Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-06-02
The Blue Handkerchief.

hDDut Ilt emu Ol OtlObtI5 idsl Ntstl,
was returning ON foot from Orleans to
the Chateau de Cardy, A regiment oil
the foreign guard was marching abreast
of me and on the same road. had
FASTENED my steps to hear the military
music which liked so much; but the
band ceased playing a few taps of the
drum from afar off alone marked the
measured step of the soldiers.
After an half hours march ! saw the
regiment enter a small field surrounded
10y clump of fir trees. ! asked a cap
tain whom / knew if they were about
10 exercise.
No, said he to me. they are about to
Judge and probably shoot a soldier of
my company for having robbed the
woman with whom he was quartered.
What said |, to judge, condemn and
execute at Oncef
Yes, said he, il is according 10 our
articles of capitulation.
For him this was unanswerable, as
though all had been provided for IN the
capitulation-the crime, the punish
ment, the justice and even the human
ity. Besides, If yOu are curious. added
the captain, ! will get YOU a place. Ii
won't take long.
had always passion for these sad
spectacles, and ] imagined that | could
learn what death was by the face of the
dying. / followed the captain.
The regiment was formed in hollow
square behind the rear rank and on
the edge of the wood, some soldiers
were digging a grave. They were com
manded by first lieutenant, for every
thing in a regiment is done with order,
and there is a certain discipline in dig
ging a mans grave.
In the center of the square eight OF
hcers 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 he killed without some
fOTmalities.
The accused was called. He was a
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 interTogate this woman:
Its USELESS said the soldier, 81 will
confess all. 1 stole the handkerchief
from this wOman's house.
The Colonel-lOu Pierre you were
always an honest fellow.
PierTe-It Is true my colonel, | have
always tried to satisfy my officers and
twas for Marie.
The Colonel-Who is this MarieP
Pierre-'Iis Marie who lives yonder
an my village near Arenburg, where
the great apple tree is. | shall never
see her more.
The Colonel do not understand
you, Pierre; explain yourself.
Pierre-Well, my Colonel read this.
And lac handed to him the following
letter, every wood of which is present
Ia my memory;
ny GOOD FRIEND PIERRE | profit
10y the recruit Arnold who is engaged
IN your regiment, to send you this letter
and a silk purse which have made for
Won. | was obliged to hide myself from
my father while ! made il. for he con-
tinually scolds me for loving y0n 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 the blue hand
kerchief at the dance in Arenburg, and
brought it back to me. When shall |
see you againf What makes me happy
rs, that they say you are esteemed by
your supeTiors and beloved by your
comrades. But you have still two
years of service. Get through them
quick, for then We will he married.
Adieu, my good friend Pierre. Your
dear Mary.
p. S.-Try To send me something from
France, not that am afraid that shall
forget 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 re-
sumed. Arnold, said he, gave me this
letter last night when my billet of quar-
tiers was received. All night ] could
not sleep. | thought of the village and
of Marie. She asked me for something
from France. had no money; | had
pledged my pay for three months for
my brother and my cousin, who had re
turned home few days before. This
morning when arose to leave opened
my window. \ blue handkerchief was
hanging on line; II resembled that of
Mares; lt was the same color, the same
white stripes. was weak enough to
take II and put II IN my sack. | went
down into the street; ! repented of
what 1 had done, and waSabOut return
ing To the house when this woman ran
after me. The handkerchief was found
upon me, that is the truth. The capt.
ulation demands that be shot. Shoot
me, but do not despise me.
The jndges could not restrain their
emOtiOn-but, Notwithstanding. when
the vote was taken, he was unanimously
condemned To death. He heard the
verdict with cOmposure then ap-
preaching his Captain, he begged him
to lend him four francs. The Captain
gave them to him. saw then that he
advanced toward the woman, To whom
the blue handkerchief had been re-
stored. and | heard these words ::
Madame, here are four francs; ! don't
know if your handkerchief is worth any
more, but even if it should be, | pay
dear enough for ii, and You ought to
excuse me for the difference Then
taking the handkerchief he kissed it
and gave il 10 the Captain. NV Cap
tam. said he, I'm 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 a tirm step tn his execution.
l retired then and entered the wood
that | might not witness this cruel
tragedy. \ few musket-shots soon ap-
prlsed me that all was over. returned
an hour aiteIward: the regiment had
departed all was quiet but IN skirting
the edge of the wood To regain the road
| perceived a few PAGES before me
traces of blood and a heap of earth,
freshly made. | took branch of Fir
tree and made a sort of cross | placed
II on the grave of poor Pierre. forgot
ten now 10y all the world except myself
and perhaps 10y Marie.