El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-09-08
By GABRIEL GERM

N DOR old trumpet! Hundreds OF
~ times 1T had blown gay, war
= like signals on the battlefields
through fields of powder smoke
countless were the times when 1t had
blown a gallant march when the
troops entered a foreign capital. it had
revived failing courage. electrified the
soldiers, dumbed the means and cries
Of the dying and wounded in all the
countries of Europe-in Italy. Ger
many, Austria, Spain and Portugal
everywhere it's voice had told OF VIC
tory.
Now it was hanging on nail above
the fireplace in a cottage in Burgundy,
sad and battered relic of Frances
era of glory. The steam from the boil
ing pot went into Its mute funnel
and the fire called forth faint re-
flexes in its dull BRASS which in by
gone days had reflected the lightning
OF the big guns. Only the winter storm
which rushed down into the room
through the immense chimney got a
few faint tones from the old trumpet
now, for It's old masters lips had not
touched 1t for scores Of years.
He also was a poor derelict, a pitt
able remnant Of his. proud old self.
This old veteran, whose feet had
grown tired on marches Of victory
through all the countries of Europe,
whose skin was tanned, whose back
had been bent under the weight of the
knapsack, whose arms had grown stiff
carrying the heavy gun, whose ears
have been made deaf by the thunder
Of the guns, whose eyes have been
burned by powder. whose body had
been alternately roasted by the sun of
the fiery Spain and frozen by the win
terry blasts of Russia's billiards., who
had braved swords and lances, bull
lets and shells. fever and plague-this
veteran sat now in his corner by the
fireplace waiting for death.
Eut death seemed to pity him, or
perhaps 1t was afraid of him. II un-
dermined him slowly; as If It were
afraid of meeting too much vital force
in this poor old skeleton. First his
mind gave way; he recognized nothing
any more darkness shrouded his brain
and the burden of more than 90 years
had made him into creature that
simply existed, that merely followed
it's impulses and instincts, like a baby.
He expressed himself only by signs
and monosyllables, but he was robust
as gnarled old oak and his appetite
was as good as ever. Eating and
drinking were now his only joys.
without realizing what was happen
ing, he had seen his relatives make
preparations for flight, when it was
rumored shat the Prussians were ap-
preaching the village. But, when they
tried to put him into the wagon among
the furniture, all efforts were wasted.
Neither entreaties, threats nor explain
ations were able to overcome his re-
sistance. With the strength of despair
he chung to his chair, cried and yelled
like a baby, while his whole body
shook and his face expressed an an
guish like that of q wounded animal
At last they took pity on him and left
him in the care of heaven, and an old
woman, who was to come over from
neighboring village every morning to
make his fire, cook his soup and look
after him generally.
From the moment he was allowed to
remain behind with an old cat which
loved the cottage as much as he did.
he ate. drank, and slept as cheerfully
as ever, spending most Of his time doz-
ing in his big armchair near the fire,