The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1899-05-26

'f Aa'utI whose hnnus We
"a" we're empty. declared he did not
KNOW whore 1t was. The field mar
and said.
"Very we'll. II he does not remem.
him"
"hen they had relieved MS OF our
arms and placed us under guard. my
iather. who watched the sentinel from
me corner " his eye. told us that he
n'u hidden the flag that seeing the
u'N was going against ~. he had torn
IRON ils standard. Nrenched the
s"Ele from It's perch. flung It into
ul''h. while he had concealed tn,
precious sin rlddled With balls. under
bis coat
MY father was simple man. the
descendant ~ peasants. "a son OF the
soll' but in speaking To M OF these
,n'nEs me man seemed to expand aud
to.cd.
ne toid us this fragment OF silk was
sacred that the Wind that swelied its
iolds was the breath ~ the nation.
and that II moved In the midst OF Ms
v" 'ne march ~ the image Of our
country.
men he thrust II into my bosom.
not wishing 10 10 be- found on him
"neh ne should be- shot next day.
IN the evening the Prusslans sent
a nag OF truce asking suspension OF
noSillitles that each might bury lts
u'ad' aud asked one N our number to
act as guide to our lines An old com.
taue. Who knew the country well. Of
ieted To conduct the officer. when IL
was discovered that no one had
handage FOR the eyes OF the bearer OF
the nag Of truce.
\ sudden idea struck me. Il was
running a great risk. but II was worth
the trial.
III you wish. | will bandage the
eyes u the offlcer with nv handker-
chief" said. PRODUCED the Gag. the
red aud blue stripes OF which 1 had
folded inside. leaving the white alone
visible.
My father instantly understood my
ruse and explained in patols TO the
guide that he was to remove he
bandage. and while the prellmlnarles
were in progress deliver IL 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 Tag within the lines OF our own
army. The time passed. We heard
In the night the cathedral clock strike
the hours. Al last We heard the SEN
iinels challenge The flag OF truce had
returned. rushed to the guide,
The nag is saved" | cried.
Yes. but We are lost" he answered.
In few words he explained that the
anair had succeeded. but that the Of
heer mad discovered too late the ruse.
ana had returned furious. In fact he
came accompanied by superior Of
heef' ana pointed out TO him the man
VINO mad conducted the Nag OF truce.
oruer out the platoon OF e1ecu-
uon' commander the oficer; this
man shall be shot
IL was not he captain ! said, adj
vaneing In front OF him; ut was |
alone who conceived the Idea OF this
thing
Excuse me- Object inierposed 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 H."
What is your Manner the officer
demanded.
Sergeant Bigorne." answered my
father
Very well sergeant. you viii be
shot Immediately"
IAN right. captain; Il Is war.
only ask the favor to be shot by my
comrades. Return them their arms
and | will be responsible for them"
The old officer looked at my father
with his little gray eyes a moment
then he said:
Agreed"