The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-01-16

Cheer upon cheer rent the air, and
aged men and brave women shed tears as
they watched the long column, composed
of sons and husbands and brothers march
toward the field of battle.
There was one girl-Marie Clarin-
who stood on a little porch which was
clothed in roses, her eyes made brighter
by the wet of tears and watched for
some one who marched with the dusty
soldiery down the street.
Who was it, you say2 Bonhomme is
our hero in this tale of truth-but her
Maurice Rockfort.
OF course Bonhomme was there. He
was Colonel He resembled Napole n,
and should have been Marshal, but
with my friend, he would have preferred
to have been sutler, as we term it.
He would rather serve valorously in
cutting salt pork and weighing beans.
But his war.like remarks, his frenzy for
blood, uttered on innumerable occasions,
in truth, before every Jury he ever talked
to-for he always talked of his talent for
war-caused him, above all Others, to be
made Colonel of the regiment.
Maurice Rockfort was private under
him.
They marched from town, our valiant
Bonhomme in gilt and lace and Maurice
in heavy SHOES and plain uniform.
The rattle of drums, the shrill fife, the
cheers and noise brought all the people
of Morges to the streets. Every house
was tenantless The flag of France floated
high in the W nd. Tears, smiles and
cheers greeted it.
Onward they went-out Of town. The
brown curls of dust swept over and
around them. The flag could scarcely
be discerned.
The people cheered, and with each
cheer their hearts wept. Their sons
and husbands went forth-when would
they return.
Here is our hero. He watches the
vine.clad porch. Marie is there.
81 will make her the Queen of
France" he says audibly. She waves
her hand. But she still watches. The
regiment is almost past
A fgure-Maurice kiss from her
finger tips "a dozen. lie rushes from
the trampling ranks "A kiss, rose
pinned on his soldier coat damp eyes
then back again to his ranks.
She watches. The dust and distance
cover them The music grows faint
they are gone.
War, war has commenced.
# 81
Morges is now surrounded by the
troops of the enemy. But a gallant
division, that of our hero B0nhomme,
has been hastily sent to check the foe.
Eyes brighten and the hearts of
the enemy are at the door.
Can they hold the Germans for two
days, whose progress now points to
Paris,
Bonhomme the valorous. Bonhomme
the bravt! Bonhomme was there in
lace and gaudy epaulets of war. The
village knew that he was hero, for he
had told them so hundred times. Let
million Germans besiege the town,
what cared they. Bonhomme was with
them.
In truth Bonhomme since his enter
ing service had spent his time in port
and garrison duty, and as yet his nostrils
were unused to cannOn's smoke and his
ears to the rattle of musketry.
He was of the opinion which, by the
way, is held by numbers of heroic men
that, "he who lives and runs away,
may live to fight another day"
lie was waiting for some great battle,
a decisive contest wherein he could,
with one fell sweep, shatter regiment,
cavalry and cannon at blow. This is
the sort of battle gallant Bonhomne
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 surrounded.
Bonhomme, even with orders to push
the bhen weak lines of the enemy, hest
lated
What was Morges-a village. All,
had it been Paris, then our heroic, gilt
laced hero would have made a sortie that
would cause the world to pause IN
amaZement.
He hesitated.
The environment grew stronger, and
at night time the winds waited the
strains of the "Watch on the Rhine to
the excited and patriotic people of
Morges.
At last the day came.
Would Morges surrender in two
hours' If not, an assault would be
made.
The feeble town was indignant. Sur
render, never Let them make a charge.
Bonhomme was with them.
Again came the order TO Bonhommc:
"Cut through the surrounding enemy
and by rapid marches join Mcmahon n
But an hour now remained. No answer
came from gallant Bonhomme, who was
closeted with himself and a number of
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