripping
daintily over the dry intervals Of ground,
when his attention was distracted by loud
burst of laughter. and he perceived four
grenadiers of the Guard watching his
gymnastics with mocking glee.
Although indignant at their insulting con.
duct, the young gentleman continued his
route until the grenadiers directly address
ed him.
Look out for that hole, sir cried one,
''it is six inches dcep-you may drown in
it."
Hold your tongue" said the second,
don't you see that it is young girl?
ModamoiseIle, We are going to the Bar riere
to drink some famous wine; shall We have
the honor Of your charming company"
BAH" sneered the third soldier, lit is
only little boy running away from his faith
er to play truant for awhile. 60 home i'm
mediately, you young scamp; do you hear
II e?'
The youth stepped, half surprised half
angry.
why do you annoy me, sirs? asked he.
Why? because you amuse us. "
II have nothing to say to you; let me
pass on my way"
Not without chatting little first"
''Well, then" said the young hussar mil
dly, what do you want?'
LET us see--oh, tell us TRULY, if you are
not young lady?'
You wish to laugh at ne, comrades. :"
''Ha, ha, he calls US comrades! 81 cause
his mamma has dressed him in uniform to
make him look pretty. he thinks he is q SOL
1ier. What fancy dress is that YOU wear,
chld?"
ut is no fancy dress, ~ replied the youth,
lit is the uniform of my regiment.
''Go to. boy! we DO not swallow such fa>
bles us that, go back to your school, my
.ad!'
II am very young it is true, gentlemen,
but | am, nevertheless, a cavalier of the
first regiment of Hussars.'
"A fine regiment truly" g"inned the
soldier, ''if it is composed Of chits Of your
feather"
ut is brave regiment and a good regi-
ment, returned the youth, losing patience,
'of which the poorest soldier is worth oil
the impudent grenadiers Of the Guard. "
Ohio! you are getting angry, are your
because you torment me.
"Ah! you call yourself trooper, and you
heard the veterans of the Guard, do you?
This shall not pass, Sir Malapert; you shall
prove your title to enrolment in brave
THAT is you wish me to fight? Very
well. Although you are four to one, and
have all joined in insulting me, | will not
balk you. sirs!'
"Oh, we will not be hard on you; shall
let you Of with scratch, on the word OF
''marite d armes!'
Don't he too confident, Sir Fencer, !
understand how to handle sabre some~
what"
THAT we will prove Immediately. Strip,
my child, and take your position
The noise OF this alteration had by this
tirie, attracted number of spectators,
in the neighborhood, and
chance passers by, and they formed circle
around the dis0utaB's, getting denser every
moment, and all eager to behold the result,
and to see fair play.
The little Hussar and the marite d armes
took off their mantes, and unsheathing
their sabres, began the combat. The
grenadier soon perceived that he had nc
novice to deal with; but as he had Dragged
OF his skill of fence, and announced the ma.
ture of the wound he would deal upon his
young antagonist, he fought with this SOLE
purpose in view, a method which ended in
five minutes, by his receiving the youth
sword through his heart.
The boy victor leaned calmly on his bloody
weapon, rs it he had not yet finished
The companions of the fallen grenadier
finding their comrade perfectly dead left
him on the sod, and turning to the Husssr
one of them said: "You have Tough,
bra, ely, young nan. and though you have
killed the best swordsman CT the Guard, il
was fairly done; therefore, go quickly il
safety"
mot so soon as you think" replied thu
little hero. "You have each insuited me
| intend to pass you each in review, that il
our way in the cava ry!'
"What will yol fight again?' cried th'
soldier, amaked.
Precisely so.
Come on, then, will avenge our poo
Charet,' cried the granadier, and a new
combat began. This time the assailant re
garded neither youth nor the apparen
weakness of the little Hussar, but Tough
with all his skill and strength, and tn,
blows became fast and fierce. But tn,
gr at agility of the youth defied all his iu
ry, and in as short time nearly as before
he ripped ghastly wound in the stomach
of the burly soldier, which laid him, dying
near his comrade.
The crowd buzzed inexcited applause an,
wopder.
"Now for the third!'' cried the victor, IL
bis boyish voice.
The third grenadier strobe forward. II
was gigantic in ize, and the great lengtl
of his arm Kindred all the little Hussar'
efforts to get within the reach Of his hug
carcass for long time. But the boy
evading with great dexterity all his savag
thrusts and fierce blows, beset him so con
stantly and actively on every side, springin
here ard there like 'saltinbanquc, an
causing the great bulk OF his adversary /
make most tiresome efforts in guoiding hi
quick assaults, that the giant failing tror
yerv wearin IS, and droppipg his pnard e.