The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-03-05
The Fieldmarshal's Rosary.
CBy Ellis Schreiber.)

IN cD1te
.arcb 70 suffer. They were exhausted with the
+.:uros Of the campaign; the population OF LON
lS5 into which Radetzly pursued the enemy,
parry os+ile to them; and the Piedmontese soldiery
were -ontlIred upon raids, in hope of carrying
o r mo provisions, of which they stood IN sore
on for the sake of covering their retreat. Thus
ISo;ebes. slight but annoying, took place almost
s snarv day, entailing losses on both sides.
One dav an Austrian reconnolterlng party was
..olod Inv Piedmontese sharpshooters. Several
d' feIl and after the enemy was driven off, one
mC- 5ad Austrian was laid the turf by the road
W. The army chaplain who happened to be with
Nv Marty instantly came forward; and he had Just
ia The side of the dying when the General,
Cornt Radetzky, rode up with his staff He stopped;
III ON being told what had occurred, he dlsmount-
u rd with the kindness which endeared HIM to
Il. troops and won for him the title of Father Ra-
3a+uLv he approached the wounded man.
uIs there no hope?" he inquired of the bystand-
aNone at all your excellency. Shot through the
lungs" was the reply.
STs there priest here 2" was the next,question.
dyes the chaplain. He has already done what
he could for him."
ON hearing this, CLEAN of satisfaction passed
vor the features of the General heightened by the
SIGHT of Rosary in the grasp of the dying man. 1t
i well known that the Count was a pious Catholic,
and that the Rosary was his favorite devotion.
Radetzky knelt down by the side of the soldier,
who lay awaiting the last dread summons.
"My SON." he said "have you any wish that l
can fulfil for you"
The solder-a fine, stalwart man in the prime
Of life-opened his eyes on hearing his Generals
voice, and with a faint, sad smile, murmured:
"lIust I really die9"
"Yes. my son; Will not deceive you; your hours
are numbered. A warrior must not be surprised at
this but must look death bravely In the face"
- l. Of made
my peace with heaven, and am prepared for my last
conflict But my wife and children"
Two tears rolled down the cheeks of the dying
man. and his voice failed him. He was entering on
his last agony.
Radetzky raised him in the kindest manner, and
poured a few drops of, brandy between his palid
lips.
"Tel me-" he said again. <'what you wish; and
if it is within my power, it shall be DONE
The soldier made supreme effort. He held out
his Rosary a small silver one with cross of pc
cuiar. antique form.
IF your excellency," he gasped, "would tell my
wife" Che gave her name and the village where she
lved) that I died in the service of my emperor.
And if you would send her this Rosary? My eldest
boy is to have it. as memorial of his father, that
he too, may serve his emperor and his country For
the rest, l commend my family to God. May He be
their help"
So saying. he sank back with a groan on the
head.
The General looked curiousy and with evident
emotion at the Rosary, which was of fine workman
ship quite unlike what is generally seen in the hand
OF peasant.
MY son." he said. in the gentlest manner,
where did you get this Rosary~
u had it from my father. | believe it was given
to him by an officer to whom he rendered some
service. l know no more about it, except that he
gave Ii to me when he was dying, and babe me rev
erence it and say it daily"
Radetzky was deeply touched
81 was that officer" he said; "and your father
saved my life. He would not tell me his name.
Thank God, / can now pay my debt of gratitude to
HIM III the person of his sonl Do not trouble about
your wife and children, my man; they shall not
want friend and protector whilst Radetzky lives"
The poor fellow looked up at his General with
thankfuness and relief. He tried to articulate a
few words; but his strength failed him, and he
quietly passed away to the world where strife and
Warfare are unknown.
His comrades dug grave; and, while the officers
stood round with uncovered heads, they laid him to
rest IN his last long sleep. Then they returned to
the camp. In war there is little time to indulge
sentiment. What is one mans lot today is perhaps
another's tomorrow.
Badetz5y rode to his quarters in silence serious
and sorrowful His thoughts required to the past;
TO the time when he-now the highest military com
mander in Austria, on whose breast the emperor
mad pinned the Grand Cross of Maria Theresa,
which he himself was wearing-was an insignificant
captain, stationed In a remote town. He remem-
bered how one day, when he was riding out, his
morse usually most gentle, proved strangely FESTIVE
On leaving the town and passing into the country,
the animal was unmanageable; tossing his head
violently from side to side, he set off in a wild gal
op needless of the voice or hand of his rider, who
mad no slight difficulty In keeping his seat. nj fact
fresh plunge on the part of the horse, which
ne had lost all control, would probably fling him
me rough, stony ground In his great distress, all
Badetzky could do was to commend himself to
0od and our Blessed Lady. This he did fervently;
and the next moment he saw a approaching, APP
parently farm laborer, who, perceiving the peril
OF the rider boldly and adroitlv caught the horse
by the Bride and forcbly held down his head, so
as to allow time for the captain to spring from the
saddle. But it required little strength to hold
the FESTIVE horse He endeavored to strike his head
and his bloodshot eye had a look of anguish. Sud
denly the countryman perceived a smell of burning;
putting his fingers into the horses left ear he pulled
out a twist of still smouldering tow.
This is what has driven your horse wild, sir"
he sand IN L.