Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-05-18

KNOW Wnere II was. Inc Helu mar
shall turned to the officer of the post
and said:
VERY we'll, if he does not remem-
Der by tomorrow morning, shoot
him."
When they had relieved us of our
arms and placed us under guard, my
father, who watched the sentinel from
the corner of his eye, told us that he
had hidden the flag; that, seeing the
day was going against us, he had torn
it from its standard wrenched the
eagle from it's perch, flung it into
ditch, while he had concealed the
precious silk, riddled with balls, under
his coat.
My father was simple man, the
descendant of peasants, a son of the
soil; but in speaking to us of these
things the man seemed to expand and
become exalted with the words he ut
tered.
He told us this fragment of silk was
sacred, that the wind that swelled it's
fields was the breath of the nation,
and that it moved in the midst of us
on the march as the image of our
country.
Then he thrust it into my bosom,
not wishing it to be found on him
when he should be shot next day.
In the evening the Prussians sent
a flag of truce asking a suspension of
hostilities that each might bury its
dead, and asked one of our number to
act as guide to our lines. An old com
rade, who knew the country we'll, Of
fered to conduct the officer, when it
was discovered that no one had a
handage for the eyes of the bearer of
the flag of truce.
sudden idea struck me. 1t was
running a great risk, but it was worth
the trial.
IF you wish, I will bandage the
eyes of the officer with my handker-
chief, | said. l produced the flag, the
red and blue stripes of which | had
folded inside, leaving the white alone
visible.
My father instantly understood my
ruse and explained in patois to the
guide that he was to remove the
bandage, and while the preliminaries
were in progress deliver it safely into
the hands of our troops.
The lantern gave but a feeble light
and no doubt, providence favored us,
for the thing passed, and the officer
mounted his horse and with his eyes
bandaged, followed the lead Of the
guide.
We could but accompany in thought
the enemy. who carried back himself
the flag within the lines of our own
army. The time passed. We heard
in the night the cathedral clock strike
the hours. At last we heard the SEN
tinel's challenge. The flag of truce had
returned. 1 rushed to the guide.
The flag is saved!" l cried.
Yes, but we are lost" he answered.
In few words he explained that the
affair had succeeded, but that the Of
ficer had discovered too late the ruse,
and had returned furious. In fact, he
came accompanied by superior Of
ficer, and pointed out to him the man
who had conducted the flag OF truce.
Order out the platoon of execu-
tion,' commanded the officer; this
man shall be shot"
ut was not he, captain?" l said, adj
vancing in front of him: it was
alone who conceived the idea of this
thing"
Excuse me, officer" interposed my
father. THE commander of a detach-
ment is responsible for the acts of
his men, is he not? 1 had given an
order; my men could only obey it,"
What is your name?" the officer
demanded.
Sergeant Bigorne,' answered my
father.
Very we'll, sergeant, you will be
shot Immediately"
"All right, captain; it is war. I
only ask the favor to be shot by my
comrades. Return them their arms
and l will be responsible for them"
The old officer looked at my father
with his little gray eyes moment,
then he said:
agreed"
1 strove to draw my father aside;
I must speak with him. Did they mean |
to make me shoot my own father? 1t |
was impossible. My father embraced |
me, and, handing me my gun, pushed !
me back into the ranks.
"Silence!" he said. You cannot |
speak under arms. In the presence of !
the enemy you are not my son. You
are only a soldier. 1 am your chief.
Obey!"
They gave us the cartridges taken |
from our wounded. My father count
ed fifteen PAGES from the walls of the |
and ordered us in line.
Then, in solemn voice, with uplifted
hand, he went through the details Of |
the exercise.
Take aim!" he cried.
The gun dropped from my hands. 1
rushed to my father and fell sobbing
into his arms. He tenderly whispered:
my son, these raw recruits fire bad
ly: thew will only mangle me Thou