Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-06-18


minute h general read this; hen his
over the paper.
You find it interesting? 2" he demand
ed.
Francois, lips compressed. shook his
mead firmly. No, my Seigneur. Not
u all. And the generals gaze con-
centrated fiercely on the humble patch
OF brown homespun. The boys great
eyes met his calmly.
I agree with you" the general said,
and sorted the papers over and laid
some away. You are an uncommon
crltlc,' he Went on. You speak the
q sheet or two, he began to read again.
over the frozen roads the worn
army still trudged; every form of mis-
cry trudged with them. Hunger was
there, and cold, inc suffering of
wounds, and suffering of lack of cloth
constant dread of attack from flying
oands OF Cossacks. From time to time
frlghtful explosions made one turn
ones head-it was the caissons explod-
ca by order of The emperor that they
might no longer cucumber US. The
snow fell. The low hanging sky was
heaVy with more snow clouds; often
a wind cut to our ill covered bones:
the road was sleety; the worn shoes of
the emaclated horses slipped on the
frozen ground; the soldiers put their
shoulders to the wheels to help their
horses
Through the reverberating tones of
h old soldier cut a child's sigh. The
hushy eyebrows arched and a glance
shot over the paper at the tense small
inquire. 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 in the midst of
mis- household, encouraging with q
word, with a smile, every one who
came near him. At might he slept often
IN a cabin without doors or windows,
ms rough bed screened with difficulty;
he shared our sorrows, u little cor
poral, u emperor. He was pale, but
cam rs always, for his face never
showed his mind. Over frozen roads
OF Russia. strewn with the men and
horses who We're killed by fatigue and
FAMINE, day after day Napoleon walked
with his army"
eral. glancing up again, met eyes so
on IRE that he was disconnected and
lost ms place. In a moment he had
found it again.
There We're many adventures which
showed the souls Of men shining
Ilnie 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
Mhen was on the staff of Lannes:
ms name was Zappi-the Marquis
Aappi. On the day after the dreadful
passing Of the Beresina river, / sudden
~ felt my strength go-I could walk
no longer. The horrors Of the day be-
Iofe a capped the long stretch of
prlVatlon; like thousands of others. I
must drop out and die. 1 looked at
the piles of snow by the trampled road
SIDE, at the gray sky over neon that
frozen bed, under, the pitiless roof
must lie down. A sick loathing seized
me, and l groaned and dragged my
neaVy feet forward, to stay with my
friends even a few steps more. And
with that an arm was around me sud-
denly, and l heard Zappi's quiet voice.
Keep up your courage, comrades:
we are going to see our homes vet
ne said. I shall take care of Won.
Look-and looked, and he had a
sledge with fur robes on it. r never
knew where he got it-from some de-
serted Russian home, I suppose. He
put me on the sledge and wrapped me
IN the 1urs and gave me brandy from
his flask: For Zappi had done a clever
thlng. He had made a bargain with
some Jesu1ts near Polotsk, where he
IVA " NIlIle, llfII ms mon
should cut and beat the wheat necasl
sary on condition that he should have a
part of the brandy for them. He had
Kept Some of his share yet. and it saved
my life that day. the brandy of he
monks of Polotsk.
so Sapp1 drew me, weak and
helpless, on the sledge for DAYS
and cared for me like a baby
and brought me back to COM,
parative strength. One would he
lleVe that after UGH kindess | would
gladly given my life for my friend; IN
steaa OF ina tried to take his life
figure dow on the stool arrested the
generals deep voice. He lowered the
paper and glared. but wait. monsieur
the marshal; wait till you hear the
STORY; don't condemn a man unheard."
ne lnterjected. The reading went on.
Continued next week.)