The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-26
The Blue Handkerchief.

1 the Chateau de Bardy. A. regiment OF
the foreign guard was marching abreast
of me on the same road. l had fastened
my steps to hear the military music,
which l liked SO much; but the band
\ ceased playing; lew taps of the drum
from afar of alone marked the meas
ured steps of the soldiers.
| After an hours march L saw the regi-
lment enter small field surrounded by a
clump OF fir trees. l asked the captain,
whom / knew, if they were about to ex-
ercise.
"No," said he to me, ''they are about
to judge and probably to shoot soldier
of my company Tor having robbed the
man with whom he was quartered."
"What!n said l, 'to judge, condemn
and execute at onceW
"Yes." said he, ''it is according to our
articles of capitulation."
| For him this was unanswerable, as
though all had been provided for in the
capltulation-the crime, the punishment,
the justice, and even the humanity.
"Besides, if you are curious" added
the captain, II will get you a place. 1t
won't take long"
spectacles, and l imagined that could
learn what death was by the face of the
l dying. l followed the captain.
The regiment was formed in hollow
squares; behind the rear rank and on the
wood, some soldiers were digging a
grave. They were commanded by a first
lieutenant--tor everything in regiment
is done with order-and there is a GER
tain discipline in digging mans grave.
In the center of the square eight OIL
GERS were sitting ON drum heads, the
ninlh, Un the right and more forward,
was writing few words upon his knees,
but carelessly, and only that man
should not be killed without some for
malities.
The accused was called. He was a
tall young man, of noble and honest
face. A woman advanced with him, the
only witness who was to testify in the
case; but when the colonel Was ABOUT to
interrogate this woman:
tits useless" said the soldier. 81
will confess all. l stole the handker-
chief IRON this woman's house."
The Colonel-You, Pierre! you were
always an honest fellow.
Pierre-It is true, my Colonel, have
always tried to satisfy my officers: and
it was not for myself that stole it
twas for Marie.
Pierre-'ris Mare who lives yonder in
my village near Arenburg, where the
great apple tree Is. shall never see
her more.
The Colonel-I do not understand you,
Pierre, explain yourself.
Pierre-Well, my Colonel, read this.
And he handed to him the following
letter every word of whichis present to
my memory:
| the recruit Arnold, VINO ls engaged in
your regiment, to send you this letter
and silk purse which khave made tor
you. was obliged to hide myself from
my father while I made it, for he con-
tinually scolds me for loving you 50
much, and says that you will not come
back. You will come back, won't you
But il you never return shall love you
all the same. promised myself to you
the day you picked up my blue handker,
chief at the dance in Arenbufg, and
brought it back to me. When shall see
you again? WHAT makes me happy,is that
they say you are esteemed by your su-
periors and beloved by your comrades.
But you have still two years OF service.
4 Get through them quick, for then we
will be married. Auieu, my good friend
Pierre. Your dear MARIE.
p. S.-Try to send me something IRON
France, not that am afraid snail for
get you, but tnat may wear it always.
l shall lind the place Of your kiss again.
4 When the letter was read Pierre re-
sumed.
.Arnold," said he, s'gave me this let
ter last night Wnen my billet OF quarters
4 was received. ALI night 1 could not
sleep. thought Of the village and Ma
rie. She asked me tor something from
i France. mad no money; mad pledged
my pay for three months for my brother
and my cousin, who had returned home
lew days before. This morning when
arose to leave, opened my window.
A blue handkerchief was hanging on u
line; it resembied that OF Marje's; IT. was
the same color, the same white stripes.
/ was weak enOugh.to take 1T and put
it in my sack. l went down into the
street; repented of what / had done,
and was anout returning to the house
when this woman ran after me. The
handkerchief was found upon me, that
is the truth. The capitulation demands
that L be shot. Shoot me, but do not de-
spise me-"
Ihe judges could not restrain their
emotion-but, Notwithstanding, wnen
the vote was taken, he was unanimously
condemned to death. He heard the
verdict with composure; then, approach
ing the captain, he begged him To lend
him tour francs. The captain gave them
TO him. saw then that he advanced to-
ward the woman, to whom the blue
hshoASAShiOA h&o USOh AOceOAOhy pA0 !
heard these words:
''Madame, here are four francs; / don't
know il your handkerchief is worth any
more, but even should it be, pay dear
enough for it, and you ought to excuse
me tor the ultference." Then taxing the
handkerchief he kissed it, and gave it
to the captain. "My captain,"' said he,
.'in two years you will return to our
mountains; il you 60 near to Arenburg
ask tor Marie, give her this blue hand-
kerchief, but 40 not tell her how l
bought it,"
He then knelt in prayer, and marched
with firm step to his execution.
/ retired then and entered the wood
that might not witness TINS cruel trag-
edy. A lew muskeL-shoGs soon apprlsed
me that all was over. l returned an
nour atterward; the regiment had de-
parted; all was quiet; Dut in skirting
the edge Of the woo1 10 gain the road, l
perceived at few PAGES before me
traces Of blood and heap of earth,
freshly made. took branch of fir tree
and made sort of cross; placed it on
the grave of poor Pierre, forgotten now
by ali the world e-sept myself and per-
lhaps by Marie.