Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-04-28
81 understand the feeling well. and


You must be present." 1 said, when
the companies are assembled"
No. he replied, 81 have not finished
this letter to my mother
IsOOn understood why he had avoided
being present, for the first name the
gentleman pronounced was that of Gar
delux. He spoke of his heroism and
courage. Told how he had the energy
to go and liberate twelve of his COM
paDiOns who had imprudently engaged
themselves with the Arabs Also OF
his having entered the fortified village
of Benz Yalee. / could not listen to
another word, but ran to his cabin and
found him still writing, and ere he
could replace the papers in the port
folio. had caught him in my arms and
pressed him to my heart.
accompany me-" he exclaimed. "You
knew YOU would be praised, for you
fought like lion. Come to my heart,
for you are a true soldier"
81 cried and laughed with joy. He
needing my words.
Come" he said at length, 81 must
thank the General
"YOu have plenty of time," | replied.
'he requires TEST; for man of his
years he has had tough time"
At dawn we were again marching,
and the golden sun set ON a bloody
encounter. As before, Leopold had
done such deeds of bravery that
l heard that the Legion of Honor
was to be conferred upon him. Desiring
to be first to announce this good for
tune, turned towards his tent. Pres
emily heard my name called.
81 have been seeking you, captain" )"
said an orderly. "MOnsieur de Gar
delux desires to see yOu.n
Where is he?" inquired
AT the ambulance, and very ill.,
replied the man.
"Is it possible" exclaimed. "What
has happened 7"
"a ball has pierced his stomach, cap
tain. picked him up; but make haste,
there is no time to lose"
We ran all the way to the ambulance,
and my heart grew sick on seeing the
tents surrounded by the red flag.
at is here said my guide, designat-
ing the first tent.
l entered, and by the light of a
lantern saw my poor friend extended
on a mattress. He was so pale that at
first thought him dead, but he had
only tainted. The surgeon was beside
him. He was kneeling, and as he
raised his head / recognized Maroon.
"My poor Brumer," he said, "yOu
have lost a true friend, and the army
as brave a soldier as ever drew BREATH -
''Is there no hOpei" inquired.
81 fear there is none. A hemOrrhage
will ensue which will cause suffOcatiOn.
He may live three hours, but, God be
thanked, he will not suffer. As you are
here, | will go, for others require my
immediate aid"
implored him to remain, to invent
some miracle to save my friend. He
could only kindly press my hand and
depart.
/ seated myself beside Gardelux, and
at length heard him feebly pronounce
my name.
Dear Henri" he murmured.
81 took his hand i'm mine it was cold
and damp with the dew of approaching
death.
81 am here,r whispered. / saw him
YEARLY raise his lids, but the eyes that
met my own were sightless.
ut is |, your own friend Brumer," i
said. He made another effort, and
barely articulated the word water.
| separated his closed teeth, and
a few drops of water in his
mouth. This seemed to afford some
relief, and at last | saw that he knew
me. ..t-
"Thank you," he murmured, and his
hand that still lay in mine returned
the pressure of my own.
'It is finished" he continued. "YOu
see was right. knew it would come.
Do you remember nv wordsf Do not
grieve for me. A little sooner or a
little later matters not. War is grand.
l have been happy with you"
/ tried to give him some hope. At
first he only answered by a smile, which
in its sadness chilled my heart. Then
he continued:
"Dear Henri, time presses. My watch
is beneath my pillow. The moment l
die stop it. 1t is for my mother. She
will see that my last thought. my last
moment of life was given to her. Do
you understand Give the medallion
to my sister. My will is in my own
room at Briska. l have bequeathed
you my sword, my arms and my books.
| have written two volumes of poetry.
| hope they will not burn my verses.
Garry them to Helen. In my pocket
you will find few thousand francs.
Give them to my company, and tell the
men that l loved them. On yonr
breast, dear Henri, l bid farewell to
France, to life and to you, my more
than brother"
Suddenly a cry almost of joy escaped
his lips, and the look of agony left his
face. "All suffering is gone. ! am
better now; better" As he said these
words his eyes slowly closed.
He was, indeed, letter, and had
ceased to suffer, for the soul of the
pure, true man and brave soldier had
left this sad earth forever.
Almost wild with grief, l ran to and
fro, calling to all that he was dead.
And SO the night passed. At length |
to the ambulance for lOnged
to see him again. found him extended
on the ground, his face alone visible.
not how long l remained upon the
damp grass, until some one touched me
on the shoulder. 1t was the General.
He did not attempt to console, for he
understood that my grief was then
beyond relief.
captain Brumer." he said, authOri-
"DO one will leave the camp
before evening. At seven we will do
our last duty to those friends and com
rades we have lost. A few words must
he said over their graves. / have
chosen you to pronounce them. Return
to your tent.
"At seven o'clock I stood before the
open grave, but could not utter one
word. remembered the General had
promised me the cross for my friend.
Mechanically l pulled off my own and
threw it upon Gardelux's breast. !
then fell fainting into the Generals
was weeping bitterly.
At last the war was over, and l
returned to Paris. I determined to
carry out the wishes of Gardelux. /
took the watch, the ring, his papers
and his unique and drove to the hotel.
The door was open, and several equi-
pages were drawn up before it. The
valet asked if my visit was TO Madam
de Gardelux.
"Yes." replied, 81 wish to see her at
once.n
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