The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-04-08

lone day the Colonel took it into his
head to appoint me Corporal L was
vexed and proud Mt the same time. You
see, I was no longer the equal Of
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
contrary, il made me i'll at ease. 1 did
not dare to talk to Puvioux any more
| Then L reflected that there were more
ways than one of getting rid of my next
rank. I neglected my duty and was
forthwith degraded. But who should be
made Corporal in my stead but Puvioux.
But Puvioux was not to he outdone; at
| the end of week lie resigned. After
that there was no danger of any PROPOSE
| tons being made to us TO make any
/ change in our uniform. We were con-
demned to remain common soldiers.
50 so much the better, said Puvioux.
What luckv said /.
"When we had served our seven years
for do not mean to tell you our his
tory day by day said to Puvioux:
"'Well, now is the time to start, EN-?
"'Yes, he replied, we are expected.
"'You know, 1 said, '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.
"And SO one morning, with good shoes
on our feet and stick III 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 I sat down on the roadside over
whelmed with fatigue.
"'Are you going to stay there?' said
Puvioux to me.
eyes
"Adieu' he said continuing his
march.
an revoir!
81 watched him rs he went on with a
firm step as if he had only just started.
When 1 saw him disappear ut bend of
the road, and when was once alone, as
it were abandoned, felt great despair.
/ made an effort. L 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.
AT night, too, was well ahead, but
i WAS worn out. L 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 soldier pass on
foot?'
Ed" Yes, monsieur le naiiit0ire, very
late last night. He asked for glass of
water.
"Ah! was outstripped in my turn! L
started hurriedly. At three o'clock in
the afternoon / had not caught up Pu-
vioux, nor at six o'clock either. Al
night took my rest while 1 ate, and
started TO walk again. l walked good
part of the night, but my strength had
limits. Once more l stopped. l knocked
Mt an inn. The door opened, and there
sitting in a chair l 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. II
was l.
THE next morning was this morning.
Since this morning 1 have been walking,
taking n rest no" and then, but only
very short one. We are getting close.
Rethel is the last stage between Anglers
and Mezieres. L know my map OF
France now. The last stagel Great
heavens, if / arrived too latel'
'And Pierre Puvioux," asked my
father, "has he caught you up?"
"No," replied Chevaucheux. 81 am
ahead. III L could start now, should
be saved
Start In this state ? Impossible -"
81 know-my feet are swollen and
cut--and provided that tomorrow"
Tomorrow you will be rested-you
will be able to walk
Do you think so ?" said the soldier.
with look ardent as lightning.
"I promise you.
Ny father then advised the soldier to
6 to bed. Chevaucheux did not refuse.
The bed was ready. He shook hands
with us and went up to his room. 1t was
ten O'clock.
81 will wake you at five o'clock, " said
my father.
1t was not yet daylight on the follow
ing morning when my father, already
up, looked out of the window to see how
the weather was. While he was ut the
window he heard some heavy footsteps
on the road below, and in the obscure
twilight that precedes daybreak he per
,eived n soldier who was walking in the
direction of MIezieres
Cup already?" said my father.
The soldier stopped.
"Well," continued my father, care
you OFF,"
The soldier looked mp and tried to
make out who was speaking to him.
You are Jean Chevaucheux, are you
uot?" asked my father.
No, said the soldier; " I am Pierre
Puvioux."
And as if that name of Chevaucheux
had been the prick of spur, he resumed
his walk more rapidly, and was soon lost
in the obscurity. When my father could
no longer see him he could hear the noise
of his shoes on the road leading tc
Mezieres. |
"Ah !" said my father to himself,
l.. 81, II