The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1898-01-29
n Nl.:DEFENSE OF HONOR.
From the French of Eugene Marano:
Tn 1914. At tMesnil-sous-Bois in Cham

I. From the French of Eugene Marano:
Tn 1914. At tMesnil-sous-Bois in Cham
pagne. - F.
In, the little living-room of the pres
bytery where the closing day-a
gloomy and cold one of ADril-gave
only doubtful light, Mdlle. Lys, the
niece of the abbe, was arranging in the
bottom@of the armure surplice and
other clerical garments.
From the street there came up vague
sounds of calling voices. and through
the mist. like shifting fires passed the
unsteady CLEANS of moving lanterns.
All at once. in front of the house,
the pavement resonnded to the tramp
seof many horses; the he>&door-knocker,
1ldely sounded,s made glasses shake,s
and the yoice Of Jean Bigorne, the
.sacristan, was heard by the young girl.
mingled with the blinking Of spurs and
confusion Of sabers dragging over the
pavement Of the corridor.
She raised herself frightened when
the door was suddenly opened by the
-sacristan. Two men crowded past him,
and he cried out, choking with anger:
':Ah the beggars! the seoundrelsr'
jean, what is it?" she asked.
What is it? It is the Cossacks
medemoiselle!' and pushing forward
he stopped, seized one of the heavy sill
YER candlesticks from table, and stood
Straight again.
1t is also true that they call me Jean
Bigorne, eX-sergeant of the Twelfth
Dragons, wounded by a bayonet at
Arcola, by a saber stroke at Lutzen,
almost killed at Marengo, and nearly
buried at jena, and do not advise you
to advance, you Others"
Let them be, Jean, let them be-"
said Mdlle. Lys, very pale.
Let them be? But mademoiselle.
the abbe would never forgive me. 1t
is not alone that this is Gods house
lot Of brigands that you are-it is the
church of M. Chanteloup, and because
he is cure now it does not hinder that
he was always my commander and got
= no hurt from you under the Emperor"
One Of the men advanced to repulse
jean.
=. "A thousand thunders!" roared tho
;sacristan; IF you tonch me-"
One hand was raised to strike when
the grave voice of Able Chanteloup
asked:
We'll, what are you doing, SER
geant?' H..
Monsieur Abbc-mv commander"
Il have cautioned you not to swear
such oaths. 1t is the habit of the regi-
ment which you must lose in the
service of God. What do these men
want?'' asked the abbe.
THE officer has a billet of odgment
here for the night. A lod ging-
misery!'' 81 -.... -.
1t is we'll; give him chamber"
'.And which one, then?"
Mine, y said the abbe. -, -
Jean bowed his head and growled
something between his teeth The
officer started to follow him to a room,
when a gesture of the abbe detained
4 him. -
Do you understand Frenchp Yes?
Then word, I pray. The man who
receives you has been soldier, as you
are. He was five years a commander
In the guard and would be still if a
{ ball had not shattered two fingers at
Wagram
And the abbe showed his right hand,
which had lost its middle fingers.
Not being able longer to aid the
country with mysword, | have thought
81 might still aid it with the cross. I
was educated in profound CHRISTIAN
sentiments. and have become !. priest.
And my ministry commands me to be
to-day, between You and the country to
4 winch you come an enemy, and inter
nediary of peace and conciliation.
4 Enter, Monsieur. You are in "a home
of man without defense. My poor.