Connecticut western news., 1897-09-02
THE PARISIAN."

a favorite with the officers, but he al- ways managed to get along very well with his fellow soldiers, for he was so lively and had such fund of ready wit. He had scarcely had any education, as he was apprenticed at very early age, but he had read great deal-every- thing, in fact. that he had been able to get hold of-novels, newspapers, books of travel and adventure, all kinds and sorts of literature, and as he had an excellent memory he was certainly cap- ital company.
 Then, too, he could sing fairly we'll, he recited like born actor, and he was always up to the most irresistible non- sense, so that he was the very life and soul of the regiment. He had been nick named by his fellow soldiers, on account of his Hveliness and wit, "the Pari- sian" and no one ever thought of call ing him by any other name. AS far as discipline was concerned, he was very second rate sort of soldier, for nothing had ever been able to persuade him that he owed implicit and passive obedience to the officers, of no matter what rank they might be.
 On the other hand, he kept his uni form and his arms in the most immacu- late state of cleanliness, he was first class shot and could march any dis tance. When it was announced in his regiment that volunteers were wanted for Tonquin, he enrolled himself with out moments hesitation, for, as he Said, he had always wanted to have I<N<1Ix n. the Mytho, the vessel which transported the troops, he very soon made himself quite at home.
 In the first place, he managed to get himself employed down in the kitchen, and in very short time was the favor ite of the head cook.
 Then, when he was off duty, he would install himself comfortably in the forecastle, and, while smoking ciga- rettes made with tobacco contributed by the sailors, he would entertain his audi ence by reciting monologues and by i'm itating the Parisian street cries of the various hawkers.
 He was wonderfully clever, too, at initiating people and animals, and he had baptized everything and every one OF board with the drollest of names of bis own inventioR, so that even the officer leaning over the bI idge during the watch would often roar with laugh ter at the absurd nonsense going on down below.
 For six months the Parisian had been incorporated in one of the companies of a marching regiment, and there had been some hard fighting several times, but so far, as he himself said, "he had kept his skin whole," and, what was more extraordinary, he had escaped all levers and illness of every kind. He was just as lively as when in France, and many time his gayety had put new courage into some of ths younger soldiers.
 His suPeriors appreciated his bravery and sang froid when under fire and the happy way he had of making the best of all kinds of privations and fatigue.
 "He's fine soldier" remarked his lieutenant one day to the captain, but the latter, who had noticed his tenden- cy to insubordination, answered.:
 Yes, fine soldier during the cam paign, but bad one in the barracks-a headstrong fellow to deal with"
 A little later on detachment of the regiment was told off to occupy an iso- lated point of observation near the banks of the Song Cau. For some time the country round had appeared quite calm and peaceful, and, as the guards were | on duty as sentinels, the soldiers had for the time being neither fatigue nor privations to endure.
 In order that their inaction should not have a demoralizing effect on the men, the officer in command saw fit to occupy them in various ways, such as | digging trenches, collecting fsgots and | all kinds of details connected with their | temporary encampment. One afternoon a section Uf the troop was engaged in clearing out the quarters, under the di- rection of Sergeant Butin.
 The Parisian had never been able to reconcile himself to handling the pick ax, and generally he passed his time in looking on while his comrades did the work, and as he always kept them en- tertained with his jokes and nonsense neither the men nor the suDofficer in command had ever made any difficulty about this. As it happened, though, on the afternoon in question Sergeant Blu tin was ill very lad humor, for he had that morning been hauled over the coals himself by his superior officer.
 On seeing the Parisian, therefore, seated on the ground making a ciga- rette. he cafled out to him roughly to take his place and work as the others were doing.
 ''Oh, they'll get through it without me, he urged.
 ''Take your place, " said the sergeant roughly.
 But, sergeant, assure you my trade Is in metal work, and I don't know how to go about turning the soil over."
 The sergeant was furious, and seiz- ing the soldier by his arm thyndered out
 Enough Of your foolery, alad you can take day's prison for change" "
 With one bound the Parisian tyas on his feet and had shaken himself free from the sergeant. He was livid with indignation, and there was no sign of joking about him now. He stepped ur close to the subofficer, and looking him straight in the face said simply. but il a hoarse voice:
 Nevfr lay your finger on me- again or-lodz out for yourselff'
 The lergeant, exasperated, laid holt of him again, shouting:
 ITO prison with you, and we'll see"-
 He did not finish his sentencej for th' Partisan raised his hand and deapt hin
 a blow oh the cheek, and while the ser
 geant stood there as though rooted t,
 the spot, wild with rage and stu Itterint l out threats of vengeance tHa foldier