South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-08
AROnldlG Of ExtraOTdindTyDb Distinction
TIE MARSHAL
ByMary Raymond Shipman Andrews
As1N@r The Perfect TZbuze. etc.

Yet the work followed the best of his
inclination, for all that concerned
war and soldiers concerned this lad
of twelve. World after world opened
before him as he worked in the big
room at his table, set into the window
slitted into the deep gray wall. A
bookcase stood out at the angle there;
one would hardly see the still little
figure, the thin ankles twisted about
the rounds OF the high chair, the slim
shoulders bent over the sheets OF
writing. Often the general talked TO
him.
Eth bien. there, the Marshall"
would come laundering from the great
table across the room; and the scribe
would drop his pen and scdttle over
the dim wide place.
Yes, Monsieur the Seigneur. l am
here"
Listen then, my soldier. 1 am
uncertain il this that L have written
is of importance. 1t is interesting 10
me. because Gaspard Gourgaud was
there, yet / do not wish TO ram Gas
pard Gourgaud down the reader
throat So listen, you marmot, as an
officer of rank, and as literary
critic. and say truthfully If you find
1t interesting"
Francois Squatted on a stool ca
actIy in front of the general, with his
knees together and his elbows on
them, his chin in the hollow OF his
hands. His eyes were glued on the
generals face. In deep voice the
general read. II was an account or
that world tragedy, the retreat from
Moscow. First came q list or reSl-
ments and of officers, with detailed
accounts Of early service IN ooth; IL
was exact, accurate. For five min
utes the general read this; then his
black eyebrows lifted and he glared
over the paper.
You lind it Interestingly" he de-
manded.
his head firmly. NO, my Seigneur.
Not at ALL" And the generals gaze
concentrated fiercely on the NUMB bic
patch of brown homeSpun. The boy 5
great eyes met his calmly.
Il agree with you" the general
said, and sorted the papers over and
laid some away. You are an uncom-
the truth. IL is what l want Sc
lecting q sheet or two, he began to
read again.
over the frozen roads the worn
army still tTudged; every form OF
misery with them. Hunger was there,
and cold, and suffering of wounds,
and suffering of lack of clothing;
dread of attaCl, from flying bands OF
Cossacks. From time to JIme fright
full explosions made one turn one s
head-it was the caisOns exploded by
order of the Emperor tnat they might
no longer cucumber us. The snow
fell. The iOW-hanginS sky Was heavy
with more snow-clouds; often a wind
cut 10 our Uncovered bones; the road
was sleety: the worn shoes OF the
cmaciated horses slipped on the
frozen ground the soldiers put their
shoulders TO the wheels TO help their
horses"
Through the reverberating tones of
the old soldier cut a child's sigh. The
bushy eyebrows arched and glance
shot over the paper at the tense small
figure. The voice went on.
The Emperor marched on foot
with us Staff in hand wrapped IN a
large loose cloak, a furred Russian
cap on his head. he walked ain the
midst of his household. encouraging
with a word, with a smile, every one
who came near him. At night he
slept in a cabin without doors or
windows, his rough bed screened with
difficulty; he shared our sorrows, our
Little Corporal our Emperor lie was
pale. but calm as always, for his face
never showed his mind. over frozen
roads of Russia, strewn with the men
n0IEHS
ticue and famine day after day Ma
poleon walked with his army.
There was no sound now, but the
general. glancing up again, met eyes
so on fire that he was Disconnected
and lost his place. In moment ne
had found it again.
There were many adventures
which showed the souls of men shin
ing through the nightmare OF this
horrible time Many noble deeds
were done, many heartbreaking ones.
one which was both happened TO me.
There was an Italian officer in the
corps under Prince Eugene, who had
been my comrade when ] was on the
staff of Lannes: his name was Zappl
the Marquis Zappi. On the day aft
er the dreadful passing of the Bere-
sina river 7 suddenly felt my strength
go-I could walk no longer. The hor-
rors OF the day before had capped the
long stretch of privation; like thous-
ands of others. 1 must drop out and
die. I looked at the piles Of snow by
the trampled roadside, at the gray
sky over n1e-on that frozen bed, I'M
der that pitiless roof. | must lie down.
\ sick loathing seized me, and
groaned and dragged my heavy feet
forward. 10 stay with my friends even
a few steps more. And with that an
arm was around me suddenly, and l
heard Zappi's quiet voice
rlanWw