The Red Cloud chief., 1875-06-03
The Blue HandkerchIef.

About the end of October, last year. I
was returning on foot from Orleans to
the Chateau de Bardy. A regiment of
the foreign guard was marching abreast
of me and on the same road. I had
fastened my steps to hear the military
music, which I liked 90 much; but the
band ceased playing; q few taps Of the
drum from afar of alone marked the
measured step of the soldiers.
After an hours march / saw the regi-
ment enter q small field surrounded by q
clump of fir trees. I asked q captain
whom I knew if they were about to ex-
ercise.
No, said he to me, they are about to
judge and probably to shoot a soldier of
my company for having robbed the man
with whom he wa qusrtered.
What! said /, 10 judge, condemn and
execute at oncee
Yes, said he, it is according to our
articles of capitulstion.
For him this was unanswersble, as
though all had been provided for in the
capitulation-the crime, the punishment
the justice and even the humanity.
Besides, If you are curious, added the
Captain, l will get you a place. 1t won't
take long.
I bad always q passion for these SAD
sRctacles, and I imagined that l could
learn what death was by the face OF the
dying. 1 followed the Captain.
The regiment was formed in q hollow
square; behind the rear rank, on the
edge of the wood, some soldiers were
digging q grave. They we're commanded
by q first lieutenant, for everything in q
regiment is done with order, and there
is q certain discipline in digging e mans
grave.
In the center of the square eight off.
GERS were sitting on drum-heads, the
ninth, on the right and more forward,
was writing a few words upon his knees,
but carelessly, and only that a man
should not be killed without some for
mslities.
The accused was called. He was .
tall young man, of a 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
interrOsate this woman:
ats useless" said the soldier; II will
confess all. I stole the handkerchief
from this wOman's house."
The Colonel. You, Pierre! you were
always an honest fellow.
Pierre. 1t is true, my Colonel, l have
always tried to satisfy my officers; and
it Was not for myself that l stole it =
twas for Marie.
The Colonel. Who is this Mene2
Pierre. Tis Marie who lives yonder
in my village near Arenburg, where the
great appletree is. I 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 which is present to
my memory:
M Coop FRIEND PlERRE:-I profit
by the recruit Arnold. who is engaged in
your regiment, to send you this letter
and q silk purse which I have made for
you. 1 was obliged to hide myself from
my father while l made it, for he con-
~tinually scolds me for loving you SO
much, and says that you will not come
back. You will come back, won't youf
But If you return, I shall love you
all the same. I promised myself to you
the day y'u picked up my blue hand
kerchief at the dance in Arenburg, and
brought it back to me. When shall /
see you agalns What makes me happy
is, that they say you are esteemed by
your superiors and beloved by your COM
rades. Bit you have still two years of
service. Get through them quick, for
then We will be married. Adieu, my
good friend Pierre.
Your dear NARY.
p. Shy to send me something from
France, not that I am afraid that I shall
forget you, but that I may veal it al
ways. kiss what you send me. I I'm
sure that I shall fnd the place of your
kiss again.
When the letter was read Pierre re-.
sumed. Arnold, said he, gave me this
letter last night when my billet of quar-
tiers was received. All night I could
not sleep. I thought of the village and
Of Marie. She asked me for something
from France. / had NO money; I had
pledged my pay for three months for my
brother and my cousin, Who had returned
home . fe. days before. Thie morning
when I arose TO leave, I opened the
window. A blue handkerchief was
hanging on . line; il resembled that Of
4arie's;i il was the same color, the came
white stripes. / vas weak enough to
take it and put it in my sack. I went
down into the street; I repeated OF what
I had done, end vas about returning 10
the house vhsn this woman ran after
ne. The Handkerchief Was found upon
me. that i The truth. TIE e~apitulatioa
demands that I be shot Shoot me. bat