The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-05-26
MISCELLANY.
THE RoBBER OF ST. GERVIAs.

One cold, clustering morning, late in the
FALL man who walked with crutch and a
short staff. was on the road from Lodlove TO
st. Gervais, in the department of Herault,
away in the southern part of France.
The traveller was an old man, perhaps fifty
with face very dark from long and constant
exposure, and with stone-gray beard and
monstache.
An old gray overcoat completely enveloped
bis person, but it was plain to be seen that he
had only one leg.
The road was muddy, and cold, drizzling
mist was falling, and though it was in the ey-
ening, yet there was light enough to distin-
gush the way, for away beyond the clouds
and the mist there was bright moon shining,
and though even its whereabouts could not be
made out yet it served to make visible what
otherwise must have been enveloped in utter
darkness.
The old man hohbled on, planting his
cruiea and staff carefully upon the treaeher-
GUS ground, and thus he passed out slowly
on his way.
1t 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
it was somewhat darker, and he made his way
more carefully.
He had just reached the edge of the corpse
when his attention was attracted by noise,
and in a moment more human being stood
before him.
The new conner 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 aged traveller, " what
now, Ell p
Your money or your life !" was the alb
rupt reply.
You do not mean it ?"
do" the youth said more firmly. And
be quick, too, for have no time to waste
You see this pistole 1t contains two balls.
give me money or they both go through your
head"
Ten thousand tbunders, boy you would
not kill me just for the sake of little money
perhaps only for the few sous that are
"o~SPo"'J " H"J Aoi my htShe iouSiuH
And why not kill you for that as we'll as
die myself for the want of it !? Ay, and worse,
too. Come-quick +"
There was resoluteness in the youths
tones which proved him to be in earnest but
yet they had cast of eagerness which prov
ed him to be new beginner at this kind of
work.
"Die did you say ?" returned the old man,
more in pity than in anger. "A boy like you
talk of dying, and with such pluck, too =
You're crazy y
No sooner were the words out of the boy
mouth than up came the old mans staff, and
the pistol went flying across the road into the
mud.
!" There--you'ye got rid of very danger
GUS weapon and don't you never dare use it
again in such fashion. Now, who are ye ?"
The youth stood for moment as though
undecided how to act.
Hold on, continued the old man, as the
young man started as though he would turn
away. Don't be afraid, for l may give that
of my own free will which would never give
to any living man by compulsion. But tell me
Il have faced death thousand times, and
have killed many men, but / have done it for
France--for my country. But why should you
face death thus ? In the night-on the high
way--in your own homeland at the expense
of countryman ? Why is it E"
Nothing-never mind. You said you
would give me money. Give it to me, in
heavens name.'
Hold" said the traveller. Your home is
not far from here"
Homep Oh, what is home to the starv-
ing 2"
The old man was moved for there was
depth of agony in the youths voice which
was not to be withstood by any one possessing
ordinary feelings.
{ What is your name ? 4 he asked.
g Never mind
But won't expose you"
Truly 20
e But why should I tell you ? You have
disarrned me, and am at your mercy. Yet
as God is my judge, bad known you were an
old soldier would not have stopped you. |
would have starved first. Give me money-a
few sousp
g Tell me your namc.'
The youth hcsitateds bat finally replied