The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-06-02
The Crenieux
Brothers
By ELINOR MARSH

brothers, were In the same regiment
Of infantry In the trenches fighting
the Germans. Antoine was a robust
young man, Francois the reverse. The
latter was very delicately made-in
deed, too delicately made for a soldier
Soldiers are disposed to resent any
thing like cowardice In companion
Francois inability to bear withou,
starting the explosion of a shell about
his head drew down upon him the con.
tempt Of his fellow soldiers. Antoine
defended his brother, but a defense
served no purpose, for lone convinced
against his will is of the same opin-
| lon still"
One evening the command was or.
| dered to make a raid on the enemy's
trenches. The Cremieux brothers were
In the same company and marched
out shoulder to shoulder. The French
drove their enemies out Of their
stronghold and some distance beyond
to the second line. Then the Germans
turned upon their enemies and drove
them back.
1t was impossible to see In the dark
ness who fell In the engagement 1t
was not till. the roll was called, or
rather moses were counted" who had
returned. Then 1t was discovered that
Antoine Cremieux had been left be-
hind on the field.
Great was the distress OF his broth
err Indeed, he shed tears. His COM
rades endeavored to cheer him, but TO
no purpose. Those who were permit
ted to sleep slept, but Francois Gre
mieux remained awake bowed down
with grief
Later In the evening Francois was
missed. The captain Of his company
caused search to be made for him.
but he could not be found. Some one
suggested that he had deserted TO the
enemy. Since he was not popular on
account of his want Of manly strength,
this explanation of his absence came
TO be believed.
During the night the groans Of those
who had been left wounded on the
field were distressing. The commander
of the force called for volunteers to
go out and bring some of them in, but
the Germans were supposed to be very
near, and the men who had encoun-
tered a murderous fire on their sally
were In no mood to encounter 1t
second time.
About o'clock in the morning, when
it was still dark, there was quiet on
the line. One OF the French soldiers
saw a dark object which seemed to be
coming from the direction Of the enc
my. There were some trees left that
had not been torn away by shot and
shell, or, at least, the trunks were still
standing The soldier saw the dark |
figure move slowly as though stagger- |
ing between two Of these giant tree |
trunks. At first he was about to rouse
the command, thinking that he saw
one OF many who were skulking for
ward to make a surprise attack; but, |
seeing no others, he concluded to |
wait further demonstration. Present
y he saw the figure again or another
he could not till which-rise slowly
from the ground and appear at full
ength. The upper part of the body
was very large as though mantle
we're wrapped around 1t. But, since 1t
vas only dark mass, nothing further
.ould be distinguished.
The soldier watching concluded to
all some of his comrades, who were
leeping under arms, but when they
trained their eyes for the figure 1t
vas not to be seen. But while they
ierced through the darkness 1t again
ose up like some large animal on its
lind legs and resumed its staggering
onward movement. Some Of the men ,
eveled their rifles at 1t, but no one .
red. I
Nearer and nearer approached the !
mass till IL was within few '
ards of the trench. Then 1t fell in a !
cap. Several sprang over the pro-
Getting embankment and took up two 9
hen. One had been carrying the other
n his shoulder. Both were carried a
ito the trench. and when a light was 7
rought to bear ON their faces they y
iere found to be the Cremieux broth
rs. Antoine was previously wound
4, Francois was exhausted. =
And now It began TO dawn upon the :
that this weakling, Francois,
ad dared to do what they had not $
AIRED. True, he had gone for the b
rother he loved SO well: nevertheless
e had performed a deed of heroism v
'om which they had shrunk. n
When day came again the general il
the division was inform b
of Francois act, and the young c
,ldier was ordered to headquarters. 9
here the general complimented him y
4 his deed of heroism. What did the II
~ do but burst into tears. :
Something entered the generals =
lad, a suspicion that this youth was =
masquerader. He spoke soothingly n
him. Then, having sent all but :,
away, be said: a
You are not a man. You are a wo- c,
an" N
Francois, OF. rather. Louise, confess W
!. She had been married to Antoine d.
-enieux just before he marched to
e war. Unable TO bear the parting, :
e had donned mans attire and had q