New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-11

and waited on by angels. The angel,
spoiled Gaspard, who was in danger Of
becoming that tiresome type Of Partisan
veteran, the disabled maybe, who one,
having been in battle chatters about Il n
the end of his days. He redeemed him.
self, however.
The young sergeant with the ball IN
his spinal column, whom Gaspard loved
could not outlast the night.
He was in great pain, bat his mind Va,
clear. and it seemed 10 him. clutching at u.
last hope Of those who die in the night, that u
he could hold out till daybreak ne might pun
through. But daybreak was so far of! Ever
minute he asked desperately what time il wa,
The Sister replied patiently, gently. Toward
midnight, as he struggled harder for breaB
he said: "WiIl it soon be 4 o'clock?"
And the Sister said
yes, little one; a little more COURAGE and
you will be there"
But suddenly he lost hope; he began to weep;
he whined.
There is a cock-a cock that crows a. 4
o'clock" And it did not crow.
Gaspard had not had the heart to 20 n
sleep. He had just heard the last words. He
sat up, threw off the bedclothes, slipped on hi.
trousers and stealthily on all fours crept out
Of the domitory. And then, in two minute,
the cock crew. It was rather a dubious. broken
human sort Of crow. But the sergeant stopped
choking:
"Sister, Sister, do you hear?"
Il told you So" she said. ut f. o'clock
He had confidence; daybreak was abou, %
come. He died calmly, almost smilngly.
After a few months Gaspard was
brought back from the front again to
another hospital. It was real glory, this
time; it had cost him a leg and he
thought it good bargain. Presents
every hour of the day-tobacco, jugs Of
cream and ladies who, when one sighed,
exclaimed: my poor fellow, what would
you like?" and brought it at once and
served it hot; and visitors, procession
of them, ladies with gloves on, generals,
the Bishop, the project, and, above all,
the newspaper men. "How are you feel
ing, sir?" and "Are you in any pain,
sir?" and "Tell us about it, sirw And
the pens of the newspaper men didn't
go to sleep under ones dictation.
81 always supposed said Gaspard,
that to he famous you had to amount
to more than other people, but not at
all; if there's less of you it does just as
we'll"
Afterward, as he stumped around
people were disposed to pity him, but he
seemed too cheerful: can arm, that
would have bothered me, but foot, its
stupid thing, a foot. The sur
geon who cut off my leg asked if he
might keep it in alcohol. It's a pity to
waste the alcohol | said"
Home with Bibiche and his old mother
and his youngster there were some bad
moments, however. On clutches it is
hard to discipline an impertinent young.
ster. "Quit that, you toad, or III hide
you," said GaSpard.
"How are you going to do it," said
the toad. and he ran off laughing.
Cuff him, Bibiche." Bibiche cuffed
him and the young one howled, but was
soon walking on, head up, angry, impu-
dent.
Nasty brat! Look at him. NUT
tered Gaspard. Hes downright Vi
cious. Of course. He has two feet, and
I'm three-fourths of poilu. That's the
way of it. We sweat and these brats
get the benefit and walk all over U.s."
But between the two palaces he took In a
deep breath, and in a loud, soldierly voice;
However, it's no matter. AS TO them, they
are our inheritors, and will grow fat and stun
turkey and trufies, but the Boches-well, the
Boches, it's we all the same who shall have
tanned their hides"
And raising his nose he seemed proudly 70
have come TO some sort of an understanding
with the great dome of the Invalides