The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-06
OLD SOLDIERS.

usual, Gauiilac began TO talk about the
fact that the Little Corporal had spoken
10 him, mere soldier. He said he would
never forget 1t.
Indeed, You have never told us about
that, replied Bernardin. when did he
speak to your
When? Oh, that's my affair."
well, but what did he say to you''
What did he say to me. 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
We'll, what did be says You surely
don't hesitate TO repeat it?'
No, no. / don't hesitate. He said to
r,e-er-that looked like add fool"
replied Gauillac, with an effort.
Bernardin burst into a noisy laugh, and
In teasing manner said:
Perhaps he was right, but where the
devil did he say that to your
The eve of the battle Of Lutzen. when
he was reviewing the regiment
Gre nom, you don { look like id
fool! You are one!' 1t was not to you he
said that. 1t was to mer'
ITO you, to you, Bernardin'"
Us. yes; " me- GllI Il II pIONt H. "6
were elbow to elbow He stopped in front
of u.s. The colonel drew 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!'
'Bernardinn' cried Gauillac In a SOL
emn and threatening manner, you are
telling me lie. You are trying to steal
from my heart one of its dearest memories.
You are bad fellow and a.
All, you have got the swelled head at
my expensei will not suffer it,"
Nor will Ir'
What next, then?''
Bah! I 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 evaporation and
ready to throw bottle at Gauillac' S head.
Eh, bien! II shall"-
There's 10 need to complete your SEN
tencei Such insults are washed out only
with blood. You viii hear from me to-
morrow
And Berrardin went ont proudly with
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 de
Clamart. Bernardin brought with him
two swords, freshly sharpened and wrap
ped up in piece of cloth. He handed
them to the seconds and quietly took off
his cloak, avoiding his adversary's eyes
and without saying a word.
One of the seconds, a decorated Invalide
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, Iii
take my leave!'
Gauillac and Bernardin seemed little
disconnected by this simple question.
They exchanged glances and replied TO-
getber:
That is our affair alone"
Not at all, not at all, " replied Big Da |
vid, with very pronounced Alsatian &C
cent ''It is also the affair of the seconds. |
We cannot allow old comrades to fight IN /
less they have a good reason"
Eth, hien,'' said Gauillac. ''Bernardin |
has inSulted mel"
1t is not true 1t is Gauillac who in
suited ne, and who
- But why? What about?'
They realized SO keenly the humor Of |
their position, these Old soldiers, that nei |
ther Of them answered the question.
You will not explain! Then / shall at
once go home" declared Big David.
Listen moment, David. A second is |
like confessor. ! viii tell you the whole !
thing upon the condition that you will |
not prevent US fighting"
And Gauillac related faithfully the |
whole quarrel.
Scarcely had lie finished when Big Da- |
vid began TO gamSol and cut capers and |
flourish his stick in such manner that |
they feared he was about 10 have fit. He /
uttered some inarticulate sounds, IN the |
midst of which certain words were never |
tbeless distinguishable.
such id fools, such id fools"' |
Finally he Gained down, and, his eyes
still filled with tears of delirious joy, he
e;,id:
You are couple of clowns. The en-
peror said that TO me"
BeTnardin and Gauillac, moved by the
same impulse, approached Big David with
frowning eyebrows and closed fists. They |
would have struck him, but he stopped |
them with a gesture.
Let me speak first, and afterward you
can do as you please" be cried. 1.-THE
night before the battle of LutZen / was
chosen by the colonel 10 carry a secret
message to which the emperor attached the
greatest Importance. / was selected be-
cause l came from Sarrelouis and could
speak German.
4 was furnished with peasants dress
and cautioned TO look as much like a
ID fool as possible, and, if arrested,
10 behave like a donkey that wants its
bran ] was able to accomplish my mis-
sion 10 the satisfaction Of my chiefs. !
carried the message safely, and when re-
turned the colonel said that should have
a cross. The emperor, who always looked
txedly at the men, may have said what
you heard him say before both of you, but
ii was of NE be was thinking"
And the proof of what You tell u.s.
demanded Bcrnardin 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 il all be declared al
an end. =
He had sworn by the cross of honor. 1t
was impossible 10 doubt his word. Der
hardin and Gauillac shook hands, and
their reconciliation was complete
But the same evening as they emptied
the third bottle Gauillac grew sad and
whispered in Big Davids ear: