The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-02-09

y LooS,
stood on n little porch which was clothed
In roses, her eyes made brighter by the wei
tears, who watched for some one who
marched with the dusty soldiery down th,
street.
Who was It, you sayP Bonhomme is ouI
hero In this tale Of truth-but her damr
e es watched for that rascal, Maurice
Rochfort.
or course Bonhomme was there. He
was colonel. He resembled Napoleon,
and should haye been made marshal, but
with my friend he would have preferred to
have been sueler, as we term IL.
He would rather serve valorously in cut
ting salt pork and weighing beans. But
his warlike remarks, his frenzy for blood,
uttered or innpmerable occasions, in truth.
before every jury he ever talked AD-for he
talways talked of his talent for war caused
him, above all Others. to be made colonel
of the regiment.
Maurice Rochfort was a private under
him.
They marched from town, our gallant
Bonhomme in gilt and lace and Maurice in
heavy shoes and plain uniform.
The rattle of drums, the ahrill fife, the
cheers aud noise brought all the people of
Morges to the streets. Every house was
Lenantless. The flag of France fioated high
in the wind. Tears, smiles and cheers
greeted it.
Onward they went--out of town. The
brown curls of dust swept over and around
them. The flag even could scarcely be dis.
cerned.
The reople cheered, and with each cheer
their hearts wept Their sons and hus-
bands went forth--when would they returnp
| Here is our hero. He watches the vine
clad porch. Marie is there.
Il will male her the queen of France"
he says audibly She waves her hand
But she still watches. The regiment is al
most past.
figure Maurice "a kiss from her
finger tips-a dozen. He rushes from the
tramping ranks-a kiss, rose pinned on
his soldier coat-damp eyes--then back
again to the ranks.
She watches. The dust and distance
covers them. The music grows faint
the are gone.
War, war has commenced.
Morges is now surrounded by the troops
of the enemy. But gallant decision. |
that of our hero Bonhomme. has been
hastily sent TO check the foe.
Eyes brighten and the hearts of Morres |
beat strong and bold, even If the eEemv |
are at the door.
Can they hold the Germans for two days
whose progress now points on to Parisp
Bonhomme the valorous! Bonhomme
the bravel Bonhomme was there in lace |
and gaudv apaulets of war. The village !
knew that he was hero for he had told
them so a hundred times Let a million
Germans beseige the town, what cared
they. Bonhomme was with them.
In truth Bonhomme since his entering
service had spent his time in port and gar
rison duty. and as yet his nostrils were
uhuoCu w . SuiOhC anu Ills ears 10 |
the rattle of musketrY.
He was of The opinion which, by the
wav, is held b. numbers of heroic men
hat, 'he who fights and runs away, ma
live to fight another day."
He was waiting for some great battle, a
decisive contest wherein he could, With
one fell, sweep shatter regiment, cavalr.
aud cannon at blow. This is the sort of
a battle gallant Bonhomme wanted. He
did not wish to expose his person, so laden
with destiny for the good of France, to the
cruel fire of little insignificant battles.
But Morges was surroundeda
Bonhomme, even with orders to push
through the then weak lines of the enemy.
hesitated.
What was Morges-a village. Ah, had
it been Paris, then our heroic, gilt-laced
hero would have made sortie that would
cause the world to pause in amazement.
He hesitated.
The environment grew stronger, ami at
night time the winds waited the strains of
the "Watch on the Rhine to the excited
and patriotic people of Morges.
At last day came.
Would Morges surrender in Two hours?
IL not, an assault would be made.
The feeble town was indignant. Sur
render, neverl Let them make a charge
Bonhomme was with them.
Again came the order to Bonhomme, cut
through the surrounding enemy and b.
rapid marches join Mcmahon.
But an hour now remained. No answer
came from the gallant Bonhomme, who
was closeted with himself aud number OF
bottles of wine devisiug plans for future
campaigns.
The hour elapsed. On came the Ger
mans. Bonhomme became suddenly
md turned the command over to thu next
hfficer in rank.
The Germans moved toward the city, ,bui
we're met with determined aud brave re-
'islsnce. Have you ever witnessed battle
where men with glaring eyes and sci
mouths, and dust-begriInmed faces were
struggling in a whir of smoke, intent upon
he shedding of human blood.
The passions Of the people were aroused
They resisted the Germans with a wild and
laring impetuosity tn ! made them blind
To ever thing-resistance, deah to the
Germans, and defence of Morges was the
only thought Clouds of smoke, rattle of
muskelry, groans of the dying, filled the
,ir; women with babies in their arms hur-
ried excitedly back and forth. People WHO
we're quiet a week before were transformed
10 davils and iiaers Even Iha Ynnirn