The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-04-19

, vantage. But did not glory in my
rank on the contrary, it made me
I'LL at ease. / did not dare to talk to
:. Puvioux any more. Then / reflect
ed that there were more ways than
one of getting rid of my new rank.
I I neglected my duty and was forth.
with degraded. But who should
J be made corr oral in my stead but
Pnvioux. But Puvioux was not to
be outdone at the end Of a week be
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
. so much the better, said Pa
vionx. What luck = said j.
when wehad served our seven
years-for / do not mean to tell you
our history day by day said to
Puvioux
/ "'Well nos is the time TO start,
eh p
"SYcs' he replied, we are expect
ed
You know said the game
will not be finally won until botli of
Us have arrived at Mezieres, and un-
til the looser 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 Mezeires from Anglers.
where we were in garrison. At firss
we walked along in company, not
saving much, thinking good deal
and walking above everything.
The weather was terribly hot and
dusty. Half way on one of our
marches ] sat down on the roadside
overwhelmed.
Are you goingto stay thre@
said Puvioux to me.
Yes
'Adieul' he said continuing his
march.
'Au revoir 7
Il watched him as he went on
with firm step as if he had only
Just started When l saw him dis
appear at bend of the road, and
when | was once alone, as it were
abandoned, | felt a great despair.
1 made an effort. rose and began
TO walk again. That little halt had
done me good. ! walked, walked
and walked until / had caught up
Puvioux and passed him.
"At night too | was well ahead,
but | was worn out. entered an
inn to sleep. / slept all night. In
the morning | woke up. saw that
the day was getting en-; / was furi-
Gus and called someone:
- You have not seen soldier
pass ON foot?'
Yes, monsieur le militaire, very
late last night. He asked for glass
of water"
"Ah,I was out stripped in my
turnl | started hurriedly. At 3
O'Clock in the afternoon | had not
caught up Puvioux, nor at 6 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 l stopped. l knocked at an
inn. The door opened, and there
sitting in a chair l saw Puvioux,
pale as death. He made move
ment 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 thenext morning. 1t was L.
"Thenext morning was this morn
ing. 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 Angers and Me-
zieres. / know my map of France
now The last stagel Good hcav-
ems, if / arrived too late !"
And Pierre Puvioux," asked my
father, has he caught you up?"
NO" replied Chevaucheux, II am
ahead If / could start now /
should be saved"
Start? In this state Impossible p
II know-my feet are swollen and
cut-and provided that to-mor-
row"
Tomorrow you will be rested.
You will be able to walk :"
'Do you think so?" said the SOL
der, with n look ardent as lightning.
Il promise you"
NV father then advised the SOL
der to 90 to bed. Chevaucheux
not did refuse. Tie bed was ready.
He shook hands with us and went
to his room. 1t was 10 o'clock.
II will wake you at > O'Clock, /"
said my father.
1t was not yet daylight on the fol-
lowing morning when my father, al
ready up. looked out OF the window
to see how the weather was. While
he was at the window he heard
some heavy footsteps on the road
below, and in the obscure light that
precedes daybreak he perceived a
soldier VINO was walking in the di-
rection OF Mezieres.
up already ?''asked my father.
The soldier stopped.
We'll? continued my father,
"are you Off"
The soldier looked up and tried
to make out who was speaking to
him.
"You are Jean Chevaucheux, are
you not?" asked my father.
"No" said the soldier. Il am Pierre
Puvioux"
And as if that name of Chevau-
cheux had been the prick of spur,
be resumed his walk more rapidly
and was soon lost in the obscurity
When my father could no longer see
him 1e could hear the noise of his
shoes On the road leading to Me-
Zieres.
''Ahl" said my father to himself
"Chevaucheux must be sharp lfhe
means to catch up to that man." and
he went straight to the room where
Jean had slept. He was already up
and looking at his feet by the light
of n candle