The Portland daily press., 1879-07-26
TIE PRESS.
The Forgotten Sentinel.

SfPPSlo iiOIlCC1o5 dllu VI uilS
try men was Firman Bonard, ayoung soldier
posted one night on a little eminence near
the harbor
1t was midnight when the corporal of the
guard left him aud he expected to be reliev-
ed at o'clock which would give him
three hours sleep before morning. The
minutes slowly passed away and the two
hours, according to the sentry's calculation,
had about expired, when suddenly he heard
footsteps approaching.
"Goodl here comes the reliefv' said Fir
man Bonard to himself, then cried aloud,
''Who goes there?'
There was no reply. "And yet 1 heard
some hing" muttered the soldier, "and 1
can take my oath my two hours are up"
Almost Immediately thereafter there was
another rustic in the bushes, then bark,
and the poodle Capucin, the dog of the regi-
ment, and warm personal friend of the
young sentry, bounded up to him.
II.
On hearing the dog bark the sentinel at
first fancied that something was wrong, and
cooking his musket cast a searching glance
into the obscurity, holding his breath to
listen. But there was neither sound or
sight of foe, and Capucin, clambering up
the rocks, came bounding up to Bonard's
feet.
''Oh, that's you, old fellow, is it?' said
the soldier ''You found it dull, did you.
Well, Capucin, it is not particularly lively
here. 1t is pity you didn't think to invite
the corporal to accompany you, for the night
is decidedly cool, and have an exposition
OF sleep come upon me. The corporaPs
watch is always slow, and will be till he
takes it to the blacksmith's for repairs"
In response to these words, to which he had
patiently listened, Capucin began TO bark
and gambol furiously round his friend.
'sOh, you think if am chilled and sleepy
had better warm my blood and wake myself
up with dance, eh? But, Capucin, you
have no musket to carry, or you wouldn't
frisk So"
Still Capucin continued to bark and to
run, now to the right, now to the left, as if
possessed, till finally, losing all patience, he
came up 10 the soldier. seized him by the
overcoat, and tugged so heartily at it that he
tore away fragment of the cloth.
Bonard was not in the best humor orig
nally; now his anger was increased and
transferred from the absent corporal to the
present Capucin, and he saluted the animal
with lusty kick.
The dog was visibly grieved to be so NAL
treated and misunderstood, and retired to
some little distance, then slowly returned,
looked reproachfully at the soldier and
licked his hands,
go! be off with youp' said Bonard steel
ing his heart and threatening him with the
butt end of his piece.
Capucin, seeing that he could not prevail
upon him. at last retired. often looking back
and barking invitingy.
But the sentinel stood resolutely at his
post, and Capucin just reached the beach in
time to embark with the corporal in the last
boat, for Napoleon had formed new strate-
gic combination and was retiring inland and
had navo11 Of nr6ar tn ioin him, I'M INF
ly, evacuating Rouen at an hours notice.
In the hustle the corporal-every one but
Capucin-had forgotten Bonard.
Firman Bonard, pacing his beat with his
musket under his arm, heard o'clock strike
in the distant belfry of the old church of
Rugen, then four, then five. The swallows
began to twitter and the sun came up.
Losing all patience, and in desperate de-
fiance of military law, which enjoined him to
remain on duty till he was duly relieved, he
descended from the heights and sought the
guard house. IF anybody is going to be
shot, "he growled, sit ought to be the corpo-
raj, for the idea of leaving man on guard
for six hours is absurd.'
So saying he entered the guard house and
found it deserted. "The devilr he exclaimed
and was sorely puzzled, but after few mo-
ments' reflection cameto the conclusion that
the regiment had moved during the night to
some other part of the island. Throwing his
gun over his shoulder, he set off across the
island, and presently came to peasant who
was blowing in field.
MY good man." said the soldier, 'can
you tell me which way the French troops
have gone?'
by water" answered the peasant, sur
prised at seeing the solitary soldier. 81
don't know where they have gone, but at 2
o'clock this morning they sailed with the
greatest haste and in the completest 81
lence."
"GoneF' said the sentry, 'sand they have
abandoned me! l shall be set down as
deserter. Damn corporal-he not only left
me on watch six hours, but he has ruined
my observation-disclosures me. Now I'M
derstand poor Capucin's visit; he came to
warn me that they were going, and l, dull
fool that was, could not understand him
Good dog, l kicked him-the first time one
of our men ever struck him. Oh, Capucin
Capucin, why didn't you think of tearing
the corporars coat, too?"
And the sentinel burst into tears of regre
and despair
"Come, come, my son." said the peasant
kindly, don't give way, SO. Crying Won
mend matters. Stay here; you can't dc
anything else. If the French return ant
take you, will explain everything"
''But you do not understand what MARTA
law is-if they return there will be no pit,
shown me-"
''Tut! tut That is absurd You canno
be punished for crime you never com
mitted. If anybody is to blame, it is you
superiors who forgot everything abou
you.'
Firman Bonard made no answer, bu
swept with a despairingly hopeful eye tn,
distant horizon. Alas, there was not til,
white feck of single sail to be seen, ant
again he gave way to his grief.
'Take my advice" said the old man, ''ant
bear up with good heart. You are from
rural parts unless 1 am greatly mistaken
and can find in me friend if you will onl,
let me befriend you"
"But you know nothing about me--wheth
er l am fit''-
81 am an old man and long accustomed tt
read the faces of my fellows" said the peas
ant, smiling. Before you took up the mus
ket you have held the pillow. need labor
er, vigorous and intelligent like yourself
Come with me and l will feed, lodge an,
clothe you, and see that you have something
in your pocket every Saturday night for
Sunday frolic."
81 accept your offer thankfully said FIJI
man Bonard, ''and you shall see that
SOlulcI 10 HUI lcoo W Ill
pillow, by which he gains livelihood, tha
he was to the flag of his distant country"
AS the farm of Peter Baxen, the peasan
with whom Firman Bonard had fallen in
was one of the largest on the island, tn
soldier returned to his calling did not lacl
for opportunities to show his skill and indus
try, and speedily convinced the rich peasan
of his value.
''My friend" said he to Firman one day
81 love you as | would my own son."
''If it were not" replied Firman, ''tha
my old father in France waits and hope
anxiously for my return, 1 should never car
to leave Rugen."
"You will see him once more,' said th
farmer; ''and when you go to France to Sc
him why should you not bring him back t
Rugen with you? That, however, we ca
talk of at some future time. To-day | wis
to speak to you concerning my daughter"
A flush covered the young Frenchman
face, which the PEASANTS keen eye saw. 81
am not wrong" he continued, ''she an
you are very friendly?"
Firman stammered something unintellig
BILE.
SIN fact,'' the old man went on, 18th