Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-21
The Blue Handkerchief.


About the end Of October, last year, was
returning on foot from Orleans 10 the Chat
eau de Bardy. A regiment of the foreign
guard was marching abreast of me and on
the same road.
had hastened my steps TO hear the mill
tary music, which liked so much but the
band ceased playing a few taps of the drum
from aiar off alone marked the measured
steps OF the soldiers
After an half hours march saw the regi-
ment enter small field surrounded by a
clump of fir-trces. ! asked captain whom
| knew, If they were about 10 exercise
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 was quartered."
What !" said I, " to Judge, condemn aud
execute at once 2"
" Yes said he, " it is according to our ar
ticles of capitulation.'
For him this was unanswerable, 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, 81 will get you place II won't
take long"
had always passion for these sad spec
tacles, and ! imagined that | could learn
what death was by the face of the dying.
followed the captain.
The regiment was formed in a hollow
square behind the rear rank, and on the
edge of the wood, some soldiers were dig
ging grave.
They were commanded by first lieuten-
ant, Tor everything in a regiment is done
with order, and there is certain discipline
in digging a mans grave.
In the center of the square eight officers
were sitting on drum-heads the ninth, on
the right and more forward, was writing
few words upon his knees, but carelessly,
and only that man should not be killed
without some formalities.
The accused was called lie was 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 ;
" It's useless" said the soldier; al will
confess all. | stole the handkerchief from
this woman's house"
The Colonel--You, Pierre you were al
ways an honest fellow.
Pierre-lt is true, my colonel. have al
ways tried to satisfy my officers; and it was
not for myself that stole it-twas for Marie.
The Colonel4-who is this Marie
Pierre-'Iis Marie who lives yonder in
my village near Arenburg, where the apple
tree is. | shall never see her more.
The Colonel do not understand you,
Pierre; explain yourself.
Pierre-Well, my colonel, read this.
| And he handed him the following letter,
every word of which is present to my
memory
"My Coon FRIEND PIERRE II profit by
the recruit Arnold, who is engaged in your
regiment 10 send you this letter and q silk
purse which | have made for you. | was
obliged TO hide myself from my father while
| made it, for he continually scolds me for
loving you so much, and says that you will
not come back. You will come back, won't
you But if you never return, | shall love
You all the same. promised myself to you
the day you picked up my blue handkerchief
at the dance in Arenburg, and brought it
back TO me. When shall | see you again
What makes me so happy is, that you are
esteemed 10y your superioIs, and beloved by
your comrades. But you have still two
years of service. Get through them quick,
for then we will be married. Adieu, my
good friend Pierre. Your dear
MARY"
"P. S.-Try TO send me something from
France, not that | am afraid that shall for
get you, but that ! may wear it always.
Kiss what you send me, | am sure that
shall find the place of your kiss again."
When the letter was read, Pierre resumed /:
"Arnold," said he, "gaye me this letter
last night when my billet of quarters
was received All night | could not sleep.
| thought of the village and Marie.
She asked me for something from France.
had 10 money. | had pledged my pay
for three months for my brother and my
cousin, who had returned home few days
before. This morning when | arose to leave
| opened the window. A blue handker-
chief was hanging on line; it resembled
that of Marie's it was the same color the
same white stripes. | was weak enough
to take it and put it in my sack. | went
down into the street; | repented of what
had done, and was about returning TO the
house when this woman ran after me. The
handkerchief was found upon me, that is
the truth. The capitulation demands that
| shall be shot. Shoot me, but do not des
pise me"
The judges could not restrain their emo
tion-but, notwithstanding, when the vote
was taken, he was unanimously condemned to
uehtll. lie ntAiu lile Ncrulct WIN coinlOs-
ure; then, approaching his captain, be beg
ged him TO lend him four francs. The cap
tain gave them to him. saw he then ad-
vanced toward the woman, TO whom the
blue handkerchief had been restored, and |
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
for the difference"
Then, taking the handkerchief, he kissed
it and gave it TO the captain.
"My captain said he, " in two years you
will return to our mountains; if you go near
TO Arenburg, ask for Marie, give her this
blue handkerchief, but do not tell her how
bought it,
lie then knelt in prayer and marched
with firm step to his execution.
retired then, and entered the wood that
| might not witness this cruel tragedy. A
few musket-shots soon apprised me that all
was over returned in au hour afterward 7;
the regiment had departed; all was quiet !;
but in skirting the edge OF the wood TO re-
gain the road, perceived, at few PAGES be-
fore me, traces of blood and heap of earth
freshly made ! took n branch Of fir tree
and made sort of cross; placed it on the
grave of poor Pierre, forgotten now by all
the world except myself, and perhaps Marie.