The Portland daily press., 1892-05-07

all this. Do yoa come from the bar
racks across the lake, where they teach
new soldiers?'
His new acquaintance smiled assent,
Jules says it is a shame for United
States people to fight each other, but
like wars. should go if it were not for
that"
As Pierre said "that." he looked at
something which should have matched
the sturdy leg curled up beneath him,
but was only piece of wood fastened
to a very short stump of leg. Besides
this wooden leg, Pierre carried two vel
low crutches Perhaps it was these
slender substitutes for legs which gave
him the name of Plover Pierre. The
soldiers eyes searched the bosom Of the
lake as though much interested in watch
ing distant flock of plover.
Pierre's face frightened as he con-
tinued: Although / can't walk well, l
ride better than most boys. might be
q horse soldier, and SO fight just as hard
for my country as can other people.
Will you drill me to be SOLDIER
The man in blue shifted his eyes from
the imaginary flock of plover and looked
at Pierre. why, you're too young.
You can't be more than ten years old"
"Not SO; am twelve and know well
how to shoot"
The officer seemed to be bordering
Pierre's soldierly advantages. He NUT
tered to himself, II wish those fellows
I'm drilling had this boys spirit"
But now the quiet bay was stirred into
new life. A steam launch rounded one
of the points and pulled toward the
young officers blind. The blue heron
gave a cry Of surprise. and then, recov-
ering its dignity, swept away with
graceful curves of its majestic wings.
TIE soldier got up and shook the sand
from his clothes.
Here's the government boat come to
take me back to Plattsburg barracks"
A small skiff put out from the launch
to bring him on board. He threw few
shore birds into the skif, stepped in
himself and was rowed away.
The government boat flew two flags
a large one at the bow and a smaller at
the stern. When the lieutenant got on
board he pulled down the one from the
stern, and getting into the skif again
was rowed back to the shore. Pierre
was still standing on the sand.
The officer gravely handed the colors
to the boy. "Uncle Sam presents these
to a valued citizen. Never forget that
you are Yankee"
Pierre, being such new citizen, did
not quite understand the reference to
Uncle Sam. But his heart gave throb
of pride, and he reverently took the COL
ored silk into his grimy hands.
AS he hoped back through the swamp
road leading to the fields beyond, he
thought: "Now ! am really Yankee.
The tall man would not give me the flag
if he had any doubt about it,
When he reached the log house it was
growing dusk The fat twins, his half
sisters, were rolling over the floor, and
Nine. Bourdo busted herself in getting
supper. The stout Canadian woman
still showed some traces of her comely
girlhood. Jean Bourdo's heavy figure
lounged by the stove, grievous obstacle
both to his wife and the tumbling twins.
''Jean Bourdo," said Pierre, sswould
you not like to be a soldier!'
"A good question! Bid if / went to
the war. who would earn bread for you
to eat?"
"Jules says that if my fathers money
had been well managed it would support
ALL"
Jean turned angrily. Jules is crazy!
And as for your father, Pierre Beaudrie,
he did so much burrowing into old books
that he had no time to plow the land or
collect fees from the clients"
The woman stopped him. "The mo-
tary made a good husband, though he
was old enough to be my father. In his
time lived like lady"
Pierre had hidden the flag under his
jacket, and now he climbed the ladder
to the loft and put the silk beneath his
pillow. BE returned to the lower room,
the family had supper and Jean, light
ing his pipe, said:
''Pierre, go you to bed. | have COM
pany tonight, and tomorrow you must
ne up early to help the thrashers."
Plover Pierre kept nearly as early
hours as the plovers themselves. To-
night, moreover, he was willing to be
alone, for he had plenty to think about.
He pulled himself up the ladder as MIN
bly, as could most boys who had two
legs. After admiring the bright flag he
carefully laid it away among his few
belongings and soon was in bed.
Visions of war and soldiers filed his
excited brain. The friendly officer ceased
to be an awe inspiring monseigneur;
now he was merely a good conlrade, and
they were fighting for the same beloved
country. Pierre himself, bestride gall
liant white charger and holding aloft the
emblematic flag, led ranks of horsemen
to victory.
The restless boy, tossed by such fan
cies, must have lain awake for long
time, when he was recalled to himself
by hearing door open and some one
enter the room below. Again and again
visitors arrived, until there must have
been ten men assembled in the lonely
cabin.
Co vraru xyiciforS xparo ,,,,,1era1 ar1