Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-06-04

glad OF the lettuce, for had not his
father said yesterday that 1t was the
best ever grown. that he would wager
there was none such in the village. no,
not even in the garden of the chateau.
He filled his mothers basket SO full
that he staggered. n climbed the
slope and made his way past the ruins
to the left ,around the lift of LIE Rose,
across the Pre- du Sac, on to h new
chatenu to the great paved courtyard
ZOO feet square, past the stables at the
left and IN to the door,. There a big
man. dressed beautifully in violet,
had refused to let him In, had even
refused to take his lettuce to the
seigneur. and the boy was about to go
Off grieved when a wonderful little
girl. also in beautiful clothes, but less
peared. Like a fairy she looked. he
thought, and like a fairy h had
changed everything, and now here he
was In the presence of the Seigneur,
accepting thanks, looking about as
much as he might and yet be polite. at
the unknown splendors of a room in
the chateau itself.
General Goursaud brought down his
Ilst on the table so that it ratified and
Francois started-but not Alike.
sabre de bois." he threw at the
two children. You nave ruined my
morning between you. / meant to fin
ish those cursed chapters this morn
ing. But let them wait. Having the
honor to receive a visit from an officer
OF nigh rank, the least I can do is to
entertain him. What amusement do
you prefer. M'sieur the Marshal? / am
at your service"
1t was natural to Francois to be-
lieve every one kindly; he accepted
with simplicity, If with slight surprise,
the generals speech.
Does the seigneur mean tt?" he
asked.
But vet" the general shot at him.
II the seigneur means it," Francois
went on promptly, II know what I
wish.''
"Parblau! you do" General Gour-
gaud was surprised in turn at this
readiness. What them"
The seigneur has fought battles un
der the great emperor himself?" the
boya asked in an awed tone.
again.
Think" whispered the French boy.
ITO have fought under the emperor!"
And the old soldiers heart thrilled
suddenly. The child went on. "If the,
seigneur would tell me a story Of one
fight-of just one!'
"Ratbbon, Ratisboni" clamored
Alike. and she scrambled wei the arm
= %@ SAAoAA ~ ACA 1dlllcI . knee ana
her hand went around his neck. Tell
about Ratisbon n the ditch and the
ladders father. It's true" she nodded
at Francois, en~couraging1y. It's real
~ true; he was right there" And she
went on. addressing the general. And
when that is done, tell about Auster-
litz and the soldiers drowning under
the leo. And when that is lone tell
about WaWram and
Halt" ordered the general. 81
nave not a week to talk. But
l will tell about Ratisbon If YOU
wish" He settled himself into
his deep chair and drew the little
the rough cloth of his coat and Law
across his square shoulder; she held
his thumb tightly with one hand. The
boy stood erect in front Of them. his |
knitted peasant cap in his hand. his
eyes not stirring from the
generals face; outside the hot stiffness
lay over the park and over the wide
eidshWhe thousands of peoples
stretched scarlet heads higher than the
wheat; one heard the trampling OF
horses in the paved courtyard Of the
where the red-roofed stables
stood. the distant voices Of rooms; in
the dim room there was no sound.
one lived in those days, my chill
dren," the abrupt strong voice broke
the quiet. War is terrible. but after
all one lives-if one is not killed at
1t happened so to many that
day Of Ratisbon; many We're killed
h a day." The deep voice stopped.
then went on again. 1.-THE Austrians
held Ratisbon n the bridge across the
Danube river. The emperor wished to
take the town and that bridge. Marshal
was ordered to do it. You see.
my children, the walls were very old
but filled with Austrian artillery. and
there was infantry on the parapets An
old ditch lay under the walls, a large
ditch, dry, but 20 feet high and so feet
wide. All the bottom Of 1t was a
garden. To take that town
1t was necessary to go down Into that |
ditch and climb up again to the walls. |
and all the time one would be under |
fire from the Austrians on the walls
you understand that, children? VERY
Well. Twice the marshal asked for 20 |
volunteers to take the ladders and
place them in the ditch. Twice 100 men
sprang forward, and 1t was necessary
choose he SO. Twice they dashed
out, carrying h ladders, from behind
the great stone barn which had covered
and each time the detail wasl
wiped ous-50 men wiped out. II was
la my children, the fight at
Ratisbon." The brown curl Law mn
stirred against the dark coat: the |
Shining eyes of the boy held. as Il
fastened there, to the face Of the storv-
teller. Into the silence came a CHOKING
sigh.
Continued next week.)