The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-30

that he was faraway. A.you mayim-
agine, could not love him mnch.
But | reflected afterward that if Pu-
vioux was with me | could at least
talk about her. That consoled me.
Well, | said to myself, / am in for
seven years of it. After all, one gets
over it
"In the regiment | became fast
friend of Pierre Ppvioux. He PROV
ed to bean excellentgood fellow, and
at night, in order to kill time, we
used often to talk eff Mezieres, of
Father Servan and Of Marguerite.
We used to write to Meziers often, but
each told the Other the contents of
his letters. 1t WIS a struggle, it is
true, but it was loyal. When Mar
guerite or old Servan replied, the
letter was for both OF us. An equal
dose of hope was given to each of
us, and so we went on hoping.
"One day the colonel took it into
his head to appoint me corporal. /
was yexed and proud at the same
time. You see | was no longer the
lual oi.Puvioux. Ny stripes gave
me the right to command him, and
in the eyes Of our Ardennais that
was no small advantage But | did
not glory in my rank; on the con-
trary. it made me i'll at ease. ! did
not dare to talk to Pavioux any
more. Then | reelected that there
were more ways than one Of getting
rid Of my new rank. | neglected
my duty and was forthwith degrad-
ed. But who should be made cor.
poral in my stead but Puvioux.
But Puvioux was not to be outdone;
at the end of week he resigned.
After that there was no danger of
any propositions being made to US
to make any change OF our uniform.
We were condemned oremain COM
mon soldiers.
so much the BETTER" said Pu-
yioux. what luck p said /.
"When we had served seven years
for | do not mean to tell you our
history day by day said to Pu-
vioux:
well, now is the time to start,
eh?"
yes he replied, "we are expect
ed"
you know" l said, ''the game
will not be finally won until both of
us arrive at Mezieres, and until the
loser has declared 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 VIC were in garrison. At first
we walked along in company, not
saying much, thinking good deal
and walking above all. The wealth
er was terribly hot and dusty. Half
way on one of our marches | sat
down on the roadside overwhelmed
with fatigue.
Are you going to stay there ?"
said Puvioux.
Yes
"Adieur' he said continuing his
march.
eau revoir."
Il watched him as he went on
with a firm step, as if he had only
Just started. When | saw him dis
appear at the bend of the road, and
when / was once alone, as it were,
abandoned, | felt great despair.
| made an effort. ! rose and began
to walk again. That little halt had
done me good. l walked, walked
and walked until l had caught up
to Puvioux and passed him.
"At night, too, | was well ahead,
but | was worn out. / entered an
inn to sleep alittle, | slept all night.
In the morning | woke up. saw
that the day was getting on; / was
furious and called some one.
"You have not seen a soldier pass
on foot ?"
"Yes, monsieur Ia militaire, very
late last night. lie asked for a glass
of water"
"Ah! was outstripped in my
turnl ] started hurriedly. At g.
o'clock in the afternoon | had not
caught up 10 Puvioux, nor at 6
o'clcck either. 1T night / took my
rest while | ate, and started to walk
again. ! walked a good part of the
night, but my strength had limits.
Once more | stopped. l knocked
nj an inn. The door opened, and
there, sitting in chair, saw Pu-
yioux, pale as death. He made a
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 l.
"The next morning was this morn
ing. Since this morning ! have been
taking a rest now and
then, but only q short one. We are
getting close. Rethel is the last
stage between Anglers and Mezieres.
know my map Of France now. The
ast stagel Good heavens, if | arriv-
cd too late y
"And Puvioux,p asked my father,
as he caught up"
"No," he replied, Il am ahead.
# | could start now should be saw
3D."
"start? In this state? Impossi-
1lew
q know-my feet are swollen and |
that tomorrow"
Tomorrow you will be rested
-ou will be able to walk"
"Do you think so?" said the sol
lier, with look ardent as light
ing.
q promise YOU
Ny father then advised the sol
lier to 90 to bed. He did not re-
use. The bed was ready. He shook
lands with Us and went up to his
'oom. 1t was ten o'clock.
Il viii wake you at 5 O'Clock, "
aid father.
1t was not yet daylight on the
morning when father, al
'eady up, looked out Of the window