Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-09-03

Flrman B0nard made no answer, Dul
swept with despairlngly hopeful eye
the distant horizon. Alas, there was
not the white feck o. single sail to be
seen, and again he gave way to his
grief.
Take my advice, said the old nan n,
and bear up with good heart. You
too, are from the rural parts, unless
am greatly mistaken, and can find in me
a friend, ifyou are only willing to letme
befriend you'
But you know nothing about ne
whether | am fit
L am an old man and long accus-
toned to read the faces Of my fellows
said the peasant smiling. Before you
took up the musket you have held The
plough. Ineed a labOrer, vigorous and
intelligent, like yourself. Come with
me and | will feed, lodge and clothe
you, and see that you have somcthn g
in your pocket every Saturday night for
a SUNDAY frolic.'
l accept your offer thankiully,' said
Firman BOnard, and you shall see that
a French soldier is not less faithful to
the plough by which he gains a liyeli-
hood than he was to the flag ofhis dis
tant country
AS the farm Of Peter Baxen, the
peasant 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 oppor-
tuniues to show his skill and
industry, and speedily convinced the
rich peasant of his value.
My friend he sad to Firman one
day, L love you as l would my own
SON.
lift were not, replied Firman' that
my old father in France waits and
hopes anxiOusly for my return, | should
never care TO leave Rugen.'
You will see him once more said
the farmer; and when you go to
France to see him, why should you not
bring him back to Rugen with you
That, however, we can talk OF at some
future time. To-day 1 wish to speak to
you concerning my daughter
A flush covered the young French
mans face, as the PEASANTS keen eye
saw. If l am not wrong he contin-
ued she and you are very friendly?'
Firman stammered something unin-
telligible.
In fact the old man went on, the
neighbors say you are in love with her,
What? Who says so | swear to
you, sir, that l never addressed 10 your
daughter one word to make her aware
Precisely, and that is why she has
desired me to ask you to. You shall
marry her. have already promise d
her that it would be so, and she hugged
me so for quarter of an hour by the
clock that really thought she would
strangle me-
Frman hugged him, too, and a
fortnight later 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. Firman Bonarc
thought often of France, but came tC
forget his technical desertion. The
prattliug of his two children and the
embraces of his wife, were a present
that answered for lie future small
wonder that he forgot the past.
So matters went on till one morning
the signal was made that several
vessels were IN sight; then, as they
drew nearer the word went round the
island:
1t is the French! They are going 10
landn
The words came to Firmau Bonard';
ears like alarm guns. and he felt that he
was lost man. A sudden thought
came to him; however, and reassured
him somewhat; dashing TO his dwelling
he put on his old uniform aud shake
and ran to the spot where, some five
years before, he had been so strangely
abandoned.
Soon barges filed with soldiers were
seen to put Off from the ships that had
rounded to and dropped anchor. In
the bow of enc was a BIZ white poodle
that Barked joyously on seeing the
solid ground once more.
Firman Borard saw the dog and
fancled that he recognized in him old
Capucin, and his eyes flied with tears
Still the barges approached Capucin
it was Capucin. indced-evidently
recognized the island, looked round
eagerly, espicd the sentry then stand
ing on his hind legs, gave one rap.urous
howl and plunging into the sea swan
with all his might shore-ward.
An instant later and the boats were
within hailug distance.
who goes there p shouted Firmali
Bonard in a voice of thunder.
'who goes there, yOurself?' p answer
ed one of Davousts staff from the
leading boat; who are you anyhow
'Firman Bonard, private of the Sixty
eighth Of the line, on guard
'On guard ? How long have YOU
been on guards"
Since 10 O'Clock on the night Of
May lS, 1907
At this reply every one burst out
laughing. The first boats PROV had
not quite touched the shore when
Capucin had scrambled mp the steeT
bank and with tremendous bound casi
himself, barking furiously into the arms