The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-12-25
CHAPTER VIII.
Close to the White Posts.


On Saturday evening the 12Sth regi-
ment of the Grays was mustered in
field accoutrements and full supply
of cartridges. In the darkness the
first battalion marched out at right
angles to the main road that ran
through La Tir and South La Tir. At
length Company B, deployed in line
of skirmishers, lay down to sleep on
its arms.
1--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-
pered the bankers son, who was next
to Peterkin.
when we cross war begins" said
the manufacturers son.
II wonder if they are expecting u.s."
said the judges son a trife huskily,
in an attempt at humor, though he
was not given to humor.
Just waiting to throw bouquets
whispered the laborer's son. He, too,
was not given to humor and he, too,
spoke trifle huskily.
And we'll fix 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 a 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. ooh, we'll beat them!
The bullet Is not made that will get
mel"
Your service will be over in time
for you to help with the spring plant
ing, Eugene" whispered Hugo, who
was apparently preoccupied with many
detached thoughts.
"And you to be at home sucking
lollipops!" Pilzer growled to Hugo.
THAT would be better than murder
ing my fellowman to get his property, "
Hugo answered, so soberly that 1t did
not seem to his comrades that he was
Joking this time. Pliers snarling ex-
clamation of|"White feather!" came In
the midst Of a chorus of indignation.
Captain Fracasse, who had heard
only the disturbance without knowing
the cause, interfered in low, sharp
tone:
SILENCE! AS | have told you be.
fore, silence! We don't want them to
know that we are here. Go to sleep!
You may get no rest tomorrow night"
But little Peterkin, the question in
his mind breaking free of his lips, un
Willingly asked:
"shall-shall we fight in the morn
ing?"
81 don't know. Nobody knows!" an
swered Fracasse. 1--WE wait on orders
ready to do our duty. There may be
no war. Don't let me hear another
peep from you!"
Now all closed their eyes. In front
of them was vast silence which
seemed to stretch from end to end Of
the frontier, while to the rear was the
rumble OF switching railway train,
and the rumble Of provision trains anC
artillery on the roads, and in the dis
lance on the plain the headlight of {
locomotive cut swath in the blacl
night. But the breathing of most O
the men was not that of slumber
though Eugene and Pilzer slep
soundly. Hours passed. Occasiona
restless movements told Of efforts tt
force sleep by changing position.
Its the waiting that's sickening!
exploded the manufacturers son IN
der his breath, desperately.
$50 | say. Id like to b 1t 1t an,