Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-09-11
A LOST BATTLE.


soldiers were exhausted. Nevertheless,
for three mortal hours they had been
kept waiting, with grounded arms In
the puddles 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. to sustain themselves. There
were some who slept as they stood
leaning on their neighbours knapsacks.
and WEAKNESS and privation were best
pictured on those unbent faces aban-
doned to slumber. Rain, mud, no fire.
no soup, black and threatening sky,
and the enemy on all sides. 1t was
wretched.
What were they doing thereP What
was taking place?
The cannon, their muzzles point
ing toward the woods, had the air of
watching something. The masked
mitraiileuses stared fxedly at the
horizon. Everything seemed ready
for an attack. Why did they not at
tackp For what were they waitingp"
They were waiting for orders. and
the headquarters did not send them.
The headquarters, however, were
not far distant. They were at hand
some chateau in the style of Louis
XIII. the red bricks of which, washed
by the rain, glistcned on the hillside
among the trees. 1t was truly prince
ly dwelling, and well worthy of bear
ing the banner of a marshal of France.
Behind great ditch and stone rail-
ing, which separated them from the
highway, the grass plats ran straight
up to to the steps of the mansion,
even and green and bordered with
vases of flowers. On the other side,
the private side of the chateau, the
hedge was full of luminous gaps; the
pond, in which swans were swimming,
stretched out mirror. and beneath
the pagoda-shaped roof of an immense
aviary. sending forth shrill cries into
the foliage, peacocks and golden
pheasants beat their wings and spread
their tails.
Although the proprietors had de-
parted, nothing there indicated the
recklessness, the overwhelming DESC
lation of war. The oriflamme of the
chief of the army had preserved every
thing, even to the meanest flowers of
the grass plats, and 1t was something
impressive to find so near the field of
battle the opulent calmness which
arises from orderly arrangements,
from straight rows of trees and from
the silent depths of avenues.
The dining-hall. the windows Of
which opened upon the steps, display
ing a table half cleared away I'M
corked bottles, soiled and empty drink
ing vessels, looking wan on the rum
pied cloth-all the flag end of dinner
deserted by the guests. In an adjoin-
ing apartment was heard the sound of
voices of laughter, of rolling billiard
balls, of clinking glasses. The marshal
was playing his game, and that was
why the army was awaiting orders.
When the marshal had once COM
mepced his game the heavens might
fall, but nothing on earth could pre-
vent him from finishing it.
Billiards!
The game was this great warriors
weakness. He stood there, as grave
as in battle, in full uniform, his breast
covered with decorations. his eyes
sparkling. and his eyeballs innamed
by the dinner, the game and his pota-
tions. His aides-de-camp surrounded
him, eager and respectful utvering
EXPLANATIONS of admiration at each of
his shots. When the marshal made a
point they all precipitated themselves
toward the marker. When the mar
shall was thirsty they all wished to
prepare his grog. Twas crush of
epaulets and plumes, a clash of crosses
and metal-tipped shoulder knots, and
the sight of all the agreeable smiles,
the fawning, courtierlike reverence of
80 much embroidery. and SO many new
uniforms in that lofty oak-wainscoted
hall, looking out upon parks and
courts of honor recalled the autumns
OF Compiegne and contrasted strangely
with the weather stained overcoats
vainly waiting along the highways and
forming such somber groups beneath
the rain.
The marshars opponent was cap
tain on the staff, beltcd. with curled
hair and light-colored gloves, who was
an expert at billiards and capable of
vanquishing all the marshals in the
world. but he knew how to Keep at u
respectable distance from his CHIEF,
and while he strove not to win endeav-
ored not to be beaten too easily. He
was. as they say, an officer with a
future before him.
1t was truly an interesting game.
The balls sped. kissed and crossed their
colors. Suddenly cannon flash 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 Lothiug. Bent
over the billiard table he WINS combin-
ing a magnificent draw-shot Draw
shots were his forte.
But another fash came then an
other. The cannon reports multiplied.
The aides de camp rushed TO the win
dows. We're the Prussiaus going to
attackP"
Well lot them attack said the
marshal. chalking MS cue. Your
turn to play. captain"
The staff fiuttered with admiration.