The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-12

There is no doubt that the mare was
spent but still it is true that l might
have galloped on through Senlls and
reached the country where l should
have had no enemy between me and
Paris. But what hussar can ride past
a fight and never draw rein? 1t is to
ask too much of him. Besides / thought
that If Violette had an hour of rest l
might be three hours the better at the
other end. Then on the top of 1t came
those heads at the windows with their
sheepskin hats and their barbarous
cries. l sprang from my saddle, threw
Violette's bride over a nail post and
ran into the house with the rest. 1t is
true that | was too late to be of service,
and that / was nearly wounded by u
lance-thrust from one of these dying
savages. Still it is a pity to miss even
the smallest affair, for one never knows
what opportunity for advancement
may present itself. l have seen more
soldielly work in outpost skirmishes
and little gallop-and-hack affairs Of
the kind than in any of the emperor's
big battles.
When the house was cleared took a
bucket Of water out for Violette, and
our peasant guide showed me where
the good mayor kept his fodder. My
faith, but the little sweetheart was
ready for it. Then l sponged down het
legs and leaving her still tethered, !
went back into the house to find a
mouthful for myself, so that | should
not need to halt again until l was in
Paris.
And now l come to the part of my
story which may seem singular to you,
although l could tell you at least ten
things every bit as queer which have
happened to me in my lifetime. You
can understand that to a man who
spends his life in scouting and vedette
duties on the bloody ground which lies
between two great armies there are
many chances of strange experiences.
I'll tell you, however, exactly what oc-
Cured.
Old Bouvet was waiting in the pas
sage when | entered, and he asked me
whether We might not crack a bottle
of wine together. "My faith, we must
not be long" said he. There are
10000 of Theilmann's Prussians in the
woods up yonder."
"Where is the wine?" I asked.
"Ah! you may trust two hussars to
find where the wine is" said, and,
taking a candle in his hand, he led the
way down the stone stairs which led to
the kitchen.
When we got there we found another
door which opened onto a winding
stair with the cellar at the bottom.
The Cossaqks had been there before us,
as was easily seen by the broken bot
ties Uttered all over it. However the
mayor was bon vivant. and | do not
wish to have a better set of bins TO
pick from. Chambertin, Graves, Ali
cant, white wine and red, sparkling
and still, they lay in pyramids peeping
coyly out of the sawdust. Old Bouvet
stood with his candle, looking here and
peeping there, purring in his throat
like a cat before milkpail. He had
picked upon a Burgundy ait last, and
had his hand outstretched to the bot
tie, when there came roar of mus
ketry from above us, rush of feet,
and such a yelping and q screaming as
] have never listened to. The Prussians
were upon us.
Bouvet is a brave mani will say that
for him. He flashed out his sword, and
away he clattered up the stone steps,
his spurs clinking as he ran. l followed
him, but just as we came out into the
kitchen passage q tremendous shout
told us that the house had been recap
tured
at is all over" l cried, grasping at
Bouvet's sleeve.
3 "There is one more to die" he shout
ed, and away he went like madman up
the second stair. In effect / should
have gone to my death also had l been
in his place, for he had done very
wrong in not throwing out his scouts
to warn him If the Germans advanced