The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-09-10
THE VIOLET FLOWER.

S. Fl. NJ. Byers, IN Ha,per's Magazine.
THE VIOLET FLOWER.
~
BY LOUIS CHARLES.
con a low, miserable cot in 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 tha
window and looked for q moment on the
figure of young man kneeling beside
her.
MY son." the woman gasped, "listen
to me, am dying"
Il hear you, mother"
You have always been a good son."
she went on, feebly; "you never cost me
single tear"
II did my best in all things"
And you will not forget me when I
am gone? You will remember your duty
always"
II shall remember as long as live"
And you will never, never forget the
last words which your mother speaks?
Keep from evil companions, Pierre; and
let nothing STAIN your honor. Promise
me this, my son.
Il promise, mother
When am no more, bury me in our
own little churchyard, and plant a bunch
OF Vlolets over my grave. Every year in
the spring time you will come and gath
er two OF the modest blossoms and repeat
the vow you make tonight"
II shall never fail"
THAT is all. Love France for your
mothers sake, and do not forget the VIC
let flowers. Promise again, Pierre
''Mother, I swear"
Ten minutes after, Widow Valore had
ceased to breathe.
They we're stirring days, those OF 1898,
when the great Napoleon began his
memorable campai gn into Egypt, and
the soldiers came in swarms to answer
mis- call. Pierre Valore stood among the
very first volunteers. 1t was a strong
arm and willing life he offered for the
glory of his native country. He feared
neither the broiling sun nor the enemv's
fire; weary march had no teri ors for
him, and he gave no thought to the per-
lis he would have to encounter. Such
courage could not 60 long unrewarded;
he rose rapidly; before half yoar he
found himself 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, ~ should
like to be spared for few days"
SPARED, Capt. Valore?'' echoed the
General, with look of surprise. s'That
is quite impossible. We start on Friday,
and could not think of sailing without
you"
"But General, I must CO.
"Must?' repeated the veteran, smiling.
THAT is not a soldiers word. us it your
sweetheart you wish to kiss FAREWELL"
'Sir, have no sweetheart" replied Va
lore, proudly. II want to visit my moth
er's grave"
lis 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 impos-
sible. Go back to the ranks, and let your
mother sleep on IN peace"
Valcre hesitated for an instant at the
entrance of the tent.
''Then. General, you refuse?" he said
turning back again.
~ must do my duty, Pierre; and I re-
fuse"
Friday came, and the men embarked.
But Pierre Valore was not among them.
Ii = 4 X X 4 j. +
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 quartered on a little
plain at the ed &c of clump of studded
trees, and drawn up into hollow square.
In the centre of a small platform, raised
d few feet off the ground, were six officers,
seated on drum-heads, and seventh
standing before them, his arms crossed,
listening with apparent GOODNESS to the
decree which had just been read. He
had heard the death sentence Of a 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.
When everything was ready the accused
came forward, and an orderly from anoth-
cr division advanced with him.
''lt IS useless TO question this said
the condemned in firm voice. II con-
TESS my crime" r."
''Ycu, Valore," exclaimed the Colonel;
"you always we're brave Soldier. Have
you anything to say?"
Nothing, except that I find all very
lust. But would do the same thing to-
morrow all over again."