The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-07-06
"No! mol" they both exclaimed, "why


the old cure labored so hard to hammer
a little knowledge into our brains.
dare say you have flown far over our heads
in your dreams. Come give us the ben.
, eft of them
sWell," said Evariste, somewhat reluc
i family, 81 only want TODD something for
, my fellow creatures before leave the
| world. I do not want to live just to
amuse myself, and then die to be forgot
ten. should like to follow the example
of the heroes of old who died for their
country; or better still, of the martyrs
who died for Christ" And his face be
came flushed with glow of enthusiasm
"Iyeaas that is an idea which would
not have come to me-" said Jules. 81
prefer to live"
"Well should not object to die glor-
ious DEATH" said Martel, "but I must
live long, happy life with Vevette, 6ien
entendu. It would be pleasant to know
that ones name would be honored by pos
terity; but let me take my pleasure out
of existence first"
"But, Martel" said Evarste, ''it is not
in old age, for the most part, that We
make sacrifice. Life has come to an
end by that time anyhow"
Sacrifice! old age! death p exclaim.
ed jules; "why, EVariste, you are worse
than the cid cure, with your gloomy
ideas; but happily they are only ideas
after ALL With all those fine sentiments,
mon ana, I think know what will be
your fate-you will be bon pere de FAM
alle, like your father before you. Do you
think did not observe Leonie Michon's
pretty blue eyes glancing your way
through benediction this evening? And
you love her, EVariste. You need not
deny it"
81 do not wish to deny it," he answer
ed quietly. 81 do love her better than
life. Still think I could give up love,
with life, if 1 were chosen by heaven to
be a hero or a martyr"
'But if you are not so chosen, which
does, not seem likely in these common.
place times, you will marry Leorie and
rock the baby's cradle in due course, will
you not ?" said jules looking at him
|laughingly.
! 81 dare say SHALL" he answered, with
a bright smile, "and be thankful enough
that was allowed to be happy in life,
instead of glorious in death"
$50! we are all three provided for in
spite of the cure" said Martel, get gas
NAL, must say;" and after little more
conversation on Indifferent subjects, the
three friends separated, and walked away
to their different homes.
A few more days-during which the
birds still sung among the sunlit trees,
and the grapes ripened on tie vines, and
the inhabitants of Vaux Vilaine went to
and fro in happy security, and talked of
the prospects of the harvest as the most
important subject in the woodland then
the pastoral quiet of even that most peace
tul home was awfully broken by the stun
nlng thunders of the great war news,
Whlch all knew to be, in truth, the death
knell OF thousands upon thousands of the
bravest hearts in France.
Was there spot in all that fair and
pleasant country, however secluded and
remote, to which the dreadful tidings
failed to bring anguish and terror. even
before shot had been fred or single
life sacrificed? Surely not one; and
Vaux V1laine was no exception, though
for the first two months, the tide of war
rolled Tar away from its fields and tranquil
homes But there was scarcely family
who had not relation with the army ;
and day after day brought tidings which
told OF beloved faces that would be seen
no UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster, and heroic
self-deVotlon that cOurted death, but fail
ed to retrieve the terrible disgrace.
jules, Martel and Evariste had each a
brother in the army but they themsel YES
, for various family reasons, had as vet been
; held exempt, greatly to their indignation
and annoyance; for even the special ties
which bound Martel and Evariste to the
! homes that held Vevette and Leonie, did
not prevent them feeling quite as strong.
~ as Jules did the burning desire to
! throw their young lives into the balance
and help to turn the scale In favor of thei,
2 beautiful and unfortunate France, in
4 whose ultimate success and plorv thew
f could not cease to believe, in face of the
worst reverses.
4 Still, though there was lamentation and
disquiet in Vaux Vilaine. and MANY )
: significant notice on the church door sslr
, ing the faithful of their charity, to pray
I Tor the soul OF some brave soldier lyme
. in his last cold sleep on the blood drench
| ed soil OF Woerth or Weissenburg, vet the
J, ordinary life OF the villagers went or
D much as usual no one prevented then
| from continuing their accustomed EN-
, Payments; the harvest and vintage were
gathered in with only little additions
toll, because the numbers of the men wht
= remained to accomplish that pleasant
/ task were much fewer than they had ever
s been before. And the domestic events i
Q the various families proceeded as they had
|, ever done; children were christened
4 young maidens given in marriage, ant
old men peacefully buried, whose sigi
J. had been for their dear and fair France
]. so surely Horsted in the gigantic cnnfiiot