Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-05-23
ry, said I, taking up the conversation

pipe, which he had already filled with
my tobacco.
cone would never think, to look at
me ROW, . said he after few pulls at
his pipe, ''li.at was the son of rich
farmer All, truly, time can do strange
things with men! My father-blessed
be his mo,llo-y-was wrong when he SO
often said, carly 80 years ago, that his
wild boy v-ouldn't live to see many
years. I've 2en only too many Of them!
'"TEero y::is my brother Xavier-an
entirely dil3crent sort of fellow--my ex-
act oppcaita. While 1 wandered the
whole day long in the woods he would
sit poring over books thick with dust
even in our grandfathers' day which he
found in the garnet.
f'In the catechism he stood at the
head. The pastor had not met so indus
trious boy IN years.
''And I? Oh, was good for moth
ing, who deserved whipping every
day! I got it often enough, too, and it
didn't agrco so badly with me either, for
l grew to be such big fellow as
couldn't be matched in the neighbor-
hood.
81 think for one while there wasn't
a village fair in the vicinity where I
didn't play the rowdy. This would have
been a pretty bad state of affairs if it
had lasted long, but an end soon came
to it-an end which I would gladly
have exchanged for an honest stab in
tavern brawl 1t happened thus
"Can you see, sir, that old tumble
down hut over there between those two
larches? 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 pret
ty that the angels in heaven might have
rejoiced to look at her What wonder
was it that I often stopped to chat with
her over the fence or fasten nosegay
in her bodice on my way home?
'Well, the summer passed away, and
when winter came on, raw and cold,
and I had no excuse for wandering
among the mountains, still something
drew me irresistibly to those old paths,
and I could not let single day go by
without seeing Marie.
''Her father saw how matters were
going, but he made no objections. For
while he knew that I was wild sort
of a scamp he did not believe there was
anything really bad in me. And he was
not mistaken.
''The time came at 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 a pocr peasant
The old man was stubborn, and equal
ly 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 not making my choice between
Marie and my share of the property?
"Just then it seemed as if heaven it
self meant to spoil his calculations. The
dreaded day for the military draft came
on. I had the year before drawn the
lucky number which exonerated me
from service. It was now Xavier's turn
to try the wheel of fortune.
'sHe drew a blank, and unless a sub
stitute 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 as the very air seemed full Of
ominous portents, and any day might
come the news that war had been de-
clared.
GA thought flashed through my mind.
I swallowed my pride on the instant
and once more entered the old mans
presence.
Father, said I, if you will give
your consent to my marriage with
Marie, I will be Xavier's substitute.
'sThree days later was wearing the
kaiser green uniform.
The ant hunter stopped for an instant
and looked about him.
"It is beautiful little bit of earth,
this fatherland,' he went on to say,
"and have always loved it. Ny grand
father gave his life for it. He was killed
in the year 1909 in battle with the
French. He little dreamed, good man,
that a grandson Of his would cover his
untarnished name with disgrace, and
shut up in a 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 himl By heaven, I 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!
cit 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 fellow from my native
village did me the friendly service to
tell me that Xavier and Marie had been
called out three times from the altar.
cat first I only ridiculed the idea,
but later wis 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 woman's heart. From that day
lost my faith in humanity.
''Oh, but it was fearful blow to me!
I thought I was going to lose my mind.
Only one thing seemed plain to me- l
must see the miserable pair and avenge
myself.
''The day on which they were to be
married was on my way home. l had
asked for 10 furlcugh. l had thought Of
none All unwittingly had become a
deserter.
cat last I was within sight Of my
goal Already 1 could hear the church
bells ringing and shuddered at their
tones. They were the funeral knell Of
my FOOLS happiness. Oh, how longed
for wings! Perhaps / could get there
yet and stop this horrible thing, and
then But, no; strength failed me. My
limbs We're like lead, and only with
difficulty could drag myself along.
"When I reached the church, was
too late. The bridal procession was just
coming out. l can see them now as if it
had haDDened only Yesterday. Oh, that