Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-09-18

Manu. you nave deserved the cross Tor
this, and I will take care that you get
it,"
Stimulated by this first success and
eager to justify by some further act Of
daring the good opinion of his chief, de
Langeais neglected no opportunity Of
proving himself worthy of it. Dis
patched on foraging expedition and
attacked by an outpost of infantry, he
completely routed them and brought
ten prisoners into the camp; and few
days later held his ground for half an
hour, unsupported, save by his own
men, against the entire corps of the
enemy. His gallantry did not pass un-
rewarded. Not only was the cross of
the Legion of Honor conferred on him.
but his name was three times mentioned
for exceptional bravery in the order of
the day, and his speedy promotion to
the rank of lieutenant was generally re-
garded as a certainty.
At this juncture the unexpected cap
itulation of Metz was severe blow to
him, and, unwilling to accept compare
tive liberty on parole, he conceived a
project which, although extremely haz-
ardous, might enable him to join the
army of the Loire. His design being
approved of by the general commanding
under Bazaine, who intrusted him with
letter to his colleague, Aurelie de Phal-
adines, informing him that the army of
Prince Frederick Charles would shortly
march toward the Loire, CASTOR ex-
changed his uniform for blouse and a
PEASANTS straw hat, and carrying bas-
ket of eggs, pursued his way coolly in
the direction Of the enemy's line.
"It is terrible risk he thought,
"but better be shot at once than rot in
a German prison."
Challenged by the first man he met,
and arrested on suspicion, he was taken
be lore the colonel of the regiment, who
surrounded by his officers in council,
scrutinized the prisoner attentively.
Where do you come from?" he in
quired in tolerable French.
From Ladonchamps, on my way
with these eggs to Grigy," was the
young mans reply.
"Are you aware that you run the risk
of being treated as a spy ?" pursued his
interrogation.
Necessity has no choice" retorted
de Langeals with perfectly Indifferent
air.
During this colloquy the officers
glanced curiously at the stalwart indi-
vldual before them, whose appearance
and manner contrasted so strangely
Will VIC uIOSS uO WOT0j anu
were almost unanimously of the col
onel's openly expressed opinion, that
he was no peasant, but an officer in dis
guise, and consequently spy. A pause
bOdlng no good to the accused ensued,
and in another moment his fate would
have been sealed, when q graY-haired
major, who had been 1ntently gazing at
de Langeais, suddenly rose from his
seat.
"Stay," he exclaimed, with all SUBJ
mission, l think you are mistaken.
This man, whoever he may be, is no Of
fcer. All those we have taken prison
ers have been close cropped, and no ore
ever heard of French soldier on active
service with such a head of hair as
that
"True, the major is right" assented
several Of those present"
half convinced, land in that case he is
entitled to the benefit of the doubt.
Give him pass, and let him 60 and be
hanged somewhere else"
"a narrow escape" muttered CASTOR
to himself, as he left the camp. 81
wonder what Bouchard would say if he
knew it."
A week later our hero reached his
destination and delivered his credentials
to the general in command, by whom
the grade of lieutenant was Immediate
ly conferred upon him. At the conclu-
sion of the campaign be was promoted
to the captaincy, and in 1871, after the
total rout of the Commune, married his
cousin Louise. In the following year.
while on leave in Paris, he came across
his old enemy, Bouchard, on the Boule-
ward des Italiens.
bHOw COOS If with Won oO aaRad fh q
latter. as they were slipping their
absinthe together.
Admirably" replied CASTOR. "Here
am /, a captain at %, Chevalier of the
Legion of Honor, and the husband of a
charming wife; and all this-no thanks
to you, by the way, Bouchard-because
7 saved NV hair