The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-03-17
THE ITTTLE TTDETTF.

LII 1oOuJ uullib LAo WA lVl SAV ADoA"
ton OF Iombardy, few days after the
battle Of solferino and San Martino, won
by the French and Italians over the
Austrians, on beautiful morning in the
month Of June, a little band Of cavalry
of saluzzo was proceeding at slow pace
along q retired path in the direction Of
the enemy, and exploring the country
attentively. The troop was commanded
by an officer and sergeant, and all
were gazing into tho distance ahead Of
them with eyesfxed, silent and prepared
ut any moment to see the uniforms OF
the enemies advance posts CLEAN white
before them through the trees. In this
order they arrived at rustic cabin sur
rounded by ash trees, in front OF which
stood solitary boy, about IL years old,
who was removing the bark from small
branch with knife, in order to make
himself stick OF it. From one window
OF the little house aoated large tri-col-
ored flag. There was no one inside,
The peasant had fed after hanging out
the flag, for fear Of the Austrians. AS
soon rs the lad saw the cavalry he flung
aside his stick and raised the flag. He
was handsome boy, with bold face
and large blue eyes and long golden hair.
He was in his shirt sleeves and his breast
was bare.
"What are You doing here" the off,
Ger asked him, refining in his horse.
"Why did you not fee with your fam
ilyi% " s,u, - ,,m,,v y .,,i tbo how az
am ionndling. / do little work for
everybody. ! remained here to SEQ the
war;
"iTave you seen any Austrians passf'
"No, not for these three days"
The officer paused awhile and thought.
Then he leaped from his horse, and
leaving his soldiers there with their
faces TO the foe, he mounted to the roof,
The house was low. From the roof only
a small tract Of country was visible, "It
will be necessary to climb the trees"
said the officer, and descended. Just in
front OF the garden plot rose n very
slender and lofty ash tree, which was
rocking its crest in the azure. The Off
Ger stood briefspace in thought, gazing
now at the tree and then at the soldiers,
Then saddenly he asked the lad, us
your sight good, you monkeyW
sNiine2'' replied the hoy, VI can spy
young sparrow mile away"
F'Are you good for a climb to the tor
OF this troeW
ITO the top Of this tree, II will be
| up there in half minute"
| 'Hl ,,n,, ha nl,1n % ln11 ttNo Efyh al
you sec up there, If there arc Austrian
soldiers in that direction, clouds Of dust
cleaning guns, horsesW
Certainly shall,
'NWhRt do you demand for this ser
"What do demand?" said thc-lad
smiling, "Nothing. A fine thing thai
would be, indeed And then, II It vert
for the Germans, would not do 1t OF
any terms. But for our men! / am
Lombardn
"Good! Then up with you'll"
"Wait a moment till l take OFF m!
shoes"
He pulled off his shoes, frightened tn
girth Of his trousers, flung his cap on th
grass and clasped the trunk Of the ash
'sTake care now" exclaimed the Off
cdr, making movement TO hold hin
back, rs though seized with a suddel
terror. -,
The boy turned to look at him, will
his handsome blue eyes, as though in
mo matter" said the officer. 'ul
with you'll"
Up went the lad like q cat,
"Keep watch ahead, shouted tho off
Ger to the soldiers.
In a few moments the boy was at tn
top OF the tree twined round the trunl
with his legs among the leaves, but hi
body displayed to view, and the su
beating down on his blond head, whic
seemed to be OF gold. The officer coul
hardly see him, SO small did he seem u
there.
'Look straight ahead and far away,
shouted the officer.
The lad, in order TO see better, remove
his right hand front tree, and shade
bis eyes with it,
"What do you see 2" said the officer.
Tho boy inclined his head toward hir
and making speaking trumpet of h
hand, replied, 1.-TWO men on horsebat
on the white road"
AT what distance from hcre2"
"Hali a mile"
7 care they moving|
'They are standing STILL"
"What else do you see?' asked Il
!; Officer, after amomentary silence. "LoC
Il to the right"
Il The boy looked to the right. Thu
A he said, "Near the cemetery, among d
2 trees, there is something glittering.
: seems to be bayonets;'
= "Do you see men !,
q "No; they must be concealed in u
Y. grain"
d, AT that moment the sharp whiz Of
lIa, bullet messed high up in the air O