River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-04-13

It was discovered that no one had
the flag of truce.
A sudden idea struck me- Tt was
running a great risk, but it was worth
the trial
IF you wish. / will bandage the eyes
of the officer with my own handker-
chief" | said. produced the flag, the
red and blue stripes of which had fold
ed inside, leaving the white alone yisi-
BILE
My father instantly understood my
ruse and explained in patois to the
guide that he was to remove the ban
dage, 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
handaged, 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 sentinels
challenge. The flag of truce had re-
turned Irushed to the guide.
The flag is saved!" cried.
yet, but we are lost, +" he answered.
In few words he explained that the
affair had succeeded, but that the ofii-
Ger had discovered too late the ruse,
and had returned furious. In fact, he
came accompanied by a superior ofii-
GER, and pointed out to him the man
who had conducted the flag of truce.
Order out the platoon of execution, -
commanded the officer; this man shall
be shot"
'lt was not he, captain" / said. adj
vancing in front of him. sit was I
alone who conceived the idea of this
thing"
Excuse me. officer" interposed my
father. "The commander of detach-
ment is responsible for the acts of his
men, is he not? had given an order;
my men could only obey IT,"
What is your name?' the officer de-
manded.
"sergt. Bigorne," answered my IA.
Their.
Very well, sergeant, you will be shot
Immediately"
"All right, captain, it is war. only
ask the favor to be shot by my COM
rades. 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"
| strove to draw my father aside: l
must speak TO 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. / am your chief.
IObey!"
They gave us the cartridges taken
from our wounded. My father counted
IS PAGES from the walls of the farm
house, and ordered us in line Then, in
a solemn voice, with uplifted hand, he
went through the details of the exer-
else.
Take aim!" he cried
The gun dropped from my hands. I
rushed to my father and fell sobbing
into his arms. He tenderly whispered !:
",~y son, these raw recruits fire bad
~; they will only mangle me. Thou
hast a sure aim. count on thee Wilt
thou promise?'
| saw the dawn whiten behind the
city, above the roof where my mother
slept. Without doubt my father read
my thoughts, for taking my head in his
hands he said: For thy mothers sake. +"
Then he placed himself against the
wall, while the foreign officers stood
with barred heads.
Attention." commanded my father.
Then he went through the exercise
slowly ordering the drill as calmly as
though he were on parade. AT last he
cried: "Fire!"
| / fired.-Chicago Herald.