The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-09-21


ana then ought I to deny my ssoh.
ment for Poland-to retract tho
words which spoke 20 freelyi Oh,
mol Today less than ever. There
fore I am forced to seek 4 way Of re-
Stunning the service without being
recognized by my superiors. I have
reflected for some time, and when
you reproached me for my silence
was Just making . definite resolution.
I win present myself. TO the putposta
Is Z Poland >couutry1nan DESTROYS OF
fighting for his country"
"Why, general, do you wish to
enlist as simple soldieri You viii
have to obey, instead Of command,
to march in the first ranks, to strug-
gle hand to hand with the enemy!
It is to certain death you voluntarily
run. Obi What have I done--1,
who have rather encouraged you in
your resolution; !, who admire you
only to lose you2 I was wrong. I
was misled by blind patriotism. Re-
'nounce your projects! 4, It is your
duty to execute scrupulously the or
ders of the emperor"
mo, countess, my duty is to be
where the French a1e exposing their
hves-to brave the d4hgers that they
run"
Even breaking your worda"
Il do not violate my oath since !
enlist as volunteer"
you are immovable. Do there
fore as you wish. My best wishes
accompany you, and I will pray for
you. God grant that your temerity
may not be punished' Think of me
sometimes.
She extended her hand, which he
kissed paseinately, while she turned
aside her head to conceal the great
tears which glistened like diamonds
in her eyes.
Feb. 8, 1907, at daybreak, the
French and Russian armies met.
The troops Of Bennington covered
the mountain tops in front Of the lit
tie town Of Eylau. The emperor re-
lied upon this village. the cemetery
Of which he occupied with the guard.
The vast plain which separated the
two camps was gloomy and desolate.
A white shroud of snow recently
fallen entirely covered the hard
ground. The sky was gray and
gloomy. The rays Of the sun could
not penetrate the thick, frosty at
mosphere.
Upon the left, q little back Of Ely.
lau, was massed the cavalry Of Mu-
rat. In the first rank, among the
dragons of General Grouchy, was
simple cavalier, sword in hand, with
out q distinctive mark, without
decoration, but superb in his martial
and determined bearing. It was CAL
viniac.
After the scene which we have de-
scribed the general lost no time.
Havingdressed himself in the clothes
Of 3 countryman and crossed the
plains Of Lithuania, he presented
himself for enlistment to the first
colonel of dragons whom he met.
Thanks to his disguise, he was not
recognized, and he was soon able to
put ON tho green tunic with it's yel-
low cuffs and to take his place in the
midst of his new companions, wear
ing, like them, the white breeches,
the regulation boots and the helmet
with an ornamental plume of black.
The battle was in progress all the
morning. About II o'clock the snow
fell in large flakes, binding the eyes,
Of the French, who began to waver.
The emperor believed that his good
luck had forsaken him. He saw that
q superhuman effort must be made.
Calling Murat, he said:
well, are you gong to allow these
men to devour us2 March forward
with all your cavalry"
At the order Murat started like a
fash and drew up his 80 squadrons
in line of battle, placing ahead the
dragons of Grouchy. Calviniac's
heart beat fast. At last he was going
to fight as simple soldier; to devote
himself obscurely, lost in numbers;
to sacrifice his life, without hope of
recompense, for the love and glory
Of his country. His thoughts trans
ported him to the salon Of the palace
ct Warsaw where he had said adieu
to the Countess Zelinska. It seemed
to him that he could still hear her
voice, could see her smile. Thus on
oouraged, it was with Joy that he
threw himself against the regiments
Of Cossacks who with their sabers
were cutting down the army Of
Augereau.