The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-03-16

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 did not wish to honor the
enemy by riding too fine horse.
The officers saluted smilingly. and
the colonel wishing to see the marshal,
NJ de Coigny, inquired the way to his
quarters Before going thither he left
his horse with his orderly. who was go
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 marshals quarters, when an attack
was ordered on strong point where
| 500 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
it behind certain embankInent, then
sought to go 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 horse See
what he has done with my horsel'
"Ciell' exclaimed captain in as
constituent. why are you so concerned
about the BEAST 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 marveod audi
bly,. what an ideal" they said
"Where is he, that we may observe
him againY'
"In that trench over there. which is
go exposed. My orderly must have been
drunk to leave him in such a place
"Oh. cried an officer, Il have no
fear Bossue's horse The horse of a
coward He'll crouch when the bullets
fly. You Il find him again safe and
sound.
After all, said the other, 1.-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 dehantly, II
horse emerged He stood alone in the
middle of the field in 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
THE towards horse" thought the
army
Just then the place seemed to Ell
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, 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 a
gallop Deaf to the thunder of the can
non, Indifferent to . shot that Whis
tied about him. 81 - sniff again the
smoke of powder. To feed once more the
excitement of the combat. the gallant
horse dashed on and cha sublime
spectacle for whole army to witness
What moved him to rush on the enc
my so madly. to atfront death so grand.
lyr Was il the memory of Bossue =
glorious battles? Was it the force of a
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 hand on his
bride, feet pressing his sides a shad
owy form on his back. and for one brief
instant face with long scar ON its
left cheek and a look such as 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.
Dictated Bossue was not coward. r
From the French For Argonaut