Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-03-17

"Would it not be possible, monsieur"
he suggested, "to obtain from the lady
superior a certificate that the effect of
the operation might be injurious TO an
invalid?"
CASTOR could not help smiling at the
idea. 81 don't quite see" he said, what
q cropped head has TO do with bruise
on the knee; but there can be no harm in
trying"
AS good luck would have it, Sister An
gelique, in whose memory perhaps still
fingered the fondly cherished recollec-
ton of some romantic episode of her
youthful days, listened with interest to
the handsome Breton, while he related
to her his hopes and fears, and his at
tachment to his cousin Louise. Being
naturally kindhearted and sympathetic,
she agreed without much persuasion
to his rather homogeneous request; so
that Pere Pitrot, relieved from his dis
agreeable responsibility, went on his
way rejoicing.
A quarter of an hour later the leuten-
ant burst into the infrmary in a par
oxysm of fury.
so, youngster," he cried, ait seems
you are bent on Drawing me! Well, we
shall see! You cannot stay shamming
here for ever; and mark my words
when you do come out, I'll have that
head of yours as smooth as a billiard
BALL"
With this paEing threat, he bounced
out Of the room, and next day every one
of the future cavalry officers-the pris
oner alone eXcepted-underwent the
summary operation of cropping" at
the hands of the barber Pitrot.
Meanwhile, Gaston's position was by
no means an enviable one. Through the
grated windows of the infrmary he
could see his comrades mounting their
horses in the courtyard and caracoling
gaily as they passed; and on Sunday
most painful trial of all-could hear
with pang of envy the joyous shouts Of
his more fortunate colleagues, enamel
pated for few hours from duty, and on
their way to catch the first train TO
Paris.
The day of deliyerance, however, was
at hand. Early on the 18th of July-a
date never to be forgotten by Ge Ian
geais-the occupants Of the infrmary
were suddenly startled by tremendous
uproar Immediately under their win
dows, and, on looking out imagined for
moment that pandemonium had
broken loose.
Such spectacle had assuredly never
been witnessed at st. Cyr. The entire
quadrangle was thronged by an eX-
cited multitude, rushing to and fro in
tumultuous disorder, fingng their caps
high IN the air, and bursting every now
and then into loud and prolonged hur
rah Was it a revolt, marveled the
sisters and their patients, or what could
it possibly mean?
y few minutes suffced TO explain the
mystery. A hasty step was heard out
side the door, Immediately followed by
the entrance into the sick room of an adj
iutant, bearing in his hand an official
document. the contents of which. re-
cited by him in a sonorous voice. were
greeted with an enthusiasm bordering
on frenzy.
"War is declared with Prussia BY i'm
perial decree, the seniors are henceforth
sub-lieutenants."
Before the sisters deafened by the
clamor, had recovered from their stupe-
faction, they found themselves alone in
the infrmary, the invalids one and all,
having mustered strength enough to
throw aside their wraps, and make the
best of their way downstairs.
Castor. whose instantaneous cure
Sister Angelique afterwards described
as little short of miraculous, was the
first to reioin his comrades; and, des-
crying lis prosecutor, Bouchard,
standing apart from the rest, and APP
parently in no very good humor, went
up to him with outstretched hand and
frank. CHEEKY smile:
"Well, lieutenant" he said, "you
won't have ne cropped now."
$50 it seems" grimly replied the
other, returning somewhat reluctantly
the profrered grasp. "You have more
luck than you deserve; for, depend
upon it, I should have shown you no
mercy!"
Each of the seniors entitled to pro-
motion having notified to the adjutant
on duty the regiment to which be was
DESTROYS of being attached, the prepare
tions for departure were speedily COM
pleted. At an early hour in the after
noon The band Of eXulting Youngsters
started for Paris. intent on making the
most of the three days allowed them
before joining their respective corps.
Gastons regiment being stationed at
Lille, he had ample leisure, after par
taking of 4 farewell repast at Brebant's
with his old companions. to carry into
execution a long-cherished project of
paying a flying visit to his cousin Louise
at Trouville; and, repairing on the
third day to headquarters, reported
himself to the colonel of the Forty-sec-
ond dragons, who received him most
cordially
"You are dispensed from duty" said
his chief, until you have got your kit in
order. Young man, you have arrived in
the very nick of time. for before the
week is out, we shall be on cur way to
the front"
On his first appearance at mess de
Langeais discovered, 20 his astonish-
ment that every one Of his new COM
panions. without exception, was closely
cropped. "a very necessary precau-
ton" said the president, "in war time;
the less ircumbrance we carry about us
the better. A long beard and as little
hair as possible; no comb or razor
wanted; nothing but a simple brush
up"
"Not TO mention" chimed in an old
campaigner of proverbial badness,
chat 4 heavy helmet plays the very
1auca with Ono'c>hair"