Connecticut western news., 1879-06-11
The Forgotten Sentinel.

until tne r1Ver no more shall run.
  The Forgotten Sentinel.
 I.
 The Island of Rugen, in the Baltic, opposite Stralsund, is strong natural position strongly fortified. During the campaign of 1907 Davoust had occupied it with regiment of infantry and some companies of sappers and pioneers, and one of the infantrymen was F;rmin Bon- ard, young soldier posted one night as sentry on little eminence near the har- bor.
 It was midnight when the corporal of the guard left him and he expected to be relieved at two o'clock, which would leave him three hours sleep before morn- ing. The minutes slowly wore away and the two hours, according to the sen- try's calculation, had abont expired, when suddenly he heard sound as of footsteps approaching.
 n Good Here comes therelief P said Firmin Bonard to himself, then cried aloud, {" Who gees therea"
 There was no reply. "And yet l heard something" muttered the soldier, "and can take my oath my two hours are up." Almost immediately thereafter there was another rustic in the bushes, then bark, and the poodle Capucin, the dog of the Regiment, anl warm personal friend of the young sentry, bounded up to him.
 II.
 On hearing the dog bark the sentinel pE first fancied that something was wrong, and cooking his musket he cast a search ing glance into the obscurity, holding his breath to listen. But there was neither sound nor sight of foe, and Capucin, clambering up the rocks, came bounding to Bonard's feet.
 "On, that's you, old fellow, is it3'' said the soldier. "You found it dull, did you3 We'll, Cspucin, it is not par ticularly lively here. It is pity yon didn't think to invite the corporal to &C., company you, for the night is decidedly cool and have an exposition of sleep come upon me. The corporars watch is always slow, and will he till he takes it to the blacksmith's for repairs.
 Tn response to these words, to which he had patiently listened, Capucin be- gan to bark and gambol furiously round his friend.
 sOh. you think that if am chilled and sleepy I had better warm my blood and wake myself up with danc,, eh But, Capucin, you have no musket t: carry, or you would It frisk so."
 Sill Capucin continued to bark and to run, now to the right, now to the left as if possessed, till finally losing al patience he came up to the soldier seized him by the overcoat and tugget 50 heartily at it that he tore away fragment of the cloth.
 Bonard was not in the best of humo originally, now his anger was increased and transferred from the absent corpora to the present Capucin and he salutet the animal with lusty kick.
 Thesdog was visibly grieved to be S maltreated and misunderstood and re tired to some little distance, then slowl returned, looked responsibility at tn soldier and licked his hands.
 "Goi Be of with you l" said Bonard Bteeling his heart and threatening hir with the buit-end of his piece.
 Capucin seeing that he could nc prevail with him as last retired, ofte looking back and barking iuvitingly.
 But the sentry stood resolutely at hi post and Capucin just reached the beac intime to embark with the corporal in th last boat, for Napoleon had formed new stragetio combination and was r tifing inland and had sent Davou orders to join him instantly, evacuatin Rugen on an hours notice. In u hustle the corporal-every one b' Capucin-had forgotten about Bonard.
 III.
 Firmin Bonard, pacing his beat vii his musket under his arm, heard thr, o'clock strike in the distant belfry of u old church of Rugen, then four, the five. The swallows began to twitt and the sun came up.
 Losing all patience, and in despera defiance of military law, which enjoin, him to remain on post till he was du relieved, he descended from the neigh and sought the guard house. ' anybody is going to be shot, growled, cit ought to be the corpor' for the idea of leaving man on qua for six hours is absurd"
 So saying ho entered the guard-hou and found it deserted. "The devil he exclaimed, and was sorely puzzle but after few moments reflection car to the conclusion that the regiment h. moved during the night to some oth part of the island. Throwing his g over his shoulders, he set of, across island and presently came to peasa who was blowing in field.
 ss Ny good man, said the soldi. can you tell me which way the Fren troops haye gone 7'