The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-09-18
handed him o. paper. The latter read from
Ths Latest .hs following dispatch: "from
the intrsnehsd camp as Dong Song.

handed him o., paper. The latter read from
Ehe Latest cha following dispatch: "from
the intrenchsd camp OF Dong Song.
FEB 12, 1856.
Captain Sanvallier attacked the enemy
this morning with great vigor, fought all
day against large forces and took success
fully four redoubts At last his soldiers
gave way, crushed by the superior num-
bers of the foe. Although grieyously
wounded in the head and his thigh pierced
with ball, he insisted upon being carried
by two men to rally his company and led
them to the assault. Captain Sanvallier's
conduct was admirable, and his condition
is now desperate l have placed the cross
on his breast This brilliant exploit will
permit me to enter Lang Song tomorrow.
Twenty-seven killed, 40 wounded.
GENERAL BRIERE DE L'IsLE."
A strange emotion, in which anguish
mingled with joy, caused NJ. Sanvallier's
heart to beat rapidly For moment he
remained silent. Then, his gaze little
unsteady, his eyes wide open, with a sad
astonishment, no asked his son in slow
voice: do you believe that it is he? He
would then be captain?" He went over the
dispatch second time, murmuring softly,
The cross-condition desperatep and q
tear coursed down his cheek.
Two hours later letter from the minis
ter of war informed the family of the event,
and the next day all the papers were talk
ing of Captain Sanvallier, recalling the
fact that he was the son of the honorable
foundry owner of Grenelle
Soon they gave all the details. Camille,
quoted many times in the doings of the
day, had been made captain several months
before His conduct had been signaliZed
during the campaign by an imperturbable
coclness under fire and profound con-
tempt for death which he seemed to seek.
That act of heroic energy stirred the en-
tire press and enraptured the people, and
the name of Sanvallier was in everybody $
mouth His portrait appeared in the book
sellers windows. The illustrated papers
represented him before the redodbt, carried
on the shoulders of two men, his sword
held toward the enemy. He was rousing
his soldiers with his voice, his gestures and
his glance, while his forehead was hastily
bandagcd with handkerchief, through
which the blood ooZed.
Now the foundryman could not go out
without seeing Camille on every side-in
the kiosks of the boulevard, at the corners
of the streets. Camille looked at him as
he passed, followed him with his eyes as if
he was living, and only left him to meet
him again farther on.
At every step NJ. Sanvallier received con-
CALCULATIONS. His table overfowed with
letters and cards complimenting him. But,
alas the dispatches which he received daily
from Tonkin left but little hope. Would
the son of whom today he was so proud
ever return?
One morning three months afterward NJ.
Sanvallier was working in his office, when
the door softly opened half way and the
curly little head Of Andree appeared. The
little witch seemed happy. Her eyes sparkled
with mischief. And suddenly she entered.
holding by the hand Captain SanvallieE,
and cried in her sly little way, Lock,
grandfather, here he is. Auguste and
his wife entered the Office in their turn.
NJ Sanvallier, who had not been prepared
for the arrival of his son, rose quickly
then stood motionless, choked by his emo
ton He saw Camille with the scar Oh his
forehead, the cross on his breast.
1t was then he, the hero whose name
Franco had learned, whose great deed
would live in books-it was he, the living
honor of the family. Timid ard embar-
raised as guilty child, Camille hung his
neSlQ, DuG nc SAW nlS ltIneE CHdHReNt-
grown old on his account-and he thought
of his fault with extreme anguish of heart.
Then very humbly, little bent, ready TO
get down on his knees, he came forward
with slow steps to his fathers feet, but at
that moment NJ. Sanvallier, with an abrupt
start, seized him round the neck, crying in
voice suddenly broken with tears: mo,
Camille! In my arms! In my arms, my
childr' And father and son held each 9th
er close, their shoulders shaking with sobs,
while Auguste and his wife wept beside
them.
They had stood there, silent, for several
minutes, when Andree, who had left the
room, came in again, ran up to the captain
with her doll, and presented her to him.
''This is jeanne" she cried. do you
recognize herr Kiss her, then. Don't you
think she has grown:"-From the French
For ShortNStories.