The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-02-02

During the campaign vi iSo',
voust had occupied it with regi-
ment Of infantry and some compan,
les of sappers and pioneers, and
one of the infantrymen was firmin
Bonard. a young soldier posted as
sentry on little eminence near the
harbor.
II was midnight when the corpor-
nj of the guard left him, and he ex-
nected to be relieved at two o'clock,
which would leave him three hours
sleep before morning. The minutes
slowly wore away, and the two
hours, according to the sentrys cal
culation, had about expired, when
suddenly he heard sound as OF
footsteps approaching. :. -
"Good Here comes the relief,
said Firmin Bonard to himself, then
cried aloud, "who goes there 2 h
There was no reply. And yet 1
heard something" muttcred the SOL
dier. "and can take my oath my
two hours are up" Almost imme-
diately thereafter there was another
rustic in the bushes, then bark,
and the poodle Capucin, the dog OF
the Regiment and warm personal
friend of the young sentry bounded
up to him.
On hearing the dog bark the SEN
;inel at first fancied that something
was wrong, and cooking his musket
he east searching glance into the
obscurity, holding his breath to lis.
ten. But there was neither sound
nor sight ola foe, and Capucin, clam
bering up the rocks, came bounding
10 Bonard's feet.
"Oh, that's you, old fellow, is il"
said the soldier. "You found it dull,
did you? Well, Capucin, it is not
particularly lively here. 1t is a
pity YOU didn't think to invite the
corporal to accompany you, for the
night is decidedly cool, and | have an
disposition to sleep come upon me.
The corporal's watch is always slow,
and will be until he takes it to the
blacksmith for repairs"
In response to these words, to
which he had patiently listened, Cap
ucin began to bark and and gambol
furiously round his friend.
"Oh, you think if / am chilled
and sleepy / had better warm my
blood and wake myself up with a
dance, eh ? But Capucin, you have
no musket to carry, or you wouldn't
frisk So"
Still Capucin continued to bark
and to run. now to the right, now to
the left, as if possessed, until finally
loosing all patience he came up to
the soldier seized him by the over
coat and tugged SO heartily at it
that he tore away fragment of the
cloth.
Bonard was not in the best hui
NOR originally, now his anger was
increased and transferred from the
absent corporal to the present Cap
ucin and he saluted the animal with
a lusty kick.
The dog was yisably grieved to be
so maltreated and misunderstood
and retired TO some little distance,
and slowly returned, looking re-
proachfully at the soldier and lick
ing his hands.
"Gol Be off with you !" said
Bonard, steeling his heart and threat
ening him with the butt end of his
piece.
Capucin seeing that he could not
prevail with him at last retired, Of
ten looking back and barking invit.
ingly.
But the sentry stood resolute at
his post and Capucin Just reached
the beach in time to embark with
the corporal in the last boat, for
Napoleon had formed a new strate-
gic combination and was retiring in
land, and had sent Davoust orders
to join him instantly, evacuating
Rugen on an hours notice. In the
hustle the corporal-every one but
Capucin-had forgotten all about
Bonard.
Firmin Bonard pacing his beat
with his musket under his
arm, heard three o'clock strike in
the distant belfry of the old church
of Rugen, then four, then five. The
swallows began to twitter and the
sun came up.
Losing all patience, and in des-
perate defiance to all military law,
which enjoiRed him to remain on
post until he was duly relieved, he
descended the heights and sought
the guard house. "If anybody is
going to be shot" he growled, lit
ought TO be the corporal, for the
idea of leaving man on guard for
six hours is absurd"
So saving he entered the guard
house, and found it deserted. "The
devil !" he exclaimed and was sore
ly puzzled, but after a few moments
reflection came to the conclusion
that the regiment had moyed during
the night TO some other part of the
Island. Throwing his gun over
his shoulder, he set off across the
Island and presently came to peas
ant who was ploughing in field.
MY good man." said the soldier,
can you tell me which way the
French troops have gone ?"
"By water" answered the peasant,
surprised at seeing the solitary sol
dier, II don't know where they have
gone, but at two o'clock this morn
ing they sailed with the greatest
haste and in the cosnpletest silence" 7"
''Gone " said the sentry, "and
they have abandoned me /, ] shall
be set down as a deserter. Damn
that corporal-he not only left me
on watch six hours. but he has ru-
ined my reputation-dishonored
me- Now / understand poor Capu-
Gins visit he came TO warn me
that they were going, and i, dull
fool that / was, could mot under
stand him. Good dog, and kicked
him-the first time one of our men
ever struck him. Oh, Capucin, why
didn't you think NJ tearing the cor
por2l's coat too p
And the sentinel burst into tears
of rarrof and dacuair