Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-09-28

are the conditions on which one of you shall
marry my daughter. You start the same day 1t
is probable that you will return on the same
day. Well, the one who first comes and shakes
hands with Farmer Servan, and says Here
I am, nv time is out'' /; he, I swear, shall be
the husband of Marguerite"
81 was astonished. l thought that l had
misunderstood. l 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
discovered this means of getting out of the
difficulty. and meant to stick to it. Iheld out
nv 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 Ser
van said
"sNow the rest is your affair. The only
thing is to escape bullets and to return safe
and sound.''
"He filed our glasses once more and we
drank parting draught. s....,
Before leaving wished to see Marguerite.
Just as was arriving under her windoW-lt-
was at dusk-I saw some one in the shade
coming in the same direction. | stopped
short. 1t was Pierre Puvioux. He seemed
vexed to find me there. was not particular
" pleased to meet him. We stood there mo-
ment like two simpletons looking at the toes
of our boots. Then with moment of cOur-
age said to Puvioux
"Shall we 60 in together 20
I'VE entered and took our farewell of Mar
guerite. She listened to us without saying
anything, but there were tears at che tips OF
her blonde eyelashes. Suddenly Pierre, who was
talking, stopped and began to sob, and to 40
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
down from the imperial and get crushed under
the wheels. The more so rs there was !1or-
rainer at my side who was singing in melan-
choly voice song of his country, and l said
to myself cit is all over, Jean, you will never
see her again."
wen, YOU see. Time passes. The seven
wears are over, and who knows? Perhaps L
am not only going to see her again but TO
marry her.
There are indeed strange chances in life, ,
continued Jean Chevaucheaux. Pierre ana
I started on the same day and at the same
hour, and we were placed in the same regiment.
At first 1 was veXed. l should liked TO
have known that he was far away. AS you
NAV imagine I could not love him much.
But I reflected afterward that if Puvioux
was with me 1 could at least talk about her.
That consoled me. Well / said to myself,
am in for seven years Of it. After all, one
gets over it.
I'm the regiment became fast friend OF
Pierre Puvioux. Heproved 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. 1t was strug-
gle, it is true, but it was loyal. When Mar
guerte or old Servan replied the letter was
for both of us. An equal dose OF hope was
given to both of US, and so we went on hoping.
'One day the colonel took it into his head to
appoint me corporal. was yexed 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 advantage
But 1 did not glory in my rank. neglected
my duty and was forthwith degraded. But
who should be made corporal in my stead but
Puvioux. But PuviouX was not to be out
done at the end of 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 COM
mon soldiers.
$50 much the BETTER" said Puvioux.
ssWhat luck % said 1.
when we had served our seven years-for
do not mean to tell you our history day by
day. said to Puvioux:
'"Well now is the time to start, eh I"
'"Yes," he replied, 1--WE are expected"
"You know,"I said, "the game will not
be finally won until both of us have arrived at
NJ. {I,o1 1oco hoe 1pnl
the combat has been loyal"
s"Agreed," said PuviouX.
And 80 one morning, with good shoes on
our feet, and stick in hand, we set out for Me-
ziers from Anglers, where we were in garrison.
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 March
es we sat down on the roadside overwhelmed.
'"Are you going to stay there ?" said Pu-
'"Yes.''
'"Adieu! ~ he said, continuing his march.
eau revoir ~
Il watched him as he went on with a firm
step as if he had only just started. when l
saw him disappear at 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. 4 walked, walked
and walked until l had caught up PuviouX
and passed him.
AT night too was well ahead, but | was
worn out. l entered an inn to sleep little.
| slept all night. In the morning woke up.
l saw that the day was getting on; was fu-
rious and called some one.
'"You have not seen soldier pass on foot -
s"Yes, monsieur le nillitaire, very late last
night. He asked for glass of water"
'Ah i! | was outstripped in my turn start
ed hurriedly. At l O'Clock i'll the afternoon
| had not caught up Puvioux, nor at 8 o'clock
either. At night took my rest while ate,
and started again. | walked good part OF
the night, but my strength had limits. Once
more stopped at an inn. The door opened
and there sitting in IL chair saw Puvioux,
pale as death. He made movement OF dis
pleasure 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 next morning.
1t was l.
''The next morning was this morning.
Since this morning have been walking, taking
Il rest every now and then, but only very
short one. We are getting close. Rethel is
the last stage between Anglers and Meziers.
I know my map of France now The last
stage Good heavens, if arrived too late -
And Pierre PuviouX,' asked my father, has
caught you up?'
No replied Chevaucheux, 4 am ahead
! If could start now | should be saved
Start In this state! Impossible =
Il know-my feet are swollen and cut-and
provided that tomorrow
Tomorrow you will be rested. You will
be able to walk y
DO you think so p said the soldier with a