Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-01

carry into execution his long-cherished
project of paying flying visit to his
cousin Louise at Trouville; and, re-
pairing on the third day to headQuar-
tiers, reported himself to the colonel Of
the Forty-second Dragons, who re-
ceived him most cordially.
you are dispensed from duty" said
his chief. until you have got your kit
in order. Ma fol, young man. you
have arrived in the very nick OF time.
for before the week is out We shall be
on our way to the front"
On his first appearance at mess, de
Langeais discovered to his astOnish-
ment that every one of his new COM
panions. without exception. was closely
cropped. "A very necessary pre-
caution" said the president, ''in war
time; the less incumbrance We carry
about US the better. A long beard and
as little hair as possible; no comb or
razor wanted, nothing but a simple
'brush-up.'"
Not to MENTION" chimed in an old
campaigner of proverbial badness,
that heavy helmet plays the very
deuce with ones hair"
CASTOR listened with due respect to
these well-meant exhortatiOns, but
without the slightest intention of being
influenced by them; and, on the ar
rival of his division at Metz some days
later had already, more than once,
declined to avail himself Of the services
of the regimental barber.
Nevertheless. he instinctively felt
that continued refusal to conform to
the general custom must inevitably en-
danger his popularity, and that the
only way to atone for this obnoxious
singularity was to distinguish himself
by some exploit which might obtain
for him an honorable mention in the
order of the day.
An opportunity soon came. On the
18th of August his regiment, posted
near St. Private, behind an avenue Of
poplars bordering the road to Saar-
bruck, had been exposed for several
hours to CALLING fire of the German
artillery; and had suffered severely
from an incessant storm of shells,
which were beginning to set the trees
on fire. The position of the French
corps became untenable, and the
colonel, deciding that the enemy s
guns must at any cost be silenced, or
dered a small detachment of dragons
commanded by de Langeais to charge,
and cut them off from the main body.
The Germans, taken by surprise and
imagining they were about to be at
tackled by the entire regiment, ceased
firing and hastily reiterated, leaving
one OF their guns on the field, which
CASTOR. at the head of fifteen men, bore
down upon, and, sabering the gunners,
carried it triumphantly into the French
lines.
'.Bravor' cried the colonel. warmly
grasping the young SUPPLEMENTARY
hands; you have deserved the Cross
for this, and 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 to the camp, and few
days later held his ground for half an
hour, unsupported, save by his own
men, against an entire corps of the
enemy. His gallantry did not pass
unrewarded. 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 regarded as certainty.
At this juncture the unexpected
capitulation of Metz was a severe blow
to him, and unwilling to accept COM
parative liberty on parole, he con-
ceived a project which, although ex-
tremely hazardous, might enable him
to join the Army of the Loire. His de-
sign being approved of by the general
commanding under Bazaine, who in
trusted him with a letter to his col
league, Aurelie de Paladines. inform
ing him that the army of Prince
Frederick Charles would shortly march
toward the Loire, CASTOR exchanged
his uniform for a blouse and a peas
ants straw hat, and carrying basket
of eggs. pursued his way coolly in the
direction of the enemy's lines.
1T is a 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 before the colonel of the regi-
ment, 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?" pur-
sued his interrogation.
Necessity has no choice" retorted
de Langeais with a perfectly indiffer-
ent air.
During this brief colloquy. the Off
GERS glanced curiOusly at the stalwart
individual before them, whose appear
ance and manner contrasted so