The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-02
OLD SOLDIERS.


to him, a mere soldier. He said he would
never forget it.
Indeed You have never told US about
ehat,'' replied Bernardin. when did he
speak to your
when? Oh, that's my affairl'' /,
''Well, but what did he say to your"
s'What did he say to mes That's also
my affair"
Eyes, butt
''Well, he was passing along in front OF
the regiment, and when he came opposite:
to me he stopped and said''-
well. what did be say? You surely
don't hesitate to repeat it?''
mo. no. don't hesitate. He said to
me--er-that I looked like ID foolI''
replied Gauillac with an effort
Bernardin burst into noisy laugh and
in teasing manner said:
perhaps he was right, but where the
devil did he say that to your
1.-The eve of the battle of Lutzen. when
he was reviewing the regiment"
'''Cre nom, you don 1T look like id
fool! You are one!' 1t was not to you he
said that. 1t was to mei''
Ito you, to you, .Bernardin?"
eyes, yes, to me, and III prove it. We
were elbow to elbow. He stopped. in front
of US. The colonel drew a notebook from
his pocket, put his sword-under his arm
and said:
He is very brave To which the EN-
peror replied:
That is not sufficient and added,
He must also have the appearance of a
fool, and as he spoke it was me he looked
at-yes, me!''
Bernardinr' cried Gauillac in 4 SOL
enn and threatening manner, you are
telling me q lie. You are trying to steal
from my heart one of its dearest memories
You are a bad fellow and a.
''Ah, you have got the swelled head at
my expensel L will not suffer it.
Nor will Il''
"What next, then?"
Bah! 1 am angry with everything, and
especially with you, who are jealous Of
what the emperor said to me-
You are nothing more than beast
an arch beast and an old humbug!" cried
Bernardin in a state of transportation and
ready to throw bottle at Gauillac S head.
Eth, bienl Il shall'-
''Theros no need to complete your SEN
tence! Such insults are washed out only
with blood. You will hear from ne to-
morrow
And Bernardin went out proudlyiwith
his head in the air and his legs firmer than
they were at the beginning of the dispute
Next day they met again in the Bots do
CLAIMANT. Bernardin brought with him
two swords, freshly sharpened and wrap
ped up in a piece of cloth. He handed
them to the seconds and quietly took off
his cloak, avoiding his adversary's eyes
and without saying word
One of the seconds, q decorated Inxalide,
who had served with the two champions,
and who was known as Big David, took
the two sabers, stuck them in the ground
and said:
This is not all. I want to know before
we go any further why you two are going
to fight. If You don't tell me, by CAD, I'll
take my leave''
Gauillac and Bernerdin seemed n little
disconnected by this simple question.
They exchanged glances and repH d to-
gether:
That is our affair alone.''
mot at all, not at all, - replied Big Da
vid with a very pronounced Alsatian ac-
cent. 1T is also the affair of the seconds.
We cannot allow old comrades to fight IN
less they have Il good reason
En- bien, said Gauillac. ''Bernardin
has insulted me!''.
1t is not true 1t is Gauillac who in
suited me- and who
But why? What about?''
They realized so keenlg the humor of
their position, these old soldiers, thai nei-
Their of them answered the question.
You will not explainl Then I shall at
once go home, - declared Big David
s'Listen moment, David. A second is
like confessor. I will tell you the whole
thing upon the condition that yon will
not prevent us fghting.'
And Gauillac related faithfully the
whole quarrel.
Scarcely had he finished when Big Da-
vid began to gamboI and cut capera and
flourish his stick in such a manner that
they feared he was about to have fitt He
uttered some inarticulate sounds, Ia the
midst of which certain words were never
theIess distinguishable.
such id fools, such ID fobls!"
Finally he claimed down, and, his ,eyes
still filled with tears of delirious JOY, he
said:
You are couple of clowns. The en-
peror said that to me-
Bernardin and Gauillac, moved by the
same impulse, approached Big David with
frOwning eyebrows and closed fists. They
would have struck him, but he stepped
them with a gesture.
Let me speak first, and afterward you
can do as you please, he cried. THE
night before the battle OF Lutzen / was
chosen by the colonel to carry a secret
message to which the emperor attached the
greatest Importance. L was selected be-
cause I caIne from Sarrelouis and could
speak German.
Il was furnished with a peasants dress
and cautioned to look as much like
ID fool as possible, and, if arrested,
to behave like donkey that wants its
BRAN I was able to accomplish my mis-
sion to the satisfaction Of my chiefs. 1
carried the message safely, and when re-
turned the colonel said that 1 should have
a cross. The emperor, who always looked
fxedly at the men, may have said what
you heard him say before both of you, but
it was of me he was thinking
And the proof of what you tell us?''
demanded Bernardin and Gauillac in the
same breath.
is here, - said Big David, showing his
cross, land swear by this cross that am
speaking the truth. From this moment
shake hands and let it all be declared at
an end
He had sworn by the cross of honor, 1t