Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-07-30
THE BLUE HANDKERCHIEF.


Chateau de Bardy. "A regiment Of the
foreign guard was marching abreast of inc
on the same road. had fastened my
steps to hear the military music, which !
liked so much; but the band ceased play.
ing; few taps of the drum from afar off
alone marked the measured steps of the
|sold;ers.
After half hours march I saw the reg.
ment enter small field surrounded by .
clump of fir trees. I asked Captain.
whom knew, if they were about to exer-
|cise.
NO" said he to me, they are about to
Judge and probably shoot soldier of my
company for haying robbed the man with
whom he was quartered."
"What!" said I. ITO judge. condemn
and execute at once?''
Eyes," said he; "it is according to our
articles of capitulation."
For him this was unanswerable, u
though all had been provided for in the
capitulation-the crime, the punishment.
the jnstice and even the humanity. BE
sides, if you are curious" added the Cap
tain, Il will get you place. It WON'T
take long,
l had always passion for these sad
spectacles, and imagined l could learr
what death was by the face of the dying
II followed the Captain.
The regiment was formed in a hollow
square; behind the rear rank, and on tht
ledge of the wood, some soldiers were dig
giug grave. They were commanded b,
Ia first lieutenant, for everything in regi
ment is done with order; and there is {.
certain discipline in digging mans grave.
In the center of the square, eight officers
were sitting on drum heads, the ninth, OF
the right ard more forward, was writing a
few words upon his knees, but careless'y
and only that man should not be lilled
without some formalities.
The accused was called. He 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 interogate
this woman:
ut is useless" said the soldier; II will
confess all. l stole the handkerchief from
this woman's house."
The Colonel-'.You, Pierrel you were
always an honest fellow"
P,erre-"It is true, ms Colonel. I have
always tried to satisfy my officers; and II
was not for myself that I stole it-'twa>
for Marie"
The Coloncl-'.Who Is this Marie!"
Pierre" IT'S Marie who lives yondc'
lin my village near Arenburg. l sLall
never see her more"
The Colonel do not understand you
Pierre; explain yourself"
Pierre well, my Colonel, read this"
And he bandc to him the following let
ter. every word oty ich is present to my
memory:
my Coon FRIEND P1ERRE:-I profit
lby the recruit Arnold, who is engaged in
yAar regiment 70 send you this letter End
silk purse which l have made for you.
was Obliged to hide myself from my father
while made it, for he continually scoldl
me for loving you 20 much, and says thai
you will not come back. You will come
back, won't you! But if you never return
l shall love you oil the same. l promised
myself to you the day you picked up my
blue hsnd kerchicf 1t the dance In Aren
burg, and brought It back to me. When
shall see you again! What makes mt
happy is, that they say you are esteemed
by your superiors and beloved by your
comrades. But you have still two year,
of service. Get through with them quick
for then we will Be married. Adieu, my
good friend Pierre,
Your dear MARIE.
p. G.-Try to send me something from
France, not that am afraid that l shall
forget you, but that ! may wear II always
kiss what you send me. am sure that
shall find the place Of your kiss again"
When the letter was read Pierre resum
cd. ARNOLD" sid he, gave me this let
Ter last night whom my billet OF quarter
was received. All night ] could not sleep
l thought Of the village and Of Marie. She
asked mo for something from France.
had no moaey; l had pledged my pay fol
three months for my brother and my oous
In Who had returned homo : few days be
fore. THIS morning when ] aiose to leavl