The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-06-18

minutes the general read this; then his
black eyebrows lifted n he glared
over the paper.
ed.
Francois. lips compressed, shook his
head firmly. mo, my Seigneur. Not
at all" And the generals gaze con-
centrated ~fiercely on h humble patch
of brown homespun. The boys great
eyes met his calmly.
I agree with you." the general said.
ana sorted the papers over and laid
some away. You are an uncommon
critic he went on. You speak the
truth. It is what / want" Selecting
a 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, and suffering of
wounds. n suffering Of lack Of cloth
ing; more than this, there was the
constant dread Of attack frcm flying
bands OF Cossacks. Fi,om time to time
Irlghtful explosions made one turn
ones head-it was the caissons explod-
ed by d of the emperor that they
might no longer cucumber US. The
snow fell h low hanging sky was
neayy with more snow clouds; often
a wind cut to our i'll covered bones;
the road was sleety; the worn shoes Of
tne emaciated horses slipped on the
frozen ground; the soldiers put their
shoulders to he wheels to help their
horses"
Through III %reverberating tones of
the old soldier cut a child's sigh. The
Dushy eyebrows arched and a glance
shot over the paper at the tense small
figure. The voice went on.
The enperor marched on foot with
us. Staff in hand. wrapped in a large
loose cloak, a furred Russian cap on
ms head, he walked in the midst Of
his household, encouraging with a
word, with a smile, every one who
came near him. At night he slept often
IN a cabin without doors or windows,
MS rough bed screened with difficulty;
ne shared our SORROWS. our little cor
poral, our emperor. He was pale, but
calm as always, for his face never
showed his mind. Over frozen roads
OF Russia. strewn with the men and
horses who were killed by fatigue and
FAMINE, day after day Napoleon walked
with his army"
There was no sound now, but the gem
eral. CHANGING up again, met eyes so
on ire that he was Disconnected and
lost his place. In a he had
found 1t again.
There We're many adventures which
showed the souls of men shining
through the nightmare Of the hor-
Ilple time. Many noble deeds were
Done, many heartbreaking ones.
One which was both happened
70 me; There was an italian
officer in the corps under Prince
Eugene, who had been my comrade
when I was on the staff Of Lannes
nus name was Zappi-the Marquis
lappl. On the day after the dreadful
passing or the Beresina river, / sudden
~ felt my strength go-I could walk
nc longer. The horrors of the day be-
fore had capped the long stretch of
privation; like thousands of Others. I
must drop out and die. l looked at
the piles of snow by the trampled road
side. at the gray sky over neon that
frozen bed, under the pitiless roof. I
must lie down. A sick loathing seized
me, and I groaned and dragged my
heavy feet forward, to stay With my
friends even a few steps more. And
WIN that an arm was around me sud-
denly, and | heard Zappi's quiet voice.
Keep up your courage, comrade;
we are going to see our homes vet.
he said L shall take care of Won
Look'-and I looked, and he had a
sledge with fur robes on it. I never
knew where he got it-from some de-
serted Russian home, I suppose. He
put me on the sledEe and wrapped me
IN the furs and gave me brandy from
his flask. For Zappi had done a clever
thing. He had made a bargain With
some Jesuit near Polotsk, where he
had camped for a while, that his men
should cut and beat the wheat necea-
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 tina day, the brandy of the
monks of Polotsk.
SO Zappi drew me. weak and
helpless. on the sledge for davs
and cared for me like a babv
and brought me back to com.
parative strength. One would he
ieve that after such kindes. I would
gladly given my life for my friend; In
Sleau OF that l tried to take his life"
The shock that caught the little
ngure down 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.
(Contin11ed pav+ uao