The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-03-05
IN DEFENSE OF HONOR.

In 1914. At Mesnil-sous-Bois, in Cham
pagne.
In the little living-room of the pres
bytery. where the closing day-a
gloomy and cold one of April-gave
only a doubtful light, Mdlle. Lys the
niece OF the abbe, was arranging in the
bottom of the armure a surplice and
other clerical garments.
From the street there came up vague
sounds of calling voices, and through
the mist, like shifting fires passed the
unsteady CLEANS of moving lanterns.
All at once. in front of the house,
the pavement resounded to the tramp
of many horses; the door-knocker,
rudely sounded, made glasses shake,
and the voice of Jean Bigorne, the
sacristan, was heard by the young girl,
mingled with the clinking of spurs and
confusion of sabers dragging over the
pavement of the corridor.
She raised herself, frightened, when
the door was suddenly opened by the
sacristan. Two men crowded past him,
and he cried out, choking with anger:
''Ah, the beggars! the scoundrels!''
jean, what is it?" she asked.
What is it? 1t is the Cossacks,
medemoisellem and pushing forward
he stopped, seized one of the heavy sill
yer candlesticks from a table, and stood
straight again.
1T is also true that they call me Jean
Bigorne, ex-sergeant of the Twelfth
Dragons, wounded by a bayonet at
Arcola, by saber stroke at Lutzen,
almost killed at Marengo, and nearly
buried at jena, and 1 do not advise YOU
to advance, you others
Let them be, Jean, let them be-
said Mdlle. Lys, very pale.
Let them be? But mademoiselle,
the abbe would never forgive me. 1t
is not alone that this is Gods house
lot of brigands that you are-it is the
church of M. Chanteloup, and because
he is cure now it does not hinder that
he was always my commander and got
no hurt from you under the Emperor"
One of the men advanced to repulse
Jean.
"A thousand thunders!" roared the
sacristan; If YOU tonch me"
One hand was raised to strike when
the grave voice of Able Chanteloup
asked:
well, what are you doing: SER
geant?"
Monsieur Abbe-my commander"
Il have cautioned you not to swear
such oaths. 1t is the habit of the regl-
ment which you must lose in the
service of God. What do these men
want?" asked the able.
The officer has billet of lodgment
here for the night. A lodging
miserym
''It is well; give him a chamber"
And which one, thenPn
Mine" said the abbe.
Jean bowed his head and growled
something between his teeth. The
officer started to follow him to a room,
when gesture of the able detained
him.
do you understand French? Yes?
Then word, pray. The AN who
receives you has been soldier, as you
are. He was five years a commander
in the guard, and would be still if a
ball had not shattered two fingers at
Wagram-"
And the abbe showed his right hand,
which had lost its middle fingers.
Not being able longer to aid the
country with my sword, 1 have thought
might still aid it with the cross. l
was educated in profound Christian
sentiments, and have become a priest
And my ministry commands me to be
| to-day, between you and the country to
which you come an enemy, and inter-
mediary of peace and Cancellation.
| Enter, Monsieur. You are in a home
of man without defense. My poor
Jean is an old man, and my niece
come forward, Lys-is only child.
Before God, who pardons and Furnishes.
1 put my honor under the protection OF
your honor as a soldier. Welcome,
Monsieurr'
In the evening, near 10 o'clock,
Mdlle. Lys retired to her chamber.
The Cossack officer had not yet re-
turned to the house from the village
through which his men were billeted,
although the most of them looked in at
the tavern, when Bigorne came to tell
the able that a man, dripping rain
and covered with mud, had just ar
rived from two leagues away through
the woods to ask that the abbe should
90 to his house, where his mother lay
at the point of death and needed the
last consolation of the church.
Il will CO." said the abbe.
Jean Bigorne looked at him.
..But, monsieur abbe," said he, ',you
| can not tnlnK OF gong dt SUCH Ill
hour. The roads are bad, it rains like
a benediction and is so black there thai
the devil goes with his tail down, my
commander"
"Give me my hat" replied the abbe
''But it is not Gods will! You viii
meet those brigands at all corners o
the woods, not counting that evi
officer that you leave here. Surely il
is not prudent, Monsieur Able, it l.
not prudent"
Are you not here?" replied thu
abbe ''And he has not returned thi
evening, and may be on duty all night
For the rest, I will be back in TIVE
hours. Prepare the holy oil, and tel
Janmot at the tavern to saddle hors
for me. 1t is the good God who call
me to that friend who is going to Him
Co."
1T is enough, my commander" sai'
Jean resignedly,
1t was on the stroke of midnight whe
nnA Ia