Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-01-07

pfc forgot his former repugnance. hur-
riedly detached the gourd from his belt
and handed it 10 the sufferer. As he
went out again four armed men stood
before him, and before he had time to
give the alarm he was disarmed and a
prisoner. Sounds of hushed footsteps.
rendered almost inaudible by the deep
snow, now approached, and a body of
men came to halt. Their captain, q
Bavarian, ordereG the prisoner into the
house and questioned him in French,
but Claude made no reply.
"Answer me, rascal" said the officer
after pause, cor your lips will be
opened by bayonet through your body.
Where is the main guard stationedG"
The young soldier was silent.
"Here, men, spike this pigheaded fell
low" but an imploring voice exclaimed:
"StopP In surprise the captain turned
around, saw the man lying in the corner,
recognized htn as one of his own com
pany who had been left for dead, and
learned how compassionate the prisoner
had been to him.
"Very well, will spare his life," said
the officer, "but we must take him with
Us. Muller and Hermann, bind his
hands and lead him between you, and if
he makes the least noise strangle him
with his own voice. Forward We shall
soon find the French"
Claude Latapie was in despair. He
had deserted his post, had failed to give
the alarm, and consequently his COM
rades were about to be surprised and
massacred. How could he prevent it2
What could he do to save them2
He marched along quietly, rejoiced
for minute at perceiving that his cap
tors were taking the wrong direction,
but the captain soon discovered his error
and changed the route. This time they
were on the right road; the little band
Of Frenchmen would be easily captured
all was lostl
Suddenly the prisoner stumbled and
fell, and as his guardians stopped to
drag him up again his fingers clutched
the trigger guard of Muller's musket.
The man snatched at the weapon, but
Claude hung on, and in spite of his
hands being bound succeeded in his de
sign. Then he felt for the trigger Her
mann pierced him with bayonet, and
Claude, mortally wounded, felt his hold
relax; convulsively he made another eff
fort and the gun went off. A loud re-
port echoed through the darkness, and |
with all his remaining strength he
shouted:
"To armsp
Then, pierced through the body, he
reeled and stitfened, biting the snow.
But the report and the cry were heard
The French, aroused, attacked the
enemy; their main guard came up, and
after short engagement the Germans,
finding themselves surrounded, laid
down their arms.
Claude Latapie was lying in an am
bulance when the general of the corps
came up bringing him the viaticum of
the brave, the cross of the Legion of
Honor. The young man, however, made
q wild gesture as he exclaimed
''No, no, you do not know how it
wasl"
II know you are a brave man." re-
piled the general.
"Ah, my Godr sighed Claude, "must
proclaim my own dishonor before |
die? deserve court martial instead of
the cross. And humbly, in voice
broken by sobs, he confessed his momen-
5ary desertion from his post, adding in
conclusion:
1.-The whole outpost might have been
destroyed through my fault, yet l could
not help pitying that miserable Ger
man,"
Ellis comrades made but a poor re-
urn for your compassion" said the Of
icer.
''They warned me. l knew what to
'xpect," Claude answered simply, "and
am happy, for die for France. That
8 more than deserve"
"Give me your hand, my brave fell
ow," cried the general. "You have
more than atoned. l am proud to COM
nand such man as your and STOPPING
lie laid the medal on Claude's breast and
rave him the accolade. The soldiers
ace was Illuminated as he grasped the
medal in his hot hands, and gasping for
breath he murmured:
"This is for my mother. viii you
end it to herr"
And on receiving the generals prom
SO the conscript smiled and died. From
he French of Georges de Lys.