The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-06-07
THE GIRL SOLDIER.
BY HUGONoT


went at once TO the principal inn, but
found it occupied by the colonel in COM
| mand, the sion-boarding taken down.
The inn had ceased to be "house of
call for travellers, and had become a
| fortress.
1 showed my credentials. | showed a
special pass | had from Garibaldi en-
tltling me to move freely within the cir
Gle OF the Italian military operations.
1t was no use had to retreat. These
difficulties had made me cross, and |
was tired and hungry.
Jared no better at the other inn.
The rooms were all full, even to the cor
ridors.
A boy accosted me--a boy twelve
years of age apparently a peasant 8
child .-
'lf You please, patron, he inquired,
touching his cap, did you want a bed
room? You were asking for a bedroom,
and my mother has such beautiful
rooms! One of them is the kitchen, but
it is very beautiful
He led me to a small house which
looked like the ruin or the remains of a
contlagration; but it was still used as a
dwelling. A light shone in one of the
windows, and the door was aiar. The
boy pushed it open, and we found our
| selves in Il sort of ante-room (Which
turned out TO be the kitchen), and in the
presence of an old woman, who was
STOPPING over the fire.
The boy ran toward her
..Un foresto, Mimar' cried the child
in pGt0iS; then turning toward me, and
speaking in good Italian, ''Saccommoda,
signore,' The Tyrolese speak two Ian
guages, or rather they are beginning to
discover that their own language is an
| excrescence.
The beldam eyed me critically, and
whispered something in the boys car.
This last nodded in. token of assent, and
held up his ten fingers. .'Paghera I'm
mezzo francot'a he exclaimed, in a
breathless tone. meaning that | would
pay ten sous Give PENCE, The crone
smiled 'Bastan' (''It win do'') she
exclaimed, with Il pleased look. and in
| vlted me to draw near the fire.
noticed that the crone prepared sup
per for four persons-four glasses. four
| plates, four knives and forks to match.
Our party, therefore, was incomplete I
began 10 be alarmed lest supper should
he DELAYED.
But THIS was by no means the case.
The OLD dame poured out the poiea7ta,
| and we tool or seats ut the table with
| out tliink Ing nf the absent person, the
crone mhttrringa short prayer in Latin.
| locke, ut ficr with increased interest.
| alst taHc!,-l saw in her Il trace OF
ie,ner ilaaltS and refinement, Her hair
u : as Wmta AS SNOW; her lacklusteT
49, were round and large: her height
Ia',y.- The common.
| Nevertheless this ancient dame be-
came more human is the night advanc-
ed Tile wine, bad as it was, had its ef-
feet, and the fire made the room cheer
| full. The child, too, did justice to the
meal Corporal John, y heexclaimed,
''drinks no wine. | suppose he does
not like IT, He is so shy But why do
YOU not wear a soldiers dress, too? Ii
you can fight You ought TO wear sword
or gun; but, perhaps you are going to
have one sent to you?
The old dame mumbled to herself.
The child seemed amused ''Nhat a
funny old woman, is she not2' But
these words were spoken in a subdued
voice
Supper being over, my young friend
began to make inquiries about the alb
sent person-an absence which l had
not noticed The empty chair, the clean
plate and glass, seemed TO attract his at
tention for the first time
do you think there is any fighting
going on" he inquired with look Of
anxiety.
Il hope not l think noti' | replied
The bag made the sign of the cross.
Il think not, toon' added the boy
with tears in his eyes.a Then after 0
moments pause he asked whether
thought Corporal John would go away
without bidding him goodbye.
But who is Corporal John?' | in
CURED.
Hardly had spoken these words thar
the door flew open. The boy started
from his seat and rushed into the arm:
of handsome young soldier who al
that instant made his appearance.
/ | never saw a finer figure of youth
brave and modest at the same time, witt
large lustrous eyes ''black as death, ,
| and pale, thoughtful face, shaded bu
not concealed by the peak of his cap
his red shirt and purple trousers giving
him a boyish look.
He bowed politely, but without rails
ING his cap and entered the room witt
that easy dignity which is a result o
military education, starting, however
at my fixed look, and allowing the boz
TO take possession of his gun He ap
peared to be about to speak, but re
strained himself, and took his seat al
the table without honoring me witt
further notice answering the child il
monosyllables, and seeming at once pre-
occupied and hungry.
But it was easy to see that my pres
ence troubled him, and for some reason
- or other he was angry with the boy.
fancied, too, that l had seen him be
| fore
? The crone drew nearer the fire, and
with her dstaff under her arm, bega
| spinning hemp as white as her own haiI
The crone's name was Menek (the Ty
rolese for Domenica), the child
A Checco.
c The soldier glanced at me from tim
;. to time, his eyes flashing sort of def
ance.
Il Checco offered him some ham, and be
gan pouring wine into tumbler.
Il am sure you will like this, OF
served the boy, with q wheedling lool
.Will you have some fruit"
/ mo" answered the soldier, CURLY
I ..And no wineP''
No, my dear.
You are cross, tonight, corpora
What have donep'
The soldier did not reply, and the DO
withdrew in silence | remained face
face with the soldier
= Il have seen you before" he exclain
? ed, suddenly. his face flushing up wit