The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-06-29

talh VI MeNereS, Oh FhtneT OtINul, hIu
of Marguerite. We used to write to
Me2ieres often, but each told the other
the contents OF his letters. 1t was .
struggle, it is true, but it was loyal.
When Marguerite or old Seryan 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
Zone day the Colonel took it into his
head to appoint me Corporal. I was
vexed and proud at tho same time You
see, / was no longer the equal Of
Puvioux. My 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
contrary, it made me i'll Mt ease. I did
not dare to talk to Puvioux any more.
Then / reflected that there were more
ways than one of getting rid of my next
rank. ] neglected my duty and was
forthwith degraded. But who should be
made Corporal in my stead but Puvloux.
But Puvioux was not to he outdone; at
the end of week he resigned After
that there was no danger OF any PROPOSE
tons being made to us to make any
change in our uniform. We we're con-
dcmned to remain common soldiers.
so much the better. said Puvioux
What luckn said I.
when we had served our seven years
for I do not mean to tell you our his
tory day by day said to PuviouX:
"'Well, now is the time to start, eh?'
eyes he replied, we are expected.
4 I th,
not be finally won until both of us arrive
at Mezieres, and until the loser has de.
clared that the combat has been loyal.
"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 walking above
every thing The weather was terribly
hot and dusty. Half way on one Of our
marches sat down on the roadside over
whelmed with fatigue.
"'Are you going to stay thereT said
Puvioux to me.
"Yes.
"Adieur he said continuing his
march.
"Au rGuOir!'
Il watched him az he went on with
firm step as if he had only just started
When saw him disappear at bend OF
the road, and when | was once alone, rs
it we're abandoned, 7 felt great despair.
I made an effort I rose and began to
walk again That little halt had done
me good. walked, walked and walked
until | had caught up with Puyioux and
passed him.
AT night too, I was well ahead, but
! was worn out. | entered an inn to
sleep a little. I slept all night, In the
morning ] woke up. Isaw that the day
was getting on; was furious and called
some one.
"'You have not seen soldier pass on
foot?'
"'Yes, monsieur ic militdirc, very
late last night. He asked for glass Of
water.
"Ah! was outstripped in my turn! 1
started hurriedly At three o'clock in
the afternoon had not caught up Pu-
viouX, nor at six o'clock either. At
night took my rest while ate, and
started to walk again / walked good
part Of the night, but my strength had
limits. Once more | stopped. | knocked
ut an inn. The door opened, and there
sitting in chair saw Puvioux, pale as
death. He make movement of dis
pleasure when he saw me that was nat
ural. 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
very short one. We are getting close.
Rethel is the last stage between Anglers
md Mezicres. ] know my map OF
France now. The last stage! Great
heavens, if I arrived too latei'
"And Pierre Puvioux," asked my
father "has he caught you up?"
NO" replied Chevaucheux, Il am
ahead. If | could start now, ! should
be saved.
"Stalt ? In this state Impossible !"
II know-my feet are swollen and
cut--and provided that tomorrow"
Tomorrow you will he rested-you
will be able to walk.
"Do YOU think so ?" said the soldier,
with look ardent as lightning.
AZ promise you
Nv father then advised the soldier to
m IN he'd Cbeyancheux did not refuse.
The bed was ready. He shook hands
with us and went up to his room. u was
ten o'clock. r:,
II will wake you at five o'clock. SAID
my father. ,u,
It was not vet daylight on the follow
ing morning when my father, already
nm looked ont of the window to see how
the weather was. While ho was at the
window he heard some heavy footsteps
on the road below, and in the obscure
twilight that precedes daybreak he per
ceiyed soldier who was walking IN the
| direction of Mezicres.
"Up already" said my father
The soldier stopped.
"Well,". continued my father ARE
You off," 49,, .r;od 10
mako ont who was speaking to HIM.
| d" You are Jean Cic'"u'i'N'
not ?" asked my father. nj,
"No." said the soldier % l am fierre
Puvioux." ,,a,.
And Ms if that name OF Che'ancheu1
had been the prick of spur. he resumed
Lie Walk more rapidly, and was soon lost
in t,,e nbscurity. When my father colld
no LONGER see him he could hear the noise
~ u, lie ohoes on the road leading to
"Ah !" said my father to himself,
" Cbarouchenx must be sharp II he
means to catch up that man." And he
vent straight to the room where jean
wei wei. Liant He was already up and look
;nn Of stI Ii. feet by the light Of candle.
i"s a Y !" he cried, when he saw
. t,tber. at feel fresh and strong. and
7 ssuffer no more. En- route" ,
~ ~, o,,;ctlv" replied my father.