The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-09-05
COWARD AND HERO.

IL was the 10th or December, Defore
Son-Tay. For two days We had splashed
In the mire of the ricefelds, the water up
TO our knees knew well we should get
used TO 1t, but II was worrying all the
same. Nevertheless we marched steadily
on, as regular and attentive as II we were
on drill.
l tell you this Is true. / am an old
trump. have been nine years In the serv-
Ice and six with the rank OF sergeant, and
the number OF young soldiers l have
trained and commanded fright about
face" is incalculable, but never have i
seen men march like these, shoulder TO
shoulder, as exact as II drawn by line,
and that, / tell you, In two feet of mud.
Sapristi, but Il was superbl
/ was jubilant and yet little vexed to
see how we'll the scamps could keep step
when they chose. All, well, had nothing
to complain of that day. Haiti Well, not
a bit too soon, l thought, and yet drou
place TO halt In. No matter L hlled my
pipe and looked around to see where we
were. Ricefields to the right, to the lett,
and behind us n thick slush made by our
trampling feet. A little corporal, who has
a tongue we'll hung-indeed, TOO well hung
called out TO me:
'Sergeant GtftThHNt eotfstahe Do'sie'
no need to light your pipe. Walt awhile;
they will light 1t for you.
The jackanapesl As IL / didn't know
we would soon be under the fire OF the en-
emvl suddenly heard them calling the
roll of my company and saw my brave lei
lows break ranks and trot like rabbits
across the ricefelds to meet the baggage
master. who was returning with great
package under his arm.
Letters Now, ask you, was this good
time to distribute lottersS There they were
running like so many madmen. l was the
only one TO remain tranquil. 1t is true, i
have no one Co write to me, no family, no
friends, nobody-all alone In the world,
like an old bear. Heaven help mel
At last l see my men return to their
n,aoes. holding up their hands to keep the
letters from being soiled by the water, and
carefully. as IL they were guarding the last
words and testimony of their dying moth
| ers. All, Jacque has letter
News from home, lacquer
Jacaue Is the sergeant Of my company
| 7 am chief of the first section, he OF thu
second. handsome young fellow, with
bright, boyish face, beardless chin an'
cheeks as smooth as a girls.
Nevertheless 1 hold a little grudg
against him. IL Is always vexing to so
these brats OF 22 promoted alongside OF al
old trooper like me. But for all that he !
a nice boy, and tho men would go through
fire and water for him. He Is well con
nected, of good family and often receive
letters with the seal Of the war depart
| mept. But that Is his business not mine
watched him out OF the corner OF IN
| eve as he ran through the letter. Then
| saw him wipe away tear, little tear
| which plistened OH the end OF his eyelasi
| I pretended not to see 1t, even joked Ill
| tie to make him laugh.
"What has she written to you, Jacqu'
What says my fair ladys'
He turned to me without smile an
gravely said: Il have no lady fair, be
| trand. 1t Is from my mother. "
"Ahl" l felt as IL had made fool
myself and said no more.
Rut .Jacuue continued: "Do you 81
| these letters, BertrandY 1t would bo bett'
| not TO receive them In times like these.
That was my opinion, as have alreac
said IL was not good To allow them
break ranks, the scamps; they ask nothir
| better. But out of politeness to Jacque
said: sit is always pleasant to recei'
, | good news from home, no matter where.
| hone YOU had nothing disagreeable.
. Jacaue shook his head.
ooh, no, to the contrary
That was all. Really Master Jacque W
not talkative this morning. His eyes we
D fixed on the horizon far away, where the
was nothing to be seen but bit OF bl
3 | skv. wondered what he could see ov
J. | there.
"Forward, march, l repeat at las
FORWARD. march," for my section.
Jacoue. no doubt, was still dreamil
}, | and did not hear the command, for hea
/ | the lieutenant behind me say, "Ah, we
Sergeant Jacque, tagging behind already
Jacuue said not a word; he simply
heated. FORWARD, marchr' In draggil
tone "a AZ he were weary-that Is to say,
was not the tone French sergeant III
when he commands Forward, march
j. They never humble those two words, b
r shout them out with enthusiasm. What
O the matter with Sergeant Jacque In
. morningf He Is not like himself.
All, that was a rough day, 1 tell yc
T. When night came, we were still In
water. but up to our waists this tin
And all around us little fieldpieces W,
shifting fire, like SO many demons L
.r we marched steadily on until we WI
within 80 meters of the citadel. NO
in gunshot, not movement; the rascals w
saving their powder until we were near
W said to myself: wait, old fellow. Y
D. will have something to warm you up
rs and by. Don't be discouraged.
m When, behold, we were again conlmal
/, ed to halt.
i' The captain stepped In front OF
ranks and demanded In low voice
the same It was distinctly understood
subofficer willing to undertake sec
n | and dangerous mission
II Naturally / stepped forward. Nov
III have the misfortune to be a little TOO
at appreciated by my captain, an old TOT
lie skin like myself, who had been my II
m | tenant in Africa.
Not you, Bertrand. i know you
no and when want you will IND you I.
re- Just DO kind enough to remain quiet
nv You see, some officers Will not gr
n, you the least favor. Then said 10 nys
~ This Is just the thing for Jacquo:
The captain seemed to DO OF the 81
opinion, for no stopped exactly In IRON
him and repeated under his nose. a
mr. officer willing to undertake danger
,p. mission"
- IL was plainly to be scon that he
iss making advances to Jacque, ana you
90. th,nk I am mocking you when tell
INV flno, cred his eyes under
oazo uf t- "a and said not W
You mas t., TO the captain was an
for you l.:t,. il is not pleasant to
advances t. any one and have them thr
back In your teeth.
80. heard him sheer under his musta
80" "Well. he means to take good care OF
80. skin"
All, it was rough. Jacque turned Al
go" as a beet, but said not word, only
NJ tho captain had passed he raised his
nj and fixed them ON that bit OF blue SIX