Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-04-21

said the same when they talked to her about
Puvioux. She loved both OF us, one as much
as the other she hesitated she did not dare
to decide. But still she could not marry both
of us.
"Tme went on. When the time of the con-
scrption came we drew lots, Puvioux and l.
on the same day. 1 had number 3 and he
had number 7, and 80 we both Of US became
soldiers. For q moment was in o state of
great fright, / confess. People at Mezieros
said that Puvioux had rich aunt, and that
she would buy him off. II Puvioux did not
Join the army, Puvioux would marry Mar
guerite, and 1, knowing that l should be
obliged TO go, for 1 was poor, 1 thought
already heard the fiddler at the wedding, rend-
ing my ears and my heart.
81 must tell you that Marguerite Servan has
not her equal. If lost her now, after hav-
ing waited seven years for her, upon my
honor, think should blow out my brains
LUCKILY, Pierre Puvioux was not bought
of. His aunt died leaving debts instead Of
fortune. He had not penny any more than
had We were obliged to shoulder our
guns, and we were expected on our way-bill
every moment One night Farmer Servan
took us each by the arm and led us to an inn,
and this is what he said to us as we emptied
a bottle of Moselle wine.
My boys, you are good and faithful Ar
dennais, equal in merit. 1 love you with all
my heart. One of you shall be my son-in-
law; that is understood. Marguerite will
wait seven years. She has no preference
either for you, Puvioux, or for you, Chevau-
cheux, but she loves both of you, and she will
make happy the one whom fortune shall
choose. These are the conditions on which
one of you shall marry my daughter you
start the same day, it is probable that you
will return on the same day. Well, the one
who first comes and shakes hands with Farm
er Servan, and says "Here am, my time is
out :" he swear, shall be the husband of
Marguerite
81 was astonshed. l thought had mis-
understood. looked at Pierre Puvioux and
he looked at me, and, although we were sad
enough at heart, we were certainly ready to
burst out laughing.
'But Farmer Servan was not joking He
had discovered this means of getting out of
the difficulty, and he meant to stick to it, 1
held out my hand and swore to act neither by
ruse nor violence, and TO let Pierre PuVioux
marry Marguerite, If he returned to Mezieres
before did. Pierre stood up and swore the
same and then we shook hands while Farmer
Servan said
"'Now the rest is your affair. The only
thing is to escape bullets and to return safe
and sound
"He filled our glasses once more and we
drank parting draught.
Before leaving wished to see Marguerite.
Just as 1 was arriving under her window-it
was dusk-I saw some one in the shade COM
ing in the same direction. 1 stopped short.
1t was Pierre Puvioux. He seemed vexed to
find me there. l was not particularly pleased
TO meet him. We stood there a moment like
two simpletons looking at the toes of our
boots. Then with q moment of courage
said to Puvioux:
Shall we go in together
"We entered and took our farewell of Mar
guerite. She listened to us without saying
anything, but there were tears at the tips of
her blonde eyelashes. Suddenly Pierre, who
was talking, stopped and began to sob, and
to do the same. Then Marguerite joined in,
and there we were all three shedding tears
and pressing each others hands.
"When the diligence that took us away from
Mezieres began TO rattle on the pavement the
next day, felt inclined to throw myself from
the imperial and get crushed under the
wheels. The more 30 as there was q Lor-
rainer at my side who was singing in mel
ancholy voice song of his country, and
said TO myself: 1t is all over, Jean, you
will never ses 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 were placed in the same regiment.
At first was vexed. should have liked to
know that he was far away. As you
may imagine, could not love him much.
But reflected afterwsrd that if Puvioux was
with me 1 could at least talk about her. That
consoled me. Well, I said to myself, am
in for seven years Of it. After all, one gets
over it.
''In the regiment 1 became fast friend of
Pierre Puvioux. He proved to be an excel
lent 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. 1t was
struggle, it is true, but it was loyal. When
Marguerite or 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. ,
to appoint me corporal l was vexed and
proud at the 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 ad-
vantage. But did not glory in my rank ;
on the contrary, II made me i'll at ease. l did
not dare to talk to Puvioux any more. Then
1 reflected that there we're more ways than
one of getting rid of my new rank. neg
lected my duty and was forthwith degraded
But who should be made corporal in my stead
but Puvioux. But Puvioux was not to be
outdone at the end of a week he resigned.
After that there was no danger of any propo-
sitions being made to us to make any change
in our uniform. We were condemned to re-
main common soldiers.
$50 much the BETTER" said Puvioux
"'What luck =" said l.
'When we had served our seven years-for
do not mean to tell you our history day by
day-I said to Puvioux
"'Well, now is the time to start, eh ?
eyes he replied, we are expected
"'You know, said, the game will not be
finally won until both of us have arrived at
Mezieres, and until the loser 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
Mezieres from Angers, where We were in gar
rison. At first we walked along in company,
not saying 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 over
| whelmed.
"'Are you going to stay there P said Pu-
| viouX to me.
" Yes
"'Adieu = he said, continuing his march.
"'Au revoir =
81 watched him as ho went on with firm
step as if he had only just started. When
saw him disappear at a bend of the road, and
when was once alone, as it were abandoned,
I felt great despair. l made an effort l
rose and began to walk again. That little
halt had done me good. walked walked
aud walked until had caught up with Puv-
ioux and passed him.
"At night too 1 was well ahead, but was
worn out / entered an inn to sleep little.
slept all night In the morning woke up.