The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-21

by interesting me SO much in the workman
ship ofthe silver trophy presented By Aus
tria's emperor. But I felt sure now that I
had seen the bust there Before, SO turned
round, and, presenting ,reverently my glass,
i repeated: To its roya, chief. y
The glass fell from my hand and striking
the hoor with crash, broke into thousand
pieces. The fumes of wine left me. NV
eyes were immovable and haggard. I felta
cold preparation starting out on my fore
head. Every one believed that was going
to faint, and the whole assembly expressed
Its regret, tributing the accident to the
internal heat Of the day Every one did
servants received simultaneously the order
to give me glass Of ice water an article
not easily to be found, on such occasions.
Some haa even ordered my carriage, and
wanted to accompany me- home.
But was neither sick nor fainting. It
vas mourning France that stared into my
face, recalling the remembrance of past
unfortunate days, Of the bitter tears shed
after each defeat, and the silent rage Of the
yanquished. Theirs, right under the brack-
ct on which the lsnrel- crowned bust of the
old emperor stood, attached to the wall as
q German trophy, was relic of yanquished
France-a guide board painted blue, as
they all are in MY beloved country. Alas!
this one had been, witness of an heroic
struggle. It was pierced in many places by
the bullets of the enemy but still displayed
proudly, befora the eyes Of the Uhlans. the
glorious name, 'Bazeilles." I stood there
rtgidly, forgetting where was, and think
ing only of tbs. carnage and the fearful con-
migration on. that memorable day. I heard
distinctly the rattle of the musketry. the
groans Of the, wounded, the huzzas OF the
victorious, the clango1 of the church bells,
the cries ofths fleeing inhabitants. heard
too, the farewell words, the last sigh Of my
dearly beloved brother Louis, who died on
the road IN my arms, at the foot of this
same guide board.
MendDuf alone ha6 understood my strange
behavior. Captain said he, in low
voice, I ought to have foreseen and pre-
vented this. Pardon me. But impose
yourself And he presented to M anoth-
er glass of wine, which seized, and, look
ing at the ominons road guide of Bazeilles,
I said:
Yes, getlemen, drink to the health of
the sovereign and soldiers! But I drink
also to the glorious memory of your friends
and mine, who died for their countrv!"
The eyes of all of the officers were now
fixed upon the little trophy, and, having
read my heat, they repeated my toast in
voices trembling with emotion. It was a
touching homage, offered to the vanuuished
brave by the gallant victors.
Next morning Mendorf d entered nv
room while was still in bed. He had
come to apologize for his thoughtlessness,
and silently we shook hands. When he
mentioned the sorrowful event at the
dinner table, I related to him all the de-
tails of my poor brothers death near that
"road-guide. Mendorf proved then to me
that he was man with warm and feeling
heart, and we separated as true friends:
Two months later was in France on q
leave of absence. fastened home to see
my dear old mother. She was awaiting
me, on the balcony, and from afar I could
see her venerable head was snow-white
and she was yet in mourning, though her
face was calm. had not seen her since
my Lrother's death. As soon as we met.
she fell IN my arms, and said severa
times, with tears in her ewes:
Thanks, OH thousand thanks, m,
poor boy, for your brothers sake. 4" d.
/ was on the point of asking her VIVA
she meant, when she took my arm and lee
me into the village cemetery. There upor
the tomb Of my brother Lewis saw, to m,
amusement, the hullet-pierced side-boar,a,
han seen in Berlin, with the mclnentou
name, "Ba3eilles," A more eloquent en-
ltaph could surely not have been found
With heart full Of gratitude wrote t.
Won Mendorf, but my letter remained un
answered. After my return to Berlin hur
, RAD to his residence, but found there onl,
his servant, busily packing his master
trunks. In answer to my question as t.
where the major was, he said:
The major? Oh! he is far from here
He has been reprimanded. The officer
say that he has taken something from thei
dining room-a picture, believe. But
can swear to it, captain, that no pictur
They accuse him falsely. All, no sir
The major is the most honest man in tn
world 94& at& Ea.t# liat N