The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-01-19

Il 0lCC oCaA0S ClAC NliC-Oid0 SAipe,C VI
N. 1t is very small place.
Many summers ago was rather of
an invalid, and when chanced in my
travel to light upon this rustic Area
dia, my feet were 10th to leave, and
before long I found myself duly in
stalled beneath the root of it's vener-
able pastor.
One evening, ss we were seated in
his pleasant study, my eyes fell upon
two objects which struck me as novel
decorations for the room of a peace
able war-detesting clergyman.
They were a tiny golden star and a
large cross OF iron, hung side by side
on square black velvet.
Could my host have had and lost
son? / thought; and would it be
proper for me, by questioning him, to
perhaps run the risk of re-opening the
old wound?
He had evidently noticed my look
of curiosity and my subsequent hesi-
tation, tor l saw his eyes suddenly
turn and fix themselves upon the
medals, while an expression of pain
contracted his brow.
"Do not speak OF them, sir, if it will
cause you pain," I FASTENED to say.
But his face had cleared as quickly
as it had clouded.
"Why not?" he said. "They be-
longed to one OF Gods noblest heroes!
I should like to tell you their history,
if you care to listen.''
So, nothing 10th, 1 prepared myself
to hear the story.
cit was at the time" he began
"when the bravest and best of my
beautiful France were called forth to
swell the forces of Napoleon. and to
fight for their native land. In this
village lived a. youth OF a handsome
tace and manly presence, named
Pierre Lavelle. He was my favorite
pupil. I was the first to guide his in
FAINT mind into the paths of knowledge;
and as he grew to manhood the love
between us was like unto that of
parent and child.
"In the cottage you see from the
window dwelt a maiden-the fairest
in all the country round; and it was
not strange that, growing up together,
both so young, and good, and beauti-
full all attachment should spring up
between Pierre and Marguerite.
"She was we'll named; for as the
daisy is modest and sweet, so was
she, and was pleased with Pierre's
choice, as was everyone who knew
and took an interest in the lovers.
At length the joyous bridal-day was
fixed. But within a week of its ap-
proach a proclamation came. herald
ed by drum and martial stir; end
with tear.streaming eyes the old
mother of Pierre, accompanied by his
lovely bethrothed, came to tell me,
what learned later from Pierre him.
self, that he had been drafted for five
years.
''The day of his departure arrived.
Marguerite clung to him despairingly,
while the old mother wrung her
hands, and /, who loved him as we'll,
in the midst of their grief had to try
and conceal my own emotions and
bid him brave God speed!'
ut was hard struggle; but at last
Pierre disengaged himself from his be-
trothed's s embrace, and held her a mo-
ment from him, looking into her face.
Five years is a long, long time,
my Marguerite; but years will never
dim my love for you
'sHe placed her in her mothers
Love and comfort each other
he said, until I return
''Then grasping my hand, while a
mans bitter tears coursed one after
another down his face, he exclaimed:
"'My good friend. I leave my treas
nres in your care. l cannot say more.
Farewell
"He had gone-the light OF my eyes,
the staff of his widowed parent, and a
young girls first love. Such is war!
"rwo years glided by, filled with
battles-some lost and some won.
We often had news Of Pierre, and one
day a joyous throng approached my
door and called me to come out and
hear the glad tidings. Pierre was
home; he had leave Of absence for a
few days, as his regiment was station.
ed near his native village.
"Of course, with hasty feet flew to
the cottage where / knew should find
him. Marguerite met me, her eyes
like twin stars, radiant with gladness.
Following her, I soon saw the erect
soldierly figure of my young friend.
Only three more years. he said,
as he again left us. Cheer up, my
loved ones; God will be good and re-
unite us all again!'
1.-TWO of them went by. They
brought great changes. Pierre's aged
mother had passed away, blessing
with her last breath her absent son
and the sweet girl whose ministrations
had soothed her dying hours.
sThen came news that Pierre had
won his epaulets, and with them q
golden star for his courage and PROV
ess, which, at the moment of seeming
ly certain defeat, had changed the tor-
tune OF his regiment to victory.
"How proud we all werel
"Still another battle; and then-oh,
then came crushing intelligence Our
brave young soldier, ths winner Of
the Star Of Honor, had been killed.
"Ehen, from time to time. shattered
veterans, wounded and manned for
life, passed through our village, seek
ing their homes only to die"
Did you know q youth named
Pierre Lavellep' asked Of one. The
tears sprang TO his eyes, and as with
his only hand he dashed them away,