Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-11-09


young stuceat ha already uado him
conspicuous, aaG thctmu had been long
enough To knit DIS ties of friendship
with the men. Only a month, but i'll
that time tle boy had become man.
Gripping his s.bee hilt, he settled
himself tirmly in the saddle. The fire Of
German artillery, which had cannon
AIDED the French infantry TO prepare the
way for the charge, was slackening.
From over the hin Franz heard the
aierce crack OF the enemy 5 rifles.
On Franz, right waited the two
| trumpetcrs of the squadron. The nearer
one, eager faced ami alert, scanned the
heavens where shells shrieked above
their heads
"This will he a hot place if we don't
move soon, " he growlcd.
There is hotter place over the hill,
Steinert. " said Franz.
Steinert nodded. Just then the order
came. Clear and ringing it was sounded
by the chief trumpeter Clear and ring
ing sounded the trumpets in response
With great clatter the cavalry swept
up the hill TO plunge into the fiery rain
below
There came a shrill singing through
the sulphurous air, dcafening crash,
and shell had exploded to the right
Before it fell Holtz, the farther trump
eter.
Steinert'S horse recoiled, then plunged
heavily forward, throwing his rider
over his head In an inato..; oteinert
was on his feet and running by Franz's
side. Behind him came laundering line
upon line Of galloping squadrons.
Can you take me up?" gasped Stein
ert unmindful of the red stain which
widened on his side.
"Upl" cried Franz He checked
Prinz's pace an instant, and the trum-
peter was mounted behind him. The
sight of battle had entered the cavalry
horse. and down the hill he clattered
under the double load SOON fully abreast
Of the squadron.
"You are hurt!' cried Franz. put
your arms around me. So.
A dimness spread before the keen eyes
Of Steinert There was humming in
his ears. The heavens were growing
black!
Again came the trumpet call. With
wavering effort Stcinert raised his in
strument, but found no strength II
blow.
Franz, he groaned, sound the
charged
There was no time for question. Seiz-
ing the trumpet, Franz raised it TO his
lips. Clear and strong his repetition of
the call rang out above the turmoil.
"BravoP groaned Steinert. Now
let me drop.
Steinert's hands loosened their grasp.
His strength ebbcd fat But Franz
caught the flaccid hands firmly in his
left fist and drew the limp form closer
to his broad shoulders. He dropped the
bride rein upon his p0mmcl, thrust his
right arm through tho cord Of his trump
ct, graspcd his sabcr with that hand,
and so met the shock Of battle.
Nightfall found the army Of the crown
prince gathered in and around Il French
village, far from the ground on which
Franz, after the first charge had de-
lvered Steiucrt TO the ambulance, the
nurses and the doctors. Through the
successive actions Of the day the young
! student had served as trumpotor
Shouting, foraSiug for provisions,
| cheering, singing and laughing ~
! though on holiday, the Bavarian
troopers surecd through the little cap
! turod town After darkness had come
| on Franz, pushing his way through the
| crowded thoroughfarcs. found himself
before an inn where many Of his com.
I radcs were eating. They shouted TO him
! to enter.
Winldng and blinking as he came
from the darkness into the strong light,
! Franz failed 10 see the signal slyly
| given by Il burly drago0n There was a
| hasty scrapiug Of chairs on the bare
/ floor a clatter Of feet and the survivors
/ Of Franz squadron spranC to their feet.
/ With an uplftcd sausage the signal
! was given Then "HCCh! HocG' rolled
! through the room and rcvlrbcrated IL
I the c5ugr- Smiling faces turned to
/ greet FRANZ; eager hands drew him to
scat Dazad, uncomprehending, he
! Slipped into his chair and only upon re
/ peated explanations did he understand
| the cause of the demonstration.
Why, man. lrowlod the burly
drapoou "don you know il was brave
thing o. cripple Yourself with Steincrt
i'm the midst of charge? Ach, but it
was lncr'
lie is my friend. ~ answered Franz
simply, MY comrado "
There was q stir at the door and the
clatter of "a saber upon tho floor. In an
instant every hand was raised in salute.
1t was tho captain.
Il find that both trumpeters Of this
squadron were disabled early in the
action today, yet trumpethas sounded
the orders as they We're given. How
was that" In eager words the story
was told, and Franz found himself hus.
tied and shouldcrcd until he stood be-
fore the captain With some uneasiness
hc raised his eyes 10 his superior face.
Had ice transgressod in taking upon
himself another's Office But there was
no severity in the answering glance.