The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-03-17

be made corporal in my stead but Pu-
vioux. But Puvioux was not to be out
done at the end of week he resigned.
After that there was no danger of any
propositions being made to us to make
any change in our uniform. We were
condemned to remain common soldiers.
$50 much the better said Puvioux.
What luck ? said l.
"When we had served seven years
for do not mean to tell you our history
day by day-T said to Puvioux:
"'Well, now is the time to start,
ehY
"'Yes,' he replied, I'VE are expected
You know I said, the game will
not be finally won until both of us arrive
at Mezieres, and until the loser has de-
clared that the combat has been loyal
"'Agreed, said Puvioux.
And so one morning, with good
shoes on our feet, and stick in hand,
we set out for Mezieres from Anglers,
where we were in garrison. At first we
walked along in company, not saying
much, thinking good deal and walk
ing above everything. The weather
was terribly hot and dusty. Half way
on one of our marches L sat down on
the roadside overwhelmed with fatigue.
care you going to stay there {? said
PuviouX to me.
Yes
"'Adieu? . he said continuing his
march.
Au revoir.'
II watched him as he went on with
firm step, as if he had only Just started.
When l saw him disappear at the bend
of the road, and when was once alone,
rs it were abandoned, / felt q great
despair. | made an effort. 1 rose aud
began to walk again. That little halt
had done me good. / walked,
walked and walked until L had caught
up to PuviouX and passed him.
" At night, too, [ was we'll ahead, but
| was worn out. | entered an inn to
sleep a little. | slept all night. In
the morning l woke up. 1 saw that the
day was getting on; ] was furious and
called some one.
You have not seen soldier pass on
footY
"'Ycs, monsieur la militaire very late
last night. He asked for glass of
water
"Ah! l was outstripped in my turn !
started hui1iedly. At 3 o'clock i'll
the afternoon ] had not caught up to
PuviouX, nor at o'clock either. At
night took my rest while 1 ate, and
started to walk again. | walked good
part of the night, but my strength had
limits. Once more 1 stopped.
knocked at an inn. The door opened,
aud there, sitting in chair, i saw Pu-
viouX, pale as death. He made move
ment of displeasure when he saw me
that was natural. We did not talk
much. What could we say? We were
both tired. The great thing was to
know who should get up first for the
next morning 1t was [.
The next morning was this morning
Since this morning / have been walking
taking rest now and then, but only Il
short one. We are getting close. Rethel
is the last stage between Anglers and
Mczieres. [ know my map of France
now. The last stage Good heavens
if ] arrived too late !"
And Pierre PuviouX," asked my
father, has he caught YOU up?"
"No," replied ChevaucheuX. 81 am
ahead. If | could start now 1 should
/ he saved
Start In this state? Impossible !"
| " know--my feet are swollen and
cut-provided that Tomorrow"
Tomorrow you will be rested-you
will be able to walk"
"Do you think so ?" said the soldier,
with look ardent as lightning.
Il promise YOU"
My father then advised the soldier to
go to bed. ChevaucheuX did not refuse
The bed was ready. He shook hands
with us and went up to his room. 1t
was 10 o'clock.
II will wake you at 5o'clock," said
my father.
1t was not yet daylight on the follow
ing morning when my father, already
up, looked out of the window to see
how the weather was. While he was at
the window he heard some heavy foot
steps on the road below, and in the OBJ
scure twilight that precedes daybreak
! he perceived soldier who was walking
/ i'll the direction of Mezieres.
Cup already?" said my father.
The soldier stopped.
"Well?" continued my father "are
you OFF,"
The soldier looked up and tried to
make out who was speaking to him.
-"You are Jean Chevaucheux, are YOU
not ?" asked my father.
"No," said the soldier, II am Pierre
| PuviOuX."
And as if that name of Chevaucheux
had been the prick of a spur he resumed
his walk more rapidly, and was soon
lost in the obscurity. When my father
could no longer see him he could heal
the noise of his shoes on the road lead.
ing to Mezieres.
"Ah" said my father to himself
"ChevaucheuX most be sharp if he
means to catch up that man." And he
went straight to the room where jean
had slept. He was already up and look
ing at his feet by the light OF a candle
"Victory" he cried when he saw my
father; 81 feel free and strong and ]
suffer no more. En- router'
"And quickly" replied my father
"Puyioux has just passed through Re
thel."
pierre Puvioux 2"
II have just spoken to him. Hi
passed under our window, going along al
if the devil were after him."
"Ah, mon Dieu |" exclaimed. Chevau
cheux as if he had been struck down
He repeated once more: "Ah, nor
Dieu" Then he buckled on his knap
sack and cried; "After all, what yor
have told me gives me courage, Let m,
be off"
Tn the noon, baIoNu NV ,,otba, oI,.oo I,