Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-25
CHAPTER VII.
Clos. 70 the White Posts

CHAPTER VIII.
Close 20 the White Posts.
On Saturday evening the 12Sth regt-
ment Of the Grays was mustered in
geld requirements and full supply
Of cartridges. In the darkness the
nrst battalion marched out at right
angles to the main road that ran
through La Tir and South La Tir. At
OF skifmishers, lay down to sleep on
its arms.
we wait here for the word" Fra
casse, the captain, whispered to his
senior lieutenant. IF it comes. our
objective Is the house and the old
castle on the hill above the town..
The tower of the church showed
dimly when a pale moon broke
through = cloud. BY its light Hugo
Mallin saw ON his left the pinched
and characterless features OF Peter
kin. A few yards ahead was . white
stone post.
That's their side over there!" whis-
TO Peterkin
When We cross war begins" said
the manufacturers son.
II wonder if they are expecting u.s."
said the judges son tribe huskily.
in an attempt at humor. though he
was not given to humor.
lust waiting 20 throw bouquets!s
whispered the laborer's son. He, too.
was not given to humor and he, too.
spoke tride huskily.
and Wen AZ bayonets when we
start and they will run at the sight
Of our STEEL" said Eugene Aronson.
He and Hugo alone, not excepting Pill
ger, the butchers son. spoke in their
natural voices. The others were try.
ing to make their voices sound natu-
raj. while Pliers voice had devel-
oped q certain ferocity, and the liver
patch on his cheek twitched more fire.
Quently. Why, Company B is in
front! We have the post Of honor. and
maybe our company will win the most
glory of any in the regiment Eu-
gene added "Oh, we'll beat them!
The bullet il not made that will get
me-"
your service will be over in time
for you to help with the spring plant.
rins. Eugene" whispered Hugo. who
was apparently preoccupied with many
detached thoughts.
and you to be ut homo sucking
lollipops!" Pilzer growled to Hugo.
THAT would be better than murder
ing my fellowman to get his property,
Hugo answered. 20 soberly that it did
not seem to his comrades that he was
joking this time. Pliers snafling ex-
clamation OF White feather" came in
the midst Of chorus Of indignation.
Captain Fracasse. who had heard
only the disturbance without knowing
the cause, interfered in low. sharp
tone:
silence! AZ have told you be-
fore, silencsl We don't want them to
know that We arc hero. Go to sleep!
Sou may get no rest tomorrow night"
But little PeteTlin, the question In
his mind breaking FREQ Of his lips. I'M
Willingly asked:
"shall-shau we tight in the morn
insf"
II don't know. Nobody knows!" an
swered Fracasse. I'VE wait on orders.
ready to do our duty. There may 30
no war. Don't let mo hear another
peep from you!"
Now all closed their eyes. In front
Aot -hfNh
seemed 70 stretch from end to end Of
the frontier. while to the rear was tho
rumble OF switching railway trains
and tho rumble Of provision trains and
artillery on the roads, and In the dis
tance on the plain the headlight Of .
locomotive cut swath in the black
night But the breathing Of most Of
the men was not that Of slumber.
though Eugene and Pilssr slept
soundly. Hours passed. Occasional
restleSh movements told az efforts to
force sleep BY changing position.
Its the waiting that's sickeuingl"
exploded the manufacturers son IN
der his breath, desperately.
$50 say. I'd like to be at II and
done with the suspense!" said the
doctors son. -
"They say if you are shot through
the head you don't know what killed
you It's SO quick. Think Of that!"
exclaimed Peterkin, budding closer to
Hugo and shivering.
Eyes, very merciful,' Hugo whis-
pered, patting Peterkin's arm.
"sh-h.h! Silence. tell you| COM
manded Ffacasse Grossly. He was
falling into q half dose at last.
In marching order, with cartridge
boxes full. ON Saturday night, the SD
of the Browns marched cnt Of bar.
racks to the main pass road. One
company after another left the road q
4 given point, bound for the position
mapped II 1T instructions. DeIlarmes,
however, wsat on until 1t Was oppo-
site the Galland house.
we arc depending On yoa,. the
colonel said 70 Dellarme. giving his
hand grip. ''You aTs not TO draw
Oh TIL yoa get The 1As.s
mo, SIR DellaIno replied.
mind the signal 10 the bates13ss-
keep the men soroene4-Wasn tAs0
not to let their first baptism. q she'll
fire break their nsrvss! ~ oolonsl
added = anAi repetition q instIue-
tons alseSAy indslibly Impressed q
the captalns mind. y
Movipe cautiously through . cut,