Little Falls transcript., 1879-09-11
THE VIOLET FLOWER.
BY LOUIS CHARLES.

THE VIOLET FLOWER. =.
BY LOUIS CHARLES.
Ton a low, miserable cot in a small din
gy room, under the roof Of crumbling
tenement, woman was dying. The
shadows OF night was fast falling over
the little village in the Ardennes. and the
sufferer turned her glaring eyes from the
window and looked for moment on the
figure of a young man kneeling beside
her. ~
"My son,"the woman gasped, .slisten
to Inc, I am dying"
~ hear you, mothef."
You have always been a good son."
she went on, feebly; "you never cost me
single tear"
Il did my best in all things"
"And you will not forget me whenH
am gomez You will remember your duty
ulways2'
II shall remember as long as live"
"And you will never, never forget the
last words which your mother speaks9
Keep from evil companions, Pierre; and
let nothing stain your honor. Promise
me this, my son.
II promise, mother
"When am no more, bury me in our
own little churchyard, and plant bunch
OF violets over my grave. Every year in
the spring time you will come and gath
cr two OF the modest blossoms and repeat
the VOW you make to-night.'
II shall never fail"
"'That is all. Love France for your
mothers sake, and do not forget tho vio-
let flowers. Promise again, Pierre"
"MOther, swear"
Ten minutes after, Widow Valore had
ceased to breathe.
They were stirring days, those of 1893,
when the great Napoleon began his
memorable campai gn into Egypt, and
the soldiers came in swarms to answer
his call. Pierre Valore stood among the
very first volunteers. 1t was strong
arm and willing life he offered for the
gloly of his native country. He feared
neither the broiling sun nor the enemy's
fire; weary march had no teri ors for
him, and he gave no thought to the per-
ills he would have to encounter. Such
courage could not go long unrewarded;
lie rose rapidly; bet folc half yoar he
found himself a captain, honored and
respected by the men as we'll as by his
superior officers.
The winter passed, and the skies were
growing pure again, when Pierre's brow
became clouded, and an occasional tear
would roll down his braonzed cheek.
General, he said one day to the COM
mandnat of his detachment, II should
like to- be spared for few days.
"Sparcd, Capt Valore?' echoed the
General, with look Of surprise. "That
is quite impossible. We start on Friday,
and could not think of sailing without
you w.
"But General, must co.
"Must?' repeated the veteran, smiling.
THAT is, not soldiers word. us it your
sweetheart you wish to kiss farewcll?"
"Sir, have no sweetheart" replied Va
lore, proudly. ~ want to visit my moth
cr's grave" ..
''ls that all? Well, my man, take my
word for it, your mothers bones have no
intention Of running away You are the
best man in my brigade; you .ale indis-
pensible; is not that compliment enough?'
but only for few days."
Come, do not ask for what is ;mpos-
siblc. Go back to the ranks, and let your
mother sleep on III peace"
Valcre hesitated for in instant at the
entrance of the tent
"Then. General, YOU rcfusc9" he said
turning back again.
II must do my duty, Pierre: and re-
fusc''
Friday came, and the men embarked.
But Pierre Valore was not among them,
= + 4 * \
The battle of the Pyramids was una
voidable;the enemy were anxious and
strong. and Napoleon no less eager to
measure his forces with those of his foes.
A regiment was guartered ON little
plain at the edge of a clump Of studded
trees, and drawn up into hollow square.
In tho centre, of a small platform, raised
u few feet off the ground, were six officers,
seated ON drum heads, and seventh
standing before them, his arms crossed,
listening with apparent coldness to the
decree which had just been read. He
had heard the death sentence of deser-
ter, who was to be executed then and
there, the doomed man being no other
than himself. Behind. the platform three
men were silently digging a grave in
loose sand. .u..,5,
When everything was ready the accused
came forward, and an orderly from anoth-
or division advanced with him.
''lt IS useless 10 question this said
fess my crime"
"Ycu, Valore,' exclaimed the Colonel;
"you always were a brave soldier. Have
you anything to say?" ,''''',
Nothing, except that find all very
lust. But would do tho same thing to-
morrow all over again" '
"Will you let US know why you did it,
Pierrc9' continued the officer, kindly
"1es, If any one cares to hear. My
mother died five years, ago. At her. bed
side swore to live an honest man, and
to avoid evil companions. To remind me
of my pledge, she made me promise to
plant violet over her grave, and every
year I was to pluck the first bud that
blossomed among The grass. four times
had sought the little church yard, and
gathered the tender flowers that grew
above her. .sainted bones. At the time Of
nv last visit the regiment was leaving
France. asked for leave of absence,
and was refused. There was but one
way left, for must obtain the violets, at
any cost deserted, when had found
the flower, and pressed it to my lips, the
cnormity Of my crime arose before me
with its shame I had vowed never to
forsakc my duty, and T felt that my oath
was broken. There remained but one
thing to do-rejoin the regiment and de-
liver myself to Justice. I came here and
surrendered.T.The rest is known. have
been condemned justly, and am ready
to meet my doom. It is a heavy price
life for a single fowerl'' -. .'.4
r."Here is the chaplain whispered one
of the men, ''shall he approach?'