Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-03-09

in a melancholy voice a song of his
country, and [ said to myself: 1T is all
over, Jean, you will never see her again.
"Well, you see. Time passes The
seven years are over, and who knows?
Perhaps / am not only going to see her
again, but to marry her.
"There are, indeed, strange chances
in life" continued Jean Chevaucheux.
"Pierre and started on the same day.
and at the same hour, and we was placed
in the same regiment. At first T was
vexed. [ should have liked to have
known that he was far away. AS YOU
may imagine, I could not love him much.
But reflected afterward that if Puyioux
was with me / could at least talk about
her. That consoled me. Well, [ said
to myself, am In for seven years of it.
After al, one gets over it.
In the regiment became fast friend
of Pierre Puvioux. He proved to be an
excellent good fellow, and at night, in
order to kill time, we used often to talk
of Mezieres, of Father Servan, and of
Marguerite. We used to write to
Mezieres often, but each told the other
the contents of his letters. It was a
struggle, it is true, but it was loyal
/. When Marguerite OF 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. I was
vexed and proud at the same time. You
see I was no longer the equal of Puvioux.
My stripes gave me the right to COM
mand him, and in the eyes of our Arden
nals that was no small advantage But
[ did not glory in my rank; on the con-
trary, it made me Ill at ease. [ 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 Puvioux. Blu
Puvioux was not to be outdone; at the
end of a 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.
$3.50 much the better, said Puvioux
what luckp said I.
| "When we had served our seven
years-for l do not mean to tell you our
history day to day said to Puvioux:
| "'Well! now is the time GO start, eh 2
"' Yes, he replied, 'we are expected.
"' You know, [ said, 6 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 walking above
hot and dusty. Half way on one of our
whelmed with fatigue.
:" Are you going to stay there?' said
Puvioux to me.
"Yes.'
"Adieul' he said, continuing his
march.
"'Au revoiri'
CT watched him as 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, as
it were abandoned, [ felt great despair.
[ made an effort. [ rose and began to
walk again. That little halt had done
me good. / walked, walked and walked
until had caught up with Puvioux and
passed him.
cat night, too, was well head, but I
was worn out. I entered an inn to
sleep little. I 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 Ie na5latoare, very
late last night He asked for a glass of
water.
''Ah was outstripped In my turn I
started hurriedly. At 3 o'clock in the
afternoon I had not caught up with
Puvioux, nor at 6 O'Clock either. At
night I took my rest while I ate, and
started to walk again. / walked a good
part of the night but my strength had
limits. Once more stopped. knocked
at an inn. The door opened, and there
sitting in chair [ saw Puvioux, pale as
death. He made movement of dis
pleasure when he saw me, that was nat
ural. We did not talk much. What
could we say? We we're both tired.
AhO SAO1'o oIIIIlS Wc1S W huOW WHO SHOULD
get up first next morning. It was I.
The next morning was this morning.
Since this morning have been walking,
taking rest now and then, but only a
very short one. We are getting close.
Bethel is the last stage between Anglers
and Mezieres. know my map of France
now. The last stage! Good heavens,
if I arrived too late! %
"And Pere Puvioux," asked my
father, has he caught you up %
"No," replied Chevaucheux, CT am
ahead. Ii [ could start now I should
be saved"
"Start? In this state impossible %
{" know-my feet are swollen and
cut-and provided that to-morrow-"
Tomorrow you will be rested. You
will be able to walk"
edo you think SO % said the soldier,
with a look ardent AS 1iphtnino