Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-02-18
THE ROBBER OF ST. GERVAlS.

the R0BBER OF ST. GERVAlS
One cold, clustering morning, late III
the fall, a man who walked with crutch
and a short staff was on the road from
Lodove TO st. Gervais, In the Department
of Herault, away to the southern part OF
France. The traveller was an old man,
perhaps five and fifty, with face very
dark from long and constant exposure,
and with stone-gray beard and NOUS
tache. An old gray overcoat completely
enveloped his person, but it was plainly
to be seen that he had only one leg. The
road was very muddy, and a cold, driz-
zling mist was falling and though it was
well into the evening yet there was light
enough 10 distinguish the way, for away
beyond the clouds and the mist bright
moon was shining, and though even its
whereabouts could not be made out, yet
served to make visible what must
otherwise have been enveloped in utter
darkness.
The old man hobbled on, planting his
crutch and staff carefully upon the treach-
erous ground, and thus he passed out
slowly on his way. It was near nine
O'Clock when he reached the little copse
of swamp-wood that lay at the edge of
the village OF ST. Gervais. Here 1t was
somewhat darker, and he made his way
more carefully. He had just reached the
edge of the copse when his attention was
attracted by noise close by him, and in
moment more human being stood in
the road before him. The newcomer
was slight-built person, as the old man
could distinctly see, and most probably a
youth. He had surely come from the
wood.
''Ha" uttered the traveller, ''what
now, eh ?"
ssYour money or your life p was the
reply, given abruptly but somewhat tre-
mulously.
s'You don't mean it %
81 d." the youth said more firmly.
"And be quick, too, for I've no time to
waste. You see this pistol. 1t contains
two balls. Give me money or they both
go through your head %
"Ten Thousand thunders, boy! you
wouldn't kill me just for the sake of a
little money-perhaps only few sous
that are necessary to pay for my nights
lodgings p
s'And why not kill you for that as well
n y,
and worse, too. Come-quick u
There was resoluteness III the youth S
tones which proved him to be in earnest,
but yet they had cast Of eagerness and
pathos which proved him to be new
beginner at this kind of work.
ssDie, did you say?" returned the OLD
man, more In pity than in anger. GA
boy Like you to talk of dying. 'Diable!
and with such pluck, too? You're
crazyp'
evil you give me the money, OF
must [ shoot yOu?'
No sooner were these words out of the
youths mouth then up came the ole
mans staff, and the pistol went hyine
across the road into the mud.
There-you'ye got rid of very dan
gerous weapon; and don't ye never use. i
again In such fashion. Now, who are
yep"
The youth stood for few moments al
If undecided how to act
"Hold on" continued the old NAH, as
the young stranger started as though he
would turn away Don't be afraid
for may give you that of my own free
will which / would never give to any
living man upon compulsion. But tel
me- have faced death q Thousand
times, and have killed many men, but
have done it for France-for my country
But why should you face death thus Ii
the night-on the highway--in your owl
home-and at the expense of country
man? Why is it %
"Nothing-never mind You sale
you would give me money. Give it tt
me In heavens name"
"Hold," answered the traveller
ssYour home is not far from here.
'tHome o, what is home to the
starving y
The old man was moved, for there was
a depth of agony In the tones of tn,
youths voice which was not to be with
stood by any one possessing ordinary
feelings
"What is your name?" he asked
"Never mind
"But | won't expose you.
"Truly?''
:" will not. :"
s'But why should / tell you? You
have disarmed me, and / am at youl
mercy. Yet, as God is my Judge, had
known you were an old soldier I would
not have stopped you. L would have lair