Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-03-06
YOUNG SOLDIERS OF FRANCE,
Picturesque Scenes at the Departure o,
tho Conscripts.

Picturesque Scenes at the Departure OF
tho Conscripts.
During the last three days $4,000
conscripts have left Paris for the var-
Gus military centres. 1t is the annual
departure of the "classe." There have
been many picturesque scenes in con-
sequence. Bands of young men of all
conditions Of life and drawn from all
parts of the country have been parad-
ing the streets, shouting military airs
and blowing upon imaginary instru-
ments. 1t is their way of keeping up
their courage, for the conscript, as
often as not, has little stomach for
war, and looks with a iegree Of dread
upon lis barrack life. The district of
Montmartre, especially. has been en-
livened during these evenings by the
registering Blues" as Paris calls them
end the police have turned an indul-
gent eye on their proceedings, prompt
cd. no doubt, by personal recollections
OF the days when they also formed
part of the class. The town general
ly, looks fondly after the lads as they
GO trumpeting along the boulevards.
The purely rustic conscriDt is less
demonstrative person, and marches
soberly along, under the direction of
his sergeant or corporal, with his lit
tie vaiise or package, containing his
worldly possessions, on his arm, cut.
ting often an odd figure in his rough
civilian clothes. These are the grubs
from which the butterfly of the sol
der will emerge in few weeks.
When the conscript comes among his
friends again it will be in the guise
OF the familiar long blue coat and
red trousers of the infantryman, or he
will have blossomed into a cavalry
man, gunner or, pe"chance, an en-
gineer.
The first day in barracks is trying
one for the young conscript. Civil life
finishes sharply on the threshold of
the caserne. The soldier III embryo
is challenged brusQuely by the SER
geant major. and probably the latter
has some idea of Importing a little
wholesome respect for military dis
ciplins at the very outset of the
young mans career. Very often the
conversation that ensues has its anus
ing turn. Each conscript is put
through an elementary examination.
The candidate is always asked wheth-
er he can write. But l am 'bache-
Her" perhaps he says. Il do not
ask your occupation" responds the
sergeant. grufiy: "but can you write?"
And so on When the parade takes
palace before the adjutant, there arc
bound to be some few recruits who
make last despairing effort to be
quit of military service. Their sight
is too bad, and they have not enough
strength. But the adjutant is hard
hearted man; besides, he has heard
all this before. And the military net
is spread very wide. There is no my
opic bar, unless the degree of short
sight is very pronounced. and as to
the question Of stature, one often sees
the diminutive sentinel handsomely
topped by the fixed bayonet of his
rife.
The man upon whom military life
sits the ligntest and to whom it may
be positively agreeable is the musi-
clan. He comes under the class Of
''ouvriers dart" which escape with
one years service He is drafted Into
| the band, so that he continues his
studies. and he may supplement the
sou a day which grateful country
awards him by giving lessons outside
the barracks. And so we will leave
our brave conscript. Tonight he may
put his head under the clothes in
sheer wretchedness of being; tomor-
row he will hold his head up and cry:
"Vive Ia Patrie!" 'Vive TArmee!"