Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-02
A LOST BATTLE.
BIZ ALPHovsR DAupEE

days and had passed the preceding night
with their knspsacks on their backs DO
meath the drcnching rain, the soldiers
were exhausted. Nevertheless, for three
mortal hours they had been kept wait
ing, with grounded arms, in the puddieS
OF the highways and the mud OF the
soaked fields.
Overcome with fatigue and loss OF
sleep, their uniforms heavy with water,
they huddled together TO keep warm, %
sustain themselves. There were some
who slept "a they stood leaning on their
neighbor's knapeacke, and WEAKNESS ana
privation were best pictured on those
unbent faces abandoned TO slumber.
Rain, mud, no fire. no soup, q black and
threatening sky, and the enemy on au
sides. IL was wretched
What were they doing there? What
was taking place -,
The cannon, their muzzles pointed
towards the woods, had the air OF watch
ing something. The masked mitraL-
leuses stared iixidly Mt the horizon.
Everything feeme1 ready for an attack.
Why did they not attack? For what
were they waiting?
They were waiting for orders, and the
headquarters did not send them.
The headquarters, however, were not
far distant. They were at handsome
chatcGu in the style Of Louis AllI., the
red bricks OF which, washed by the rain,
glistened on the hillside among the trees.
II was truly a princcly dwelling and well
worthy OF bearing the banner Of mar
shall OF France. Behind a great ditch
and q stone railing, which separated
them from the highway, the grass plsts
ran straight up TO the steps OF the man
sion, even and green, and bordored with
vases OF lowers. On tho other side, tue
private side of the chateau, the hedge
was full Of luminous gaps the pond IN
which swans were swimming, stretched
out like a mirror, and beneath the
pagoda shaped roof of nniumense avlary,
sending forth shrill cries into the foliage,
peacocrs and golden pheasauts beat
their wings and spread their tails
Although the proprietors had departed
nothing there indicated the recklesness
the overwhelming desolatlon OF war.
| The orifamme of the chief OF the army
had preserved everything. even to the
meanest flowers Of the grass-plats, and
il was something impressive TO find so
near the field OF battle the opulsnt calm
ness which arises from orderly arrange
! ments. from straight rows OF trees, and
from the silent depths of avenues.
The rain which filed tho highways
with such wretched mud and ploughed
such deep burrows, was there, but an Gle
CANT. aristocratic shower, frightening
the red bricks and the green Of tue
grass-plats, adding gloss to the leaves OF
the orsnge-trees aud the white plumage
of the swans. Everything shone, every
thing was still. Verify. without the nag
which was floating from the peak 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, orderlies
IN undress uniform lounging IN tho vi
cipity of the kitchens, or some gardener
in red pantaloons TRANQUILITY drawing his
rake through the gravel of the principal
walks.
The dining hall, the windows of which
opened upon the steps, displaying tn
| bic half cleared away, uncorked bottles
soiled and empty drinking-vessels look
mo wan on the rumpled cloth all the
loo end of a dinner deserted by the
ones,s. In an adjoining department
was heard the sound OF voices, OF laugh
ter. of rolling billiard-balls, of blinking
Glasses. The Marshal was playing his
game. and that was why the army was
awaiting orders When the Marshal
had once commenced his game the
Heavens might fall, bat nothing on
earth could prevent him from finishing
it.
Billiards
The game was this great warriors
weakness. He stood there, as grave az
in battle, in full uniform, bis breast
covered with decorations, his eyes spark
ling. and his eyeballs inhamed by the
dinner. the game, and his potatlons-
His aides-de-camp surrounded HIM,
eager and respectful, uttering exclama-
| tions of admiration at each of bis
shots When the Marshal made point
they all precipitated themselves toward
the marker. When the Marshal
was thirsty they ell wished to prepare
big greg. Twas crush OF epauiettes
and plumes, a clash of crosses and metal
tipped shoulder-knots, and the sight OF
ali the agreeable smiles, the fawning,
courtier-like reveronces of so much EN-.
broidery and 50 many new uniforms IN
that lofty oak wainscoted hall, looking
out upon parks and courts OF honor 70,
called the autumns OF COmpeigne ano
contrasted strangely with the weather
stained overcoats vainly waiting along
the highways and forming such sombrC
groups beneath the rain.
The Marsha's opponent was a captain
on the staff, beited, with curled HAIR and
light-colored gloves, who was al expert
at billiards and capable OF vsnquishine
all the marshals in the world but hC
knew how 10 keep at respectful dls
lance from his chief and while he strovc
not 10 win endeavored not 10 be beaten
too easily. He was, az they say, al
officer with future before HIM.
1t was truly an interesting game. Th'
balls sped, kissed and crossed then
colors. Suddenly q cannon flash sho
across the sky, and a hollow report made
the window panes rattle. The officer
started and looked at each other uneasily
The Marshal alone had seen nothing, hae
heard nothing. Bent over the billiard
table he WAS combining q magnlticen
draw-shot Draw shots were hls forte.
But another flash came, then another
The cannon reports multiplied. th'
aiaes-de-camp ran 10 the windows. Wer
the Prussians going to attack
"Wel. let them attack ! said TN
Marshal, chalking his cue. "lour turl
to play, Captain.
The staa' futtered with admiration
Turenne asleep upon gun carriage wa
nothing compared to this marshal stand
ing so calmly before the biliard-table a
the very moment OF action. Mean
while the uproar redoubled. With tn
cannon shots were mingled the roar o
the mitrailleuses and the roll of the pla
toon musketry. A red smoke, black a
the edges, mounted from the extrenait,
of the grass plats. All the lower part o
the park was in flames. The irightente'