St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-05-10

bourg as soon as possible. Taking hard
ly time for the writing of letter ant
the saying Of an adieu he departed fol
that place, and gratifying his own wisl
he went there on Bossue's horse.
His new grenadiers grumbled among
themselves. "Is it with that plug, y
they said, "that he means to lead us p
La Puysaye's friends looked at the
beast critically. An ensign lifted itE
Dip. "No use said the count; she's
an old horse, and his teeth no longer
mark his age. "
"But why didn't you come on your
black fellow2'
"Oh Constantine broke his leg, and
but do not laugh, messieurs-poor
and old as is this charger he is good
enough for the campaign. | judged that
we should be only amusing ourselves
here and l did not wish to honor the
enemy by riding too fine horse. -
The officers saluted smilingly. and
the colonel, wishing to see the marshal,
M. de Coigny, inquired the way to his
quarters. Before going thither he left
his horse with his orderly, who was 60
ing toward the trenches. Bring him
back to me tonight, " said the count,
and the man departed with the horse
But not more than an hour had pass
ed, and La Puysaye was just leaving
the marshal's quarters, when an attack
was ordered on strong point where
1900 men had been killed the night
before. The trumpets sounded and the
army FASTENED to respond. All other
tasks were abandoned and, with the
others, their uniforms in order, their
arms in readiness, the grenadiers fell
into line.
Being ordered to hold his regiment
in reserve, NJ. de la Puysaye conducted
it behind certain embankment, then
sought to 60 after his horse. But his
friends stopped him. "Not now, they
said. "The place is exposed. You would
be risking your life needlessly."
La Puysaye returned to his place and
gave vent to his vexation. miserable
orderly" he cried. "My horsel See
what he has done with my horse"
"Ciell" exclaimed captain in as
constituent "Why are you so concerned
about the beast2 From whom did you
get him?'
La Puysaye, tired of keeping his Sc
cret, revealed it. "From De Bossue. He
was, alas, enc Of my old friends. :"
The news was murmured through the
ranks while the officers marveled audi
bly,. "What an ideal" they said
"Where is he, that we may observe
him again.
"In that trench over there, which is
so exposed My orderly must have been
drunk to leave him in such place"
"Oh cried an officer, 81 have no
fear Bossue's horse The horse of
coward He'll crouch when the bullets
fly. You'll find him again safe and
sound.
"After all, said the other "the
trench covers him. He's satisfied to
stay in it. He won't come out
AT that moment bomb came sing
ing through the air, and from the
trench calmly, proudly, defantly, a
horse emerged. He stood alone in the
middle of the field, in a great open
place-alone. The saddle was on his
back, the bit in his mouth, and, though
he had lowered his neck in the silence
following the first bomb, he seemed
waiting only for signal on his bride.
1.-THE towards horse" thought the
army.
Just then the place seemed to fill
with smoke, while the city beyond
trembled as with an earthquake shock
three more bombs in the ranks Of
France, and Is files were cut down like
so much grain.
The trumpets sounded the attack,
and at that moment suddenly, magnifi-
Gently, the last rays Of the setting sun
clothed the horse in gold. He raised his
head, as the brave steed does when the
battle is on and the rider encourages
him to advance; then boldly, eagerly,
joyously, he charged on the city at
gallop. Deaf to the thunder of the can
non. Indifferent to the shot that whis-
tied about him, glad to sniff again the
smoke of powder, to feel once more the
excitement of the combat, the gallant
horse dashed en- and on-a sublime
spectacle for whole army to witness.
What moved him to rush on the enc
my so madly, to affront death SO grand.
lyf Was it the memory of Bossues
glorious battles? Was it the force of
habit acquired after score of engage.
ments-the result of lesson learned
on many fields?
They who followed swiftly after him
did not know, but they swore after
ward that they had seen a hand on his
bride, feet pressing his Sides a shad-
owy form on his back, and for one brief
instant face with a long scar on its
left cheek and look such no coward
ever wore
The poor beast at length fell, bleed
ing from score of wounds but he had
done enough in the eyes of the army
he whose horse this had been was vim
dicated, Bossue was not coward
From the French For Argonaut.
Clark Caught the Counsel.