The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1894-12-07
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captain must have retained some spite
against Jacque. for he turned to him and
said
Go up there, sir, and tear away that
bamboo"
1t is but justice to say he did not wait
to be told a second time. Touching his
cap, with "All right, my captain" he
started in quick run. In passing me he
drew package of letters from his pocket
Take care of this for me, Bertrand"
and in the twinkling of an eye he was up
with his section
see him, so cool, so calm; not loud word,
not an oath, only quick determined orders.
Tear this away" throw that in the
ditch" He was as tranquil as if superin-
And all the time the enemy were pouring
upon them deadly fire, the balls wilistling
| tearing the bamboo, plowing up the ground
every now and then crushing in shoulder
My God, what sight! They were all left
there, all my comrades-Jacque among the
number, but he was the last. Just as the
work was finished Il ball struck him be-
tween the eyes Just as he raised his arm
to shout great 'Hurrah,' he fell dead,
face formost.
Perhaps it was not very proper, what |
did next morning, but truly it was too
for thatO ntat nf laff that
.Jacque gave me as he went to his death.
| would not keep them. thought, "a boy
who acts like a coward and few hours
after dies like a man. 1t is unnatural,
there must be something under this and
felt had the explanation there under
my hand in those letters. They burned
me. 1t was impossible to keep them. Ma
fol. l could not; then-then l drew out
the packet.
Upon my word there was only one let
ter, the one he had received that morning.
Nothing else Ah blood of blood. what
Il letter. He was right, poor boy. One
ought not to receive letter like that Just
before battle. AS for me, | cried like a
baby and was scarcely able to read it for
the tears in my eyes. 1t was from his
mother, and here is what the good woman
wrote to her boy as she ended her letter.
Now, my precious Jacque, take care
of yourself for my sake. Remember, you
are all have in this world, and if any
thing should happen to you would surely
go mad. 1t is true the time passes very
wearily when one is waiting, but | try to
be patient, to forget the present, and only
think of the future when you will return
Above all things, my precious boy, be pru-
dent. Do whatever you are commanded
to do, like brave soldier but do not ex-
pose yourself unnecessarily. forbid you
No, no, my darling Jacque, | forbid you
nothing. | implore you, before entering
into an engagement, to think of your
mother, who is always thinking of you
and do not risk too much Promise me
this, will you not. And remember IA man
is not a coward because he loves his moth
err
The letter fell from my hands. Iunder-
mother, the brave boy, and waited until
he was directly commanded to 90. And,
no doubt, that morning when he was look
ing far away to that bit of blue sky where
there was nothing to be seen, he was think
ing of his mother and that promise he had
sworn to keep,
And that is why Sergeant Jacque, who
died like hero with his face to the enemy,
was considered Il coward twice in one day.