The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-30

have found out the Prussian counter
sign. I believe at last we are to cap
turc that cursed Bourgct."
Then followed an explosion of hravos
and shouts The soldiers danced and
flourished their bayonets. Taking ad-
vantage Of the tumult the boys slipped
away. on leaving the trench they saw
before them a plain, bordered one side
by long, white wall defaced by bull
let's 1t was toward this that they di-
rected their footsteps, stopping often,
as if picking up potatoes.
let us go back when we get to the
wall" said Stenne.
The other boy only shrugged his
shoulders and went steadily forward.
All at once they heard a click and saw
a gun pointed at them.
Crouch down." whispered the large
boy. throwing himself on the ground.
once down he whistled; another
whistle answered. They then rose and
went UP to the fertilization. over the
wall they saw two yellow moustaches
under dirty military caps. The large
boy jumped down beside the Prussian,
This is my brother" he said, point
ing to his companion. Stenne was so
little that, on seeing him, the Prussian
take him 10y the arm to help him over
the rampant.
Behind the wall were earthworks,
fallen trees and great black ditches.
In each ditch were the same yellow
moustachos which laughed as the little
fellows went past. In one corner was
a house protected by trunks of trees.
The lower story was filled with sol
dierS playing cards while soup was
cooking over q roaring fire. How good
it sinelled and what contrast to the
camp of the French rinemcn. In the
upper story were the officers. They
had champagne to drink and piano
to play on.
When the little Parsians entered
they were greeted with shouts of joy.
They delivered their papers to tn"
enemy. They We're given wine TO
drink, that their, tongues might be
looecned The latgc boy amused them
by his odd language and his low wit.
| They laughed boisterOuslY, repeating
his expressions, fairly rolling in the
Partisan miro THAT was thus brought to
them.
Little Stennc would have liked to talk,
too. to show that he was not stupid,
but something seemed to choke him.
In front of him, standing apart from
tho others, was an old PruSSiun who
seemed to be trying to read his thoughts
as the soldiers eyes never moved from
his face. There were tenderness and
rcproach in the gaze, as if the man had
a boy about Stenne's age and as if he
| would have said
u would rather die than see my son
in such nusiness!'
The poor boy felt as if a hand clutch
ed his heart SO that it could no longer
/ beat. To escape from his torture he
drank great deal of wine. soon
| everything seemed to be going round
! and round. In the distance he heard
! his companion ridicuing the national
| guard, mimicking their drill and going
| through other drollery. At last the boy
! lowered his voice, the officers became
! serious. The wretch was about to fore
! warn them of the attack to be made
/ that night. Stenne suddeny realized
| what was going on and called out:
Not that! Not that"
Iho large boy replied with laugh
| and went on. Before he had finished
! all the officers were on their feet. one
of them showed the door to the boys
! and exclaimed:
| "L,aVe at once"
! Then they began talking rapidly
| among themselves in German, while the
{ large hoy walked as proudly a a duke
iinglin% his money in his poCkes, Stennc
| followed with bent head, and as he
| passed the old PrussiOn whose glance
! had hurt him so he heard a voice say.
| "A bad business. this: a bad husness,"
| Once outside the boys began to run
| to get back as soon as possible. Their
| sacks We're filled with potatoes which
! the Prussians had given them: they
! passed the French post without being
| molested, There everything was being
| got in readiness for the night attack.
! Troops arrived silently and massed
| themselves behind the bank How
! happy the old sergeant seemed as he
| placed his men. When the boys passed
| he recognized them and smiled kindly
| at them.
Oh, how that smile hurt little Stenne,
! lie wanted to cry out:
Don't go down there; you have been
| betrayed"
The older boy had said to him: IF
! you tell We shall be shot" So he WAS
! afraid. on reaching the city they went
| into deserted house to divide their
| money. This was honestly done. and
| when little Stenne heard his gold
pieces rafting in his blouse and
thought of the games and galuche in
! store Cor him his crime did not seem
! so very serious.
| Hut when he was alone, poor child!
! When the large boy had left him out
! side his door, then his pockets began to
/ feel heavy, and the hand which held
! his heart tightened its grasp. Paris no
! longer seemed the same place PeopIe
! passing looked hard at him, as if they
! knew whore 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 returned.
! He went at once to his room and hid
| the crowns, which Wer so heavy, under
! his pillow.
His father had never seemed So kind
| and 50 cheerful as on this particular
| evening.
Encouraging news from the provinces
| had been received: things looked
| brighter. While eating his supper. the
| old soldier looked at his gun hanging
! on the wall and said to Stenne. with
| his honest laugh: Hey, my boy. how
J you would fight the Prussans If YOU
! were only big enough!"
! About 5 o'clock they were startled by
| the sound of cannon. That is at
! AuherVillcrs; they are fighting at Bour-
! Set said the good man. who knew the
! names of all the forts. Little Stenne
| grew pale, and, pretending to be tired
! went 90 bed, but not to sleep. The can
nonade continued, The boy pictured
to himself the French soldiers going at