Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-02-24

piercing. Iclcles formed on the men s
boards, and their hands stuck fast to
the barrels of their guns. And oc-
casionally bomb, flashing through
space like streak of lightning,
caused the men to iuatinctively lower
their heads and look back of them
where it had fallen amoug the Off
of the Iouaves. And still the silent
procession moved on.
To take possession Of the enemy's
territory by Il bold stroke, driving the
Russians ont of S2bastopol, and oc-
cupying it themselves, was their end
in view, au end glorious enough to
hurry them forward, regardless of the
cold, the frost, or the hour. The
amusing apart of the situation was
that once more Company Przezinski
was to measure its strength against
Company PrZezinki.
For two months these companies,
whose captains were COUSINS, had lain
opposite each other. 1t Was the
strife of the Przeznskis.
Both of Polish origin, belonging
to the same family, the war of lnde-
pendence had separated them, the
ones father becoming Russian, the
others Fren eli.
They hardly knew each others
names, having had but little CORE
spondence, with probably no hope of
ever meeting, when the Crimean War
brought them in contact.
Their first meeting took place dur
ing truce, raised for the removal of
the wounded.
The Russian went toward the
Frenchman with outstretched hands.
"Good day, Adam"
The Frenchman embraced him, say
ing:
80 it is on the battlefield that we
become acquainted, my dear Boles-
law"
Eyes; God wills that for the mo-
ment VIC should be brother enemies
And seated apart from the others,
hand in hand, they talked Of their
kin, of Russia and France.
But the clarion soon startled them.
Already they must part. Each
must leave the neutral ground and
regain his own quarters. They would
again become enemies.
This was the last opportunity they
ever had of conversing peacefully.
But this night they were again to
meet, and a strange presentiment
heavily oppressed the French officers
heart
A shot brought the column to halt.
They had been discovered.
Then like lions they sprang forward.
Not gun answered the Russians fire,
but the wounded fell without cry or
murmur, the wild and bloody chase in
the night presenting fantastic spec
tacle.
1t is silent hand-t hand enconn-
ter that is terrible. Nothing is heard
but the heavy breathing. The glis-
tening bayonets are raised for an in
slant, then furiously plunged in their
scabbards of flesh.
The prolonged struggle grows
tiercer; blow is Anne. - Adams
heart, but sword has sturned it.
Eolesiaw has saved his cousins life.
They look at each other sadly, then
grasp hands.
The silence is oppressive.
The combat has apparently ceased,
and the officers understand.
The soldiers who have fought so
bravely for their cause are wondering
what their captains will do.
And perhaps the latter, too, ques.
ton themselves.
"Why are we here? To fight"
"Then fight it shall be-
They separate, cross swords, rush
forward then q clash.
The soldiers cease striking and look
on, not one approaching to interfere
in the sublime combat.
Now voice is heard. 81 am
younger, Adam. 1t is l who should
die"
'No, Boleslaw; you saved my life.
/ cannot strike"
every well. then. Both toyether?"
Eyes, together
"Adieu, brother"
"Adieu."
The two arms are thrust out; two
bodies fall.
And before renewing the battle they
laid them side by side in the same
grave, close to the scene. the last of
the PrzeZirshis. From the French
A7ingle Goldfish produces more than
/ pUl GOA eggs in n season