St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-05-24
A TERRIBLE REVENGE.

A lEkklBLE KENENGE.
1t was on the eve of the battle O
Solferino. The French regiments,
which had arrived from Milan during
the day. by long and dusty roads. under
a broiling sun, exhausted by fatigue
were encamped on an immense plain
shut in by chain of hills. on which
lowered the white houses of the town
Lightning. playing among the leaden
colored clouds. Illuminated at intervals Is
with luriu light the battlefield of the
morrow. Nothing else lit up the camp.
No fires were allowed, as a measure OF
prudence.
All were not asleep. however Be.
sides the outposts and pickets. many in
camp were wide awake. Here and
there groups of men, lying on the gras.
around their tents, conversed in a low
tone and discussed the probable issue
of the coming battle.
In the middle of a small group oI
officers, who talked over the chances OF
the morrow. was Colonel Eugene dc
Nalmont, who commanded regiment
of light dragons. He had the we'll
earned reputation of being one of the
most splendid officers in his own branch
of the service. Although strict disci-
plinarian, he was beloved in the reyi-
ment by officers and men alike, and
deservedly so.
Colonel de Valmont appeared to pay
but little attention to what was said.
He seemed in proud reverie, rs he
bit, rather than smoked, a &alf con-
sumed cigar. Turning suddenly to his
Surgeon Major, a veteran with 4 WELL
bronzed face. he said:
"Brisac, do you believe in PRESENT.
ments?'
1T depends, Colonel. One may have
them. no doubt: but to admit that they
are ever realized is another matter"
You look upon them as valueless.
devoid of any prophetic importance?'
''Quite so"
"Ah. 1t is true, as is said, that all
you doctors are more or less material
ists.'' After pause, he added: ..You
are right. perhaps. and so much the
better. There are some thoughts which
should be banished on the eve of dav
like what tomorrow promises to be. :"
So saying he got up and added: Il
shall turn in and get some rest and ad-
wise you all to do the same. In a few
hours we shall need all the strength we
can command"
One by one the group broke off and
presently there was left only three Off
cers-the Major, n Captain, and a
sub-Lieutenant
What did the Colonel mean by pre-
sentiments?h asked the Younger of
hnp l. ha ho, fan , L.
tomorrow; vet his manner and his last
words, to say the least, are not reassur-
ing
Had you been longer in the regi-
ment, young fellow. :" replied the Major.
you would know that the Colonel pc
riodically gets the blues;;' but we take
no notice of them. They soon pass, and
he becomes himself again.
.'But what is the cause of his recur-
ring depression"
.'rhe cause?" said the Captain.
why, all the regiment know the
cause"
Except myself. Ionly joined three
months ago."
"Well, here is Brisac back from his
rounds. He can tell the story best"
The Surgeon-Maior being appealed
TO, lay down upon the grass, lit a cigar,
and said:
"'In 1884, De Valmont, appointed
Lieutenant in the Chasseurs d'Afrique,
which had just been raised, landed in
AlgierS. where l was assistant surgeon
attached to the military hospital.
Though I was older than he, we soon
struck up an acquaintance that ripened
into friendship, which time has not i'm
paired. Eugene was young. good
looking ana . man of fascinating man.
ners. He came of distinguished fam
ilv. and his friends kept his purse well
filled: in short he could get money as
fast as he wished to spend it.
1--WE served three years together,
when De Nalmont got leave 10 exchange
and return to France. His mother was
the cause of this. for she had in view
for him a marriage with rich heiress.
Leaving Algiers would have been all
plain sailing except for bidding fare
well to certain lady called La Sever
ina, danseuse at the theater. In ap-
pearance she was decidedly handsome.
of an olive-colored complexion and with
raven black hair. In her large eN-
pressive eyes and in her firmly cut
mouth there was significant iadica-