Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-12-08

home that was an advantage. But, YOU
see, am not i'll naturcd; gave myself no
airs of pride on the contrary, my grade
was source of distress to me. / could
no longer talk with Puvioux-my stripes
were in the way. So | reflected that there
was only one method by which could free
myself from the embarrassment. pur-
posely missed the call one day and for
that had my grade taken from me. But
fancy my i'll luck | gave up my stripes
only TO turn them over to Puvioux. 1t
was enough to make one gnaw off ones
finger ends. But it was Pierres chance
for showing devotion, and he made no
bones about it. At the end of a week he
got himself broken in turn. After that
there was no danger of any alteration be
ing made in either of our tunics. We were
condemned to remain common soldiers
Z" So much the better said Puvioux
"And said, How luckyr
1.-THE seven years came to an end-I
don't need to tell you my story day by
day. Our discharge and return route pa
pers, all properly signed, were handed to
u.s.
well, said to Puvioux, at last our
time is up. We must set off home
Yes, he replied, they are waiting
our return there
/ gu KNOW, Sdlu, IndU Un6 game
Will not be finally won before we both get
back to Mezieres, and the one of us who
loses declares that the struggle has been
fairly carried through.
"'All right cried Puvioux.
1--WE embraced and one morning-the
other day-with good shoes on our feet
and a stout stick in hand, we set off for
Mezieres.
"Did tell you we were in garrison at
AngersS promise you there's a pretty
stretch of road from there My faith, since
started it seems to me that | have made
the tour of the world.
1--WE set off in company, talking little,
thinking much, and walking more. 1t was
terribly hot, frightfully dusty, and the air
as heavy as lead. Half way through one
of our spells | threw myself down by the
roadside, unable to go any farther, my
legs stiffened and worn out by fatigue.
Are you going to rest thereS' asked
Puvioux
"'Yes, replied.
"'Goodby then. he said, going on.
Goodby, till we meet again, called
after him.
81 watched him out of sight, walking
with firm step, as if he lSd only just
commenced the journey. When he passed
longer see him-left alone, and, as it were,
abandoned-a feeling of overwhelming
despair came upon me. made an effort.
| rose and continued the march, The rest,
short as it was, did me good and put
/ fresh courage into me. pressed on, on,
on, and made such progress that after
awhile | came up with PuviouX and pass
ed him.
"But by the close of the day, though |
got well in front of my antagonist, was
done up. went into an inn and lay down.
intending to sleep little. All a little |
slept through the whole night. woke
only at day hreak, and then | was furious
| called out:
"'Have any of you seen soldier on
foot go by?'
ga soldier? Yes, monsieur-very late
last night He asked for II glass of water
"Ah, in turn he had passed mel
81 hurriedly set off. At 3 o'clock in
the afternoon had not come up with Pu-
vioux-nor at o'clock. In the evening !
took rest while eating. The meal fin
ished, on, on, | went again. This time
PuviouX should not be much ahead of me.
81 walked on late into the night but
there is limit to man 8 strength. Once
more was obliged to halt.
81 knocked at the door of roadside
public house and was admitted. PuviouX
was there, seated in an armchair, pale as
death. He started with irritation on see
ing me-not unnaturally. We did not say
much to each other What indeed had
we to talk about2 Then, too, we were SO
horribly tired.
at was who should rise earlier next
mornng-and it was land that morn
ing was this morning. All day | have
been walking, resting from time to time
but very little, for, you know, we are near
the end. Rethel is the last tramp on the
route from Anglers to Mezieres. | know
my map of France now.
"The last trampl My God if should
arrive too late!"
Jean ChevaucheuX ceased speaking.
"And Pierre PuviouX," asked my ia
ther, 'has he overtaken you?"
mo" cried ChevaucheuX, "and if
could go on now should be saved
Go on the road-in the state you re in
Impossible!'
torn-yet, tomorrow" -
Tomorrow you will be rested and able
to walk. "
"Do you think so?" asked the soldier
his eyes flashing.
81 promise you. ="
"Ah," cried Jean, "you are kind
MANI
"Tut, tutW said my father.
He advised tho soldier to go to bed a
once, and the poor fellow desired nothing
better. The he'd was ready. Chevaucheu'
shook us all by the hanl md assembled t.
the bedroom which had been made ready
for him.
1t was 10 O'Clock.
Next day before dawn my father, al
ready up, looked out of window to SCI
what sort of weather it was.
While he was looking up at the sky h
heard, down on the street below, the sount
of heavy footsteps, and in the uncertain
light dimly made out the form of a soldie
painfully making his way toward Mezieres
"Already en- routeY" asked my father
The soldier halted.
"Well, " continued my father, care you
, off,"
, The soldier raised his head and tried t
. make out who it was who was speaking
] tn i'm,