The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-12-05

The major was late IN arriving,
and his appearance was received
with she most respectful saluta-
ton trona his subordinates and a
hearty shake of the hand of his
friends.
The veteran Buggles, who had
been the first to arrive, had taken
the largest table in the room. He
broke out in hurrahs when he saw
his companion enter the room. Has
ner had served under his command,
and he was delighted at his promo
ton. AS to Weisch, he arose,
spread open his mouth, and his
great porcelain pipe vibrated in the
air as it hung for moment between
his teeth, a post it never left except
to be filled again.
".
Although Mayence in 1922 con-
tanned q federal garrison, the cafe
Aux Armes de Brandenburgh was
frequented only by Prussian officers
The Jokes of his two friends and the
congratulations of everybody sool
drove away the Majors bad humor,
They all went back to the battle
field. The recollectious Of the past
were revived while the punch was
brewing under the personal super
intendence Of the Captain, who had
very willingly taken charge of this
feature of the evenings entertain.
ment.
Suddenly the door opened, as if it
had been burst by the wind, and a
gust of damp air agitated the dense
clouds of smoke from the pipes and
made the lamps flicker. A young
man, wrapped in cloak, entered
the room. His eyes, of a sober
gray, took u rapid sweep of all
around him. He seemed to hesitate
as to where he should sit down
first went toward two old moustaches
that were engaged in u game OF
chess, then by sudden change of
resolution, took his place at the
table where Major Hasner was.
The citizens of Mayence very
rarely visited the cafe Aux Armes de
Brandenburgh unless accompanied
by an officer. There was Il silence
at all tho tables for the purpose of
inspecting the newcomer, who
threw back the wet collar Of his
cloak, and let it fail upon the chair.
Light complexioned, pale, and with
a newborn moustache covering his
upper lip, he said curtly to the
waiter who asked him what he
would have:
Brandy, beer, anything you
like
The conversation, thus interrupt
cd for a moment, was taken up again
and the waiter placed n glass before
the stranger.
Gentlemen" said the latter, as
he turned to the officers, who were
watching the progress Of the punch,
(Which of you speak French? ?"
Il know something of the Ian
guage," answered Major Hasner, as
he arose, Gin what way can L be Of
service to youY"
The young man looked into tht
calm face before him for momens
then shut his eyes, and pressed one
of his hands to his breast, as if he
were in pain.
81 beg your pardon" he added
in trembling voice, moment af-
tor, "but are not these (and he
pointed to the epaulsttes on the ma
ior's shoulders the insignia of a
captain in the Prussian army?"
Hasner had scarcely answered in
the affirmative, when, without hav-
ing noticed the rapid movement of
the young mans arm, he felt blow
in the face.
All the officers jumped up imme.
dately and surrounded the French
man, who held himself at bay
against the wall.
Hasner was about to fall upon him
when his friends Weisch and Bug
gler seized him and held him Off
Then bottle was hurled at the
head of the stranger by one of the
officers and broke with crash
against the wall.
"Hold, gentleme en- !" cried Hasner,
this affair is mine"
He then stepped in front Of the
man who had insulted him, as if he
feared that the latter was going to
run away.
az do not know you" he said, af
ter looking at tho Frenchman a mo-
ment.
"Six years ago." replied the other,
cone of your countrymen, a captain
like you, slapped my face on the
public square OF my native town. |
tried to avenge myself, and 1 was
thrown to the ground, beaten and
wounded by his soldiers. L always
felt that blow till a moment ago,
and only awaited the death of my,
mother to demand satisfaction for it.
/ arrived in this town this evening,
and, less cowardly than your compa-
triot, l addressed myaelf to you
that is, to man and not to a little
child"
4 murmur arose amon@ the Off.
GERS, but the major suppressed it.
"I am innocent of the outrage
that was committed upon you, mon
sieur," he said, on raising his head
sadly; 81 would not have struck a
child any more than YOU, believe me.