The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-09-09
A VALOROUS VOLUNTEER.
The Deserved Reward of Brave
French SoloIer.

You are sober, general; you seem
preoccupied, sad and quiet when with
me- Can it be from lack of INTEREST,""
Thus spalle the pretty Countess Avis
Iclinslla, in soft tone OF rcproach. ac-
companied by the most gracious OF
smiles to French officer sitting by her
side.
This young officer was the brave Cal
viniac, an Auvergnese Highlander,
who, before his thirtieth year, had won
already upon the battlefield his epau-
cites as a general of cavalry.
They happened to be alone in vast
salon at one of the old palaces in War
ssW, the home of the countess, who had
been left a widow at twenty two A
large fire burned in the enormous fire.
place of rose marble upon the pediment
of which the arms of Xelir9.iu were
finely sculptured.
The month of January, 1907, the time
of this story, was remarkable on ac-
count of its severity. II is well known
that Napoleon, after the battle of Jena
and the overthrow of Prussia conceived
the gigantic idea of a continental
blockade, and instead OF eujoying in
peace his triunphs and his glory. wished
to impose by force on all Europe the ef-
fectivc execution of his projects against
England. For that purpose he re-
solved 10 pursue the remnant of the
Prussian troops to their last intrcnch-
ment and TO go to meet the Russian
army. which was still intact, and under
the command OF Gen. Benningsen.
"You are still mute, general" con-
confdence?"
Pardon me- replied Calv:uiac
''Iou must excuse me for being dreamy
and preoccupied. You know the en-
pcror has withdrawn from me the com
inand of my brigade for month, be-
cause ! expressed too frankly my opin-
ion of his indifference to the sad condi-
tion of your unhappy country. The
emperor has punished me severely
and here am far from my brave SOL
I diers. j was quite happy in my dis
4 grace, since it gave me the pleasure of
being received by You, in the midst of
the most glorious representatives of
Polish nobility, as an ally, as Il friend
patriot, have kept up my spirits, have
permitted me the pleasure of seeing
you, oi conliding in you my cares. and
dreams, of admiring you, OF Low
"Ah. general
Yes ! am going TO say of loving
you But am worthy of expressing
such a sentiment, when / ought 70
make a strange confession? You see
4 me sad and preoccupied, because there
Y is in me Il violent combat. am happy,
intensely happy; yet. at the same time,
in spite of the charm which chains me
by your side, ! would like to be else
where. The inaction to which ! am
condemned crushes me. ! curse the Sc
verify of my sovereign. would like
lhis instant to mount Il horse cross
arsaw. and rejoin the army-which
means to leave you. to flee from your
beautiful eyes. in order to see, face to
acc, the horrible mustachcs of the
'ossacks OF Benningsen"
You are always frank, general.
However,, j admit this un nforescen decla-
alton has surprised me little. After
fifteen days Of repose, you become dull
nd disconsolate. You are homesick fol
amps and tsttles, My salon seems tc
ou less attractive than your tent in
he midst of the snow"
"Permit me to explain. heard yes
.rday that the move ucnt of concentrl
on goes on rapidly; tfGt the Russian,
'c going to be forced to accept battle
y blood boils at the new They are
ping TO fight reflect. Nj, brother,
arms are going into dar,er anC
NOR wish to share their lot How
er, when think of you, an COW
dly. ] restrain ray feelings. ituls
u see me near you, as usual. lius
FL that my conduct merits reproacl
you esteem me, youcannot blame mt
Il this indecision which torturcs me
ia cannot advise Inc to remain in
1--WE, in the midst of luxury and com
I, in rich palace. when the dra
bns whom | commanded yesterday
pping now in the snow. now march
lin the mud or crossing the Vistula
the bridge Of boats. are going once
Re TO brave the dangers of war fol
glory of France and perhaps fol
liberty of Poland!
be countess remained standing be-
the general, listening eagerly to
words, and expressing by her pas.
ate looks the admiration which this
stiul ardor inspired in her.
p love you thus!" said She No
ser how much ] may miss you,
alas! that you ought to go.
Ak yon for having given me "a day.
w Is much in these troubled times.
general, go-go whore duty calls
Yresumc the command of your
as, and return victorious"