Smyrna times., 1892-03-09
The YOUNG DESERTER.

I'LL AVONU UuDGnl En-
1t was in the year 1918, when ter
rlDle war was raging over all the Con
Clnent OF Europe, that young Silesian
soldier suddenly made his appearance
at tue cottage door where his mother
sat at her spinning wheel, addressing
TO her these words, though in a rather
trembling vOise:
How are you, mother, dear? Have
you welcome to give your son ?''
Inc ola woman rose, and as she
IhreW her arms around his neck. cried
out: 0'''N
God be thanked, my Fritz. that 7
see thee again !" Then, after a moments
consideration, she added "But-whatl
what how are you here, when war is
everywhere Oh !" she almost shriek
eu' can 1t be that my hoy is deserter.
my Onl y son? What would his good
father have said ?"
Mother" said the unhappv v,ptb
1t was all too dreadful! II coulJ
not stand the misery any longer ~
Inc OLD woman groaned. She felt
that she hated the deserter. hut oh
now hermOthers heart yearnad over the
gaunt form and worn face of her travel
stained boy Vol
Did any one see you come ?" she
asked abruptly. Then as several
shadows darkened the door, she added
IN whisper: go, hide-hide there
late ~ - - Uoo
IL was indeed too late, for at that
moment the country Judge. the school.
master and several other village dipni-
tarles entered the cottage, seized the
young man by the arm, and. proclaim.
ing him prisoner in the name of his
Majesty, the King of Prussia. led him
away to his excellency, the Field Mar
shall, General Blucher.
1t was two days afterward when thew
reached the encampment
Where is the residence of the Com-
mander-in Chief?" asked thew of the |
many orderly soldiers. who were cal.
ton.
why, in the chateau, to be sure"
was the reply. But what do Won
want OF him ? He has no time to spare
for such as you ~
But the Silesian villagers were not
70 be put down; they were in fever
"i loyalty, and demaded speech of the
Commander-iH-C Chief.
After weary hours of waiting tba
deputation at last stood before Blucber
ana IN pompous language explained
their errand, and deserter. The Gen.
eraI looked very grave indeed. his
oflSht eyes roamed for an instant over
ms rurai company with a somewhat
strange expression. Then he turned
ms attention to the bent figure. who
with down cast eyes and careworn
lace, appeared the very image of mis-
cry and detection. And well might he
seem cast down; he knew his case TO
ne helpless one. DESERVING colors
In tlme OF war was a capital crime. and {
Blucher, with his iron will. was the 5
last man in the world to be triAed s
with Suddenly the face of the old hero q
assumed an expression of harshness. c
l urnlng toward the principal villager.
ne exclaimed, in rough voice: q
Mr.; Judge, you must really be an
The villagers started, ss well tbev
might. They had expected a very
Inherent reception. r
But-your Excellency," began the
chief speaker.
Hold your tongue, say p roared
he general. you are an IDIOT
know better-in SILICA there are no f
'unaways And you, nv SON" he
ldded, in softer tones, his iron features I,
elaxing just little, "you will show a.
hem to- morrow on the battlefield. what '
Silician soldier can do for his conn II
ry, will you not. o.
The wildara6 ,,O,,~,. -.
n his knees, and stammered ont a a,
ew broken words, which, however. a
ne general did not hear, for when the
ad rose again to his feet, with flushed W
neeks and sparkling eyes, Blucher M
ad already left the room. ar
On the following day, bloody. but Ie
eclslVe victory was won by Prussia. al
nd as Blucher rode through the sadly
mined ranks of his men, he was ad re
ressed by the commanding officer of to
ne Iwenty-First Hussars, who re- IN
orted to him how greatly a certain
rlvate soldier had distinguished him F,
eI. having taken a standard from the in
nemy, and made prisoner with his tn
wn hands the commander of the d,
rench Regiment. Blucher's eve kim lii
led, He stopped his horse, and tax
lg the iron cross from his own uni
rm, he affixed it to the breast of
lie young hero, saying in a cheerful fu
Dice: faC
Wei done, my son knew l was Tt
ot mistaken. In SILICA there are no Sc
~ m,
Thus by judicious treatment and
ndly sympathy, at a terrible crisis in of
life, this poor youth was converted pc
Dm coward, of whom his own vO
other was ashamed, into a patriotic FIR
'ung hero, whose name was in eyerv cir
outh, and whose deeds were the adj. ele
ratiOn of all. his