Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-06
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE AWAKES. s~as
His Word of Honor.

His Word of Honor.
 At the time of war between France lin the city of Paris. Food was scarce and the very poor often went hungry. The people were discontented and 1 some bal men urged them to 9eize the Mob rule followed, with robbery an9 murder m its track; conyents and churches were destroyed and priests an6-9eligious people were killed. | Then the soldiers of the government came and scattered the wild mob. Many were taken prisoners and sen- l fenced to be shot.
 D One of thess prisoners was q boy not quite 16 years old. He was not . had boy. He had lost his fathe r, who was killed in the war, and his mother was slowly Gying of hunger and disease. The boy had gone out to look for food | and, partly from hunger. and partly from threats of his companions. he | joined the so called army of the people. Now he was in prison, waiting to be | taken out and shot.
 While he was sitting there. whining I that he might have Chance to say loved, some officers entered the room. well, my boy" said the captain in command T suppose you know what .I know, captain. have seen the priest, and I am ready" answered the boy. Ready! Without word to your father O.. mother?"
 fighting for France. Mother is dying, and though T should like to see her once more, I suppose never shall" Captain, give me an hour to see lier, again; she's been so good to mo and loves me so!-and give you my word of honor that I'll come back"
 His word of honor!
 Hh~ -r ,k1sx> AR> -N ficers. AIT seemed moved to pity
 Well said the captain, after a mo- ment, "be it so- You are to go for an hour to see your mother. I will even not back then, I shall know you are a rascal and not to be believed. Now, Right aoout face! March!"
 The boy was off like a shot. The officers looked at one another and smiled. Would they ever see him again?
 Ten minutes later the boy knocked at his mothers door. A neighbor open ed it. "Go in qufetly,'' she said. "S1le has been very i'll. She has asked for you, she has prayed to God for you and our unhappy country"
 The boy moved on tiptoe to his mothers bed. Her eyes were open
 Victor, my boy!" she said in a weak voice.
 Without word he lay cown beside her, and her arms closed around him.
 This boy who had faced death so braVe3y could now do naught but sob. He was a child again in his mothers arms.
 The poor woman tried to quiet him.
 There" she said, Do not cry. dear. We shall not part again. Sleep now, my boy, my only one."
 Victor's sobs grew less frequent, and soon nothing could be heard Tn the little room, but their regular breath ing. They were asleep.
 Tn a, short time the boy awoke and rose from the bed. Lightly he kissed his mothers forehead. She seemed to smile in her sleep. Then he turned 1 and hurried away, not daring to look | back.
 Pack so soon?" said the surprised l captain, as the boy entered the pris- | on: ''Why did you hurry so?"
 1 dared not stay longer. for fear she should awake. Poor mother. she was so happy! She thought we should | never part again. So I kissed her and | sleeping" ~
 The captains eyes filled with tears as he looked at the boy. "Do you not | fear death?" he asked.
 The boy shook his head.
 And if I should let you go g,
 You would save my mothers life, my father" >~-
 You are a fine fellow. You shall not die. You are free. Go back to your mother. First let me embrace you as would my son. So hurry of. and always love your mother"
 Tt would have been a pity to kill ain} he said to the other officers.
 Victor did not run home-he flew nome. His mother was still sleeping. He lay down beside her. Suddenly she started up, crying, Mercy! Victor! my boy! An! you are here! and she pressed him close O her and covered his face with. kiss IS. "Oh! my boy! my boy!" she , noaned, "I dreamed they were going o shoot you!" Iii
 @ LEONA SULLIVAN.
 Coffee 1