Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-05

iCpis.
We've marched and fought and got
beaten, and marched and fought and
got beaten again. and retreated and
retreated until there is nothing left OF
us. Look at u.s." he continued, half
naked, half starved, and we're the best
of the lot, the select force, the picked
men, the headquarters guard" he
went on in bitter sarcasm.
"Yes, that's So" replied the other,
laughing; then sadly: "Those poor
fellows by the river are worse of than
we are, though. What wouldn't they
give for some of that punch? My soul
wasn't it goOdw he continued, smack
ing his lips in recollection.
"Where are we going. sergeant?
asked another.
Don't know; the command is Three
days rations and light marching or
der"
well. we're all of the last. anyway
Look at me! No stockings, leggings
torn, no shirt. and you'd scarcely call
this thing on my back coat, would
you? What could be lighter? So COM
Portable. too, in this pleasant summer
weather..
"Oh, shut up, old man! You're better
off than | am, anyway. You've got
rags to help your shoes out, and just
look at mine" said another, sticking
out gaunt leg with tattered shoe on
the foot, every toe of which was plain
" visible through the torn and worn
openings. "And just look at this" he
went OH, bringing his foot down hard
OIL the snow covered. frost bound soil.
making an imprint which was edged
with blood from his wounded. bruised,
unprotected feet. "That's my sign
manual. and it's not hard to duplicate
in the army yOnder either"
"Tlat's true. And to think that the
cause of liberty's got down so low that
we are It's only dependence. And they
call us the grand army
"Well. as you say" went OH another
recklessly, I'VE can't get into anything
worse. so hurrah for the next move,
say l."
"Three days ratiOns and light march
hlg order. nici.i,li.-. zee. - q. ll''tl We
are to leave our hcLyy U'"r|oats ana
blankets and foot stoves and such Otl-
er luxuries behind. That rather indi-
rates that we are going to do some
thing besides retreat. And | should
like TO get whack ut those mercenary
Dutchmen before freeze Or starve,'
was the reply.
Bully for your
"I'm with you, old man."
81, too
"And l." came from the group of un-
haunted men surrounding the speaker.
And to think" said another. "of its
being Christmas day and all those lit
tie children ut home! Oh, well,' turn
ing away and wiping his eyes, march
ing and fighting may make us forget
boys! wouldn't mind suffering for
liberty if we could only do something,
have something to show for it but
bloody trail and a story of defeat
I'm tired of it," he continued -des'
perately. I'D fight the whole British
army il they would only let me get
chance at them"
We're all with you there, man. and
| guess this time we get chance, re-
piled one of the speakers amid cho
rus of approval which showed the spir
1t Of the men.
While the men were talking among
themselves thus the four riders on the
tired horses had ridden up to the farm
house. A soldier dressed no better
than the rest stood before the door.
Halt! Who are you?' he cried
presenting his musket.
"Friends. Officers from Philadel
phia with messages for his eXcellehcy'
replied the foremost. Don't you rec
ognize me, my manT
"Why, it's Lieutenant Talbot! Pass
in. sir, and these other gentlemen VIII
you." answered the soldier, sa'uting
ITS glad the general will be to SEE
you"
Without further preliminaries th'
Young man opened the door ana en-
tered. followed by his three compan
ions. A cheerful fire Of logs was blaz
ing and cracking In the wide nre
place In the long. low room. On tn
table before 1t stood great powi u
steaming punch, and several Officers
were sitting or standing about TIL
room in various positions. The UNI
forms of all save that Of one OF then
were scarcely less worn and faded,
not quite so tattered. than were thos
of the escort. The same grim enemies
had left the same grim marks upoi
them as upon the soldiers. -,
The only well dressed person In Ill
room was Il bright eyed young man,
mere boy, just nineteen, wearing th
brilliant uniform Of an officer OF TN
French army. He was tall and thiI
red haired. with a long nose and re
treating forehead. His bright eyes am
animated manner expressed the inter
est he felt in n conversation carried o.
I'm the French language with his near
est neighbor, another young ma
scarcely a year his senior. Tie cor
trost between the new and gay frenc
uniform Of the one and the faded Coi
tinental dress of the otsSr was not ies
startling than that suggested by tn
difference in their size. The America
officer was a small, very small, maj
but in spite of his Insignificant statur
the whole impression Of the man wa
striking and even imposing. In col
trast to the other his face was yer
handsome, the head finely shaped, til
| o1oo, o,,f ond roUr,1ar He ha