Middletown transcript., 1898-01-01

his eyes, but he could not find any
words with which to thank the little
viscount.
Time passed away, and Herve went
away to college, buS in the holidays ne
always saw Tanneguy, who was en-
ployed on farm on the Plenhoes
estate.
ST have always kept the gun," said
Tanneguy one day to the young Wis
count. sit was the one happiness of
my childhood, and 1 shall never part
with it. If ever the day should come
when you should have need of one, you
can count on me-" AMI the young
Breton's voice vibrated with earnest
ness, so that Herve knew that these
were no vain words.
At the age of Is the young viscount
entered the military school of st. Cyr,
determined as he was to embrance the
career of his ancestors. Two years
later the terrible war Of 1870 broke
out, and HerYe, with some of his COM
rades of St. Cyr, was appointed officer
in regiment.
No sooner did Tanneguy hear of this
than he hastened to engage himself in
the same regiment, and this poor young
peasant, ignorant and uneducated as
he was, proved himself a veritable
hero. Their regiment belonged to the
Army of the North, commanded by
Faidherbe, and after every combat the
two friends sought each other anxious
ly.
In spite of his kernic efforts. Faid-
herbe was not able to prevent the ad-
vance of the enemy. On the 23d of
December, 1870, at the battle of Pont-
Noyelles, Tanneguy distinguished him
self by mis- bravery and was promoted
on the battlefield, and Herve at the
same time was appointed captain. On
New Years day, 1871, they were in
camp near Arras and nearly worn out
with fatigue and priyations.
"Captain," said Tanneguy. "this
time ten years ago was the day when
YOU gave me the little gun. Do you re-
member"
"Yes," said Herve, smiling, as he re-
membered his own childish delight on
receiving the little weapon.
"You gave me the only pleasure
every had in my life," said Tanneguy.
Three days latter the battle of Bap
aume took place, and when it was grow
ing dusk and the combat was nearly
over Tanneguy looked round in search
of the Captain de Plenhoec, knowing
that he was sure to be found in The
thickest of the fight. Tanneguy sud
denly to rise from under his horse
which had just been shot dead. A
Prussian was advancing toward Hervt
with his bayonet pointed at the young
captain. He was just preparing to xii
his victim, intoxicated as he was will
the smoke aud the blood all round him
Herye had only just risen to his fee
when he saw the Prussian's weapor
pointed at him, and he felt sure tina
| L.. hoa 0Nnno
Suddenly man bounded between
him and his eLemy, and with swor'
thrust laid the Prussian dead befor
him. 1t was Tanneguy, who, on see
ing Herve's peril, had rushed to th'
rescue, bounding over every obstacle
trampling underfoot ths dead and dy
ing and only just arriving in time tt
avert the danger.
Tannsguy stopped down, and snatch
ing from the dead soldier his gun, pre-
sented it to Herve, who was disarmed
"Captain, you once gave me gun
Let me pay my debt to you with thi
one"-
Before be had finished speaking am
while holding the weapon ont to Herv
poor Tapneguy staggered back and fell
A ball had just struck him and pierce'
his heart. Herve grasped the firearm
all covered with blood as it was, and "a
though in dream, vision Of the pas
rose before him, and he saw the wild
road in Brittany where be had give
his little gun to peasant ad.-Fror
: the French of J. Morand.