Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-29
THE STORY or 4 FRENCH SOLDIER
WHO CAME BACK.
BY DOROTHY ]. BALE

IT was beautiful day in late Octo-
Der. when Victor Angler sat musinr in
ms bare, cold room on one of the poor
est streets In New York. For three
years nc had been much-1oved officer
IN the Chasseurs Alpins, and he had
won many medals for his conspicuous
bravery. Then one day a we'll directed
German bomb took off his left leg and
blinded one eye When he recovered he
reused TO be pcnsioned. and decided
TO try his fortunes in America. For
three weeks he had been here, and now
his resources were exhausted He had
gradually pawned his medals his
watch and his jeweled cruciflx, an
heirloom which he highly priced To-
day as he sat sorrowfully in his cold
little room. he felt that it was useless
10 struggle any more.
nave nothing left TO pawn"
thought he. 'and no one will take me
Tor To-, job because OF my poor blind eye
lid. am starving. and there Is moth
ing to eat. 1 will go out and stand
on the corner, and perhaps some one
VIII give me few sous, or as these
Americans say. .coppers."
Victor was only thirty years old, and
1T sorcly panied him to beg yet he
felt that that was the only thing left
to do. He pulled on ragged coat, put
soft hat on and started out. He de-
c.dcd that he would try the most pop
ulated thoroughfares. and turned in
that direction. He had barely gone five
blocks before he heard scream, and
on turning to look. to HIS horror, he
perceived little child directly in the
path OF an onrushing automobile. Vic
tor had had only his one good leg and
wooden stump; yet he fairly flew
towards the child. He reached her and
threw her to one side just as the au-
tomobilc struck him and he fell to
the street. When he recovered con-
seriousness he was surrounded by a
crowd Of excited people. who pressed
must sutfocate. A lady bent over him
and wiped the black from his face.
Cant you get him taxi" she begged
to dispense the crowd? "Or wait" she
added, my carriage is here; I Will have
him taken to my home" so when Vic
| tor recovered for the second time he
lady sitting by the bed. She turned as
he moved his head. Are you feeling
better" she asked kindly.
Yes. Merci." he answered. and she
this moment tall gentleman entered:
alexandra" she said to him. this is
| a countryman Of yours. He is con-
scious now. You talk to him while
get the doctor on the phone"
She rose and left the room. while her
husband came near the bedside of Vic
tor. He bent over to speak. and ut
tered startled cry:
"Victor."
ALEXANDER!
How came you here my dear old
| friend?" exclaimed NJ. Flauhert. Then
! followed explana tons. Alexandra Flau-
| bert told how he had come to this
| country two years before. after being
severely wounded in battle. He had
made a small fortune and married an
American girl. Victor told OF his fruit
less search for job since his arrival.
But that shall be no more! exclaim-
ed Flaubert. Annette" he turned to
his wife. who had just entered. this
| Is Victor Angler, an old friend and Eel
low officer in the Chasseurs Alpins. He
| has been penniless here In New York
for three weeks. He shall be starving
no more, shall he. my dear? We viii
sec that he receives employment"
YES, indeed" replied Nine: FIau'
bert alexandra, he shall have
bookkeeper's position in an office. and
he must live with us. That is the very
| thing" Fine" exclaimed her hus-
hand. And now, Victor. you must hur-
ry and recover, for. we are going &c
| give you the best of attention"
Victor was filled with happiness over
| the kindness of his friends, and could
only smile his gratitude. In shor,
time he was up again. His friend had
secured him Il position. and he was
soon established in comfortable
| home of his own; but he never forgo'
| the day when he was starving and hurt
and the good Mr.. and Mrs Flauber'
gave him another start in life.
10 MARIAN SHIFLETT.