Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-03-31
elined to svail himself of the services of


the regimental barber.
Nevertheless. he instinctively fel
that continued refusal TO conform Z
the general custom must inevitably en-
danger his popularity, and that the onl,
way 10 atone for this obnoxious Singh
larity was to distinguish himself b,
some exploit which might obtain TO
him an honorable mention in the ordei
of the day.
An opportunity soon came. On The
18th of August his regiment. posted
near St Privat. behind an avenue o
poplars bordering the road 10 Saar
bruck, had been exposed for severa
hours to a CALLING fire of the German ar
tillery. and had suffered severely from
an incessant storm of shells. which
were beginning to set the trees on fire
The position of the French corps be
came untenable. and the colonel. deeid
ing that the enemy's guns must at any
cost be silenced. ordered small detach.
ment of Dragons commanded by de
Langeais to charge. and cut them of
from the main body. The Germans
taken by surprise. and imagining they
were about to be attacked by the en-
tire regiment. ceased firing and hastily
retreated. leaving one of their guns on
the field, which CASTOR. at the head OF
Is men, bore down upon. and, sabering
the gunners, carried it triumphantly
into the French lines.
Bravo" cried the colonel. warmly.
grasping the young sub-lieutenant's
hand; you have deserved the cross
for this. aud | will take care that you
get it,"
Stimulated by this first success. and
eager TO justify. by some further act Of
daring. the good opinion of his chief. de
Langeais neglected no opportunity of
proving himself worthy of IL. Dis
patched on a forage expedition, and
attacked by an outpost of infantry. he
completely routed them. and brought
ten prisoners into the camp; and a
few days later held his ground for half
an hour. unsupported. save by his own
men. against an entire corps OF
the enemy. His gallantry did not
Ild~N uui tMdlNth+ wv Ohi1 was
the cross of the Legion of Honor con
ferred on him. but his name was three
times mentioned for exceptional
bravery in the order of the day. and his
speedy promotion TO the rank of lieu
tenant was generally regarded as Ger.
tainty.
At this junctnre the unexpected cap.
itulation of Metz was a severe blow TO
him. and. unwilling TO accept compara-
tive liberty on parole. he conceived a
project. which. although extremely haz-
ardous. might possibly enable him TO
Join the army of the Loire. His design
being approved of by the general com
handing under Bazaine. who intrusted
him with letter TO his colleague. Au-
relle de Paladiucs. informing him tina:
the army of Prince Frederick Charles
would shortly march toward the Loire,
CASTOR exchanged his uniform for q
blouse and a PEASANTS straw hat, and.
carrying basket of eggs, pursued his
way coolly in the direction of the en-.
emy's lines.
ut is terrible risk" he thought.
but better be shot at once than rot
in German prison"
Challenged by the first sentinel he
met, aud arrested on suspicion. he was
taken before the colonel of the regi-
ment. who. surrounded by his officers in
council. scrutinized the prisoner at
tentively.
Where do you come FROM" he in
quired in tolerable French.
From Landonchamps. on my way
with these eggs to Grigy,' was the
young mans reply.
'Are you aware that you run the
risk of being treated as spy?" pur-
sued his interrogation.
Necessity has no choice" retorted
lie Langeas. with a perfectly indiffer
ant air.
During this brief colloquy the officers
glanced curiously at the stalwart indi
vidual before them, whose appearance
md manner contrasted so strangely |
with the homely dress he wore; and |
we're almost unanimously of the
,olonel's openly expressed opinion. that
lt WIS no DtdSuHt. uut al OlllCci III Ills 1
yuise. and consequently a spy. A
)ause bodiDg no good to the accused en-
'ued. and in another moment his fate
would have been sealed, when a gray
haired major. who had been intently
yazing at de Langeais, suddenly arose
rom his seat.
''Stavi" he exclaimed, with all sub
mission. | think you are mistaken. This
nan, whoever he may be. is no officer.
III those we have taken prisoners
AVE been close cropped, and no one
yer heard of French soldier on active
ervice with such a head of hair as
hat!"
"Ihue-the major is right" assented
everal of those present.
I'll may be So" said the colonel. only
alf convinced, land in that case be
entitled to the benefit of the doubt
live him pass. and let him go and be
anged somewhere else"
"a narrow escaped" muitered CASTOR