The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-19

Here-what q surprisei one man was the
equal Of another; and to rise In rank, ono
virtue only was necessary: obedience.
This much his early training had taught
him More intelligent, less iliterate than
most of the blockheads in their red trousers,
the man had won his corporals stripes at
the end of his first year; at the end OF the
second, he was a sergeant. Now when ne
met them in the streets Of the garrison
town, the privates were the first to raise
their hands in salute.
A single night Of drunkenness, Of folly,
and all that he had gained was lost. lie
had Just been appointed sergeant major.
One day, when he had the company pay
In his pocket, three glasses OF absinthe,
taken one after another in a spirit OF braNado
and a girl with cruel eyes, had made OF
him a thief, a criminal.
Prom that time on his life was horrible
once more. Bitterly he remembered his
shamed attitude before the epauettes and
crosses Of the council Of war.
Then came the interminable years OF
service in the African battalion, crushing
stones for the roadways beneath burning
sun, tortured by thirst. Out OF this iur-
mace and infamy he came torth AT iasI
with a heritage Of eternal burning thirst
and a spirit ganRrened TO the very core;
There was no further luck for him after
that, no chance 10 redeem himself. NO
one had thrown him a saving rope, no one
had lent a hand 20 pull him from the mire.
Seeking a days work here and there,
wherever he could, he had trodden the
country roads an outcast Swallowed by
his past. When his hunger became too
keen he committed petty thefts swlping
his way as in Algiers. The rude mana OF
justice had more than once fallen heavily
upon his shoulder.
Two years ago where was he? In prison.
And last winter? Prison agr in Now for
three days he had walked in the full harvest
and not a days work could he get His
last sou was gone he had eaten his last
crust. What was he to do? What was to
become Of him?
Presently the tramp paused at a meeting
Of the roads Before him was cross with
an image Of the Christ roughly carved.
Struggling his shoulders, the tramp
turned 20 the left.
Two hundred yards further on he saw
a rich country house separated by hedge
and a lawn Of beautiful green grass from
the road. A. he approached a lady in
cool summer dress, came out on the terrace
and called TO a little boy playing on the
grnss with large Newfoundland dog.
The child turned back at her call and
the dog grown suddenly angry ran 70
the hedge and barked funously at the
sinister stranger
The tramp shook his fist at the rich villa
and, overcome with bitter despair turned
the fields 1t was then that he found him
self among the cornfelds, his legs aching
with weariness weak from lack OF food,
alone. lost, desperate
Suddenly a cock Crowed loudly before
him. house was near. The man looked
mp defiantly So be IT, then. He would go
there and beg II they would give him moth
ing he would steal. He would even kill.
Running his finger along the edge Of
his knife, he frightened his belt, and, FOL
In no found
self in a narrow farmyaFd. With fright
ened cries the hens fled from beneath
his feet as he strobe across 20 the door
Of the matched cabin.
-Helol' cried the tramp, and after
seconds waiting "HeIo!'
There was no reply. Doubtless the peas
ants were all at work in the fields.
With a strong thrust the man pushed
open the door and entered the cabin. The
room, the only one in the house, was low,
and in one corner stood the bed. In the
centre stood a table, on which was spread
a loaf Of bread and package OF tobacco.
Opposite the wide fireplace was the heavy
oaken chest where every peasant hides
his stocking Of silver and sometim golden
pieces.
For the first time in his life the tramp
had been a housebTeaker. Well, he would
carry the game through to the end.
Grasping his knife, he went over to the
chest to force II open. But a paper hanging
near ~ dtlIhGleu MS dlltllLlOIl. Nbtutlll-
cally he lifted his eyes and read: Seventy
fifth Regiment, Infantry
The man stopped short.
1t was a certificate Of honorable discharge
made out 20 julie Matthew Dubois, corporal
in the Second company, Third battalion.
So he was about 60 steal from a man OF
his old regiment! Not of his time, no;
the date Of the paper was still recent. But
no matterl
His hand wavered; then fell,
Fool" he muttered softly.
His rowing eyes caught sight Of the bread
and tobacco on the table. That much he
might surely have, A man may always
borrow from comrade, may he not?
He cut the loaf in half, and drawing his
pipe from his pocket, filed it. Then he
walked quietly out Of the house, down the
path between the cornfields and out upon
the high road. As he once more passed
/ the crucifed Christ at the meeting Of the
roads he looked up and said with a merry
! grimaoe at the corner Of his lip:
"It's pity you didn't serve in the Seventy
/ fifth, tool II you had you would find
some work for me tonight