The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-27
THE FLOWER OF REMEMBRANCE.


mand of st. LO was captain named
Jules LIE Preux. Young in year, lie
Preux was, nevertheless, q veteran IN
he service of the emperor, having
taken part IN the battles of Austerlitz.
Jena, Eylau, and Frefdland, in all of
which he had displayed great bravery.
lie PredX rose by de--,ses to the rank
of captain and was well beloved by his
companions. Although he had passed
through the campaigns mentioned. and
had often joined in tie fervent cry OF
''Long live the Emperor p he had
never seen the great man whose migl ty
arm seemed at will to sweep all Europe.
and who was destined to leave to pos
terity an immortal name and a crown of
victories, the glory and brightness of
which not even the folly of his nephew
could dim.
One morning Colonel st. Lo had
given orders that he should not be dis
turbed. He was engaged in writing,
When ms attention was attracted by
nearing the corporal on guard warmly
expostulating with some one, and. re-
membering the directions he had given.
and Judging it best to discover the
cause, he listened attentivelv. He soon
recognized the voice of Captain LIE
You desired TO see me?" inquired
st. Lo, as he seated himself before the
table on which lay official papers.
Yes, colonel" replied the officer,
with embarrassment.
Well, well be quick, my friend.
important matters demand nv atten-
ton, was the impatient reply.
wish to obtain leave of absence-a
month, no more. 1 have Just received
letter from my mother, telling me she
is Ill. | cannot rest without seeing
her. The words were uttered alb
ruptly.
1T is quite impossible, LIE Preux,"
replied the colonel, with a look of sur
prise. ''YOu know 1 would willingly
grant your request, but we are awaiting
orders and may move at any moment" y"
The captain bowed submissively,
ana seeing the audience concluded,
retired.
Ten days elapsed, when Jules again
presented himself at Headquarters.
His face wore an anxious. tronbIed look
and was exceedingly pale.
"This letter is from the curate of nv
native village; it announces that nv
mother IS dying" The words were
spoken abruptly, and his voice was
even harsh as he added, 81 desire to
leave Colonel st. Lo was about to
answer angrily, annoyed by the impor-
tunIty; but seeing the young mans
evident distress, he rose and grasped
his hand kindly.
" lie Preuz, he said, cit cannot be
the orders have come, and tho cam,
paign opens Immediately, leave your
mother to the care of God. Courage
my friend, your country calls for
The young man was about to speak.
but the words died upon his lips. Hav.
ing received hasty instructions, he with
drew. That night the regiment left
Strasbourg. The following morning il
was found, to the astOnishment of all
that LIE Preux had deserted. The fact
was generally deplored, as Jules was
beloved and respected by all. That
some powerful incentive had actnafad
hlm none doubted, for he had horne
the heat of many battles and the rsking
lire OF the enemy too often not To have
won for himself a reputation for courape
and " LIE Brave, as he was ellled, was
missed and regretted.
Search was made, but rs il Wos of
necessity limited, the fugitive escaped. !
Inc successive victories of EckmubI |
and Esslng followed. Vienna was
taken, and on the 9th of July the great
victory at Wagram was gained. Ma. |
noieon then dictated peace called the |
Peace of Vienna.
Three months after. the grand army
having reapod harvest of 0Iorv rooJe /
a trlumphal eutry into Strasbourg. On |
ne same day wan, weary-looking |
man passed through the gate. and in, |
quired Tor the headquarters of St. Io,
VINO had been promoted to the grade of |
general. Having found his way into |
tuo PIeSel ce OF st. Lo, he briefly in |
formed nm that ne was Jules De Preux. |
ana desired to be placed under arrest |
or having deserted.
General st. LO recognized him i'm
diately, and, although mucb astonisbed |
at the request, complied. lie Preux was |
instantly placed under arrest. and. |
having been tried by court-martiaI |
Wes convicted and sentenced to be shot, |
During the trial Jules made no |
attempt to exculpate himself. freely /
admitting MS fault. Having been ad |
dressed by the presiding officer. he /
replied calmly, but with no shade of |
bravado, 81 deserted, but I do not
repent OF having done so. If il was to |
do again L would not finch. I merit |
ueatn, and accept nv sentence as
SIMPLE justice" Those present were
impressed by the dignity of his bearing
as with folded arms, he followed his
guards from the room.
lie Braves" conduct had ALWAYS |
been so exemplary, his obedience so |
perfect, that his fate awakened keen |
symPathy: The few officers belonging
20 20 ms regiment who had been spared in
.ne nor strife at Wagram impIored him
to petition for pardon but he resoInta-
ly refused, nor did he offer any solution
OF 'he mystery that vailed his conduct
No feeling OF regret or desire for life
seemed to disturb his tranquility.
IL was the night prior to the dav
hAeu lor his execution. Having made
his hnal preparations, and taking
I,h'e OF one or two friends, LIE Preux
tuIt" nimSelt upon rude couch in his
ceLI ana was soon in q deep sleep.
Inc cathedral clock had struck the
hour OF midnight, when the bolts were
soltly drawn, and a man, dressed in the
muliorm II- OF an under officer, entered,
Inc narrow room WAS lighted bv the
Whlte mooDbeams that stole througb
the barred window and rested caress-
lngly upon the sleeper.
The officer advanced cautiously.
standing beside the bed. he bent over
the condemned man. Having looked at
HIM atteDtively for some moments. he
touched him gently upon the arm. LIE
Breux opened his eyes.
" Has the time come? ?" he inquired,
rising.
2. No, Jules, the hour has not come;
but will soon strike" was the reply
What, then, do You desire ?" said
jules, seating himself
You do not know me, my friend"
continued the stranger, disregardinp
the prisoners words. 81 saw You at
the battle of Austerlitz, where You
fought bravely and won the cross of
Ronor. Since tbe memorable 9th of
November have entertained for you
sincere esteem. In the army you have
Deeh held as dutiful soldier. On en-
terihg Strasbourg heard of your crime
ana condemnation. The iailOr of the
PRISON being relation of mine, was
able to obtain this interview. Those
about to die Olsen regret that there is