The Osceola times., 1884-11-22
TEE MUTE.

sHaye nothing TO do with them. Dur
ing the war tney treated the Prussians
better than they treated us. TIE sharp
shooters hated them worse than they
hated the plague"
"You are wrong, my good fellow. said
Pierre Nerot " no was leaning against the
msptel.
An! you know b-tter than l3' asked
Charles.
"Yes. An occasion arose recently
which proved to me that during that
terrible year true French hearts throb-
bed under the blouse as well as under
the uniform
There were eight OF ten in number of
the circle grouped about Pierre Nerot.
"A storyp they all cried.
Last summer" said Nerot, Il was
with an oldeollege friend, Dubreuil, who
had established himseltas physician at
his home in little place in the Nosges.
We had risen from tn, table one day and
were about TO 90 for walk in neigh
boring wood. Dubreui had lighted his
pipe and my cigar, and We were already
on the steps when the sound of footsteps
made us turn our heads. There is the
postman, said my companion. Wait
for me a second; have letter to give
him. let it up stairs ON my bureau
SAY ing this he re-entered the house.
81 looked at he new conner. He was
q young man of twenty six or twenty
seven years, apparently of pleasant ye'
energetic disposition. with an open
coun,enanoe and bright glance. When
he saw me he inclined his head slightly
in salutstion. 'Ah.' | said to myself,
this is not garrulous person. He does
not even say good day. Then address
inc. sal;
''It is hard work, is ii not, running
about this warn. weather.
"He nodded his head in assent. All,
thought, he does not know how TO
speak. The young man read my surprised
looks. He smiled, somewhat sadly, and
then, putting two fingers to his lips, he
shook his head. This time | understood.
"'You are dumb, my poor fellow
said.
AT this moment Dubreuil returned
with his letter in his hand. He had
heard my question.
"'Yes,' he said. he is dumb, poor Jean
Barrot. But that does not prevent him
from performing his duties well, since he
can read and write and can hear all that
is said to him
Then he was not bern dumb, as he
is not deair"
"'No, he was not born dumb
"'D.d he become SO by accident"
Accident is, perhaps, not the right
word. Is it Jeanr
Toe young man smiled in an emhar-
rsssed manner. He extended his hand
for the letter which Ddbreuil held, The
The latter laughed.
"'Ah, my boy, that annoys you. You
know am gong to tell your story and
you 10 not wish TO remain TO hear it.
Very well, will no, deIain YOU. will
not tell it ull you have gone
"And Dibreuil, giving him the letter,
pressed his hand warmly.
"rhe young man saluted US, turned his
back, and departed with long strides.
Theu Dabreuil took my arm ana told
ME the following story, as he led me to-
ward the wood whose verdure seemed
to slumbef in the white light Of the
August sun;
Jean Rarrot, he informed me, WAS
ffteen years old a little before the break
ing out Of the war. His father. already
old. lived with his tvs sons in an old
house in the corner Of the field. Jean
was the younger Of the two brothers.
Louis being ten years his senior. Jean
being too young TO fight remained at
home. LOUIS departed with his reei-
ment. He fought well in two or three
engagements. Bat he also rendered
other services. Knowing the country
well he asked the perilous privilege Of
bearing dispatches across the German
lines ths, separated the army Of Metz
from the rest Of France. Three times
already he had accomplished that dan.
rerous journey. and old Bsrrot, whom
his son hsi. without doubt, visited some
dark night, WAS unable 20 hold his
tongue and told OF Louis exploits every.
where, 50 that the Prussisns, who had
held that part Of the country for several
months quietly kept watch Of bis hut,
believing that some dsy they would
make good capture.
And it happened lust ss they had
forseen. 0ne evening when Louis had
arrived and was talking with his father
in a corner Of the kitchen without light
heavy footsteps were heard outside and
the door was suddenly battered with the
butt end OF muskets. Ii was too dark
for the father snd son TO see each others
pale iaoe, but they joined hands in the
darkness and elasped each otherina con-
vulsive embrace. The house WAS sur
rounded; they were lost.
Presently, Louis called his brother in
4 low voice.
jean he said come here. Try to