Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-06-22


years. I've seen only too many of them
There was my brother Xavier-an
entirely different sort of fellow-my ex-
act opposite. While 1 wandered the
whole day long in the woods ne would
sit porting over books thick with dust
even in our grandfathers' day which he
found in the garnet.
I'm the catechism no stood at tho
head. The pastor had not met so indus
trious n boy i'll years.
And I? Oh, was n good for moth
ing, who deserved whipping every
day! l got it often enough, too, and it
didn't agree so badly with mo either, for
I grew to be such big fellow as
couldn't be matched in the neighbor-
hood
II think for one while there wasn't
a village fair in the vicinity where
didn't play the rowdy. This would have
been pretty bad state of affairs if it
had lasted long, but an end soon came
to it-an end which l would gladly
have exchanged for an honest stab in n
tavern brawl 1t happened thus:
Can you see, sir, that old tumble
down hut over there between those two
larchcs? Twelve years ago that was the
home of an old day laborer. 1t is easy
to be seen that wealth had no place
there, but the house was kept by Marie,
the old mans daughter-a girl so pref
ty that the angels i'll heaven might have
rejoiccd to look at her. What wonder
was it that often stopped to chat with
her over the fence or fasten a nosegay
in her bodice on my way home?
well, the summer passed away, and
when winter came on, raw and cold,
and l had no excuse for wandering
among the mountains, still something
drew me irresistibly to those old paths,
and l could not let single day go by
without seeing Marie.
Her father saw how matters We're
going, but he made no objections. For
while he knew that was n wild sort
anything really bad in me. And he was
not mistaken.
The time came ut last when l must
acquaint my father with the state of af
fairs. Oh, but you should have seen,
sir, the storm it raised! 1t had never
entered into my lovesick brain that Ma
RE was the daughter of poor peasant!
The old man was stubborn, and equal
" So For six whole weeks did not sit
down to meal with him. Xavier in
the meanwhile was all devotion. And
he was right-my noble brother-for
was l not making my choice between
Marie and my share of the property?
Just then it seemed as if heaven it
E I. VI,
dreaded day for the military draft came
on l had the year before drawn tho
lucky number which cxonerated me
from service. 1t was now Xavier's turn
to try the wheel of fortune.
He drew n blank, and unless n sub
stitutc should be provided he must with
in few days join the army.
MY father was inconsolable. a sub
stitute was no easy thing to obtain, es-
pecially rs the very air seemed full Of
ominous portcnts, and any day might
como the news that war had been de-
clared
"a thought flashed through my mind.
/ swallowed my pride on the instant
and once more entered the old man
presence.
Father, said 1, if you will give
your consent TO my marriage with
Marie, will be Xavier's substitute.
Three days later l was wearing the
kaiser'S green uniform.
The ant hunter stopped for an instant
and looked about him.
1T is beautiful little bit of earth,
this fatherland, he went on to say,
land 1 have always loved it. My grand
father gave his life for it. He was killed
in the year 1909 i'll battle with the
French. He little dreamed, good man,
that o grandson of his would cover his
untarnished name with disgrace, and
shut up i'll fortress as a cowardly be-
trayer Of his prince curse the day that
ever he was born.
"And can you imagine, sir, who
brought me there? A miserable scoun-
drel, the offscouring of humanity! May
the earth swallow him up, and God
curse him! BY heaven, / was not bad,
but they were bound to have me so, and
the one who can most congratulate him.
self on his success is no other than Xa-
vier, my precious brother Xavier!
1T was not enough that he had
robbed me of my fathers heart. He
must take from me that for which 1 had
sacrificed my freedom.
Through what deviltry he managed
it could never find out Suffice it to
say, had been scarcely six months in
the army when n fellow from my native
village did mo the friendly service to
tell me that Xavier and Marie had been
al l,n ole
AT first l only ridlculed the idea,
but later l was convinced that it was
only too true.
do you see that blade of grass there,
sir? Whichever way the wind blows
strongest, that way it blows-a picture
of a woman's heart. From that day
lost my faith in humanity
"Oh, but it was fearful blow to me
! l thought l was going 10 lose my mind
\ Only one thing seemed plain to me.
must see the miserable pair and avengt
myself.
Tho day ON which they We're to bt
married was on my way homo. hat
asked for no furlough. had thought OF
none. All unwittingly had become /
deSerter.
AT last was within sight of my
goal. Already could hear tho church
| bells ringing and shuddercd at theil
/ tones. They We're the funeral kncll o.
my FOOLS happiness Oh, how I longcC
for wings! Perhaps could get there
yet and stop this horrible thing, ant
then But. no; strength failed me. Ny
limbs We're like lead, and only with
difficulty could drag myself along.
"When ! reached the church. wa.
too late. The bridal procession was jus
coming out / can SEQ them now rs if i
had happened only yesterday. Oh, tina
thundcrbolt had fallen from heavcI
and transfixcd them all! But, an, no
The sun up thcrc shone brighter THAI
ever, the birds sang In the great Under
trees, and underneath them the village
musicians struck up lively waltz
cit was as If everything had con
Il 4 n