The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1880-03-25

And why not kill you for that q
well as die myself for the want O
it1 Ay. and worse too. Come
Iquick T.
There was a resoluteness in th,
youths tonos which proved him tc
be in earnest, but they had q cast o
eagernoss and pathos which PROVED
him to DO new beginner at thil
kind Of work.
Die, did you say 2 returned Oh,
old man, more in pity than in anger
"A boy like you talk of dying 'Dia
blc !--and with such pluck, too
You're crazy !
will you give me monoy, or must
shoot you z
No sooner were these words out OF
the boys mouth than mp camo the
old man g staff, aud the pistol went
flying across the road into tho mud
"Thero-you've got rid of very
dangerous weapon aud don't W
mover uso it again in such fashion
Now, who arc ye"
Tho youth stood for few mo~
ments as if undecided how to act.
Hold on, continued tho oil man.
as the young stranger started as
though he would turn away. Don't
bo afraid, for may givo you that of
my own FREQ will which I would nov.
er give to any living man upon COM
pulsion.' But tell mel have faced
death thousand times, and have
killed many men, but / have done it
for France for my country. But
why should you iaco dolth thus ?
In tue night-on tho highway--in
your own homo-and Mt the expense
Of couutryman ? Why is it p
Nothing hover mind. You said
you would give me money. G,yo it
to me, in Heavens name.
Hold answered the traveller.
Your homo ia not far from here
Home ? o, what is homo to tue
starving7
Tho old man was moved, for thoro
was depth OF agony in the tones Of
tho youths voice which wns not to
be withstood by any QUO possessing
ordinary feelings.
What Is your name 2 he asked.
Never mind.
But | wont expose you
Truly 2
Il will not
Bat why should tell you You
have disarnod mo, and fam at you,
mercy. Yet, az Cod is my Judge.
had | known you were an oil so.
lier would not have stopped You
/ would havo lain iu tho woods au
starved first, Give me money!
few Sons.
Tell mo your uamo
The youth hcsitatel, bnt finally
10 replied If you are II true
soldier | should tnko your word Ny
name is Pierre Chullgt :
And have no parents ?
y mother.
And she lives not far from here :
Not r,r.'
And sue is starving p
Ay.'
Then lot rs hasten and find her
[ may help her, aud moreover get
lodgings for myself and my crutch,
Come, it is cold here. Lead the
way
'You will help my mothor if you
go ?
'Ts be snro / will"
And you won't lisp word OF
this ?
Not without your CONSENT
Then follow me.
Thus speaking tho youth turned
and started on.
= "Aro you acquainted with this
road q the old man asked.
"Every iuch of it," was Tho reply.
"Ihcn go ahead and pick out tho
best path, aud I can get along faster,'
At the end Of about twenty min
uies thOy topped littlo hill and the
lights could be seen 10 the village of
st. Gorvais but, before they reach,
el tho village the guide turued oil TO
the right into narrow lane, aud tn
ally came to small Lut which tho
youth said was his homo. He opens
ed the door and went 10, aud tho old
man followed him. There was ouly
one room, and that had a floor of clay. |
In tho fireplace bnrued II iew iaggots, |
twigs and stuff such as might be
dragged out Of the swamp coso by
ln an old arm chair sat an elderly |
female with her hanis folded in her
lap, and close by her was a cat. The
face could be seen by the
slimmer of tho fire, aud it was thin,
baggard and pale. She looked Up
as her boy entered, and in feeble
lone asked
"Did ye fnd it, Pierro ?"
~ hope 80, mother. A kind SOL
iier has come home with me, and he |
viii help u.s."
The old lady started up and gaz-
ID around. She saw he started up
md look of hopo rested upon her
features.
Haven't yea q light ?" asked the
stranger
"No-only the fire." answered the
BOY.
"phen we'll have better one," the
soldier said. I,vea candle in my |
haversack, aud bit of food, too