News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-08-03

your name is Renzo, isn't it? p
"Yes, Renzo."
"And you used to live in the little
stone house by the church down in the
lane ?"
"Yes, exactly; in the little stone
house by the church down in the lane p
The boy could hardly speak for
delight.
"Well, and how do you like soldier
ing9"
The conscript's face fell he lowered
his eyes and remained silent.
"Why aren't you off with the rest of
them, enjoying yourself?"
Still no answer, but an answer was to
be read in his face.
"Come," said the officer, "what's
the matter ? Out with it"
" The matter is, captain" stammered
the lad, " that is to say, I don't know
what it is, but the way they treat us
here isn't fair-at least, it isn't pleasant.
If we ask any one any thing he doesn't
answer, and when any one says hard
things to us we have to swallow them
or else it's There's the guard-room +
L know that we amt soldiers yet-that
we don't know every thing, but then we
only came here yesterday, so how can
we9 They ought to understand that
we came here to learn, and have some
patience with us, it seems to me. Then
they make fun of US before people, and
scold us, and haul us around, and we
have to stand it, and they laugh. Why
do they ? I came here willingly to be
soldier, for said to myself, I'll do
my duty, whatever it is, and my
superiors will like me- but instead of
that Perhaps when we are more
used to it we won't care, but just now
it isn't easy to bear it. 1t was different
at home, you know we were used to
the ways of the house, and everybody
liked US, and here they make fun of us
and of our people. 1 tell you, captain,
it is hard to bear-very hard to bear r'
The officer made no reply for some
moments, but lit a cigar and went on
carelessly and as if he had heard nothing
of all the lad had said. Here, fix that
neck-tie of yours properly" (He
arranged it himself.) "There, that's
much better Now, there should be no
folds or creases in your coat-it isn't
soldierly." (He pulled and patted the
tunic into position.) "Tip your cap
over on the ear-so 1t gives you a
more rakish aspect"
The conscript smiled.
"Carry yourself like man, with your
shoulders back and your head up, and
when you walk step out resolutely,
boldly, Just as you did when you played
tenpins in the yard of our house and
had made ten-strike. Do you re-
member ?"
The lads face showed that he did.
"And, continued the officer, leaning
against the wall, "look every man you
meet squareIy in the eye, because you
should be afraid of nobody and have |
nothing to blush for. If it was the king |
himself whom you met, lift your head |
and look him In the face, as much as to |
say, Here am! Don't forget that.
And remember that in the army you
must change your way of speaking.
Few words, and those to the point. No
matter who it may be that speaks to you,
answer Yes or no When you are
in the ranks, be as quiet as if you were
at church; but once you have broken
ranks, you are at home and your own
master. If the others are making
noise, raise more racket than they do,
but don't sit gazing at them enjoying
themselves; it will only make you feel
down in the mouth. Love your COM
rades; you will find friends among them
friends who will love you like
brother. Many things are lacking here,
but not good fellowship-remember
that !"
"Did you ever hear of Perrier," said
the officer, Perrier, the soldier that
threw himself between his officer and
the enemy and fell with three bullets in
his body, crying: Remember me,
lieutenant; die happy in saving your
ifep Nor of that grenadier who, rather
than surrender his wounded captain,
was bayoneted to death, shouting,
Take him when I am dead-not be-
fore p Nor of the eight or ten others
who at Rivoh went under hail of bull
let's to rescue their commanders body
from the Austrians, so that they could
see it buried in camp with all the hon.
ors? And there are hundreds of others |
whose names and deeds have been |
written down in all the big books, who
are remembered and beloved as if they
were with us still. Have you a match ?"
The conscript, who had been gazing
at him as if in ecstasy, his mouth and |
eyes wide open, drew box of matches
from his pocket and handed them to the
officer.
"When one remembers all this" said |
the officer, "and when one has little
philosophy, one overlooks the little
and worries of a soldiers life. |
You must remember every thing you
are taught, and as you are sensible
fellow you will. Keep them in your
head and little by little you will take a
liking to everything-your arms, your
uniform, this yard, this staircase, these
walls, and when your time of service is
up and you have said good-by to your
officers and your sergeants, and when all
the other soldiers come to see you off |
and wish you good luck and bid you re-
member them, your heart will feel as it |
felt when you left home and when
from the road you take your last look
at the windows of your barrack room,
you will turn and say-if you can say
Good-by, my second home,
where l have loved so many friends,
where 1 have passed so many happy
days with quiet conscience, where [
have so often sighed for my loved ones
to my poor hard little bed
good-by, sergeant; good-by, captain.
Why, what's the matter with you?"
The conscript was standing rapt, mo-
,ionless, his features working, his
breast beaving, his eyes wet with tears.
"What is the matter with you ?"
The lad endeavored to find his voice,
lrew a long breath, as if about to speak,
,ut could only whisper hoarsely:
Nothingp
The officer smiled. "Now, to please
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