Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-08-28
HOW HE WON HIS CROSS,

was an Olu, one-armed man, who seemed
to think that a certain air OF fierce. I'M
smiling gravity most became a soldier
of the empire; but who, it was well
known, hid one of the kindliest hearts
under the outer form of stern severity.
On being thus questioned, be took a
well-used pipe from his mouth, slowly
pulled out column of smoke, drew
himself as erect as age would permit
him, and replied;
Won my cross? Yes, mon enfant.
you say right in those days we had to
win cross-it was not given. 1t was
worth winning, too. We didn't, with
the Emperor, gain glory by fighting
against one another. There were no
barbados then--no battles in the streets
of Paris. That great man, so wonder
tul In his genius, so indomitable In his
courage, who always conquered, would
not allow it i; and let me tell you no one
dared to do what he said he should not
he soon made short work.
'Ah those were the days when we
knew what true freedom was. There
were none of your Republicans, your
Orleanists, your old or your new parties.
We were all Frenchmen then-French-
men, do you hear me, my children? 1t
was against the enemies of la belle
France we fought-against those who
hated the great nation because 1t was SO
glorious.
Yes, it was against them we French
men always fought; and when traitors
did not betray us we always conquered.
They could never defeat him, the En-
peror, by fair means. All, with what
glory he covered France!
The old mans eyes glistened with en-
thusiasm, and his face glowed.
"But all this is changed now" con-
tinued the old soldier in mournful
tone. " France, shame upon her does
not care what her enemies do. The
Grand Army is no more. But you wish
to know how | gained my cross. Well,
j will tell you, for it will show you what
n man the Emperor was.
1t was the 9th of November. For q
long time our march had been full of
glory. The enemy had fled before us.
for whenever he tried to stand we de-
feated him. We had reached Moscow
that fatal city. We were to have win
tered there. But what did these cow
ardly villains of Russia do? Why. as
you know, they burnt down their town."
We were compelled to retreat; and
terrible march we had had, what with
frost, snow and hunger. II was the 9th
OF November, | say. We had Just fought
the battle of Wanna, and won it OF
course. The Emperor, in his order of
the day, said we had annihiated the
enemy. Still we had to retreat, not be-
fore the Russians-no, we had crushed
them, tell yOu-but before the weather;
1t was terrible. Oh, what frost It
froZe the very marrow in orr bones. Oh,
what snow 1t cut our skins it blinded
us we sank in it to our knees as we
marched We had been en- route since
O'Clock, and 1t was now past noon. An
awful march 1t was. The ground over
which we passed was strewn with our
dead and dying. Not that we saw much
OF the foe-no, those we had not killed
knew too well what they would get if
they came near us. 1t was that terrible
cold and the empty stomachs that did
Tor us. When these made any fall be-
hind the rascally Cossacks, hanging all
around us like n swarm of bees, either
killed and plundered them, or, il they
were Mt all able to walk, stripped them,
and then, tying them to their horses,
made them run at their sides till they
dropped from cold, hunger and fatigue.
"Mauy of the officers and men In my
company had thus persisted All we're
dispirtcd-no song, no shout, no joke,
and, what was worse than all, no grum-
bling Tho sullenness and recklessness
OF utter despair had taken hold of us.
" Our Captain was terrible little
man-not Drawer one than lie in the
whole army. Aud then, you see, we
were all brave. He did not stand more
than SO high" (pointing to his shoulder,
"but he would have his own wayne
made us do it; if he said no, it was no
if yes, then yes; he would not change.
We called him Capt. Tetu, and, my faith!
it was a good name, for lie was obsti-
nate.
=" lie had been n stout, red faced man;
but now, how changed thin, pale and
haggard Nothing could. however,
drive away his look of iirmucss He
was hardly able TO keep up with us; but
he WAS determined not TO give in rs long
us he had life, and so on and still on he
crnwled. lie had wrapped his shoeless
feet in his hanlkerchiefs, which were
now deeply stained with the blood that
oozod from Ais unds. Two or three
time l hal offered him my arm for his
support, but be had refused it angrily.
"'What said lie, do Won think |
can't walk MS we'll as another? Am | a
child? Every one needs all hisstrength
for himself.
"At last he told me if dared to both
cr linn with my olices TO assist him he
would have m punished severely. So
what could do?-he always meant what
he said. Bat, obstinate rs he was. he
could not hold ont any longer. With a
faint cry Of, All. it is all over with me +!
Vlve rEmuereur he fell ON the snow.
- All over, nay Captain? oh, no, not
while Corpora Manchot is here !
"'Why, who Is that? Is that you,
Manchot: Iou are not with your regi-
ment, how Is that? Leave me my bat
ties are all fought. But stay; here, take
my cross and my purse. there is not
much in it. ! wish for her sake there
was more, but the Emperor will not for
get her when you reach France All, la
belle France | shall not see YOU again
Go to NOroppe, near Grenoble there
Won will find an old woman 81 years of
age; it is Madame Marlen, my mother.
Kiss her for me on both cheeks, give her
the purse and cross, and tell her how
died. Vive Ia France Nlve I En-
pereur Now go--IoiI your company
Adieu-go.
"'Not unless I take you with me
Come.
"'Come! How can l come? Foo
that you are, don't YOU see | cannot
walk, or do you think l should be lyins
hereg
a. Nevertheless, come. With that
lifted him on my shoulder.
"'What are you doing? Put IN,
down, tell You; put me down.
"ePut you down? What to lie an,
die on the snow, or to be murdered b,
those thieves of Cossacks and the
stripped? Oh, no, Captain, l shall no
do that: you need not ask me-
"'Impudent rascal that you are
do not ask You, order you disobey m
at your peril.
"'Excuse me, Captain, you need no
trouble yourself to speak. See, you ca
do nothing-you are tosweak to strug
"'What am not to be obeyed? ALI
III survive this day YOU shall suffer fc
it. BY the word of Capt. Tetu 70
shall