Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1899-03-11


The men were awsy three months
One day. Ia Puyssye received notice
that a horse answering to the descrip-
ton given had been found in field in
Artois- He went 20 the place and
bought the animal at once. II was. ir-
deed. Bossue's extraordinary beast. the f
friend OF his friend. old and thin. worn
oy the hard service before the pillow aud
the ul-treatment Of the faru,hRnds-
There were the white legs. still fine as
those Of a racer. the long. black tail
and name. and .hoSe eyes. dark. cold.
clear. and Fixed. that made one uneasy.
strange animali~ thought Ia Puy-
save.
lie had IL fed. groomed. and saddled.
and set out for Paris az rather halt
inr gallop. Much fatigued he arrived
at length. But tired as he was. there
was 10 be little rest for him. note
from the bureau OF war awaited him.
informing him that his request for
regimen; had been granted; TIA; II was
70 be known as the ''Grenadiers Puy-
save and that he must join IL near
Fribourr as soon as possible Taking
hardly time for the writing Of letter
and the saving OF 81 adieu. be departed
for that place; ard. gratifying his own
wish. he went there on Bossue's horse.
His new rrena6iers grumbled among
themselves as IL with that plug"
they said that he means 70 lead usf''
La Puysayes friends looked al the
beast critically. An ensign lifted its
lip. NO use" said TIE count. hes an
old horse. and his teeth no longer mark
his age.~
But Why didn't you come on your
black fellow?"
~Oh. Constantine broke his leg. and
but co not laugh. messieurs. poor and
old as is this charger. he Is good
enough for the campaign I judged
that we should be only amusing our
selves here. and did 10; wish 20 honor
the enemy by riding too fine horse"
The officers salutcd smihngiy. and
the colonel. wishing 20 see the marshal,
NJ. de Coigny. inquired the way 10 bis
quarters Before going thither, be left
his horse with his orderly. who was 60
ing toward the trenches Bring him
back 10 ne tonight" said the count
and the man departed with the horse.
But not more than al hour had
e passed. and Ia Puysaye was just leav-
szr the marSbals quarters when az at
tack was ordered on a strong point
where $500 men had been Ad1ed the
night before. The trumpets sounded
and the army FASTENED 70 respond. All
g other tasks were abandoned. and. with
the others. their uniforms IN order,
: their arms IL readiness, the grenadiers
2 Eel into line.
Being ordered 10 hold his regiment in
reserve. NJ. dc Ia Puysayc conducted 4
behind a certain embankment, then
: sought 20 90 after his horse. But his
friends stopped him. Not now" they
said; "the place is exposed; you would
!. be rislng your life neediessly."
= Ia Puvsave returned 10 his place and
gave vent 10 his vexatiou. Miserable
u ORDERLY be cried; my horse! See
what he has done with my horsei"
~Cielt~ exclaimed the captain. in as
II tonishment. why are you 50 concerned
y about tie beastg From whom did yo'
/. get him.
5. la Puysaye. tired Of keeping Iii
secret. revealed il. Prom De Bossue
De was. alas. one OF my old friends
The nevys VAS murr ured through ID
ranks. while the officers marvelsd audi
bly,. What an ideal" they said. -Wher
Is Re. that we may observe him again ?
- I'm that trench over there. which
so exposed Ny orderly must have bee
= drunk. 20 leave him in such place
40 Oh cried an ofheer, have 10 fear
- Bossue-s horsei The horse OF a coward
- He'll crouch when the bullets fly; you
- find BIN again safe and sound"
al After al said another, "the trenc
j. covers him; he's satisfied 70 stay IN i
he won't come out"
ID At that moments bomb came singh
'or through the air. and from the trencl
~ calmly. proudly. 6eaantly. a hors
Ia emerged. He stood alone In the midi
he OF the geld, in a great open place
les alone. The saddle was on his back, n
e's bit in his mouth; and. though he ha
ice lowered bis neck in the silence follow
ut. ing the first bomb. be seemed waitin
IS. only Tor q signal on his bride.
lrs The towards horse" thought Il
I've army
just then the place seemed 70 al Wit
The smoke. while the city beyond trembls
Elf. as with IN earthquake shock; thr'
more bombs in the ranks Of France, ar
re- IS files were cut down like so niue
re- grain.
Ii TIE trumpets sounded the attaci
I'D and a. that moment. suddenly. ma
IN nifcently. the last rays Of the settiI
elf sun clothed the horse in gold.
raised his bead. as the brave steed do
1T; when the battle Is on and the rider e
.en. courares him 70 advance; then. bold