The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-03-02
NJ. Savage replied:

"And to think that this sort of thing
will continue as long as there are gov
ernments."
M. Savage stopped him.
"The republic would not have de-
clared war" but M. Morissot inter-
rupted him, saying:
"With kings you have external war;
with republics You have internal wars"
And then they began a tranquil dis
cussion and solution of the great po-
litical problems with the limited reason
of peaceful, quiet men who agree upon
the one point that they will never en-
joy true liberty.
Meanwhile the thunder of Mount
Valarien continued necessarily, at
each discharge demolishing so many
French homes and lives, rudely dis
pelling SO many happy dreams, SO
many anticipated pleasures, and open
ing in the hearts of women and moth
ers in this and other countries wounds
which will never heal
''Such is life," declared NJ. Savage.
Say rather such is DEATH" lightly
replied Morissot.
Suddenly they trembled with fear,
realizing that some one marched be-
hind them, and, turning their heads,
they saw four German soldiers cover
ing them with their muskets.
Their lines slipped from their hands
and fell into the river; aud within a
few moments they were seized, bound,
thrown into boat and carried to the
island.
Behind the house which they thought
deserted they found squad of German
soldiers.
A bearded giant sitting astride d
chair and smoking huge pipe with
porcelain bowl asked of them, in ex-
cellent French:
well, gentlemen, have you had good
luck?"
BY way of reply one of the soldiers
deposited at the officers feet the
basketful of fish which he had taken
care to bring with him.
The Prussian smiled.
''Ah! that's not bad. But another
thing first. Listen:
ITO me you are two spies sent to
watch me- l take you, and / shall
shoot you. You pretend to be fishing
in order to observe me the better. You
have fallen into my hands-so much
the worse for you. Such is war.
But as you passed the advance posts
you surely have the pass word with
which to return Tell it to me and /
will release you.''
The two friends, pale and trembling,
their hands agitated by slight, nerv-
GUS trem bling, remained silent
The officer continued:
mo one will ever know it. You will
return in peace. The secret will dis
appear with you. To refuse is immedi-
ate death. Choose"
The two friends made no reply.
The Prussian calmly said while point
ing towards the river:
Think that in five minutes you will
be at the bottom of that stream. In
five minutes. You have families?"
The two friends stood rigidlv erect
and made no reply. The German gave
a few orders in his own language, and
| then moved his chair in order not to be
| too near the prisoners. Twelve men
with loaded muskets then placed them
| The officer continued:
Il will give you one minute-not a
second more"
He arose and brusquely approached
the two Frenchmen. Taking Morissot
| by the arm he led him short distance
away and said in low voice:
"Quick, the pass word. Your com
rade will never know"
Morissot made no reply.
| The Prussian then took Savage
aside and made the same proposal to
| him.
M. Salvage made no reply.
They again found themselves side by
| side.
| The officer gave command, and the
soldiers raised their arms
BY chance, Morissot's glance fell upon
the basket of fish lying on the ground
q few PAGES away. The shining scales
Of the still living fish sparkled in the
| sunlight. In spite of himself his eyes
| filled with tears and he stammered:
''Good-by, M. Savage"
M. Salvage responded:
''Good-by, M. Morissot."
| ney SuOOk AduuS. Lie OulceT cFlSG'
| "Firer'
The twelve reports rang out like one
Nj. Salvage fell like block. Morissot,
who was taller, wavered, turned and
fell across his companion. face up
wards, flood of blood rushing from
his breast.
| The German gave a new order,
whereupon his men marched away,
but returned presently with cords and
stones, which they attached to the
feet of the corpses.
Two soldiers took Morissot by the
head and feet and bore him to the
river, and two others followed with
Savage. The bodies poised for an in
slant, were thrown into the stream
and, describing a curve as they fell,
plunged feet foremost into the current,
The water foamed and boiled and
then became calm, while a few little
waves reached as far as the shore. The
surface was slightly stained with blood
The officer, still serene and unrufied,
quietly remarked:
''Now it is the turn of the fishes"
Then, turning toward the house, he
noticed the basket of fish on the grass
He picked it up, examined it, smiled
and cried:
"Wilhe1ml"
A soldier wearing white apron ran
up at his call, and the Prussian, throw
ing the fish to him, commanded:
FRY these for me while they are still
alive, They will be delicious"
| Than hA