Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-02-19

Could not heal his sorrow7
Welcome this sweet sunset blss-
Sunrise comes tomorrow.
THE R0BBER OF ST. GERvAl,
One cold, clustering morning, late j
the fall a man who walked with crutc
and a short staff was on the road fro
Lodove to st. Gervais, in the DEPARTING,
OF Herarlt, away to the southern part
France. The traveller was an old ma,
perhaps five and fifty, with face ve1
dark from long and constant exposure
and with stone-gray beard and NOUS
tache. An old gray overcoat completed
enyeloped his person, but it was plainl
to be seen that he had only one leg. Th
road was very muddy, and a cold, dri2
zllng mist was falling and though it wa
well into the evening yet there was igh
enough to distinguish the way, for ava
beyond the clouds and the mist brieh
moon was shining, and though even it
whereabouts could not be made out, We
it served to make visible what mus
otherwise have been enveloped in ute
darkness.
IL
crutch and staff carefully upon the treach
erous ground, and thus he passed GU
slowly on his way. It was near min,
o'clock when he reached the little cops,
OF swamp-wood that lay at the edge O
the village OF st. Gervais. Here it wa!
somewhat darker, and he made his wa,
more carefully. he had just reached thu
edge Of the copse when his attention was
attracted by noise close by him, and il
a moment more human being stood il
the road before him. The new-come,
was sight-built person, as the old mar
could distinctly see, and most probably 6
youth. He had surely come from the
wood.
"Har' uttered the traveller, "wha1
now, eh o.
''Your money or your life !" was the
reply, given abruptly but somewhat tire.
mulously.
"You don't mean it %
II do" the youth said more firmly,
And be quick, too, for I've no time to
waste. You see this pistol. It 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 4oney-perhaps only few sous
that are necessary to pay for my nights
lodgings -
And why not kill you for that as well
as die myself for the want of it? Az,
and worse, too. Come-quick p
There was resoluteness in the YOUTH
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.
Die, did you say ?" returned the old
man, more in pity than in anger. GA
boy like you to talk of dying. sDiablei'
and with such pluck, too? You're
craZyT
"Win you give me the money, or
must l shoot you?"
No sooner were these words out of the
youths mouth then up came the old
mans staff, and the pistol went flying
across the road into the mud.
"There-you've got rid of very dan-
gerous weapon; and don't ye never use it
again in such q fashion. Now, who are
YEP"
The youth stood for few moments as
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 I would never give to any
living man upon compulsion. But tell
mel have faced death a thousand
times, and have killed many men. but I
have done it for France-for my country.
But why should you face death thus? In
the night-on the highway-in your own
home-and at the expense of a country
man? Why is it ?" .,
'Nothing-never mind. You said
you would give me money. Give it to
me in heavens NAME"
Hold" answered the traveller.
Your home is not far from here"
"Home! O, what is home to the
starving p
The old man was moved, for there was
a depth of agony in the tones of the
youths voice which was not to be with
stood by any one possessing ordinary
feelings.
'What is your name?" he asked.
"Never mind"
"But I won't expose you"
"Truly %
twill not ..
"But why should / tell you? You
have disarmed me, and am at your
mercy. Yet, as God is my Judge, had ]
known you were an old soldier I would
not have stopped you. I would have lain
In the woods and starved first. Give me
money! few sous.'
"Teu me your name.''
The youth hesitated, but finally he re-
piled: IT you are a true soldier I
should should c take your word My name is
" "a have you no parents'"
::And she lives not far from here ,"
"Not far
"And she is starving?"
"Ay." .or,'-
"Then let US hasten and find her.
l may help her, and, moreover. get
lodgings for myself and my crutch.
Come, it is cold here. Lead the wav."
you will help my mother if you 20 ?"
"To be sure will" =,
"And you won't lisp word of this ?"
mot without your consent" ~.
"Then follow me-" - .--
Thus speaking the youth turned and
started on. Il 80 a.. :.
every inch of i" was the reply. ri
liner. Then 60 ahead and pick out the best
path, and can 60 along faster" :
At the end OF about twenty minutes
they stopped at little hill, and the lights
could be seen in the village Of ST. Ger
vais; but, before they reached the village
the guide turned off to the right into a
narrow Lane, and finally came to small
nut which the youth said was his home.
ne opened the door and went in, and
the Old man followed him. There was
one room, and that had floor of clav-
In the Fireplace burned q few faeoota.
while close by were heaped q lot more
boughs, twigs, and stuff such az might
pc dragged out Of. the swamp close s..
In sn old arn-chair sat an elderly female
with her hands folded in her Ian ondg