The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-06-12

4
al don't know where they have gone
but at two this morning they sailed will
the greatest haste, and in the completes
Isilence."
"Gonei" said the sentry "snd the,
| have abandoned me II shall ne set dowi
SIS deserter. Damn that corporal-h,
not only left me on watch six hours, bu
he has ruined my Experimentation
iored me. Now / understand poo
Cspucin's visit; he came to warn m,
that they were going, and 1, dull foo
that I was, could not understand him
Good dog, and l kicked him-the frs
time one of our men ever struck him
Oh ] Oapucin, Cspucin, why didn't you
think of tearing the corporsps coat
too ?"
And the sentinel burst into tears O
regret and despair. -i
~.
As the farm Of Peter Baxen, the pess
ant with whom Firmin Bonard had faller
in, was one of the largest on the island
the soldier returned to his old calling
did not lack for opportunities to show
his skill and industry, and speedily con-
WINGED the rich peasant of his value.
Firmin became the husband of the old
mans only child, the rich, pretty and
amiable Amelia.
Four years passed away-four years OF
toll and love. Firmln Bonard thought
often of France, but came to forget his
technical desertion. The prattling of his
two children, the embraces of his wife,
were present that answered for the
future; small wonder that he forgot the
past.
So matters went on till one morning
the signal was made that several YES
sells were in sight; then as they drew
nearer the word went round the island !:
sc 1t is the French They are going to
land ~ g.. r .. ~
1t is the Frenchl They are going to
land w a.... -
The words came to Firmin Bonard's
ears like alarm guns, and he felt that he
was lost man A sudden thought
came to him, however, and treasured
him somewhat dashing to his dwelling
he put on his old uniform and shake
and ran to the spot where five years
before he had been SO strangely absn-
doned. .t
Soon barges filled with soldiers were
seen to put off from ships that rounded
to and dropped anchor In the bow of
one was q big white poodle that barked
joyously on seeing the solid ground once
more. .
Firmin Bonard saw the dog and fan.
cied that he recognized in him old Capu-
Gin, and his eyes filed with tears.
Still the barges approached; Capucin
it was Capucin, indeed-evidently
recognized the island, looked round
eagerly, espied the sentry, then standing
on his hind>legs gave one rapturous
howl, and, plunging into the sea, swan
with all his might shoreward.
An instant later and the boats were
within hsiling distance.
" who goes there ?" shouted Firmin
Bonard in a voice of thunder.
Who goes there yourselfT' am
swered one of Davoust's staff from the
leading boat; "who are you, anyhow ?"
" Firmin Bonard, private of the Sixty
eighth of the line, on guard"
"On guard? How 10 q have YOU been
on guard ?"
"Since II o'clock on the night of May
Is, 1907"
At this reply every one burst out
laughing. The first boats PROV had not
yet quite touched the strand when Ca
pucin had scrambled up the steep rock
and with tremendous bound cast him
self, barking furiously, into the arms of
his old friend. Banks, gamboling som.
ersaults, licking of hands, face, feet
all imaginable demonstrations of canine
joy;
I" Go on, old fellow" sobbed the sol
der, with tears rolling down his cheeks
" tear my coat and muddy it as much as
you like to-day, and l won't say any
thing, remember when | struck You
for showing me all your affection and
intelligence"
When he had recovered somewhat
from his emotion, Firmin Bonard, fol-
lowed by the faithful dog, went down
to the beach to greet his comrades and
tell his story. Luckily the corporal,
now an officer on Davoust's staff, was
there, and could corroborate it. The
regiment Toasted him royalty, and he in |
return invited every one of them to his
farm, where he and his wife did the hon
ors cordially.
1t was n It long ere the news reached |
Davoust's ears. He laughed |
heartily at Firmin Bonard's stratagem,
and having satisfied himself that the |
soldiers sntecedents were irreproachable,
ordered his discharge to be made out in |
due form.
Far be it for me-" said the Marshal, |
after ne has been on watch for five |
years without being relieved to send |
this gallant fellow before a court-mar-
sisl."