The Osceola times., 1879-06-14

absurd"
So saying he entered the guard.house
and found 1t deserted. {" The devil |"
he exclaimed, and was sorely puzzled,
but after few moments' reflection came
to the conclusion that the regiment had
moved to some other part of the island.
Throwing his gun over his shoulder, be
set off across the island and presently
came to peasant who was ploving in 4
field.
"My good man." said the soldier,
"can you tell me which way the French
troops have goner'
"By water" answered the peasant,
surprised at seeing the solitary soldier |;
"I don't know where they have gone,
but at two this morning they sailed with
the greatest haste, and in the completest
silence"
"Gone |" said the sentry +" and they
have abandoned me shall he cot down
as deserter. Damn that corporal-he
not only left me on watch six hours, but
he has ruined my reputation-dishon.
ored me. Now / understand poor
Capucin's visit; he came to warn me
that they were going, and /, dull fool
that / was, could not understand him.
Good dog, and / kicked him-the first
time one of our men ever struck him.
Oh Capucin, Cspucin, why didn't you
think of tearing the corporal's coat,
too ="
And the sentinel burst into tears Of
regret and despair.
~.
As the farm of Peter Baxen, the peas.
ant with whom Firmin Bonard had fallen
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 bis value.
Firmin became the husband of the old
mans only child, tho rich, pretty and
amiable Amelia.
Four years passed away-four years OF
toll and love. Firmin Bonard thought
often of France, but came to forget his
technical desertion. The prattlins Of his
two children, the embraces of bis wife,
were a 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 ves-
sells were in dght; then ~ they drew,
nearer the word went round the island !:
" 1t is the French They are going 10
land p
"It ia the Frenchl They are going to
land p
The words came to Firmin Bonard's
ears like alarm guns, and he felt that he
was q lost man A sudden thought
came 10 him, however. and reassured
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 90 strangely sban>
doned.
Soon barges filed with soldiers were
seen to put of from ships that rounded
to and dropped anchor. In the bow of
one was q big white poodle that harked
joyously on seeing the solid ground once
more.
Firmin Bonard saw the dog and fan.
cied that he recognized in him old Oapu.
Gin, and his eyes filled with tears.
Still the barges approached; Capucin
1t 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
Bonsrd in a voice Of thunder.
"Who goes there yourselfP an
swered one OF Davoust's staff from the
leading boat; "who are you, anyhow p
Firmin Bonard, private of the Sixty
eighth of the line, on guard"
"On guardf How long have you been
on guard :"
"since 70 o'clock on the night Of May
10, 1907"
At this reply every one burst out
laughing. The first boats prov had not
yet quite touched the strand when Ca
pucin had scrsmbled up the steep rock
and with tremendous bound cast him.
self, barking furiously, into the arms Of
his old friend. Barks, gamboling som.
ersaults, licking of hands, face, feet
all imaginable demonstrations of canine
"Go on, old fellow" sobbed the sol.
dier, with tears rolling down his cheeks |;
"tear my coat and muddy II ss much as
you like to-day, and / won't say any
thing. remember when I 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 feasted him royalty, and he In
return invited every one Of them to bis
farm, where he and his wife did the hon.
ors cordially.
1t was ( long ere the news reached
Marshal Davoust's ears. He laughed
heartily at Firmin Bonard's stratagem,
and having satisfied himself that the
soldiers antecedents were irreproachable,
ordered his discharge to be made out In
due form.
"Far be 1t for me-" said the Marshal,
latter he has been on watch for Ave
years without being relieved TO send
this gallant fellow before . oourt-mar.
tial."
| THE lawyers in Pittsburg are strug
Cling with the question, Can q mar
marry his wi!e's sister 2" Well, We
don't see what there Is in that to puzzle