Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-05
The Violet Flower.
BY LOUIS CHARLES.


On low, miserable cot in a small,
dingy room, under the roof OF crum-
bling tenement, O woman was dying.
The shadows of night were fast falling
over the little village situated in the
Ardennes, and the sufferer turned her
glazing eyes from the window, and
looked for moment on the figure of
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"
II did my best in all things"
"And you will not forget me wher 1
am gone? You will remember your
duty always?'
II shall remember as long as 1 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."
II promise, mother"
"When I am no more, bury me in
our own little church-yard, 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 to night"
II shall never fail"
'That is all. Love France for your
mothers sake, and do not forget the
violet flowers. Promise again, Pierre"
Mother, swear"
Ten minutes after, Widow Valore
had ceased to breathe.
They were stirring days, those of
1913, when the great Napoleon began
his memorable campaign into Egypt,
and the soldiers came in swarms to an
swer his call. Pierre Valore stood
among the very first volunteers. 1t
was strong arm and a willing life he
offered for the glory of his native coun.
try. He feared neither the broiling
sun nor the enemy's fire; a weary march
had no terrors for him, and he gave no
thought to the perils he would have to
encounter. Such courage could not 90
long unrewarded /; he rose rapidly be-
fore half year he found himself a cap.
tain, honored and respected by the men
as we'll as by his superior officers.
The winter passed, and the skies
were growing pure again, when Pierre's
brow became clouded, and an occasion
al tear would roll down his bronzed
cheek.
General" he said one day to the
commandant of his detachment. 81
should like to be spared for few
days"
'Spared, Capt. valore ?" echoed the
general. with look of surprise. "That
is quite impossible. We start on Fri
day, and 1 could not think of sailing
without YOU"
But, general, I must CO."
"Must?' repeated the veteran, smil.
ing. THAT is not soldiers word. Is
1t your sweetheart you wish to kiss
farewcll?"
"Sir, have no sweetheart" replied
Valore, proudly. " l want to visit my
mothers grave"
lis that all Well, my man, take nv
word for it, your mothers bones have
no intention OF running away. You are
the best man in my brigade Won are
indispensable is not that compliment
enough?"
"But only few days"
Come, do not ask for what is impos.
sible. Go back to the ranks. and let
your mother sleep on in peace"
Valore hesitated for an instant at the
entrance of the tent.
Then, general. you refuse ?" he said,
turning back again.
refuse"
Friday came, and the men embarked.
Bat Pierre Nalore was not among
them.
The battle of the Pyramids was una
Voldable the enemy were anxious and
strong, and Napoleon no less eager to
measure his forces with those of his
foes. AID
A regiment was quarcered on little
plain at the edge of clump of studded
trees, and drawn up into a hollow
square. In the center of a small plat
form, raised few feet off the ground
were SIX officers, seated on drum heads.
ana a seventh standing before them.
his arms crossed, listening with appar.
ent GOODNESS to the decree which had
Just been read. He had heard the
death-sentence of a deserter. who was
to be executed then and there. tbe
doomed man being no other than him.
sell. Behind the platform, three men
were silently digging shallow grave
in loose sand
when everything was ready the &C.
cused man came forward, and an order
~ from another division advanced with
him. VIII