The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-11-29
A LOST BATTLE.

ud dye allu Adu ilitcotu Tue IItteoAnS nlknN
with their lnapsacks on their backs be-
meath the drenching rain. the soldiers
were exhausted. Nevertheless for three
mortal hours they had been kept wait
ing. with grounded arms, in the pud-
dies of the highways and the mud Of the
soaked fields
Overcome with fatigue aud loss Of
sleep, their uniforms heavy with water,
they huddled together to keep warm, TO
who slept AS they stood leaning on their
neighbor's knspsacke. and WEAKNESS and
privation were best pictured on those
unbent faces abandoned to slumber.
Rain. mud, no fire. no soup. black and
threatening sky, and the enemy on all
sides, II was wretched.
What were they doing there? What
was taking place?
The cannon, their muzzles pointed to-
ward the woods, had the air Of Watching
something The masked lnitraiIleuses
stared 6xedly at the horizon. Every
thing seemed ready for an attack. Why
did they not attack? For what were
they waiting2
They were waiting for orders, and the
headquarters did not send them.
The headquarters, however. were not
far distant They were at a handsome
chateau in the style of Louis XIII, the
red bricks of which, washed by the rain,
glistened on the hillside among the trees.
It was truly princely dwelling, and
well worthy OF bearing the banner of a
marshal of France. Behind great ditch
and a stone railing which separated
them from the highway the grassplats
ran straight up to the steps of the man
sion, even and green. and bordered with
vases Of flowers.
On the other side, the private side Of
the chateau the hedge was full of lumi-
nous gaps; the pond in which swans
were swimming stretched out like a
mirror; and beneath the pagoda shaped
roof of an immense avialy sending forth
shrill cries into the foliage. peacocks and
golden pheasants beat their wings and
spread their tails.
Although the proprietors had departed,
nothing there indicated the racklessness,
the overwhelming desolation of war.
The orifiamme Of the chief OF the army
had preserved everything. even to the
meanest flowers Of the grass plats, aud
it was something impressive to find so
near the field Of battle the opulent calm
ness which arises from orderly arrange.
ments, from straight rows Of trees and
from the silent depths Of avenues.
The rain, which filled the Highways
with such wretched mud and plowed
such deep burrows, was there but an ele-
CANT, aTistocratic shower. Frightening
the red bricks and the green Of the grass
plats, adding gloss to the leaves of the
orange trees and the white plumage of
the swans. Everything shone-every
thing was still, Verify, without the flag
which was flying from the Ieak of the
roof. without the two soldiers on guard
before the grating, never could one have
believed it the military headquarters
The horses were reposing in the stables
Here and there one met grooms, or
derlies in undress uniform lounging in
the vicinity Of the kitchens, or some gar
dener in red pantaloons TRANQUILITY draw
ing his rake through the gravel Of the
principal walks.
The dining hall the windows Of which
opened upon the steps. displaying a table
half cleared away, uncorked bottles,
soiled and empty drinking vessels, look
ing wan on the rumpled cloth-all the
fag end Of dinner deserted by the
| guests. In an adjoining apartment was
heard the sound Of voices. of laughter,
Of rolling billiard balls, OF climbing glass
es. The marshal was playing his game,
and that WAS why the army was await
ing ordere. When the marshal had once
commenced his game the heavens might
fall, but nothing on earth could prevent
him from finishing it.
Billiardsl
The game WAS this great warriors
weakness. He stood there, rs grave rs
in battle. in full uniform, his breast GOV.
cred with decorations, his eyes sparkling
and his eyeballs infiamed by The dinner
the game and his potations His aids
de-camp surrounded him, eager and re-
spectful uttering exclainations Of ad
miration at each OF his shots. When the
marshal made point they all precpi
tated themselves toward the marker
When the marshal was thirsty they al
wished TO prepare his grog. Twas q
crush OF epaulets and plumes, clash Of
crosses and metal tipped shoulder knots
and the sight OF all the agreeable smiles
the fawning. courtier like reverences OF
so much embroidery and 50 many new
uniforms in that lofty oak wainscoted
hall, looking out upon parks aud court
Of honor recalled tho autumns Of Com
piegne and oontrasted strangely with ths
weather stained oveTeoats vainly waiting
along the highways and forming such
sOmber groups beneath the rain.
The marshals opponent was captain
on the staff, belted, with curled haiI
aud light cOlored gloves. who was an ex-
pert at billiards and capable of van
gushing al the marshals in the world
but he knew how to keep at a respectful
distance from his chief. and while he
strove not to win enjaavored not 10 be
beaten too easily, He WAS. as they say,
An officer with q futur' before him.
II Was truly an interesting game. The
balls sped. Kissed ana crossed their col
ore. Suddenly cannon fash shot across
the sky and hollow report made the
window panes rattle. The officers started
and looked at each other uneasily, The
marshal alone had seen nothing, had
heard nothing. Bent over the billiard
table he was combining magnificent
draw shot Draw shots were his forte
But another fash came. then another.
The cannon reports multiplied, The
sids-de-camp ran to the windowe We're
the Prussians going 70 attackfn
We'll let them attack said the
marshal, ohalhing his cue. .'Your turn
10 play, captain.
The stah hutterod with admiration.
1luenne asleep upon 4 gan carriage va
B aeinG compaFed 20 t1il u.aIl1i .t1na