Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-03-23
THE ORDERLY.

The sergeant majors were awaiting the
colonel's arrival Not word was breathed,
Tor the air seemed charged with electricity
Ihe TACT is the great chiefs orderly had
been imprisoned the evening before mo one
knew why), and the commandant himself
appeared anxious.
Some alleged that Private Loumy, the
coloneps orderly, full of solicitude for his
superior, had thought it a part of his duty
to taste the wine before serving it at table,
Others, with more elevated ideas, gravely
surmised that the orderly had abused his
masters confidence and betrayed France by
divulginR to Germany certain secret plans
Of attack.
Suddenly each one stood up, examined
| the position of his feet, curled his mustache
and began to assume the most complete i'm
mobility; the clock had just struck o, the
exact moment when the colonel usually ap-
peared at the door of the guardhouse
But on that day he did not arrive until
quarter of an hour after the usual time,
and then dictated more calmly than usual
this simple line:
Nothing new today, comma; the band
will be dispensed with; full stop That will
do"
The establishment was such that it de-
generated into positive fear. Assuredly the
affair must be serious, since the colonel had
shown such composure; there could be no
doubt that the country was in danger
through the faithlessness, nay, the treason,
of the colonel's orderly.
Each one withdrew, without daring to
look behind him for fear of being accused.
The commandant, Toulouret, bravest of
the brave, alone remained ready to support
the shock. Stirring neither head nor foot,
he stood motionless near the colonel, who
was signing some papers.
my orderly has placed me in most
awkward position" suddenly said the great
chief
"Undoubtedly, colonel, it is a very seri-
Gus matter"
what, then, you knowS"
"Oh, no, colonel not at alp quickly re-
piled Toulouret, who feared to be taken for
an accomplice.
well, just imagine, this booby-by the
bye, is he still imprisoned?"
"Oh, yes, colonel, under double lock and
key. placed him in solitary confinement,
and, moreover, his papers are ready for the
council of war"
For the council of war? Goodness grar
cious, commandantl What phce you are
going at3"
But thought for so serious case moth
q
"Of what crime do you imagine him
guilty2"
High treason, they say, colonel"
"Treasoni What treasoni"
Having disclosed to Germany certain Sc
cret plans of attack"
Secret plansl What secret plansf And
disclosed by l.oumy"
The colonel burst into loud laughter.
well, then, colonel, can make nothing
of it at all"
II had this idiot shut up just to put lit
tie sense in him. You may release him to
day. Here, commandant, you shall judge
of this case yourself Yesterday said to
Loumy:
81 don't feel very well today. Go and
tell Nine. Dorville, at whose house was to
dine, that cannot accept her-fattering in
vitation for this evening And, Loumy, as
it is O'Clock bring my dinner when you
return
"On his return sat down to table. My
orderly first served me with excellent SOUP
then salmon of prime quality, then
pheasants, then prodigious quantity of
delicate vands of various kinds | could
see no end to it.
"'There must be u banquet going on at
the mess this evening" said.
"Oh, colonel, that is not allr he replied,
there's champagne, and the lady says to
me, "Your colonel must drink my health
in a glass of this"
"'Idiotr cried. where did you get my
dinner fromT
"Why, COLONEL Didn't you say to me-
Bring me my dinner when you come
backP" So says to the lady, You must
put the colonel's dinner in a basket."'
Judge of my anger, commandant
"A happy thought came to me, the only
way to make amend for this fellows stu
pidity.
"'Run quick to florist said to Loumy.
Buy nice bouquet and take it, with my
compliments, to Nine Dorville. Hurryp
"In half an hour Loumy returned in high
spirits.
We'll, you left the bouquet with the
lady? hope you chose one that was nice
and fresh
oh, yes, colonell and the lady-she
wanted to give me a frame
(which of course you did not accept
'Ohl never, colonel, and | said to the
lady, "Humbly asking madame's pardon,
the bouquet cost me 10 francs" And then
the lady she gave me 10 francs, and here
they arel
That's my case, commandantr'-Bu
falo News
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