The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-06-28

hating gallop. Much fatigued, he ar
rived at length. But tired as he was,
there was to be little rest for him. A
note from the bureau Of war awaited
him, informing him that his request
for a regiment had been granted; that
IT was to be known as the "Grenadiers
Puysaye," and that he must join 1t
near Fribourg as soon as possible.
Taking hardly time for the writing OF
a letter and the saying of an adieu, he
departed for that place; and, crafty
Bossues horse.
His new grenadiers grumbled among
themselves us ii with that plug"
they said, that he means to lead us?"
La Puysaye's friends looked at the
beast critically. An ensign lifted its
lip. mo use." said the count, hes an
old horse and his teeth no longer mark
his age"
But why didn't you come on your
black fellowT
"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 our
selves here. and did not wish to honor
the enemy by riding too fine a horse"
The officers saluted smilingly, and
the colonel, wishing to see the mar
shall, Nj. de Coigny, inquired the way
to his quarters. Before going thither,
he left his horse with his orderly who
was going 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 marshaPs quarters, when an at
tack was ordered on n strong point
where 1880 men had been killed the
night before. The trumpets sounded
and the army FASTENED to respond. All
other tasks were abandoned, and, with
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 Puy saye conducted
il behind a certain embankment, then
sought to go after his horse. But his
friends stopped him. mot now" they
said; 1.-The place is exposed; you would
be risking your life needlessly."
La Puysaye returned to his place,
and gave vent to his vexation. mis-
cradle orderiyr he cried-"my horse!
See what he has done with my horser
"Ciel" exclaimed a captain in aston
ishment. why are you so concerned
about the beast? From who did you
get him."
La Puysaye. tired of keeping his
secret, revealed it. From De BOssue.
He was. alas. one Of my old friends"
The news was murmured through
the ranks, while the officers maveled
audibly. what an idea" they said.
"Where is he, that we may observe
him again.
I'm that trench over there, which is
so exposed. My orderly must have
been drunk to leave him in such a
place"
Bossue's horse! The horse OF a cow
ard He'll crouch when the bullets fly;
you'll find him again safe and sound"
After all" said another. the trench
covers him; he's satisfied to stay in it;
he won't come out"
At that moment a bomb came sing
ing through the air, and from the
trench, calmly, proudly, defianty. a
horse emerged. He stood alone, in the
middle of the field, in n 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 a signal on his bride.
"The towards horser' 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 10 files were cut down like
so much grain.
The trumpets sounded the attack,
and at that moment, suddenly, magnif-
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 encour-
ages him To advance; then, boldly,
eagerly, joyously, he charged on the
city at a gallOp. Deaf To the thunder
of the cannon, Indifferent to the shot
that whistled about him, glad TO sniff
again the smoke of powder. TO feel
once more the excitement of the COM
bat, the gallant horse dashed on and
on-a sublime spectacle for whole
army TO witness.
What moved him to rush on the
enemy so madly, TO affront death so
gladly? Was 1t the memory of Bos-
sues glorious battles? Was il the
force of habit acquired after a score Of
engagements-the result of a 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
1T. g..