The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-28
PELIssIER AND THE soRcERER,
BY P. A.

uuiy eolonci Of regiment or the linc, Pelissier. subsequently marshal of France, commander-in-chief and grand cordon. was one day waited upon by the doctor of the regiment, to consult with him what had best be done to stop the moral cpl demic which was then raging among the men, and which was leading them by scores to the hospital, and thence to the grave, without any percephble dis ease.
 ' have found out the cause,- said the doctor. !" from a young conscrip, who died this morning; you must find the remedy. It seems that these foolish boys have been suffering their imaginati ons 10 be tempered with by fellow from Brit tany, who pretends to sorcery, and who. for a few sous, will show them their home, and call up before them the forms of the dead or absent among those they love best on earth. The feelings of the soldiers cannot stand this nostalgia and marasm are killing them. You must put stop to this, colonel, or you will lose them all
 Pelissier, in alarm at the idea of the effect, but without the least dread of the cause, immediately sent for the culprit- a sober, grave, and serious young man. from the landes of Brittany, named Coe;- quen, who had formerly been a shepherd of the landes. and had marched as rem placant to his brother. who had fallen 10 the conscription. and had been unwilling to leave his aged mother. of whom he was the favorite son. The colonel was resolved to be stern with the culpri,.
 What is this hear?' he said. What are these lies thou art propagating in the regiment
 Of what am accused, mon colonel?" said Coetquen, respectfully. Have I failed in my duty with the regiment Have once omitted to fulfill my service or disobeyed an order:'
 lis not of that thou art accused replied Pelissier, somewhat embarrassed, :" but of graver crime in short. 'tis said thou art sorcerer."
 am," replied Coetquen. calmly.
 Pshaw Seek not 10 impose upon me-'tis said thou hast made foolish lads believe in ghosts and spirits"
 . They have seen them." answered Coetquen, still unmoved. II have but one motive for thus displaying the power inherited from my fathers-that of buy ing a remplacant, and returning to my beloved iandes. The money 1 obtain from comrades is hoarded for this pur- pose.
 The colonel scratched his head in per plexity.
 .. Well, then. if that is the case. here Is bargain show me the spirit wish to have called up. and thou shalt have this piece of gold but if thou shouldst fail in the attempt, by all the powers of darkness. so surely will blow thy brains out
 The colone. suited the action to the word by drawing the pistol from his belt with one hand. while he pulled forth with the other the piece ofgold. Coetquin gazed wistfully at the latter and said. with great cheerfulness
 = The bargain is struck mon colonel tonight, at the entrance ofthe little wood at the bottom of you: garden, at mid night: fear not. will be there"
 "Once more,' said Pelssier. owning, not without shame. that he was beginning to feel rather excited remember i, Is time to retreat. have no desire to see spirits therefore. confess that the boys have been deluded the influence will be withdrawn, and you shall have the gold piece all the same.'
 Never exclaimed the sorcerer. for the first time reused into emotion: you have defied me, mon colonel. and must take the consequences.
 Midnight arrived: the colonel was true to his rendezvous and found the sorcerer awaiting him. Once more did he give the latter an opportunity of withdrawing from the bargain. and once more was he refused. The soldier stripped of his jacket and stood in his shirt-sleeves: he placed his sword and belt. his shako and jacket. together with his boots, against a tree, and drew a circle with a forked stick, and placed himself in the midst. Presently he was like one inspired, and the light of the lantern the colonel had brough, fell upon his distorted counte- nance, which seemed more like that of a demon than of human being. Sud- denly. in the very midst of this violent emotion. he turned 10 Pelissier.
 Colonel, one thing forgot to men, uon; have you no sacred object about you:"
 :" None in the world. replied pelissier: dost thou take me for a Iesuit?''
 = But your watch. Sometimes mother or sister manages to slide a token or medal among the seals and breloques- some ring or other tritle which they have go, blessed by the cure. It is most dan serous for mercys sake. think"
 The man was evidently serious-and Pelissier, to humor him, took of his watch and put 't down at distance. The in cantation then began-all was silent for a few moments, except for the heavy breathing of the man. Not single word was uttered-not a single movemen, was made, but suddenly terrific shriek, a sound not of this eartL for its power and the agony it conveyed, burst upon the stricken ear of the colonel. An, colonel, 7oa- m'ave- tyahi!r-these were the words he heard. and then ali was silent once more. After waiting a few moments he called aloud no answer was returned he waited in vain 1; the man had disap- peared. His shako and clothes had re- mained against the tree, and Pelissier returned to the caserne the same nigh, to sr,x- rlnr~ G.<- -. Il |