The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-09-11
TIE VIOLET FLOWER.

On low miserable cot in small,
dingy room, under the roof of crumb-
ling tenement, a woman was dying.
The shadows of night were fast falling
over the little village situated in the
Ardennes, aud the sufferer turned her
| glaring eyes from the window and looked
for moment on the figure of n young
man kneeling beside her.
"My son" the woman gasped, "listen
to me am dying.
II hear you, my mother"
'.You have always been good son, :"
she went on feebly; ''you never cost me
single tear"
''I did my best in all things"
"And you will not forget me when L
am gone? You viii remember your
duty always ?"
II shall remember as long as l 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.
81 promise mother"
"When / am no more, bury me in my
own little chnrchyard and plant bunch
of violets over my grave. Every year in
the spring time You will come and gather
two of the modest blossoms and repeat
the vow you make tonight"
'I shall never fail"
Love France for your mothers sake,
and do not forget the violet flowers.
Promise again Pierre y
"Mother, [ swear"
Ten minutes later Widow Valore had
ceased to breathe"
They were stirring days, those of 1898,
when the great Napoleon began his me-
morable campaign into Egypt, and the
soldiers came in swarms to answer his
call Pierre Valore stood among the
arm and willing life he offered for the
glory of his native country. He feared
neither the broiling sun nor the enemy's
fire; weary march had no terrors to
him, and he gave no thought to the
perils he would have to encounter. Such
courage would not go long uurewarded;
he rose rapidly; before half year he
found himself captain, honored and
respected by the men as by the superior
officers.
The winter passed, and the skies were
growing pure again, when Pierres brow
became clonded, and an occasional tear
would roll down his bronzed cheek.
General" he said one day to the
commandant of his detachment, II
should like to be spared few days"
"Spared, Captain Valore - echoed the
general, with look of surprise. That
is quite impossible. We start on Friday,
and I could not think of sailing without
you
"But, General, ! must CO."
"Must?' repeated the general smiling.
THAT is not soldiers word. Is it
your sweetheart you wish to kiss fare
well ?"
'A[y sweetheart would scorn me did |
leave the part of duty to France for the
solace of a kiss" said Valore proudly.
81 want to visit my mothers grave"
'Is 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 are
Indispensable; is not that compliment
enough p
But only few days"
"Come do not ask for what is impossi.
BILE. Go back to the ranks and let your
mother sleep on in peace.
Valoro hesitated for an instant at the
entrance to the tent.
Then, general. you refuse 2" he said,
turning back again.
Il must do my duty, Pierre; and ]
refuse"
Friday came, and the men embarked
But Pierre Valore was not among them
The battle of the Pyramids was una
voidable; the enemy were anxious and
strong, and Napoleon no less eager tc
measure his forces with those of his foes
4 regiment was guartered on little
plain at the edged of clump of studded
trees, and drawn up into n hollow square
In the center of small platform, raiset
a few feet off the ground, were six off
GERS, seated on drumheads, and seventh
standing before them, his arms crossed
listening with apparent coldness to th,
decree which had just been passed. HI,
had heard the death sentence of a de
serter, who was to be executed then an,
there, the doomed man being no othe
than himself. Behind the platform
three men were silently digging shall
/ low grave in the loose sand.
= When everything was ready the accus