Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-09-30
NUMBER 81.
THE ESTAFETTE.
A biyouac in Tonkin.

the advance guard of the expeditionary
column, has halted at the approach of
night.
The little troop-drenched by the fine,
close rain which has never ceased to
fall since morning, worn out with IA
tigue, all with empty stomachs-has
drawn rein upon hillock which over
looks the rice fields and the bamboos.
"Quartermaster" calls peremptory
voice.
One of the military cloaks moves,
shakes, rises up; and the non-commis-
stoned officer thus aroused from slumber
stands awaiting orders. touching his
right temple with his fingers.
1.-TWO volunteers for dangerous mis-
sion."
In the twinkling of an eye the entire
detachment springs to its feet. The
word dangerous has tempted every
body. and every hand is lifted, waving
in air.
''Since all are willing, we must
choose" observed the officer, staff
Captain. Select from the right of the
column"
The two men chosen advance.
us
adding some instructions in a low voice.
The destination of both couriers is the
same, but the paths they will follow are
different. If one falls the other may ar
rive in safety.
The officer points to the plain. Across
it is the route of the first messenger,
who salutes his chief hastily, mounts
his horse, and disappears.
The other courier must cross the
mountain. But the night is black, and
explanations of the route are difficult to
comprehend in this unknown country.
Mount and follow me-" the Captain
orders. From the hight / can point
out the route to YOU"
The rain had stopped.
Under the night the two horsemen
urged their painting steeds at walk up
the steep and stony slope that overlooks
the encampment. The moon had risen,
Illuminating the far-gleaming and rain
drenched country with sad uncertain
light.
"You understands observed the
peremptory voice of the Captain. 1.-THE
dispatch must be given to the General
himself He is waiting for our arrival
to begin the attack. He must know we
are there"
"All right Captain" replied the
courier; sit will be done"
And the silence of the two men, brok-
en- for a moment recommended; there
was no sound but the Gathering of the
horses feet as their iron-shod hoofs
struck the pebbly soil.
Thoughtfully the Captain observed
the young soldier, who had unconscious
ly suffered his horse to gain a pace in
advance of that of his chief He noticed
the strong ruddy neck of the young
man, and the thickly-set. fair hair
cropped short according to regulation
which curled about his nape. With his
broad sloping shoulders, his sinewy
back clearly and boldly outlined under
the uniform, his muscular limbs well
gripping the sides of the horse. he pre-
sented the purest type of that fine, Wig
orous, healthy French race whose de-
scendants are steadily degenerating un-
der the influence of the city debauch
and enervation which are gradually
creeping even into the country.
"Where are you from?" the officer
asked.
"From Guerigny, on the Loire, close
to Nevers. Captain" answered the
trooper.
The officer looked up.
81 suppose you know the place, Cap
tain" continued the trooper. "At least
l suppose you have been stationed at
Neversl There is cavalry garrison
there"
"Yes, there is" responded the Captain.
"That is so! And how old are you?"
Il will be 81 next Saint Martins day"
''Any brothers or sisters?"
mo. Captain; am an only son."
''Ahi Then your mother must have
suffered great deal at your depart
ureP"
81 have no mother, Captain. She
died when / was quite child, so that /
might almost say never knew her"
as your father oldP''
Il have no father either" replied the
young man, becoming suddenly more
serious.
"What? Is he dead tooP"
al don't know" answered the soldier
in low voice s'He went away before
was born and l do not bear his name"
'Ahr' exclaimed the Captain sudden
ly. Then in a gentle voice he added,
pardon me!''
There is nothing to excuse, Cap
TAIN, said the young man sadly. "You
could not have known! Until l was 10
years old did not know myself. Then
one day at the village school one of my
playmates during quarrel called me
bastard did not understand; but
knew from his tone that he intended
to insult me; and, rs | was not a cow
ard. jumped at him, although he was
stronger than me. In the evening /
asked my parents-at least those cali
ed papa and mamma-what that word
meant which | had not understood.
They looked at each other, and after a
moments hesitation papa SAID, as l was
10 years old and getting to be big boy,
that | must learn the truth.
''Well, exclaimed the Captain, ''and
what was the TRUTH"
'.Just about what have already told
you MYSELF Captain-that my father
had abandoned my mother, and that
she had died of grief two years after
bringing me into the world, leaving me
to the care of my grandparents.
Poor boyr' said the officer, becoming
suddenly pensive. And he repeated in
whisper to himself, Poor boyr'
Then mechanically changing his
tone, and addressing the young man
with almost unconscious respect, he
addedi
"And you must bate that man-your
fatherph
mo. pity him. II i have had no
father, he has had no child"
"How do you know" questioned the
officer. "Do you know who he isP''
Not any more than / ever did," the
soldier answered. but my grandpar-
ents told me his history without ever
telling me his name; and / know that
he has not been happy. And still, he
was not bad man-it was all due to
his mothers influence"
"His mother?" brusquely cried the
Captain, rising up in his saddle.
See anything, Captain" demanded
the courier, grasping his rifle and
searching the long road with his keen
glance. ''In the bushes-was it?"
mo, no." answered the chief at
was only my horse that started at the
reflection of the moon in pool of wa
ter. And YOU were saying it was all
his mothers fault?"
so it seems. He was of a noble
family and wealthy; and, nevertheless,
he wanted to marry the woman who's
| :. aroo.;ar, i,a Had oraiuad and who was