The Philipsburg mail., 1899-06-16

ga" were empty, 1eclarou he did moi
know where it was. The field mar
shal turned to tho officer of the post
and sad
"Ve!'y well. If lie does not remem-
Der b. Tomorrow morning. shoot
him."
When they had relieved us Of our
arms and placed us under guard. my
rather, who watched the sentinel from
the corner of his eye, told us that he
mad hidden the flag; that, seeing the
day was going against us. he had torn
II from its standard, wrenched the
eagle from its perch. flung it into a
ditch. while he had concealed the
precious silk, riddled with balls, under
his coat.
Ny father was simple man, the
descendant Of peasants. a son of the
soil; but in speaking to us of these
thlngs the man seemed to expand and
become exalted with the wo"ds he ut
tc'ed.
He told us this fragment of silk was
sacred, that the wind that swelled its
fclds was the breath of the nation.
ana 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 nag OF truce asking a suspension OF
hostlllt!es that each might bury it's
dead, and asked one of our number to
act as guide to ou- lines. An old COM
rade. who knew the country well, Of
lered to conduct the officer. when it
was discovered that no one had ?
bandage for the eyes Of the bearer Of
the flag Of truce.
A sudden idea struck me. It was
| running a great risk, but it was worth
| the trial.
If you wish, will bandage the
eyes of the officer with my handker-
chlef," l said. I produced the flag, the
red and blue stripes of which l 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
bardage, 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
tinels challenge. The flag of truce had
returned. I rushed to the guide.
"The flag is saved!" l cried.
eyes. 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 a 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, ad-
vancing in front of him; 'it was I
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? l 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. l
only ask the favor to be shot by my
Return them their arms
and l will be responsible for them"
The old officer looked at my father
with his little gray eyes a moment
then he said:
agreed"
l strove to draw my father aside: |
must speak with him. Did they mean
70 make me shoot my own father? II
was impossible. My father embraced
ne, and, handing me my gun, pushed
ne back into the ranks.
"Silence!" he said. you cannot
speak under arms. In the presence of
he enemy you are not my son. You
ire only a soldier. l am your chief.
)bey!
They gave us the cartridges taken
rom our wounded. My father count
ID fifteen PAGES from the walls of the
and ordered us in line.
then, in a solemn voice, with upifted
land, he went through the details of
he exercise.
Take aim!" he cried.
The gun dropped from my hands.
ushed to my father and fell sobbing