The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-12-06
zszE -.s.f' FRANKLIN, La. SATURDAYsDEUEMBE

vine. In the excitement and melee
the drummer in the thick of the shot
and shell, lost his head-and. w-lI,
sire, you know the rest, concluded
GaYairre, white as death.
The hitherto impressive countenaace
OF the emperor kindlcd with momen-
tary enthusiasm.
Il remember the incident, corporal.
Who was the drummer?"
My son, sir
Your son is brave fellow How
| came he to desert?"
1T was his first taste of shot, sir
He confessed he tried to run away"
Does General I.azellc know OF the
SomC.sierra incident?"
Yes, my emperor"
"A LOOK of anger passed over Ma
polcons face. He remembered the gen,
erals intensely satisfied expression
when the death warrant was handed
him.
He never mentioned it to me, my
sion. 1t was unjust. Gavairre," put
in the emperor suddenly, what | ask
you is for no e@rs but yours. Perhaps
it may be irrelevcnt to the subject and
contrary to strict military discipline,
butt an emperor"
The last words were proudly said.
Listen. Do you know II your sen
has offended General Lazellc in any
waJ?'
Lazelle had risen from the ranks.
In those days promotion was swift,
However humble the soldiers birth.
Sire, they are rivals in the game
of love-" answered Gavairre.
"Ah."
The exclamation cscaped the en-
perOr almost unawares. II e moment
he gained complete sclf-possessicn,
and was Cnce more calm, iChcXible, i'm
passive.
Sire, sire," cried the corporal sud-
denly. forgotten all save his son, or
III whose presence he was, and fling
ing military discipline to the winds
by knecling at the cmpcrors feet; "a
wCrd from you. my emperoT--
'Ga"airrc, You forget you are q
corporal in my Guard" said Napoleon,
Jelly.
more stood at the salute, pale, notion
less
Silence once more. Notbing could
be heard but the humping of the cor
porals heart, which beat as fast as his
sons drumsticks.
THE warrant for his execution has
been sent in. | signed it half an
i'our ago, my corporal" began Naro-
leon at length. "He must pay the
penalty, if only as an example to 9TH
ers.''
AS you say, my emperor
That's all, CORPORAL
Tic man turned to go.
"One moment, Gavairre"
Napoleon wrote a hurried note.
signed and scaled it.
Deliver this to the head Of your
sons guards at once. l promise moth
ing, mimi you-hold cut no hope, Cap
tain Gavarre."
Captain, sirc?'
you are captain from this moment.
Co."
=
The gray shadows of tho early dawn
crept stealthily ever the camp. Faint
sounds CT life once moro began to be
heard; men moved about and guards
were changed. Presently the steady
brt muffled tramp, tramp of eight men,
with loaded rifles, a captain and pris-
oner with his right arm bound, his
left in rough sling, and eyes band
aged, approached ready-dus grave
near which stood a group OF silent
men, among whom were Napoleon and
General Iazclle, there for the purpose
Of seeing that all was properly carried
out .t..
Halt" r.s +.
The prisoner was deadly pale. Tr 1
showed no other sign Of fear. liz
stood still and erect to the eight rifles
levelleA at him.
Ready" The command rang out
sharp and clear.
"Present."
Fire." The volley was slmutanc-
Gus. The smoke rolled away.
The prisoner remained Standing
calm, motionless--but, if possible.
paler than ever.
What has happcned?" whispered
Some one has blundered."
1T is we'll" said the emperor, calm
and imrassive rs ever. The rifles
We're loaded with blank cartridges.
Gavairre's punishment will suffice.
The shocl, has been great"
Put, sire. cypcstulatcd the general,
in a fever, "it il
silence, General; It was my or
der" thunderod the emperor.
Iazclle saluted, meeting with d;iil-
Guilty the hawklikc gaze OF Napoleon.
The sun was just rising. , i
Venics Cheers Up.