Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-09-21
A Day in a Soldiers Life.

Andre Ereull smiled at SlSIef oeduLe
when she announced this good news She
was already far away; her white cap
futtering like a bird, messenger OF
mercy. lowering over this room full OF
sick and protecting it. In this hospital,
in a small town in Normandy, Sister
Jeanne was in charge of the wards re-
served for the military. She was no
longer young, and certainly she had never
been beautiful But she was tender
hearted. caring for the fate of the poor
Young soldiers, and she cooled their
brows with her gentle motherly hands.
She was happy in supporting the first
steps of the coEvaIescent round the little
garden, where the paths were carefully
raked, and the evergreen box edges al
ways neatly clipped, were perpetual re-
minder of crisp Easter Sundays. An
Dire Freuil put on the convalescent's
loose overcoat with white metal buttons.
He tottered on his feet as he dressed, and
his head felt empty. He scarcely heard
his neighbor, an old gendarme, who con
graduated him on his recovery and be-
walled his own fate because he had yet
to spend some weeks in bed. A corporal
hummed an old Breton tune, as in a
dream. Sister Jeanne offered Andre the
support of her arm and spoke to him
kindly.
She led him to bench in the sunshine
Two young soldiers wer there already,
warming themselves with shiver, in the
April CLEAN. They, too, We're pale and
emotional. Good morning, Freuil; so
you are better? Good day, Gosset. All
right again? Good day, Cathelin; feeling
pretty we'll now" They shook hands
and looked at each other, pathetic from
weakness. Sister Jeanne was knitting,
and by her side Sister Marie, the young
est and prettiest in the hospital, was
finishing a little garment for a baby
The plain of Normandy spread away into
the distance; men were blowing near and
encouraging the horses with harsh, loud
voices. In an orchard close by, apple
trees, with twisted, gnarled trunks, dis
played their garlands of flowers.
Fine weather for field work" said
Gosset.
eve should be poor laborers.'' re-
marked Cathelin, feeling the muscles of
his still feeble arms. They were quite
melancholy; and then by the way of
Jest they said to Freuil: you are the
lucky one Scholar. You need 10 strength
for reading" Andre shook his head; a
strain of artless music was heard from
the neighborng chapel; the voice of
women and children singing.
The soldiers were silent, thinking of
their past lives and of the future Cos
set and Cathelin looked back On their
farm hOnesteads--a house full of old
furniture, a bright kitchen, d yard where
fowls clucked and crowed, dewy mead
oWs where huge cattle pastured, fields
golden with ripe corn. FTeuii was dream
ing of the rooms in Paris where his
tatfer and mother were anxiously think
ing OF him in hospitals; every chair was
remembered as an old friend impa tientlv
awaiting his return. He could see the
old Sorbonne and the terrace of the Lux
embourg. Oh! what long delightful
hours he had spent under the trees near
the Medicis fountain! The eager discus
sions The bright dreams when some
elegantly dressed woman left wake of
perfume as she passed! The three young
fellows gazed out at the distance Sister
Marie murmured a lullaby as if she
were singing the baby to sleep for which
she was making the little bodice 4
light air brought the scent of the Or
charls to the convalescents, and tossed
some white petals ON to their knees, ex-
nalirg the sweet breath of spring.
Under the blossoming apple trees came
a strong healthy girl. She carried a pail
of foaming milk. Her sleeves were rolled
up above her white arms. Then she set
down her pail, looked at the trees and
lazily stretched herself She bent her
head and shut her eyes, for a snowy
Dough caught in the hair at the back of
her neck Suddenly she saw the soldiers
and the sisters, and hastily went on her
way. She colored slightly; nevertheless,
before disappearing from view she turned
round and blew kiss to the young men,
Gosset and Cathelin agreed that she was
ike girl in their village. Freuil was
reminded of the blue eyes of little
singer he had adored. How miserable
he had been at having to Join his regi-
rent He remembered the first nights
in the balrack dormitory; he could not
sleep. Men lay dreaming and uttering
incoherent sentences in a far away tone
Others snored noisily. He listened for
the chimes of q clock near at hand. At
half past 10 he had reflected: 'She Is
Just going on to the stage" And he had
actually wept. His illness had effaced
that bitter grief, His heart was as fresh
as the young spring.
Sister Jeanne rolled up her knitting.
Now" said she, I'VE must go in
The soldiers obediently rose but Sis
ter Marie did not move, and tears
dropped from her lowered eyes down her
thin cheeks. She had finished her work
and looked at it sadly. AS Sister Jeanne
affectionately questioned her:
"Oh, it is nothing" she murmured. Il
was only thinking of a baby's helpless
movements, and its mothers happiness"
The bells tolled for service. and in the
distance bugle call at the barracks an
nounced the coming of the quartermaster,
bringing the latest news to the men,
Illustrated Figaro.