New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12


| .,'i meant nic<cd 10 the rifle himself and
reported Private Meudon 10 '"'
| the culpri. was sent for ~
49,. 49,, ,,o,y What ycu deserve? asked Lieu
..,a,. WALTON who was kindly man. although
| -. a,soin,iparian. and who had no WISH u
no severe with a man who had fought MS i'fS'
} battle CALAMITY.
! nth IL tho punishment" haZarded the lieu
.-, lie had no exact knowledge or wha'
,t ,uuisbuont WAS for such unprecehde"'e'
hebavio- Clearly however Gaspard had pee'
ii,,, NJ dsohedience of orders while III an
encmys country
casnord was unmoved. II was evident TO 'he
officer that this man was no coward ana 50 ne
fried To reason with him.
You must have had some motive 'of 'hFo"
Inc away your rifle Come, out WIN H. lily
lad"
81 have killed men" The words came OUT
SLOWLY reluctantly, and Lieutenant Va''o'
laughed outright At the answer.
And vha, do you suppose your rifle was
given 10 YOU for? To light fire with, en-!
They are murdered. Their wives and chill
dren arc broken hearted. know IL
you know nothing. you fool These p'ach
pigs do no; value life so much as you va'ue
your cigar. II you hadn't killed them they
have killed YOU.
Then would have died without the sui' o'
murder my soul
You'd have died like a pig dies, Squeezing
protest. that's all What were you pe'ofe yo"
joined the marines?
"A poor fisherman lieutenant
"And how many fish did you make "ido"S
and Orphans asked the lieutenant
Fish have no souls. bat all people nave e'''
black people so the cure used to say.
! .t,,,, ,n, haven't killed their souls man."
NO; bu, in taking the lives Of men nave
los, my own soul
"Pouf, I'll absolve you, mon eniah''
at is impossible lieutenant"
"Nhatg'-the officer was angry at the man
obstinacy now What? Speak To your oiicer
Ike that Here sergeant, put this imbecHe
under arrest, We haven; any cells. but q" your
| best 10 make him feel what fool he ~
The sergeant grinncd ntegentiy and marched
the prisoner of to a hut and placed guaro
at the door. The hut was filthy and the ar
foul but there Gaspard had 10 remain THIRSTY
and restless and silent until The guard was re-
Loved and then he asked for water
"scrgcants orders are that you are to have
none until you recover your senses co'n'a'e
Come be a man" was tho sentiners reply
lam a man Gasrard said proudly. and he
waited without complaint unti. morning wheh
rh. sergeant fetched him and marched him 10
the lieutenant
We'll prisoner. are You going 10 do your
duty - asked the officer
Il cannot XIII" was tn. hoarse reply. and the
swollen tongue and the cracked purpie lips told
What agony OF thirst the man had endured In
th.f hot climate thirst - the most hendish OF
fortunes ana the sergeant had chosen strong
measure 20 bring Gaspard to right mind
VERY well" said the Lieutenant. do with
him as YOU suggest sergeant
"Prsoncr' Right about face March cried
the sergeant. and joined 10y tho guard AT the
door they marched e. "A stake that had been set
up ~ the village street. and Gaspard was bound
/ TO IL.
! There IN the burning rays of the sun. half
crazed with the heat and the longing for water
. Gaspard remained until late IN III. afternoon
| Then the sergeant approached him. bearing in
his hand flask OF water and cup into which
| hc poured some Of the cool liquid. raising the
flask high that the water fell into the cup
! with the sound that there is forgetting
| Gaspard's eyes glared at IL wolhshly, hu, his
lips and tongue were SO swollen tina, ne co"d
not after sound.
Private Mcudon, will YOU obey orders"
! asked the sergeant
The poor scorched head nodded assent. and
the mouth moved seeby. the sergeant poured
! a little 81 the water between Gaspard's lips, and
he tried e. swallow IT, Then. In "A moment his
eyes Frightened. and ne opened his mouth FOR
more and swallowed it. and mumbled that he