Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-06-21

. L. , . . rs -as ii . .
sz1uIn ur rne arraoK to be madc
that night Stenne suddenly realized what
was going on and called out:
Not that! Not tbat!'
The large boy replied with loud laugh
and went on Before he had finished all
the officers were on their feet. Ono Of
them showed tho door to the boys and sx-
claimed:
''Leave at oncel' f-
Then they began talking rapidly amorg
themselves In German, while the large
boy walked out as proudly as Dode, jim
Cling his money In his pockets Stenne
followed with bent head, and as be passed
tho old Prussinn whose glance had hurt
him SO he heard II sad voice say: ga bad
business, this. a bad business!"
Once outside, the boys began to run to
get back as soon rs possible Their sacks
were Tiled with potatoes which the Prus-
slams had givon them. They passed the
French post without being molested.
There everything was being got in readi-
ness for the night attack. Troops arrived
silently and massod themselves behind the
bank. How happy the old sergeant seemed
as no placed his Inenl When the BOYS
passed, ho recognized them and SMILED
kindly at them.
Oh, how that smile hurt little Stennel
lie wanted to CRY out:
Don't 60 down thersi You have been
betrayed"
Tho older boy had said to him, "If you
tell, We will be shot" So he was afraid
On reaching the city they went into de-
sorted house to divide their money This
was honestly done, and whom little Stenne
heard his goldpieoes rattling in his blouse
and thought OF, the games and galoches In
store for him his crime did not seem SO
very serious.
But when no was alone, poor child,
when tho large boy had loft him outside
his door. then his pockets began to feel
honvy, and the hand which held his heart
frightened its grasp. Paris no longer SEEM
ed the same place. People passing looked
hard at him, as II they knew where he had
been. He heard the word "spy" in the
noises OF the street, In the beating Of the
drums along the canal. He entered the
house and was glad that his father had
not yot returned. He went at once to his
room and hid the crowns which were SO
heavy under his pillow.
His fnther had never scemcd SO kind
and SO cheerful as on this particular even-
ing. -.0
Encouraging news from the provinces
had boon received. Things looked bright
or. While enting his supper the old soldier
looked ut his gun hanging on the wall and
Hey, my boy, how you would fight the
Prussians if you were only big enough!"
About O'Clock thoy were startled by
che sound OF n cannon. That is at Au-
bersvilliersl They are fighting at Bour-
get! said the good man. who knew the
names Of all tho forts Little Stenne grew
pale, and, pretending to be tired, went to
bed, but not to sleep. The cannonade con-
tinued. The boy pictured to himself the
French soldiers going at night to surprise
tho Prussians and falling into an a1nbus-
cade. He thought of the sergeant who had
smiled upon him and saw him stretched
out dead In the Snow, and many, many
others with him. The price Of all this
blood was hidden there under his pillow,
and 1t was he, the son Of u soldier, who
He stilled his sobs. Ho heard his father
walking about in the next room and st
last open window. Down below in the
square the call to arms was sounded, and
u regiment WAS forming to march to tn,
scene Of the firing. It was IL battle, then.
Tho miserable boy could no longer restrain
his sobs. M..
What is the matter?'' asked Pere
Stennc, going into tho room. The child
slid out of bed and threw himself at his
fathers feet. At the motion the crowns
rolled out on the floor.
What is thisr Have you been steal-
ingr" said the old man in a trembling
voice.
Then in breath little Stenne told him
that no had been to the Prussian camp,
and that they hnd given him the money.
AS he talked his heart grew lighter, and
he felt comforted. His father listened
with an expression Of terror. When the
boy had finished, the old man hid his faca
IN his hands and wopr aloud.
Father! Father!" exclaimed the child.
The old man pushed the boy aside and
picked up the gold. -
us this alp he asked
Littlo Stenne nodded his head His IA
Their then took down his gun, and, putting
the money in his pocket, said
am going to return 1t to the givers"
Without another word. without even a
look behind, he went out and joined the
troops who were marching past. He was
never seen again !-Alphonse Daudet.