Military life in Italy by valdinocis

Presented to the

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY by the

ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY 1980

BY EDMONDO DE AMICIS.

. 8vo, cloth extra remarkable work. * * * The author wonder-worker in words." N. Y. Evening Post.

Constantinople.

Studies of Paris.

II.

I2mo, cloth extra

a poet, an

$i 50 artist,

$i 25

De Amicis

has comprehended the manifold amazement, the potent charm of Paris as no writer before him has done." Portland Prat.

Holland and

III.

its

People.

Svo,

with

18 full-page

$2 oo

plates

only simple justice to say that a more delightful volume of travels hardly may be found." Philadelphia Press. It is

Spain and the Spaniards.

IV.

Svo, with

full-page

plates

V. VI. G. P.

Morocco

its

People and Places.

Sketches of Military

PUTNAM'S SONS,

Life.

Svo.

Svo, illustrated

$2 oo

(In press.)

NEW

YORK.

Two

files

marched on the

right

and two on the

left of

the road."

(Page

I.)

MILITARY DM"

IN ITALY >

SKETCHES BY

EDMONDO DE AMICIS ARMY OFFICER

TRANSLATED BY

WILHELMINA

CADY

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

NEW YORK G. P.

PUTNAM'S SONS

27 & 2g

WEST 23D STREET 1882

PUTNAM'S SONS 1882

Prtss of

G. P.

Putnam's Sons

New

York

TO MY MOTHER,

THERESA BUSSETTI DE DEDICATE THIS BOOK,

CANNOT UNITE HER DEAR NAME WITH WORK LOVELY AS HER HEART, CHOICE AS HER VIRTUES, AND HOLY AS HER LIFE.

REGRETTING THAT A

AMICIS,

AUTHOR'S PREFACE. SOME time

ago, in speaking of one of these sketches,

who were

readers,

the double purpose I

vealed

unwittingly re-

emotional,

exceedingly

had

two

view when writing

this

book.

A I

working man said

" :

When

had

finished reading

would have gladly pressed the hand of the

whom

happened

soldier said

inspires a

man

soldier

to meet."

" :

first

it,

a story

full

of consolation, which

with good- will for his duties."

Let the one wish well to the soldier and the other be a soldier

Should

from the heart.

succeed

these two results in any of

readers,

and

liveliest

repaid desire

for

would be

pains,

obtaining

should feel well

and most earnest

fulfilled.

(Ontario.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

A MIDSUMMER MARCH

THE ORDERLY THE OFFICER OF THE GUARD THE WOUNDED SENTINEL THE MOTHER THE SON OF THE REGIMENT THE CONSCRIPT A BUNCH OF FLOWERS A NOCTURNAL MARCH .

.... .... .

CARMELA

THAT DAY THE SENTINEL THE CAMP THE DISABLED SOLDIER A MEDAL .

AN ORIGINAL ORDERLY AT TWENTY DEPARTURE AND RETURN REMINISCENCE OF 1866 DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE THE ITALIAN ARMY DURING THE CHOLERA OF 1867

....

vii

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Two

marched on the

files

and two on the

right

the road."

left of

Frontispiece

rushed breathless to the door, opened

it,

looked around, and saw

the officer of the day, erect, immovable, and rigid."

Saying which, he sprang at him, seized him by the collar of his

and

jacket

shirt,

pinned him with one dash against the wall,

raised his clenched

and trembling

fist," etc.

-38

" That was a large cafe, lighted and gleaming with mirrors, staff -officers,

the

full of

146

etc.

aides-de-camp,"

same moment she dashed with one spring upon the lieuhim with superhuman force about the waist, and

tenant, seized

began

to kiss

"Apart from

him

furiously

the others,

ing,

"Oh

here

arm,"

a door

;

in the opposite direction

young man and

girl

enter quickly with lowered bayonets ;

courage, on

them

;

little

sembled," etc

the people,

armed with

186

from

leaning on the

rail-

188

a court-

Around the

a bulwark of breasts, bristling with motionless bayonets."

Little

........

etc.

yard, the enemy, a flag is

his face, neck, chest," etc.

and turned

the ship's course, were a

arm

flag .

200

scythes, picks, guns, as-

378

MILITARY

LIFE.

A MIDSUMMER MARCH. IT was a beautiful day in August

;

not a cloud was to be seen,

nor was there a breath of wind stirring burning.

The road along which

;

the air

was

and

still

the regiment was marching was

broad, straight, long, and seemingly endless, and covered with a very fine dust,

which rose

in clouds, forcing itself into the eyes,

mouth, and under one's clothes, and whitening the beard and On the right and left of the road were neither trees, bushes, hair.

The

not a palm's breadth of shade, nor a drop of water.

country was dry, bare, and deserted in the few houses scattered here and there, reigned such absolute silence that they seemed abandoned. We could not rest our eyes on the road, ;

the walls, or on the fields, the sun beat so strongly on

walked on with drooping head and half-closed

them eyes.

all.

short, a beautiful August day, but a very terrible one for a march.

The regiment had been moving

for

more than an hour.

Despite the dust and suffocating heat, the soldiers were

still

and gay as at the moment of their departure. Two files marched on the right and two on the left of the road, and from fresh

MILITAR Y

LIFE.

one side to the other there was a continuous

and

of jokes

fire

bon-mots, with an unceasing interchange of coarse but witty

From time

remarks.

to time there

was a burst of laughter or a

place, forward, order

Sometimes

lence.

three,

To your which instantly restored quiet and sifour, or five voices would break out at

noisy clapping of hands, that was always followed by a

once into some gay Tuscan

further on was heard

stornello ;

a pathetic southern romance, or

beyond, the war song of the

still

Alps then some would leave off and others begin, and a thousand different accents and dialects would succeed and mingle ;

The march continued according

with each other. tions

places

;

every thing in perfect order.

But to flag fall in

to regula-

the lines compact, the step free, the officers in their

oh, look there

Now

or not

the second

;

him

will set

Corpo di

rapid run, a great

" right.

Ho, there

Will you

faJls in.

Another ten or twelve paces, you march in your place or not

moving

On and on we went. man of the first line begins

Courage,

bumping

another.

Ho, there

how

Just look let

fall in

;

Will

that flank

quick step."

of canteens against the hips,

noisy dancing of cartridges in their boxes, a confusion, a cloud of dust which envelops rear falls in now. it.

One would

sort of thing.

the brain,

really It is

the dust

these caps,

and covers every

thing.

The

no help

for

need a pair of iron-bound lungs for

this

must take breath

terrible

;

there

the sun burns

marching to-day,

stifles us,

this

road

will

never end,

and

there were only a tree, a palm's breadth of

shade, a drop of water

But there

nothing.

This

really

a desert.

The

songs

we heard

little

while

ago have fallen

off

A MIDSUMMER MARCH. note

the dialogues are less vivacious

;

The commander

compact.

the head of the second rear of the third.

You can

see

now

the lines a

;

battalion

first

commander

the

;

of the

less

trifle

already at

of the second

at the

that the regiment has

been

for three hours.

marching

The straight road comes to an end and begins to curve, The eye can no longer follow the road and comfort itself with

the view of the roofs in a distant village, the bell-tower of a

church, or any thing, in

little

and promises a

tation

moment

hundred

steps ahead.

and we

shall

life.

fact, that gives

indication of habi-

halt, a short rest, a breathing-space

Heavens, what a road

reach a turn.

forward

Courage

five

;

Who knows

cannot see a minutes more

but,

turning,

away in the distance a little hamlet or clump of trees may appear, where we shall make a halt Hope gives vigor we steady our steps, have reached the turn, rush on to reach the

far

new

;

direction, stretch our necks, glance quickly

the road, to be seen sion of

all.

The heads

the

commander

feeling of desperation takes posses-

up from the momentary pressure, ;

houses

sink on the chest, the eyes seek the

ground, the backs bend beneath the knapsacks

step

ahead

Nothing! the road, and nothing but

trees? villages? halts?

of the

fall

first

apart

;

battalion

;

the lines, closed

the rear gives the is

already at the

head of the second, the commander of the second at that of the company which follows the captain where can the captain be ? ;

The songs we heard two hours since have fallen notes.

The men

sing because they began to do so

they would not begin again.

The

jokes have lost their sharpness.

regiment has been four hours on

conversation

its

two

off

perhaps

forced

;

the

you can see that the

march.

MILITAR Y

on we

The

go.

LIFE.

foreheads, scorched by the sun,

dripping with perspiration, are black, contracted, and

ured

;

the breathing

has thickened painful

labored

the lips

;

hang down

body

;

disfig-

the tongue

and heavy the soles very a drowsiness and utter abandon throughout

the hands are swollen

;

there

;

the entire

;

the knapsacks have slipped over the loins, the

on to the thigh, the cloaks up around the and soaking throats the cravats become loosened begrimed are the caps shoved over the nape of the neck or, if the head The eyes, blinded by the strong be bowed, on to the nose. are either fixed motionless light, upon the road-side, or wander cartridge-boxes

;

here and there in search of a brook, a fountain, a

even

frightful heat which

puddle

burning up the what be thirst At this point Oh, body may mitigated. varied and confused recollections of cafes formerly fre;

that the

we were happy)

quented (when imagination

;

sipping great

spring up before the excited

see the usual habitues of the place slowly

mugs

of frothy, iced beer

water burst foaming from a rock. see

winding and losing Oh,

grass.

If I

I will fly

to reach

to a cafe,

arid

the

itself in crystalline

its

splendor amid the

most

silence.

empty

The

go.

forced joke

vigorous, Silently

who were

kill

a bottle in one breath, two, or

but

falls

we march.

at the rear,

that

songs

have ceased

;

conversa-

occasionally from the

vain

;

received

Many who were

head, .now, limping, find themselves at the rear. est

murmur and

three."

and on we

tion is dead.

or springs of living

ever do reach a spout I will drink enough to

be not enough

;

hear

The

lips

with the

strong-

involuntarily take the lead.

The

A MIDSUMMER MARCH. "

companies get mixed.

way to march ? we might as well preach

;

why do you

stop

forward." there.

Courage.

Ah, yes, only a

to stone walls. "

Ho, there

Lieutenant, I can-

"It's nothing, nothing, rouse yourself,

useless,

There little

but meantime we don't

say,

Is your place one pays any atten-

Forward, courage."

not go another step."

place, to

that the tion

To your

already sleeping.

only a short distance now."

way come

That

what they always and the soup this

to a halt,

morning was water, and they have n't given the loan yet. With such a sun they might have allowed us to start We don't halt at all, and the broth, and the loan " earlier. " the It

Make way there !" "What is it? Who is coming?" There is mad dashing by of a horse, a cloud of dust, he has passed.

was a "

staff-officer.

Yes, here

foot

him on horseback

he had the knapsack

feet of

yours

Many

;

stop

pany pass on

;

is n't

many, slackening their pace,

sound more

battalion

talion

irritable

come more and more

orders

Oh, ho,

there enough dust already

in order to stop unseen.

perior officers

first

one of the people who make us run. It is to shout out forward to us on

quite easy for

Where

rarely.

the

lift

let their

The

up those

" ?

own com-

voices of their su-

The

than authoritative.

The commander

commander

of the

first

bat-

Ah, you can easily see that the regiment has been

marching for five hours " Hullo what 's this ? " !

The

blast of a trumpet

heard.

prolonged oh! resounds from one end of the column to the other.

All halt,

and then begins a confusion, a hurly-burly, a

MILITARY

up of knapsacks, a

tossing

caps into the ditches

LIFE.

falling of muskets, a rolling

In two minutes the regiment has disappeared.

left.

away of

the way-side, a running to right and

ditches on either side of the road, there

In those

a pushing, a shout-

ing, a disputing with the elbows, and by well-aimed thrusts, for

a palm's breadth of shade, or a there

Some

bit of turf.

some run

are looking,

away

come

on the bark of a

tree.

a begging for a drink in lamentable tones of voice,

refusals irritably uttered, or forced concessions,

fields

in search of water.

into each other, while others

to a standstill, like a procession of ants

There

Through the

men

a coming and going of thirsty

the canteens in jealous fury.

Little

and pulling

the

little

tumult subsides, the general movement diminishes, quiet turns lie

;

all,

comfortably or uncomfortably, as the case

may

out on the ground, close their eyes, and

stretched

re-

be,

rest.

One moment more, and the entire regiment will be sleeping. " A little room only Make way, make way there, boys !

Heigh, there

lookout or

the wheels will pass over

you.

Take up that knapsack from the middle of the road A little " more room, so make way for me." Ha, here's the bearer of here

life,

the sutler

" !

the

The

their feet. it

there

sleeping

brave stir,

men

here

Providence,

rub their arms, rub their eyes,

up here they all are on They rush and gather round the cart, and dash

raise themselves

over

friend of

on their elbows

waves do over a ship in a

gale.

Above

that

crowd

a raising of hands, a stretching out of arms, a giving

and receiving of money, angry complaints of having been there an hour without getting a thing, a persistency both threatening

The poor man who

and

supplicating.

and

puffing, begs for a little space, a little breathing-room.

breathless, perspiring,

A MIDSUMMER MARCH. Another blast of the trumpet followed by along is n't

murmur

of surprise

time to swallow a mouthful

not to have stopped at

The crowd some

all

disperses slowly

There

certainly want to kill us

down

sit

" !

up wearily and enjoy ;

others stand there

;

would have been better

those lying

;

rise to their feet slowly

which

and discontent.

They

the Attention

;

moment, the last instant little by little all have sprung from the ditches on the way-side, the knapsacks are on their shoulders, the lines are formed. Another blast, the first company the last

;

moves, the second, the third "

Fall in there, eh

Don't

the entire regiment

in motion.

us have any repetition of the

let

former confusion,"

For a

hour things go a

half

trifle

badly than before,

less

body feels painfully the shortness of the rest, " not all the men were able to quench their thirst. But

though the entire

and look

how

that rear

For a half hour, before

;

marching

Will you close up there

go a

as I said, things

the lines are compact, the

trifle

" ?

badly than

less

man who was behind

has

caught up with his company, the officers are back at their posts.

"But how

this

sible to stand

sun burns "

raise themselves

hang

The

This

is African heat It 's imposhave no longer strength enough to

feet

from the ground, they drag along

at the side, the belt slides

;

the arms

over the hips, the straps of the

knapsacks clasp the shoulders, the cloak weighs heavily on the " stomach. And we don't reach our destination Where are !

they taking us to "

The

fountain

lines

" ?

a fountain

break up

;

all

" !

cry of joy greets this news.

run forward, by

fives, sixes,

dashing breakneck fashion on the water pushes, squabbles, shouts, and thrusts.

;

and

tens,

then follow blows,

your places,

MILITAR Y

LIFE.

shouts an indignant officer. your places, for Heaven's sake breaks and The throng up spreads in all directions many, !

;

whose stomachs are loaded down with water, regain their places

and are obliged other moment,

in sight.

spreads

in ;

for an-

;

and

are tottering

all

Sud-

falling.

the station

It is

the station

an instant from head to the rear

The

the effect

;

The music

starts

;

are at the village

;

changed.

enter.

streets, the

and balconies

here and there

fill

tender curiosity

full

with inquisitive people

appear

drop,

utterly

worn

gait

out,

;

straight-

he who

courage and

Ho, there! where are you going?" " Back Not a bit of it water, lieutenant."

on.

;

effect of

and he who was

takes

"A to

little

window-sills.

the last time

effort, for

was limping assumes a resolute ready

the

ens himself, with a supreme

how tired they must be " Oh, the The man who was walking doubled up

fellows,

those eyes

;

The

windows

doors of the factories, the openings of the

Poor

cry

mir-

strength returns, the lines close up, the companies

re-form, the stragglers run forward, and every thing

faces "

the vacant spaces grow larger, the ditches are

a turn of the road, a bell-tower and a village ap-

denly, at

aculous

some stop

;

only to give a last glance at the blessed water

with the exhausted

filled

pear

others reach theirs after a breathless run,

to stop shortly thereafter

is failing,

Strength

;

vain to

try in

just

pulls

swallow of "

your place

the compassionate mammas who " how they do treat those poor happen to be standing around

"Oh, how cruel!" murmur

;

boys

Not even a swallow

The regiment has

of water

" !

passed, stacked arms, pitched the tents.

Oh, what a gay and animated camp and trials of the marches remembered Ah, not even

in their

dreams

And

are the fatigues

THE ORDERLY. They had been of

them forgotten

living together for four years for a single

the other the soldier. latter

moment

that one

The former was

;

nor had either

was the

officer,

austere as a soldier, the

They loved each

correspondingly submissive.

other

;

but with that hard, rough, silent affection, which never makes

any

display, nor reveals itself,

and which conceals a demonstra-

tion of tenderness under a rude action ent,

embarrassed when speaking

;

eloquent when

si-

inimical to blandishments,

and accustomed, when feeling the the lips and withhold the tears for

desire to weep,

to bite

fear of appearing weak a laconic used They language to one another ;

and unmanly.

understood each other by monosyllables, glances, and signs. Their common interpreter was the watch, which regulated every thing, even their steps and words, with the strictest disci" pline.

ing."

Lieutenant, do you wish any thing

"May

dismissal.

"Go."

" ?

Noth-

This was the daily form of

go?" Not one word more.

So days, months, and years

had passed four years in all in quarters, at home, in camp, on the march, and in war, and little by little a deep, stern sort of affection, almost

their

two

that

soldierly

hearts.

unknown

There was

to them,

had grown up

in that invariable

taciturnity,

way of speaking, the fugitive exchange of " Do this," and on the glances which meant on one side, 9

MILITARY

10 "

who knew

understand," for any one

other,

LIFE.

of these two, as

much

courtesy, kindness, and

the

natures

warm

feeling

as could be found in the most expansive interchange of ten-

derness.

They had stood side by side on the battle-field at solemn moments, .within a few paces of the enemy's cannon, and at every whistle of the shot one had glanced quickly around in search while

of the other, and on finding him " This, too, has passed." thinking,

had heaved a

sigh

They had stood

guard together on the outposts more than one cold and rainy night, with their feet in the mud, the wind blowing on their

and

faces,

changed

in the

smiles,

morning, when the as

to say

" :

relief

Now we

arrived,

keep up your spirits, for you can rest." on a long summer's march, both had looked

camp

;

moment

have numbered more than

they reached the

which seemed

are

Many

times,

the

same

count the mile-stones on the way-side, and often

found them

had ex-

are going back to

to say

More than one evening

paring their

minds

forty,

exchanging, when

a glance full of comfort and pleasure, " There are two more one more here

last,

camp, when they were prewas to wake them be-

for the musket-shot that

fore morning, after one

was stretched out under the tent and the

other had arranged his overcoat to protect him from the night air,

and the

and

officer,

that the

returned while his

the soldier said in

the

moving

Good-night, lieutenant,"

off,

fancying that the voice trembled slightly,

last

word had not come out

salute

the

same

one handed the other a

hand impatiently

over their two faces

" :

take

tone.

letter, it,

and the

full

force,

other

times,

latter

put out

a slight smile had passed

It is a letter

from home

recognize

the writing " "

;

Thanks

from your mother."

One meant to say, " You have anreply,

the other had intended to

;

ticipated

THE ORDERLY.

pleasure."

which they both returned to

After

and severe modes self before, or

upon

head

hand

and

so,

and when he went away,

face,

silent

him-

his

sol-

proud

to his cap in a resolute

he did

customary

in presenting

leaving his superior, did the

dier forget to put his raising his

their

Not once,

of address.

manner, his

fixing his eyes

upon right-about-face was

al-

according to regulations.

ways performed They had only been

living together for four years

soldier,

who had been made an

of duty,

was completing

One day

the

his

commandant

orderly after the

term of

;

but the

first

year

service.

of the corps received orders to dis-

miss the class to which the orderly belonged.

That day, between the officer and the soldier, there passed few more words than usual, but their two hearts talked at " length. '

Do you

The order

require any thing

your class has arrived

to dismiss

Nothing."

;

you

will

leave

in ten days."

brief silence followed without their eyes meeting.

"May

go?"

added, and

"Yes, certainly."

this

One who

lost

his friend

to tenderness.

heart, but not to an equal degree. fact, more than a. friend, a brother,

The

loved him with an almost religious devotion.

too, lost a friend, latter

return

a brother

;

After so

many

other,

but the former remained, the

returned to his home, and this was a great comfort.

home

This time a certainly was

was a great step on the road

They were both sad

years, so

many

ing asked himself so often of an evening

perils

;

when the

after hav-

long, sad

MILITARY

LIFE.

notes of the bugle give the signal for extinguishing

under the tents they died of linen

out,

lights,

and

and through the movable

city

spreads a deep quiet

after having asked

himself

so often of an evening, while leaning his head on his

hand

moments of melancholy, and, thinking of his mother What is the poor woman doing now ? " After having heard so many times in camp, here and there in the groups of in

peasants,

had

the notes

listened to at

fields

of the rural ritornelli, the

home,

same

summer, when watching

where the bright moonlight

that he in

the

and among so many

fell,

voices of friends and relations he heard distinctly, one, clear, silvery,

and tremulous, which so well knew

heart

to return

;

after

way

its

his

having so often blessed those songs as

a greeting from the absent mother.

return unexpectedly

and see once more the country and houses, recognize from a distance the well-known roof, to hasten breathless in that dear up,

meadow,

see the

and the younger brother now quite a

fore his eyes.

The

his

steps, arrive

little sister

stripling,

others gather at their cry,

how grown appear be-

and he dashes

away from all, runs to the house, her come forward with outstretched

into their midst, then breaks calls the

old mother, sees

arms and eyes filled with tears, throws himself on her neck, and feels the pressure of those beloved arms and experiences the most profound of

human

joy

these are things of which

the thought alone suffices to sweeten any bitterness and heal

any wound. Yet the idea of being obliged fellow to the quick.

Then,

too,

the coat which has served so pillow,

to leave his officer cuts the poor

a true soldier never takes

many

off

years as a covering and a

and upon which he has expended so much labor with

THE ORDERLY.

soap and brush, without feeling a certain sinking at the heart,

an anxious and scornful tenderness,

who

friend

the separation from a

whom we

has often offended us, and with

should

keep up the quarrel, but who has always been esteemed and loved. Those pockets at the back, where in prison he conlike to

cealed his pipe at the appearance of the officer of the guard

and for which

he has overcome the old habit) he

(until

searches with his hands.

What

a nuisance

still

not to

any longer there The good officer had become pensive and had added not one word to his usual- formula. So it was with the soldier too. But find

their glances to say

" :

his duties

were more frequent and longer, and they seemed

You

The

are suffering, I know."

soldier

performed

slowly, in order to remain longer in the house

and compensate himself, during those last days, for the approaching separation. At first he proceeded with a certain slowness

;

pretended

absorbed

then with a sluggishness, apparently studied dust

to in

his

the

sad

tables

thoughts,

and chairs

blindly without touching anything.

ror,

and immovable, which reflected the

the

movements

with

erect

;

moved

;

at last

but more often cloth

his

quite

the officer,

Meanwhile,

arms crossed before the

mir-

figure of his soldier, followed his steps,

of the face,

and avoided the

other's glances

his eyes to the ceiling in an abstracted man" " Lieutenant, may I go ? Yes, certainly." And the

by quickly raising ner.

soldier took his departure.

had not gone down two steps " Come here," and he

when from within came a hurried returned.

wished to it

" tell

to-morrow

Do you

require any thing else ?"

you."

..." Nothing

go now,"

Nothing,

nothing you can do he had called him back to Perhaps ;

MILITARY

LIFE.

on his moving off again, he continued to fasten upon the door through which he had passed. Finally, the day for departure came. The officer was at home

see him, and, his eyes

seated at the table opposite the half-closed door.

would be obliged

later the soldier

Half an hour

come, take leave, and go

was smoking, blowing the clouds of smoke into the and with his eye lazily followed its slow and tortuous course

away. air,

until

The smoke which

melted into the atmosphere.

made

his eyes

the tears gather, and he wiped

them away from

time to time with the back of his hand, wondering big tears should fall just as it all

to the smoke,

he were crying.

got into

why such attributed

wished to delude himself as to his emotion,

dissimulate to himself, and. ascribe to the cigar that which really

belonged to the heart. pected

know when Did

this

man

not

thought

So why should he take

it.

took him

know

that

Yes

he might have ex-

so to heart

Did

n't I

could not keep him always

that the term of service

was

five years

And

has a home, a family, where he was born and has

grown up, which he left with sorrow, and to which he will re? Could I expect that he would continue a sol-

turn with joy

me ?

dier out of affection for I

have

What

one. I

done

for

deal certainly. I

thoughts. at least I .

him

temperament, I

him

What does he owe me

in fact ?

What

Oh, a great

have never been other than harsh to him.

have always been

useless.

gratitude binds

tie of

him

should be an egotist

a father of the inquisition.

sure,

what can

It is

cannot find words with which to express certain

And, then, they must not be uttered. But can give a rather more human expression to my face.

Now

going away,

going back to work in

THE ORDERLY. the fields, to take

much

and

But

see

him hard

at his

work

quietly that he scarcely

the time

How many

little

will forget everything, ...

Never mind, so long as be able to forget him ? How

shall I

become accustomed

the morning, shall I not

Upon waking

little

officers.

time will have to elapse before

a new face to

comrades, and

contented.

and

his old life again,

will lose all his military habits

his regiment,

room, but so

in a corner of the

moves times,

for fear of arousing

when

seem

before

half asleep, shall I not call

him by name.

So many years of companionship, devoted atTo see him affectionate service, and then tachment, from one day to another. Bah it is our go away .

signed. If

and there

profession,

What

nothing to be said. a good fellow

What

must be

re-

a heart he has

sometimes when marching, overcome by fatigue, burned

by the sun, choked with dust, I stopped a

around as

moment and glanced

in search of a little water, a canteen instantly ap-

peared before

me and

a drink, lieutenant * to fetch water

a voice at It

my side said was he. He had left

Do you

wish

the ranks, run

at a distance perhaps,

who knows

where, had, in the twinkling of an eye, returned panting, drip-

ping with perspiration and exhausted, and came behind wait until I had shown a desire to drink.

In camp,

I fell

and the sun gradually began a careful hand raised a green bough at

asleep under the shade of a tree, to shine in

face,

the side, or stretched a tent, or placed three or four knap-

sacks on top of one another, or spread a cloak over a stack of arms

;

whose hand was

arrived at a station, after

it ?

six,

barely were the tents unfolded,

His always.

Hardly had we

seven, or eight hours' march,

when he disappeared

;

and

MlLITA K Y

began

and

to look for

him

call

the camp, then getting angry

has

hidden

the

way

and

himself

where

Just wait

the top of

What

LIFE,

till

voice

scamp he he comes and later 1

all

over

who knows where

A moment

in this tone.

is.

'11

this

fix

him,

saw him appear

the distance bent under a great load of straw, with uncertain

and great bounds, shouting

steps ple

who wished

off

carry

and

cords, leaping hedge

at the

peotent

to right

left

ditches, hitting the knapsacks

shirts stretched out in the sun,

and drawing down upon oaths and imprecations.

and

a handful, tripping over

his

and

stumbling into those sleeping,

devoted head a regular shower of

reached

side,

threw down

the straw, heaved a great sigh, wiped his forehead and said 11

Lieutenant,

have kept you waiting, haven't I

me for I had

excuse

go so far

" !

straw on the grass the length of

but you must

Then he would

body, pile

stretch the

up on one

end, put his knapsack under it as a pillow, and turning to me, " " Will that do, lieutenant ? Good fellow, I thought, would say " " with I was wrong to get angry Go," I said then, go you. :

and if

not,

right

;

'11

But is it all you need it." fetch and some more." go

go and

rest

a march at night, is

rest, for

;

apt to do, staggering

to the other,

and

he insisted

Yes, yes

;

it 's

;

all

any more time." And on were seized by sleep and walked, as one

go I

right "

;

do not

and

lose

tottering

from one side of the road

doing so came too near a ditch, a

light

my arm and pushed me gently toward the middle of the road, while a subdued and timid voice murhand was placed on

mured

" :

always he

overwhelm

Look !

out, lieutenant, there is the ditch."

What have

done

to this

man

was

that he should

with the care and tenderness of a mother?

THE ORDERLY.

What am I that he should love me with so much devotion ? What do I deserve that he should live only for me ? and I am sure he would give his

For what reason and

for me.

life

what way has this poor young fellow with his rough features, hands hardened by the spade, his frame toughened by discom-

and

forts

fatigue,

brought up

in a

the ways of the city,

unused

in the country, quite

become

and gentle

as bashful

that he holds his breath for fear of disturbing

and touches

from me, hands if

clothes with his

hand

a letter holding

he feared to profane

and

it,

feels

been a

stirred

off

slumbers,

some danger

happy "

tips, as

a kind smile, a

All right."

How

one must confess that the human heart learns in

these garments

not

ward

to all

as a girl, so

with his finger

polite word, a sign, or a look that says, this

born and

without culture or education,

humble hut

new

throbs

soldier.

unknown

him who

not or has

People do not suppose that we are

by other sentiments than those which But people

days of war.

in truth

know

the soul in

fill

of us.

little

They do

not understand that in being a soldier the heart never grows old,

but

early

life,

rejuvenated, and reopens to the lovely affections of

and

stormy and

who

lives

terrible

and exults

them much more than

excitement of war.

in the

Oh, no one

not a soldier will ever comprehend what a feeling of

me to this young fellow. It is impossible. You must have passed many nights in camp, have made long marches in the month of July, have been on picket duty in a affection binds

have suffered hunger and thirst until ready to drop, and have had a friend at your side who has placed his

pouring

rain,

cloak over you to protect you from the cold, has dried your clothes, has

brought you a swallow of water, offered you a

MILITARY

LIFE,

piece of bread, depriving himself of that which he offered you.

could any one

Servant, domestic,

movement

claims (giving vent to a libel

it is

Yes,

doorway and

the

he performs

from

raising

leaves

that can't

;

him when he

I will is

him

and repugnance), man comes to

of scorn

this

full

of timid

that the sign I give in order

...

it.

and

alone

This man

I shall

dismissed

;

know

and

in the fields " your officer ?

little

;

going away

I will

name

No,

go and

find

of his town, I

farm, and then I will sur"

him by name. Don't Whom do I see lieutenant,

and "

the

which

him no more.

see

go and look him up

work

you remember " he you here

I feel

Oh, he ex-

as full of respect as the act

will ask that of his parish

prise

this

me, and gives that look

salutes

he drops his hand,

him

because when

and affectionate submission, that

call

overcome by emotion. Yes, I wanted " to see you. Come here my dear good soldier and embrace me At this point he hears a light, slow, unequal step on the !

will say,

stairs, like that

ascent.

his

of a person

it is

lingering as

trying to delay

listens attentively without turning his

the step approaches

who

;

his heart strings tighten

;

he turns

head

;

here

;

the orderly.

His face wore a disturbed expression and his eyes were red took a step forward, and stood looking at the offi-

;

he saluted

The

cer.

" "

;

latter

kept his face turned away.

Lieutenant, I

going away."

Good-by," replied the

and continuing

latter pressing his lips at

return

home

every word,

to look in the other direction.

Good-by.

work

pleasant journey continue to live like a good man, as you have lived up to this .

time.

Good-by."

THE ORDERLY. "

Lieutenant

exclaimed the soldier

taking a step toward him. "

Go, go, or you

will

be too

late

a trembling voice,

go,

;

late already

hurry."

And he

stretched out

his

hand

the

soldier

pressed

warmly.

your

pleasant journey to you, and

remember me.

Remember

sometimes."

officer

The poor

fellow wished to reply

gave a groan

;

tried to utter a word,

and

pressed the hand once more, turned, looked at

the door, glanced again at the officer

who continued

head turned away, took a long step forward. " tenant he exclaimed with a sob, and fled. his

keep

Ah,

lieu-

The

other

left

alone, looked

around, remained for a short

time gazing at the door, then placed his elbows on the table, rested

his

head on

corners of his

eyes

slipped quickly

down

;

his hands,

and

tears

formed

face

;

ah, this

his cheeks as

afraid of being seen.

time they were real tears

on one arm and

them.

in the

shone there for a moment, and then

passed his hand over his eyes, looked at his cigar

gone out

little

let

them

flow, for

;

had

he buried his

felt

the need of

THE OFFICER OF THE GUARD.

AFTER having had

the tattoo beaten, the officer of the guard

gave a glance at the court of the quarters there

one

;

there was no one

he went to the staircase leading to the dormitories,

raised his eyes to the balconies

;

no one there

the door; closed; a peep into the guard-room;

all

the lights on the landings and corridors were

thing was in order

What was

left

but to sleep

;

all

for the

and

was

correct there;

all

right

;

every

and the regiment asleep. the guard to do? Nothing

quiet,

officer of

he thought he would do.

this

;

a look at

glanced

around once more, above and below, approached the cellar door, it was shut tried it with his hand he listened attentively ;

;

not a sound was to be heard. said to himself, as he

moved

" off

Now

;

can go

to sleep,"

toward his room.

whis-

pered a few words in the ear of the sergeant of the guard " You understand, eh ? " and having received in reply a re" " Trust me accompanied by the placing of the spectful :

hand on

his breast as

an assurance of good

faith,

he entered,

closed his door, took off his cap, sword, sash, approached the

bed, arranged the sheet, carried his right hand to the

ton of his jacket

..." Bah, and the round

a slight motion of the head as

making to some one

else.

Then

" ?

first

but-

he thought,

putting the question

taking the light in an impatient way,

he went and planted himself as straight as a pole in front of

THE OFFICER OF THE GUARD.

the orders for the day, fastened to the wall under the portrait

of the king.

and began

placed his forefinger at the bottom of the sheet

run

along under the

inarticulate way, until

he suddenly stopped and pronounced

"'Round in the " .

down

reading rapidly and

lines,

and

masticating the words in an angry

Sacre

he added, turning instantly toward the bed and setting

the candlestick with a bang on the "

sure of

a distinct voice:

interior of the quarters at eleven o'clock'

And

his eyes fastened

little

table,

was

he stood there erect and immovable, with

on the pillow and

his

hands

in the act of

un-

buttoning his jacket. "

The round

the round

he began again, slipping the

buttons one by one from the button-holes

on your

feet all day, after

down without

a minute's

ing from morning

till

" ;

after

having been

having run here and there, up and

rest,

night,

and being breathless from shoutfinally the hour comes when you

ought to rest your poor bones in bed, and enjoy a moment's peace

but, no, sir ! there

;

You ought

the round, the round at eleven

your good lantern in hand and go around again, poking and screaming about to see if they are all

o'clock.

in bed, that

to take

no one has slipped out of the window, and so on,

as long as necessary.

Finally

Meanwhile he had thrown bed. "

Anyhow, I do not intend

am made killing

of flesh

myself

Really one cannot go on in

Joking aside, there really the day proves

And

too.

and blood

like the rest,

in the service.

this

is n't

There

his jacket over a chair near the

way,

time to

and

much

I !

out of the question.

eat,

and

nothing easier

the trousers nad gone to keep

No, not

that order for

..."

company with

the jacket.

MILITARY

22 "

Nothing easier than

LIFE.

to arrange

orders for the day, seated

at table after an excellent dinner, with a seven centime cigar in

the

mouth

The discomfort

nothing easier.

;

the poor devils who have to keep to them. It

ranks that the hard work

in the

make

mistake

to certain

made

And

the

gentlemen

punishment

will take

all,

who

the round or not

down

with his other

;

The

break your neck.

not

Oh, he

making

his appearance.

then a road in which you could

;

colonel lives at the end of the town, habit of giving surprises.

the

major

the

up here at ten o'clock ? Who head to come and see whether I am going Outside it 's bitterly cold there is a wind

that fairly freezes the face

and then he

Well,

likely to turn

into his

;

follows.

the rest of his raiment was thrown

garments. " After

Oh, what difference and if a Dig, dig

...

end

fine

the lot of

always low down

Can't a poor officer of

falls.

the guard have time to digest his food

does

falls to

married, and there

The

officer of the

The

no danger of

day

at this

his

hour

taking a hand at Tarocchi* and he certainly won't be seized by a caprice to drag himself over here.

will

have

Meantime he had dashed and nestling and ables, gave a "

will

he did come,

into bed, trembling with the cold,

rolling himself

little

have

Then,

softly

under the comfort-

smile of indolent content.

to rap in order to

be admitted

;

and before

the corporal of the guard has heard him, stirred, found the keyhole, I

'11

and opened the door, five minutes will have elapsed, and have had time to dress myself in some sort of fashion, sort of

chequered cards.

THE OFFICER OF THE GUARD.

to the door, open it, seize the lantern in the guard-room, and away through the dormitories to play my part Here he blew out the candle, drew the counterpane over his fly

head, turned on to his side, sought a comfortable position, and closed his eyes, thinking to play "

Oh,

What

Whose

blame

for

Who

And

to think that with all

fault is I

it ?

Mine.

the devil

;

The

Whew

What

efforts I

smoke and run

the cafes with

a good bed

now

themselves,

pectancy the taxes Little

that the

after the girls.

whole world

wandering along in and ideas grew confused

And

fill

looking on with ex-

and

defence of himself,

this ;

Let them try for

with that magnificent pay

little,

his thoughts

I, I, al-

it ?

hear certain people say that we have nothing to do but

dormitories are

gets hauled over the coals for

one but me.

day

stairs are dirty

The

all

The meat

satisfy that old dotard of a captain.

in disorder

ways

the dormitories

a luxury to dash into bed after working

a profession

underdone

Who

And away through

part."

it is

can never

" :

the captain, the major,

the wife, the expectation, the taxes, grew into a curious muddle,

which ended

finally in

But he had not morse. felt

profound slumber.

fallen asleep without a little anxiety

Every time the idea of the round

a slight twinge of conscience.

the truant from school his

companions him from time

;

who goes

fly.

The same off to

to his

and

re-

mind he

thing happens to

make

snow-balls with

the image of his master and his mother assail to time,

and the more he attempts to drive to torment and bite him like

them away the more they return a

came

MILITA R Y LIFE.

dreamed.

One

after the other the ten or twelve

most

whole regiment, who are noted for the nocturnal escapades, revelling in taverns, and rascally adventures, which always end successfully, passed be-

wretched, undisciplined soldiers in the

fore his

mind

;

some noted

for getting off scot-free

others

;

famous, on the other hand, for assignments, imprisonment, and so forth, to number eighteen ; in passing I

'11

and

seemed

whispered just above his breath

play you a trick."

Then

each one

" Sleep, sleep,

these melted away,

and

all

and the

most elegant and bedecked subalterns of the regiment, with mouth and a bunch of flowers in the hand, those who

cigar in

carry the cap-band under the

wear small high-heeled shoes, town, and when they can escape in the

have lady-loves in

lip,

moonlight do not wait for a second inspiration, seemed to pass "

before him

murmuring

softly

and we

Sleep, sleep,

will get

sergeant of the guard, who a short " " that time before had given him that respectful trust to me

The

the better of you."

reassuring sign, now, in recollecting

it,

seemed

have eyes

gleaming with malice, and to have curled his lips under his moustache, as

you a

trick

much

as to say

see

a soldier

else.

seemed

back of the barracks, and awake and at

'11

play

middle

to lie in the

be looking around to

They were

their posts.

fact,

his

company, the

laziest

roundest,

make

matters worse, short-sighted and all, " " does n't it look as if they had Just see," he thought, and, to

put that stupid there just out of disrespect to

good

and

he discovered one not unknown to him,

belonging

conscript of deaf.

to sleep, do,

the sentinels were

all there.

Then came something of a road,

" :

for

any thing

And

he watched him.

The

not

sentinel

THE OFFICER OF THE GUARD.

stretched his neck outside his box, looked to the right and to see

any one were coming, placed

musket

his

left

in a corner,

wrapped himself in his cloak, sat down, put his head on his The poor dreamer grew enraged at knees, and went to sleep. the rascal, seized him by the shoulder, shook him, and opened his

mouth

At head sills

some imprecation.

to utter

he thought he heard a slight noise above his he raised his eyes to the windows. From one of the

that point ;

there projects and

which stretches

ground

;

it is

out,

moves with uncertainty something black, descends very slowly, and reaches the After having followed

a rope.

the ground, he raises

them

to the

with his eyes to

sees a

window,

head

project,

two shoulders, and an entire body turn warily around, seize the

and disappear. He instantly dashes after him, is close to him, comes up with him, stretches out his hand to catch hold of him by his clothes rope, descend,

At that moment he seems of the

Whew

cellar. !

glasses,

tries

What an uproar

be before a door,

lightly with

his

hand

the door ;

gives.

Clattering of dishes, a clinking of

a shouting of hoarse and discordant voices, a confused

sound of oaths and songs, and an odor of pipes that drives one He stopped an instant, pushed the door again, backward.

and threw

wide open.

crowded with

soldiers,

What

some

a spectacle

dressed,

some

The room was

in doublets,

some

with the cape over the shoulders like a Spanish mantle, and the cap thrown back, bravado fashion tables,

some

;

others seated on the

astride, others on their faces,

some stretched

in-

decQntly on the floor, their eyes shining glassy and stupefied, their faces heated

;

some dozing, the

rest sleeping soundly.

others tipsy, others

still

more intoxicated

few tried to

;

rise

MILITAR Y

to their feet

and

had succeeded

back heavily on

fell

tremble.

to their seats

in getting up, staggered

room and making the

LIFE.

shouting around the

and the

tables shake

who

some,

;

bottles

and

glasses

every side there were piles of cards and money,

and a cutting of the air with hands in cabalistic signs, shouts, laughter, and every thing was enveloped in a dense cloud of smoke, enough to suffocate one in ten minutes. out of this

the poor dreamer seemed to shout

sergeant, take in irons, all

Now

all .

their names, put

them

Out

of this

" sergeant,

;

in the guard-house,

all

he seemed to hear behind him a creaking

a large

door moving slowly on its hinges he turned, looked around, and discovered that he was in the hall, near the door of the ;

quarters.

the

black shadow advanced suspiciously close to the figure of a perambulating bass-relief;

wall, like

moved two

steps, paused, gazed about, began moving on reached the again, stopped once more, as if it were afraid the sill of the and behold on its door, laughed, dragged feet, ;

and quiet

guard-room door another figure

like the first, cautious

as possible.

a few words in an undertone, "

They exchanged

them slowly disappeared. Ah, I recognized him !" thought the dreamer; "he is the sergeant of the eighth." And he turned and saw another, behind this the door opened, and one of

one a

third,

then a fourth, the sergeant of the

fifth,

the

missary of the sixth, the commissary of the third.

"Ah,

traitors

" !

he dreams that he

to the hall all of

this

you

" cries,

to the hall all of

sergeant of the guard

moment he seemed

thing soft and woolly.

another, then another, another

sergeant

com-

you .

hand against somea bed. Behind this

to strike his turns, still,

a long

row of beds.

THE OFFICER OF THE GUARD. looks around and discovers that he light

all

;

in a dormitory, a little

end of the room dimly illumines all the objects are silent, one could hear a fly stirring. Suddenly

at the

therein

one of the sleepers begins to snore, lightly heavily, finally

A man

wakes.

the

man

understand?

You

shouts louder

still.

man

are to sleep It

"Body

had no

of a

him by both

ble.

snorer

stirs,

'11

shell fix

like a Christian,"

one might as well "

cries the infuri-

you now

ap-

him such a vigorous those around about trem-

his arms, gives all

and understands, gives a a spring, is on his feet in a

wakes, half sees

kick to the counterpane, a shout,

moment with

effect,

bomb

shake that he makes his bed and

The

Some one

street.

n't

springing out of bed.

proaches, seizes

in the

then more

you sleep a little more like a change, he does not seem to have understood.

talk to a stone wall.

ated

be heard

Oh, there, could

as to

at first,

near by stretches his arms, yawns, rubs his eyes,

"Do you

-so

and exclaims Christian

a pillow in his hand, and

down

comes on the

neck of the unfortunate aggressor with a blinding blow. The good as he takes the first one pursues him, a

latter gives as

;

third rushes to the assistance of the

defense of the

first,

a regular scuffle ensues,

beds, the uproar increases

;

mixed up a window pane sacks come down from the ;

the muskets from the racks.

trembling, hardened that will self in

weaker

;

a fourth to the

all

the light goes out is

the

;

men

get

broken, another too, the knap-

shelves, the sheets .

dash from their

from the beds,

The poor dreamer

dazed,

rage, is just about to give a loud shout

be heard above that infernal racket, and bends him-

order to dash into the thick of the

that point he heard

door, and

seemed

fight.

some one knocking vigorously a voice called his name.

at the

Trembling,

MILITARY

bathed with perspiration, he rose wearily to a

terrified,

posture, listened attentively,

ant "

LIFE.

lieutenant

Heavens

and held

quick,

name

Ah, here

And

stockings,

Well, no matter.

where are they ? Ah, here they are one arm, the other the jacket

sitting

Lieuten-

the officer of the day," said the voice again.

are those stockings

in heaven's

his breath.

it is

sword

on.

...

The

last.

stockings

where

;

trowsers

Quick,

sword

jacket

where-

scarf, now, the scarf

dressed thus carelessly, his jacket unbuttoned, without

stockings, cravat, or drawers,

opened

it,

he rushed breathless

looked around, and saw

to the door,

the officer of the day,

erect, immovable, and rigid, with his hands crossed on his breast, and the visor of his cap over his eyes, and his eyes

flashing "

under

his knitted

brows

two burning

coals.

Have you gone the rounds ? For a moment the lieutenant hesitates, then

" says boldly,

have done them." "

understand," mutters the captain to himself,

you have

done me."

Now to

ask you

some bed fluenza,

same.

in the

and

worse to have a dream of

is it

this kind, or

attack of pleurisy, or bark your shins against

catch an

dark

in for the bruised shins

fancy the majority of

and

in-

readers would do the

J "

rushed breathless to the door, opened officer of the day,

erect,

it,

looked around, and saw

the

immovable, and rigid." (Page 28.)

THE WOUNDED SENTINEL. The

IT was growing dark.

streets of the city

were

full of

Those shops which are generally open during the people. evening were in great part closed, and the remainder were be-

Here and

ing shut one by one.

there, at the corners,

on the

on the steps of the churches, were groups of men and boys, who were talking in low and excited voices, turning from time to time to look around them squares, in front of the cafe's,

no suspicious person was listening. There was a continuous descent of people from the houses to the in order to see that

street

right

;

they stopped a

and

in the

moment on

the door-way, looked to the

uncertain which way to go, and then mingled In the whispering of the crowd, although it was

left as if

crowd.

much denser and more

noisy than usual, there was perceptible a

Now

suppressed and almost timid tone.

train legs

and then a knot of

hurriedly, and behind them a long of gamins who made way for- themselves between the of the people with their elbows and shoulders, whist-

people crossed the

street

and shrieking as they did so. At the sound of any voice which made itself heard above the general murmur, many

ling

stopped and turned back to ask what was the matter. only

some one who had made use

stronger than the others

looked at him a

that

was

moment and he 29

of an expression a

all.

was little

After the people had

at the people, every

one went

MILITAR Y LIFE.

30 on

A moment

his way.

side of the street

Who

sound.

;

blow was heard on one

later a great

every one turned in the direction of the

it ?

What

it ?

happened

was

shopkeeper who had closed and barred his door. The carriages passed slowly, and the coachmen begged the crowd to

make way, with an unusually

polite smile,

and a motion of the

whip that was excessively courteous. On the corners, by the light of the lamps, were seen those poor newspaper venders assailed

by ten people

at a time,

who, holding out the sou

with one hand, seized the desired sheet with the other, drew to

one

then unfolded

side,

ity for

and searched with avid-

in haste,

some important news.

Some

of the passers-by stopped,

around the possessor of the journal, and read in a low voice while the others listened at-

formed a

circle

the latter tentively.

all

Suddenly street

;

there

dous confusion

the people are seen running toward the end of a instantly a great press, a loud shout, a tremen;

above the heads can be seen four or

muskets knocked here and there the

crowd

vacillates, falls back,

;

a clapping of hands

opens on one side

;

five

heard

;

four or five

dark figures appear with muskets in their hands, give a glance about them with an air of triumph, turn into an alley, and off they dash

;

a troop of boys, howling and whistling, follow them.

A happened ? Nothing, nothing. A moment patrol of the national guard has been disarmed. later, the crowd opens on another side and four or five unfortWhat was

it ?

What

unate fellows appear, with pale faces, bare heads, dishevelled hair,

and clothes torn and disordered.

murmur

Round about them

some sympathetic person takes them by the arm, leads them out of the throng there rises a

of compassion

;

THE WOUNDED SENTINEL.

and accompanies them home, exhorting them by word and gesture to be courageous.

Meanwhile confusion, great excitement, and deafening noises " Make Give way there have sprung up in the multitude. !

way

there

" is

suddenly shouted on one side of the

Who

All turn in that direction. "

What

it ?

is it ?

street.

What 's " The

Make way there Make way there happened ? crowd divides, falls back rapidly, forms a hedge on the sides of the street, and a company of sharpshooters traverse it on a !

run.

dirty, noisy troop of

gamins follow them.

The crowd

closes

up again. Suddenly a confused sound of angry menacing voices breaks out on another side the crowd gathers and forms at this ;

above the heads two or three carabineers' hats appear and disappear, then a burst of applause, the crowd point

;

opens, a pears.

man

and disfigured runs out and disap"They wanted to put handcuffs on him," some one breathless

remarks in a tone of satisfaction, in

doing so

part.

;

some strong people who took

there were

should like to see them

The crowd proceeds

but they did not succeed his

" !

the corner of a street.

slowly in one direction, and reaches

Suddenly the people in front stop and them the former recede a few steps,

those behind press on to

;

the latter are violently forced back, then begin to push forward again,

and then recede once more "

to indescribable disorder.

preventing our going on is

very fine to say

who

all

;

There

which gives

the matter ? " "

Forward, forward

forward

What

company

rise

Who

Oh,

yes,

is it

of soldiers

are barring the passage." Then fol" low shouts, hisses, oaths, and imprecations. Down with the

with bayonets fixed

MILITARY

32 oppressors

LIFE.

want oppression, down with those " out of the way All at once

don't

muskets, give us a free passage the

crowd turn

backs on the soldiers and take

their

leaving the pavement strewn with the fallen and less

moment

than a

the

side

streets,

vestibules,

cafe's,

The

courts of the neighboring houses.

flight,

invade

soldiers

and

have lowered

their bayonets.

Make way there one side. From one is

advancing

there

;

of swords

the gleam of the

and

left

passes in the

against

;

heard here and there

follow shouts, whistles, reproaches,

heads and lemon-peel on to the

;

seen

which spring

when it

a squad of cav-

helmets

the walls of the houses

midst of profound silence

a voice or a hiss

they shriek, on

it is

;

first

troop of horses break through the crowd, right

" !

comes the sound

of the side alleys

and the clinking

horses' tramp alry that

Make way

;

it is

;

to the

the squad

almost by,

has passed

then

and a shower of cabbage-

The squad

stops,

crowd turns and

clears

last horses.

the last horses back a few paces, the the street for a hundred steps.

In the nearest group

heard from time to time a furious

outburst of oaths, a beating of sticks, a sharp cry, a feeble

moan, and then a long whisper followed by a timid silence. "What has happened? What was it? Nothing, nothing; they have driven a few inches of steel into the back of a public

The crowds draw back on

guard."

the right and

left,

and

a carabineer, with bare head and both hands buried in his

and staggering like a drunken What have they done ? " " They

hair, crosses the street tottering

man.

What

the matter

have given him a blow on the head." the square

" !

the square "

suddenly shouts a powerful voice.

To the

THE WOUNDED SENTINEL. "

square

comes the unanimous response from

And

all sides.

the multitude burst tumultuously into the nearest street

and

toward the square. All this occurred not many years since in one of the princi-

start

pal cities of Italy, while in a neighboring street in the midst of

the tumult a

band

of eight soldiers passed with a corporal and

sergeant, to relieve another

building in a

and the

little

body standing guard

The squad moved

square near by.

soldiers looked curiously

in this street the excitement

at a public

this side

and

slowly,

that.

Just

seemed greatest and the conduct

of the people most resolute.

The

who

patrol passed near a large group of those people

on certain evenings, and who with surly and

are only seen

heated faces hold forth loudly in the midst of roughs, around

whom

there

exclaims, sotto voce

turns in

that

and pointing his " Look at them

direction,

and one

raising his voice, begins to fail to

rights

felt.

are

say

of the group

finger at the soldiers, "

The whole

after

circle

the other, gradually

men who make their

Yes, look at the

come out when the people wish to They reason with the butt-end of their muskets bayonets are made to drive holes in the bodies of those who

never

the

One

always a group of gamins.

sees the patrol, turns,

;

They

hungry.

others starve

;

lead for those

don't lack bread,

what does

who

you understand, but ? Powder and

matter to them

are hungry

" !

moved

went on without turning back. The group an advance forward, and, preceded by guard of

gamins,

followed

The

soldiers

them.

In a

moment

they

caught

with them and accompanied them for a few paces. soldiers

continued

march without

turning their

The heads.

MILITAR Y

One

the group

begins to

harder

third coughs

another sneezes a cough makes ready to expectorate, ;

a fourth

;

turning toward the band,

and,

which ends

burst

;

spits with

a rattling sound,

incontrollable

The

others clap their hands.

LIFE.

laughter

;

the

all

small boys whistle, scream, and,

by the larger ones, slowly approach the soldiers. The latter continue to march without giving any sign of havThe former approach nearer and walk ing noticed any thing. instigated

beside the soldiers, looking them in the face with an expres"

sion intended to say

defy you."

One

them begins

imitate quite grotesquely their regular step, crying in a nasal " " Another mimics One, two one, two tone, as he does !

the gait of the soldiers bent and limping under the weight of

the knapsacks. seizes the

The

third,

urged on by one of those

of the corporal's cloak, gives a tug,

corporal turns and raises his hand as

on the "

hem

Give a blow

" !

they shout

to a

boy

You must

passed

boy

Try again

One

give

Shame

around.

all !

The time

try other methods

Now we

of the Croats has

now

paces. "

Here

on hearing these words,

Here are the

the

bailiffs.

he turns and gives a

;

who had Here

blow

bites his finger,

well in, and uttering a groan of rage.

that point he feels his canteen struck a hard blow

the gamins

see.

of the soldiers,

rushes to his head

'11

planting his teeth

off.

him a box

ear.

at the rear,

and runs

" !

struck him, throwing

;

the blood

on the shoulder of

him back

several

breaks out menacingly from the crowd.

ruffians

Now we

hit

'11

Worse than the Croats

give

them a lesson

;

'11

Worse than

make you

pay,

THE WOUNDED SENTINEL. you dog Oppressors " an unarmed boy !

Worse than Croats

For shame

to beat

The

boys, emboldened by the anger of the

soldiers, whispering in a hoarse

soldier

mob and

the

impunity, went and stuck their heads between the

surety of

Ugly hangman

and aggravating voice

Traitorous, bread-eater

" :

Ugly

Convict

officer

And

you face of a dog " the throng all around Shame Burst,

To beat

an unarmed

boy "

You cowards

meanwhile

hand

said the poor soldier to himself, biting, " he drew blood. Cowards An un-

his lips until

armed boy

Hangman

" !

Don't you know that there are words which

Croat

To me

again, shaking his

head

To me

in a desperate

kill ?

"And he bit his way.

After a few moments, followed always by the people, the squad

and entered the guard-house, which was a The sentinel little, low, squalid room, lighted by one lantern. at the door of the palace was instantly changed twenty or arrived at the square

from the guard, the squad who had been there first and those newly arrived began arranging their knap-

thirty feet

went

off,

sacks on the racks, and hanging their haversacks and canteens

on the hooks.

arriving within fifty paces of the guard-room, the people

who had

followed the squad stopped, and from there began

provoking the soldiers by words and deeds, but the

latter

paid

was no way of exciting a riot, they were on the point of moving off, when one of them observed that the soldier in the sentinel-box was the one who

no attention

to them.

a short time before

"Is

really

rascal,"

Seeing that there

had given the boy a blow on the shoulder.

he?" "Yes."

"You

wretch.

Really ?"

Now we

'11

fix

Yes, I you.

tell

you

it is

Just wait

" !

that

M1LITAR Y

And

they

all

moved toward

LIFE.

At the distance of

the sentinel.

about thirty paces they stopped, drew up in

line,

and began

The

look at him out of the corner of their eyes.

soldier stood

there, near his box, motionless and firmly, with his head erect and his eyes fixed

him.

on those provoking faces which were ranged before

Suddenly, out of the group steps a ragged youth, with a hat

crushed over one

ear, the

forward with his hands

stump of a cigar

in his pockets,

in his

mouth, moves

humming

way, and comes and plants himself within

fifteen

in a

mocking

paces of the

sentinel, looking insolently into his face, crossing his

arms and

assuming an attitude of defiant impertinence.

The

soldier looked at him.

Then

the

man

whirled suddenly on his heel, turned his back,

who

bursting into a concerted laugh with the others,

watching him and urging him on by signs. The soldier shook his head two or three times,

stood

bit his lips,

uttered a sigh, tapping the ground impatiently with his foot as " " if to say Ah, patience patience it is hard to bear :

The rough

turned,

moment's

after a

stump and threw

facing

the

hesitation, took it

soldier

once

more,

and,

from his mouth the cigar

at his feet, retreating eight or ten paces to

place himself beyond the reach of a sudden assault.

The

soldier turned pale, raised his eyes to heaven, clinched

and ground his teeth his mind was growing confused. " do you do this to me ? he then said sadly to himself,

his fists,

"Why

;

turning his eyes and face toward those people as really speaking to them.

What have you

against

he were

Have

done any thing to you ? I have done nothing. Why did I give that boy a blow ? But why did he come and insult me ? Who had provoked him ? Who was annoying you ? What do I

THE WOUNDED SENTINEL. you wish of me

do not know you even I am a poor soldier and am doing my duty, and stand here because I am ordered to do so. Yes, ridicule and hiss have offended no one,

;

me, you do yourselves honor to treat your soldiers in such a

way At

just as

they were brigands

stump of cabbage thrown with great force grazed the ground, and bouncing and whistling fell at his feet. "

that point, a

God

" !

he murmured in a desperate tone of voice,

one hand and resting his forehead on " I the other which was leaning on the mouth of his gun.

covering his face with

shall lose

The blood

But

trembling and these

"...

cannot control myself

rushing to

head

longer.

much

quite useless," he added a moment latter in a " stifled voice ; it is useless to make us wear

and he gave a hard blow on the two medals that hit each other and resound

he wore on his breast, making them "

useless for

them

;

to give us

fought for our country,

medals because we have

afterward they are to throw cigar

Oh, you wish to stumps and cabbage heads in our faces make me abandon my post, do you ? You wish me to betray my trust. If you were fifty, or even a hundred, you could not !

force

me at Come

move from

here

;

you should

once, I would sooner be torn on,

Yes, yes,

you cowards understand,

know

me from

Don't insult is

all

spring

upon

to pieces like a dog.

useless for

you

a distance.

make

signs at

you have knives in your pockets but you won't quite dare to plant them in my stomach in broad day;

You would

light. .

that

when

;

prefer sticking .

them

into

back

at night

Suddenly he uttered a sharp

cry, let his

musket

fall,

covered

MILITARY LIFE,

his face with his hands, tottered,

sentry

box

a stone had hit

and

room with

;

the

wounded man was

crowd dispersed and

carried into the guard-

and chest bleeding the wound was head bound up, he was given something

his face

washed, his

the foot of his

him on the forehead.

All the soldiers rushed forward, the

disappeared

fell

;

and a bed was prepared

for

him on the

instantly to drink,

table with the

camp

While they were all gathering around him, and overwhelming him with questions and words of comfort, and the sergeant was scolding him for not having

blankets of the other soldiers.

asked assistance

at the first insult of those people,

officer

suddenly entered, and behind him the

first file of a squad of At the same moment, plunged forward by a vigorous

soldiers.

push, there dashed into the middle of the

room

distorted face, hair hanging over his forehead,

rags.

had been arrested on that same

soldiers of a

little

squad who were passing, and to

man

with

and clothes square by

whom

the

he had

offered a violent resistance.

appearance of the prisoner the wounded soldier from the table, made a dash at him, placed himself sprang up face to face with him, looked at him a moment with flashing eyes,

At the

first

uttered a cry, which

came broken and hoarse from between

his

clinched teeth, took a step backward, and resting proudly on his right

foot,

and

raising his left hand, with the

first

Ah, you are the one " I recognize you blood !

;

street

now

and have broken

it 's

your turn

him by the

" !

finger

man, who was watching him with fear he shrieked in a tone that froze one's

pointing to the face of the

You

called

me hangman

in the

my head with a stone on the square Saying which, he sprang at him, seized

collar of his jacket

;

and

shirt,

pinned him with one

at him, seized him by the collar of his jacket and pinned him with one dash against the wall, raised his clenched and trembling fist," etc.

Saying which, he sprang shirt,

(Page 38.)

THE WOUNDED SENTINEL.

dash against the wall, raised his clinched and trembling

and aimed All this

wounded man by the arm, a corporal sup-

rated them, held the

ported the other

moment

who was ready

to drop,

;

and

and haughty,

his

his fists clinched,

whole body shaken by a violent tremor.

his

for a

head bowed

the other with his face flaming

crowd

and both stood

looking into each other's eyes, panting and gasping

the one white from fear, his arms hanging

and

fist,

head with angry, bloodshot eyes. took place in an instant, those present interfered, sepaat his

of inquisitive people

Meanwhile a

had gathered before the guard-room

door.

The

looked from one to the other, and asked the

officer

The

sergeant the cause of the trouble.

The

knew.

his chin

officer

down on

silence, said in

his chest,

and

in the

that,

things at a battalion, with

and stupid

from a barricade, a

some end or aim

insult to

an inoffensive

man may

disgusting pieces

cast

but this

in view,

who has

soldier,

neither the responsibility or right to defend himself,

the most

who held

midst of a profound

an extraordinarily quiet tone

can understand

useless

latter related all that

then turned toward the prisoner,

one of

cowardice that can stain a

citizen."

A murmur

of approbation

was heard among the crowd

the door.

"Take

that

man away

" !

added the

officer, lighting

of a cigar in the flame of the lantern. "

And

you," he said, turning toward the

while the patrol lead the prisoner

soldier gave a

nod

soldier,

" off,

forgive

forget."

The

wounded

the end

in the affirmative.

and

MIL1TAR Y

40 "

And keep up your

spirits,"

LIFE.

concluded the

officer,

putting

the cigar in his mouth.

"As

for me,"

on the cigar and taking "

always in

good

replied the soldier, closing his teeth

between his forefinger and thumb, but you must understand, lieu-

spirits

;

tenant, that these are things that try one."

So the drama ended with a laugh.

THE MOTHER. WHEN

the winter sinks gradually into spring, on the evenings

of those clear, quiet days without any wind, in which

the doors and the

window

windows open

summer

sill

for the

clothing,

first

we keep

time, stretch out of

and carry the flower-pots

on to the terraces on those beautiful clear, starry nights, even the ;

cities

alone that everlasting country of the poets) offer a

(not

lovely spectacle full of gaiety

the streets

feel

and poetry.

from time to time a

from what ? what flowers or grass quite vague

life.

and "

and unknown,

inhale the air

fine air

soft,

fragrant breath,

who knows ? they are perfumes

with the freshness of youth and

with delight, opening wide our mouths

and

dilating our nostrils, "

Oh, what a

filled

In walking through

seems to refresh body and soul. time to time, as almost

we exclaim from

involuntarily, almost without being

corner, street to street,

on we go

aware of

until

it,

from corner to

find ourselves outside

the walls, on the boulevards surrounding the city, in the gardens,

and we bare and

soft air

raise

our heads in order to

feel that

blowing over our faces and playing with our hair.

these evenings

it is

impossible to stay at home, or

one

be spent in leaning out of the winso, they unusual into the crowd, and feeling annoyed dow, looking down for to go that it is impossible to mingle with the people below

obliged to

will

;

bed betimes, and not enjoy even from the window so beautiful an evening, would seem a shame.

MILITARY

In the principal streets there

The

are quite empty.

LIFE.

The houses

a regular hive.

large families,

decide to creep out of their shell

;

even the most domestic, "

papa goes to the the sky, and exclaims

the

window, looks down and then up at " " Fine weather then turning to the family, who are behind " Let us him, and only waiting a sign from him, he says gaily :

much

shouting and running about hither and room, clapping their hands and turning the

go out "; so after

yon from room

house upside down,

in search of

wraps and hats

the boys are ready, and the troop puts

itself in

in the dark,

motion.

Even

the grandmamma, poor old lady, feels several years slip off from her shoulders, and, despite her habitual complaints, goes

The

out too, leaning on the arm of her best-behaved grandson.

party stretches along the street, two by two, the boys in front,

jumping and singing among themselves, and knocking with heads and hands into the legs of the passers-by. The old people behind, limping of the carriages

and coughing,

and not

try to

keep out of the way

The newly

lose sight of the children.

married pairs and the betrothed couples wander about the quietest streets and garden paths arm in arm, their heads nearly touching, their fingers giving a furtive squeeze close together,

and

to time, their eyes turned " is

to-night

then,

and exchanging fond they exclaim from time

talking, talking, talking,

glances and long pressures of the hand, as

moon

now and

The

heavenward little

" :

dressmaker

How is

beautiful the

returning

home

from the shop, swinging her small self along, close by the walls, and pretending not to see the high hat which is keeping pace with her behind, and will appear at the turning of a certain

dark corner

have worked

such a pleasant way. at

home from

The

poorest

sunrise to sunset,

girls,

who

come dashing

THE MOTHER. down

form a

little circle,

begin a vivacious conversa-

and grouping their heads together,

and swinging around the scissors

to.

who they and

in their hearts,

their

fully,

them from head

backs in a scornful

however, that they are unable to measure

to foot out of the corners of their eyes, to see

and what they are

are

which fastens

words whispered by the and with

their belt, reply to the

manner, not so

like flowers in a bouquet,

their forefingers the ribbon

young fellows who pass Charming their mouths Impudence then turn

fours

who were

the stairs, meet at the door-way their neighbors

waiting for them, tion,

fives, all

like.

Others,

drawn up

arm-in-arm, bareheaded, arrive at the end

of the street, hitting each other with their elbows as they pass,

whispering in their ears, laughing aloud, and turning

now and who are

then to chide with a maternal air the younger ones

Meanwhile the young men are leaving the

rambling about. factories ears,

and workshops with

their jackets

their hats

pushed down over

their

slung carelessly over their shoulder, the

stump of a cigar in their mouths and twisted and turned indifferently between their black lips. They come down the street in shoals,

moving

their shoulders in a

ing the latest stornello, meet the

rough fashion, shout-

approach them,

girls,

hit

them

with their elbows and knees, puffing a mouthful of smoke into their faces

;

and passing

and the

latter scatter with

hands over their

their

a shriek, coughing,

tear-filled

eyes.

The

and gamins placards then tear them down from the walls the small children play loosen

the

with

theatre

their

nails

;

in the

squares

;

and the mothers, standing

groups at the

door-ways, their babies in their arms, delay giving the usual cry:

"To bed!"

thanks to the softness. of the air and the

clearness of the sky.

Along the

streets,

from the shops on

MILITARY

comes the continuous sound of the

either side of the way, of

closing

LIFE.

loud noise of the bars, and a

shutters, the

slip-

ping of bolts into rings, and the interchange of good-nights The finest shops, among the clerks who are going home.

gleaming and well-lighted, remain open still, their door-ways filled with curious people; as do the book-stores, with their tobacco-smelling locks

and who

literary

who

habitue's,

gather in a corner at the

old politics and disinterred parchments

with

;

sport

back

long,

untidy

grumble ovei and the cafes crowded to

customers enveloped in a cloud of smoke, from which,

opening of the door, there sweeps into the street in waves a deep, full clamor of voices. It was upon such an evening as this that my regiment, at every

which had arrived that morning in one of the

largest cities of

Italy, was scatterred through the streets waiting for the barracks we were to occupy to be emptied and for the retreat to

sound.

The ers

soldiers

were

still

marching equipment, the

in full

gait-

buttoned over the trousers, the cartridge-box at the

the flasks and knapsacks on the shoulder-straps. the march, their clothes still

their

and hair white with

belt,

Weary from

dust, they stood

groups on the corners, their backs against the arms crossed on the breast, one leg resting over the

walls,

other,

or motionless before the jewellers' establishments, contemplat-

open-mouthed, those show-windows filled with medals and crosses of every form and color, at which old employes and ing,

well-advanced majors cast longing glances and sighs as they pass.

Many

them were seated

themselves with a swallow of wine

wandered through the

streets.

All,

in the hostelries reviving ;

others,

less exhausted,

or nearly

all,

however,

THE MOTHER. had serious effort little

were

faces,

or talked in a low tone with an

silent,

from their extreme fatigue and sleepiness, and a from that confusion one generally feels in finding himself a little

;

an unknown and noisy

for the first time in

city.

In the midst of the grave silence reigning in a small group of soldiers

who were

barracks, was

all

the

seated on the steps of a church near the

more noticeable the

restless gaiety

and

in-

cessant chatter of one of them, short of stature, of slender build, with beardless face,

who

blue eyes,

the

hem

fill

by two great

down the steps, jumpwould stop near one, now beside Then he would pull with gossip.

Now he

their ears

one's coat,

of this

another's fatigue cap

now

and place

take

off

the

tassel

from

on his knee, or pass his crying out as he did so

hands over the eyes of a third, " " It seemed as Guess who it is

he were made of quickbefore the church I noticed him I passing if

silver.

attractive

continually ran up and

ing about like a boy. another, and

made most

;

on the other side of the

and stood looking at him for some moments, wondering what could be the reason of such strange gaiety. The frank and pleasing face stopped

of that soldier

was fixed upon

The

mind.

I learned,

street

moved

off.

by the merest chance, what

following day had asked myself the evening before. That soldier had been four years in the service, and by a series of accidents which it I

not necessary to relate, from the day of his departure until

had never been able

that time he

to obtain leave,

the shortest time, in order to return

Four years heart,

much

a soldier,

home and knew him

not even for

see his family. to be, full of

attached to his relatives and the place where he

had been born and brought up, of a mild, gentle

ll (ft li I*

tiu

disposition,

MILITARY

knowing nothing of the and clearest memories without

seeing his

long indeed

peared a

And

revels

LIFE.

which dull the

home must have seemed

family and his

they had been

melancholy and taciturn

little

liveliest affections

to a soldier like this, four years passed

;

always alone when outside.

;

he had always ap-

in the barracks,

and

In his hours of freedom, while his

comrades lounged around in the public gardens to bestow hairy caresses on the children under the care of pretty girls, he used to pace the parade ground in its length and breadth, or was seated on a stone bench his chin resting on his chest ;

end of a

drawing puppets in the sand with was always thinking of his relatives, friends, and the places that he had not seen for four years, and above all of his mother, who was a poor old, infirm peasant, but at the

solitary avenue,

the end of his foot.

with a genial and true-loving nature and the heart of an angel.

all

her children, the one

tenderness, pity,

and

was the

whom

she loved with the greatest

also with a particular feeling of solicitude

soldier son

;

which was also natural.

and

wrote, or

had some one write frequently and his letters, read and re-read, kissed and re-kissed, then placed in her bosom like the relic of ;

a saint, mitigated

And

much

of the bitterness of their separation.

such was the case with the son and his mother's

Yes, indeed.

wish to see them (their children), their eyes, to

letters

and loving mothers wish to have them under

Paper, in the end, is paper,

4ouch them with

and

their hands,

the forehead, twice, ten times in one breath

;

kiss

them on

and the children

knowledge that that dear head with home and thinks of them they wish to take

are not satisfied with the its

white hair

that

head

locks.

is at

in their arms,

;

and place

Yet the good old woman,

their lips

on those white

her dear soldier boy had

THE MOTHER.

47 hope and de-

lived through those four years a life of continual

The

luded expectations, melancholy, anxiety, and heart-beats. son,

who

left

little district

had been taken,

in northern Italy,

with his regiment, to Sicily, and detained there two years (in

poor woman, with all that water between them) from he had passed into Calabria, and spent a year there, and Sicily

Sicily,

;

then a year in central

Italy.

Finally,

one

fine day, the

departure spread through the regiment.

Where

rumor of

are

go-

ing?" asked our soldier of the sergeant of the squad, and he " Into northern Italy," waited with bated breath for the reply.

was the answer.

"Where?" he

His heart gave a bound.

asked again, growing pale the one nearest his home.

the sergeant " "

;

named

the city

;

was

he cried, and a little more and

he would have kissed the sergeant and been put into prison.

That same

night,

when he found time

so,

he wrote

home. This was the reason of his gaiety that evening

that city

;

was

within a few miles of his native village.

Now, with what with what

taken place,

afterward learned, with what I saw, and

could not help imagining, but which must have I will tell

you a story that may perhaps rouse in own mother more fervently.

you the desire to kiss your

Two still

days had elapsed since the return.

Our

soldier

talking about asking a few days' leave in order to

when, one

fair evening,

the quarter-master looks

was

fly

home,

him up

in the

dormitory of the company, and on finding him, says, while handing

him a

before

its

letter:

seal

"Come

nearer."

was broken, and

hardly taken

was unfolded

in the light of

by two trembling hands, which were glistening with two big

a lantern in a corner of the room,

and under two dilated eyes,

He had

MILITARY

LIFE,

accompanying the movements of his eyes with a motion of his head, and mutterWhen it was read he pressed it in ing the words quite hastily. tears.

read the letter very rapidly,

and

his hands,

heaven

down

ran

lids, fell,

warm upon

quite

his

let

arms drop, raising

and the two drops,

;

and said

" :

eyes to

his great

after trembling uncertain

on the

and dropped was from his mother,

his cheeks without breaking,

The

his hands.

To-morrow

letter

come

shall

town on

It is

foot.

Oh, my son, I can contain must throw my arms around your

four years since I have seen you.

myself no longer, and " neck

That night he could not close his eyes. He dashed about no the and found under peace and thererestlessly counterpane, ;

and

fore nothing but twist

the other,

now on

his back,

vain, for the coverlid

feverish state, sire for

now upon one

turn,

now on

seemed

a great weight on

seized the

to his knees, sighing

a furnace.

From

around

his

hem

his*

now upon

always quite in

;

and he

so heavy,

motion, and a tormenting

moment he

his face

side,

felt

such a

chest, a restlessness, a de-

desire for fresh

air.

Every and pushed it down he had been in front of

of the coverlid

and gasping

time to time he sat up in bed and looked

comrades who were

all

sleeping

quietly

and

accustomed to sleep in spring. Then he looked at the bit of starry sky, which appeared through the " small window on the other side, and thought Oh if I were in soundly as

one

the country to breathe that air

" !

glanced

at the lantern

placed in a distant corner, which gave a tremulous light that

appeared and disappeared in turn, and that light increased his anxiety

seemed

and made time

longer.

him

that

Then he

stretched himself out in bed again, and began thinking of the

THE MOTHER. morrow, shutting fall

his eyes

and remaining immovable

to try

asleep with that sweet thought, but always in vain.

that

sweet thought did not bring him peace

body was

his

;

and Still

motionless, his eyes closed, but his heart kept on beating if

say

You

shall not sleep

that after a short time he

you was obliged ;

shall not to

open

sleep

his eyes

and

So many long hours passed. Finally the heart was silent, and the busy weariness conquered fancy still. He slept dreamed of the morrow dreamed of his look around again.

;

He seemed

and smiling beside he seemed to feel her pass her hand over his brow, his pillow and he dreamed that he seized and placed his lips upon it. mother.

to see her there, erect

;

had become a child again, at home and, one by one, there came to his mind a hundred little scenes from his early life, and in those scenes his mother was Then, suddenly, he

felt

that he

;

always comforting him

when weeping,

or defending

threatened by his father, or nursing him care of

him when

always loving,

and always always the mother ilF;

hurt by a

full of pity

and

him when fall,

taking

solicitude,

Then he dreamed he was

his mother's tears, day the long embraces, words of farewell, and comfort given and and he felt his heart-strings tighten just as they did received

grown up

;

recalled the

of his departure

;

day he felt around his waist the arms of his mother who would not let him go tried to free himself, could not do so, that

;

uttered a groan, and awoke. to himself,

and

that

looked around, thought, came

was a moment of joy which can be better

imagined than expressed.

Down

in the

broke out.

court-yard of the barracks a noisy sound of drums

All dashed from their beds.

and with the others performed

all

dressed in haste,

the duties of the

morning

MILITARY

and with a calm

cheerfully

agitated heart. lips,

LIFE.

face, but with a

tapped the

burning fever and

pavement with his

feet, bit his

passed and repassed his hand over his heated brow, asked

around what the hour was, looked from his head to his feet every moment to see if he was neat and had every thing in all

home

his mother, in leaving

her

Desired, because

Finally the desired mid-day arrived.

order.

in the city

ought to arrive

letter,

at nine o'clock as she

had said

between noon and one

o'clock, taking into account the distance that she

had

come

and the slowness with which, poor woman, she could accomplish it. Just at that hour the soldiers had to leave their quarters and

Our good young fellow, by using obtained a release from that exercise. The

go to the single-stick school. his mother's letter,

soldiers

went

out, the dormitories

stairs, flew to his bed, placed his

moment,

for he felt as

were deserted, he ran up the it, stood still for a

hand upon

his legs refused

and

to hold him,

panted.

little"

planted his

while thereafter he seated himself on the bed

;

elbows on his knees, rested his face on his hands,

on the

and thought

She

coming she And laughing hysterically coming here to the barracks " It is four years he rubbed his forehead with both hands. fixed his eyes

floor,

;

since I have seen her " on his fingers.

How

went over

and past

mind

in his

sufferings.

Four years

" !

Then he counted

long they have been

all his fits

"Oh!"

" !

And

four

then he

of melancholy, discouragement,

he exclaimed in a low tone

full

of loving pity, clasping his hands, shaking his head gently, with " his eyes fixed upon a point on the wall, as if to say Poor :

species of fencing with sticks instead of foils,

in the Italian

army.

now no

longer in vogue

THE MOTHER. "

and

Poor mother

he did say in

So you a to from such distance see alone too and me, quite coming on foot you have to walk so many miles in the sun you will

mother

fact.

are

;

arrive in this great city,

ing where I are

;

among

and you

;

will

all

these people, without

have

where

to ask

barracks

then be on your feet for so long a time, alone, old,

and exhausted

and perhaps you

;

will lose

" !

ill,

your way and wander

about, worrying that you cannot find me.

woman

Ah, poor old hands clasped and his eyes fixed upon and then the other, and closing his eye.

kept his

the wall, biting one lip

keep back the tears which were ready to " " Poor old woman repeated from time to time to

lids

know-

Then

fall.

After which he passed both hands over his face, shook his head, gave a sigh, sprang to his feet, and paced the

room with

the hurried steps of a traveller. After a little he suddenly " It must be time for her now " He ran to the stopped. !

window on

the street, leaned out, looked to the right

and

left,

The blood once, twice, thrice, but no one was to be seen. " " rushed to his head. Let me think of something else he !

said to himself

from

his

mind

;

and so

tried to drive the

image of

Drive away that image Poor fellow the question, so he abandoned the idea. tation.

his

mother

in order to pass this season of anxious expec!

was out of

Look, mother," he said aloud, shaking his two open hands " " I love you so well, so well He looked

before his face,

around

;

there was

no one

thing else in the world

" !

;

he continued

And

" :

More than any

letting his clasped

hands

fall

upon the bed, he continued to shake his head gently as if to signify more clearly by act the meaning of his last words.

"More

than any thing in the world."

Then suddenly he

MILITARY

$2 roused himself

" :

LIFE.

must be time now

said,

and again

he went to the window, then stopped suddenly, and turned his

back

No," saying

himself as he did

so,

you must not

tapped the floor with his foot as if to repeat, No. " " But smiled, and the smile meant Ah, I cannot help it

look."

and

in fact, a

looked out.

moment Still

later

no one

he again went to the window and

in sight.

returned to the bedside and tried to invent some methou

for passing time.

his chin, raised the

bent one arm with his forefinger against

elbow of that arm with the palm of the upon the bed while resting a knee

other, and, fastening his eyes

on the edge, he ran homeward in his mind, saw his mother make up a bundle of shirts and handkerchiefs to bring him, saw her take leave of the family and start, then accompanied her along the road in his mind's eye, that long, long road

un-

der the burning sun, in the midst of clouds of dust raised by carts carts

and carriages which were passing rapidly. He saw those graze the poor woman's skirts, touch her, shake her,

She, so old, tired,

and infirm had not the time

when another one rushes "

Ah, move out

of the

way

on, "

to seize her

about to

hit her.

the son exclaims above his breath

making, without being aware of if

near her,

to avoid them,

it,

;

a motion with his hand as

by the arm and drag her

one

side.

pointed out the curbings she was to avoid, and the bits of the

road

filled

with stones, and the edges of the ditches.

much walking he seemed

to see the

poor old

woman

bent under the weight of her bundle, quite exhausted,

After totter,

thirsty,

" and he was worried, groaned, and said to himself Oh, poor woman, give me that bundle let me carry it for you take my :

;

arm."

He moved

his right

elbow and seemed

;

to feel

between

THE MOTHER. his

arm and body a trembling arm, and with

keeping

his left hand,

his eyes quite motionless all the time,

the air to

felt

the right, as high as his side, in search of his mother's hand.

Then he came

to himself

;

the thought that within a few

moments he would embrace

his

mind, and he

first,

felt,

mother returned clearly to all

its

sweetness

brightened, his lips trembled, all his features

A slight smile, then and

finally

eyes

gleamed with joy.

a broad one, then came a convulsive laugh

and shoulders rose and

his chest

his

;

his

fell

as after a breathless race

;

he threw himself upon the bed with his face in his

hands and gave way to a mixture of tears and laughter, " " Poor mother shaking his head as if to say :

still

Are you going mad ? shouted the corporal while crossing the dormitory and stopping at the door-way through which he was to pass

The

out.

soldier started, rose to his feet, turned,

him with

he had not understood him.

muring

" :

When

mad

left alone,

;

The

mad

thought,

drew

against the bread-shelf,

;

corporal disappeared mur" !

he stood meditatively for a moment

struck by a sudden

after

and looked

his eyes full of tears, his lips parted with a smile

seized his knapsack

down on

to the bed,

;

then,

leaning

opened

having played for a time with the buckles of the straps,

dove into

with both hands, and drew out hurriedly brushes,

combs, boxes, and rags

;

placed them

all

on the

coverlid, seized

a brush, put his foot on the edge of one of the bed

slats,

leaned

and began to polish his boots with all his might, stopping from time to time to see if they were shining well. over,

must be clean," he said to himself with a serious face, " I wish to shine like a continuing his work with the brush I

;

MILITARY

54 mirror

;

wish to make a

When

please her."

LIFE.

want

fair soldier of myself, for I

the boots were

polished

he seized

to his

clothes brush, then the comb, then dove into the knapsack again,

drew out a

himself.

little

round

When

glass,

the soul

opened

it,

and looked

deeply moved by

a strong

and lovely affection, and the mind quite full of sunny thoughts and fancies, the eyes and smile assume such an impress of the sweetness of that affection and the serenity of those thoughts, even the plainest face, at such a moment, is lighted up by a ray of beauty so the good soldier, in looking in the glass and seeing his soul shining on his face, smiled with satis-

that

;

faction.

that instant he heard a quick step

attentively

;

on the

the sound was approaching

;

stairs

;

listened

was the corporal

of the guard ; he entered, looked about, saw our young man. " See here," he exclaimed, in catching sight of him, and calling " there is a woman at the door who is looking him by name, " for you ! " " mother shouted the son, running rapidly through

the dormitories the vestibule her.

;

he dashed down the

stairs,

across the court, into

caught a glimpse of the woman, sprang toward

She opened her arms, he

The

fell

on her breast, and both of

son placed his hands on his mother's

them uttered a

cry.

temples, passed

them through her gray

hair,

bent back her head,

looked into her eyes, then pressed that dear head against his shoulder, covered it with his arms, and fastened his lips upon her hair, from which the handkerchief had

woman

stifled

seizing

him around the

fallen.

The good

her sobs against the shoulder of her son, and waist, passed

her thin hands

over

the rough jacket, which for her, at that moment, was worth a

THE MOTHER.

hundred times more than the most beautiful kingly mantle. The soldiers of the guard grouped respectfully on one side, looked motionless and silently upon that holy embrace, and

looked

door of

in the

room.

Come, compose

God

why

was on guard duty that day, and stood near

too, as I

mother be brave don't cry so.

yourself,

;

should you weep

the son kept saying in a cares-

sing tone, as he pushed back behind her ears with both hands

had been scattered over the forehead

the hair which

pulse of the

The

embrace.

first

woman

old

hard, without weeping or without words

;

in the im-

continued to sob

until, in

raising her

eyes to her son's face, she smiled, drew a long breath, as lifting a weight from her heart, and murmuring,

embraced him

Are you tired ? anxiously, tearing himself from her arms. She glanced around the woman, smiling.

son

" !

asked the soldier

again.

replied

little,"

in search of a place

where she could lay down the great bundle which she had "

brought with her.

door of

room.

Come

in here," I said, throwing "

Oh, the officer

ard me, and making a courtesy

was a

soldier

table

;

the old

woman

;

Come

thank in."- I

sir."

you,

repeated

;

The "come

and approached the little her bundle on it, and I moved to timidly,

laid

side.

" at

confused.

They both entered

in."

one

trifle

open the

she said, turning tow-

Let

you," the

see

you,

son

woman began

turned to show himself on every ing back, glancing at

dressed like this

" !

And

The

say.

And

side.

him from head

hands, exclaimed affectionately

around

turn

;

" :

the poor old

let

soldier,

look

smiling,

the mother draw-

footj

How

;

and clasping her

handsome you

woman

felt

are,

herself re-

MILITARY

LIFE.

juvenated, and was almost seized with the desire to dance

his side,

She approached him, then moved off, returned to and devoured him with her eyes. She placed her

hands on

his shoulders,

around him.

and

them

let

down

fall

the

arm

until

they reached his hands put her face close to his breast in order to see the buttons then noticing that she had dulled the ;

;

cross

rubbed

his belt with her breath, she

with the

hem

having looked and looked again at him for some time, she threw her arms around him once more, calling

her apron

;

finally, after

him lovingly by name as she did of him, and asked anxiously She repeated

smiled.

when

are

you

going to

" :

war

And "

Then

so.

And

she suddenly

the war

the war "

Tell me,

Oh, heavens

" ?

who

let

The

son

son,

has been "

talking to you about the war, good woman that you are ? " " she asked, quite content. Oh, there is n't any war, then ? " You will never go to war, will you ? Never again ? " "I can't say never again, tell

the truth,

son."

dear." "

suppose we soldiers know about

Oh, then, you are going good mother, what do you !

it ?

But

you who go

don't know," the mother replied in that tone of profound per" who can, then ? " suasion, said

Having with such

which,

curious

she

stood

expression

still

such a charmingly pleasing smile on her ineffable

light

her eyes,

that

much

moment, he to her in him pulse drawing at that

felt

and

lips,

his

form,

with

and a certain

her son, smiling too, was

and she pleased him such a new and strong im-

almost entranced in looking at her so

awaiting

face

;

his heart, that

he sprang toward

her with one bound, pressed her head between his hands, kissed her,

shook her playfully as they do children, and placing his

THE MOTHER. lips

on her forehead, murmured smiling

mother

And

my "

57 " :

poor, dear old

" !

standing there with

arms crossed on

Here

man who

back against the wall and

breast, thought

adores his mother

being a good, respectful, well-disciplined soldier,

cannot help

amour

full

propre and courage. Yes, courage too, because the souls which That soldier feel deeply and strongly can never be cowardly.

there, taken

would allow himself

and he would die with the name of

his

to the battle-field,

killed without fear,

mother upon his lips. Teach him what his country is make him understand that the country is a hundred thousand mothers ;

and a hundred thousand families his country with enthusiasm.

mother.

affections

and

all

like his

will love

But one must begin with the

we could discover

the germ of

all

the lovely

the honest and generous actions of which

we should almost always

are proud,

own, and he

discover them in the heart

How many

medals of military valor ought to gleam on the breasts of the mothers instead of the sons and how many wreaths of laurel ought to rest upon an old, bald

of our mothers.

head instead of upon the brown one of youth Oh, mothers, You should remain at the side of your you should never die !

and accompany them

end of the journey of life. Before you, even when we are old, we would always be children, and love you ever with the same love. Instead, you leave us sons,

alone

mains with

us,

oh no

to the

not alone

your dear image

your sweet memory realways before our eyes, your

loving counsels are ever present to the

Every time that a weariness of disillusion raises in

;

spirit,

life assails

and us,

this is

enough.

and some hard

our hearts a feeling of hatred and aversion

MILITARY

$8 for

men, we

image us

;

when

knees

will call

LIFE.

up your holy, benign, and peace-giving we hear your dear voice, which chided

shall feel that

by name and we will bend our and clasp our hands before your image, asking

children, calling us

irresistibly

;

your pardon

that

"Where

moment

the major comes grumbling into the barracks : " ? he asks of some one out-

the officer of the guard

side the door.

here started to go out, and planting myself

pale before him, with

looks at

"What

the devil

my hand at my cap, and cry

fixedly

and makes a

" :

Present

sort of face, as

the matter with you ?"

" !

to say

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. I.

CHILDREN

of the

two

sexes, until a decided difference in

form begins to become apparent, may have their playthings and amusements in common but when, while the softness and :

girl, in the boy the characshow themselves, the resemblance and one sex turns and attaches itself

gentleness of outline remain in the istics of the little

changes

definitely

man by

begin to little,

the other to guns, trumpets, and drums.

dolls,

Together with the fancy for arms, there usually awakes in boys a passion for soldiers passing

;

some temperaments it is only and lasting. And it is

in others violent, irresistible,

this that the difference in the

exactly in

two natures mani-

for while the woman and most noticeably which seeks and loves that signifies peace, weakness, and love, itself first

fests

the

man

;

dashes with ardor

toward

which represents

that

strength, power, and glory. After the members of the family and household, our affection, our

first

Soldiers are the

walls

outburst of enthusiasm

first

figures

and the book covers

;

first

for the soldier.

which we draw on the school-room soldiers the

first

persons

whom we

turn back to look after in the street, stopping and obliging the person

who

holding our hand to do the same. 59

The

first

MILITARY

60 cent

soldiers

receive

and

;

spent at a bookseller's for a sheet of colored

all

LIFE.

that

which belongs to soldiers, weapons, uniand sash, becomes the object

forms, galloons, feathers, trinkets,

and our dearest hopes

of our most ardent desires

that

feel that, despite

shall enlist as soldiers

even

diers, soldiers,

any

when

;

the proper time arrives

the world falls

;

much

any opposition, we

sacrifice or

mamma

;

will

yes, sol-

papa

cry,

growl out in that deep voice which he reserves for the most daring escapades

no matter

the matter

;

decided,

will

soldiers.

Here the mania

for

arms begins, and we search, prowl about,

dive into every thing to see

there

not even- a cane, stick, or

leg of a broken table in the house, which, having

the blade of our penknife,

may

been shaped

not serve, for a longer or

Who

shorter length of time, as a rapier, dagger, or gun.

of us

has not passed long hours astride a chair, with his breast against the back, working his legs as

spurring on a horse, waving

handle of a broom, and holding forth in a certain

aloft the

slow, deep, solemn tone, like a general

division

Who

who

does not remember the

first

commanding

sword which he

received from an uncle, godfather, or some retired

officer,

old friend of the family, on his birthday, or as a reward for

good conduct

at school

those ordinary

But

let it

be understood, not one of

wooden swords, bound

playthings for children, which do not even frighten real sword,

the

Then

flies

a genuine blade, such as they use in war.

first

sword

a great source of delight

and put a fever into one's

when, seated at the

table,

;

but a .

those beautiful spring mornings (which take

desire for books,

mere

silver paper,

away

the

legs, as Giusti says)

yawning and dozing over a fable of

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

we suddenly hear a great To the outburst of trumpets and drums down in the street. devil with books and copy-books, and down the stairs, at a Fedro

be turned into

Italian,

break-neck pace, behind the soldiers, until we reach the parade ground, and can contemplate with ecstasy that bright gleaming of bayonets, appearing the heads of the battalions,

and disappearing like a flash above and hear that noisy and prolonged

hurrah of the besieged, which feel fists

our strength doubled

who does

;

stirs

involuntarily clench our

not remember those beautiful mornings

on returning home, we have

true that

look of papa, or something worse "

our blood, and makes us

;

little

It is

to confront the angry

but that being able to say

have been on the parade ground," ah it is a great relief to the conscience, an excuse which one can adduce, and which in fact one does adduce without humility or fear. I

How

well, also,

after a

And

little

do we remember the

persistency,

again, the

target-shooting,

first

time

we succeeded that,

we have had

brought

movement

so full that ;

soldier with

whom, making friends?

on the parade ground, or

the honor of going to fetch a

water from a neighboring spring in our it

first

own broken bowl

would have overflowed

little

at the slightest

yet not one drop was spilled, so careful were

with eyes and arms, making every possible effort of body and soul to discharge our honorable task worthily

Then

seen on the promenade with a corporal of the sharp-shooters, for instance

which

thinking of

wish to be a boy again, in order to experience

more, or to experience childish.

one of those pleasures

Then

as a

man, even

in the evening, at the

accompanied our young corporal

at the cost of

hour of

to the

once

appearing

retreat,

when we

door of the barracks

MILITARY

LIFE.

and said good-night, or secured the promise of a meeting for the following day in a loud voice, so that all the boys round about and the next day we took a charming walk together outside the city, and on reaching a solitary spot, begged our

might hear

;

friend to let us see his poniard

;

which he replied that it was he refusing, and

forbidden, and we continued teasing him

saying

moment";

Do me

until the

out the dagger from

and the

the favor for a

poor

moment

;

one

only, only just

corporal, after glancing around,

drew

sheath with a certain air of mystery,

its

sight of that beautiful, bare, gleaming blade sent a

shudder through our veins. Then we touched it lightly with our ringer, asking if it were sharp, and if one blow would kill a

man

Oh, the friendship of a corporal

thing for you

pocket some

That,

beautiful

a great

among others, of always having in your new cartridges, sometimes powder too,

and, perhaps, even a beautiful cross of an old plate, or bruised

metal buttons, and even fall to

one's

but these are fortunes which rarely

You may become

lot.

of bits of gold lace, a trifle

the possessor of a couple

worn perhaps, but always

such a

condition as to cut a stupendous figure on the sleeves of your

And

house- jacket.

all

the boys in the neighborhood will

respect you.

The

idea which one has, as a child, of the superiority of sol-

is something really marvellous. There can be no soldiers who are not prodigies of courage. There

diers over other citizens,

are absolutely civilian.

soldiers

No one in

who

are weaker than the strongest

the world can run like a sharp-shooter

;

the

handsomest beards in town belong to the sappers there is nothing more terrible on earth than an officer with an un;

sheathed sword

especially

has just come from the hands

THE SON OF THE XEGIMENT. And

of a knife-grinder.

in fact,

when we

63 marionettes

set the

dancing, and improvised comedies, there might be a fierce

on the stage between ten armed characters, or there might be even princes and kings to make a great deal of racket with their swords in hand but at the appearance of two solstruggle

;

diers with

muskets slung across their shoulders,

wooden heads suddenly were

and on

the other

all

good beeven the crowns bowed before the sometimes and havior,

When

quiet,

their

suddenly hearing down door of a tavern, a confused sound of angry and threatening voices, oaths, blows, and cudgels, and a crying of women and children, and on going to the window fatigue caps.

late at evening,

in the street, before the

we could

see the daggers gleam,

we understood

that there

a fight between the soldiers and workmen, did n't

pray that the former should beaten

And

all

was

we always

the killing, and the latter be

the contrary occurred,

This intense affection of children

how provoked were we

returned by the soldiers

with an affection naturally less enthusiastic, but not less strong.

who have just come into the regiment, or even old who have barely arrived from an unknown city, pray,

Conscripts soldiers

where do they seek and find their first friends ? In that crowd of gamins who hang around the drummers when the regi-

ment goes

to the

smiles, the first

the

first

genial

parade ground.

hand-shakings

;

From them come

with them the

first

and confidential conversations, the

walks in the country, the

first

all-powerful superiors, the

first

discipline,

and from them the

solation.

They

home, and

relate all the

let

first

meetings,

first solitary

outbursts of rage against their

laments over the severity of the first

words of comfort and con-

them write and read most

the

their

letters

from

insignificant particulars of their

MILITARY

64 family

and

life,

listen

LIFE.

with pleasure, and sometimes with a cer-

tain tender melancholy, because, far as they are

from their own

relatives, these conversations revive in their hearts that affec-

home which one never

tionate feeling for

little

they form,

little,

experiences in the

By means

noisy rooms of the barracks.

of these children,

a friendship with

the porter

and

;

through the latter succeed in a short time in enlarging the of

circle

they

know

with

whom

among

whom

their friends there

by means of them ;

gossip, all the

be some good

added a

need,

little, in

woman who

has a their

and

;

form new friend-

too,

such and such a company, in such and

no unknown or

their affection, the first burst of

lasting root.

feeling of gratitude

their little friends,

such a battalion, there

and more

little

Thus, to the sympathy and affection

hearts for these children

little

case of

they can have recourse, and, in any case,

they can exchange a

soldier son.

ships

so that, in

their friendly relations,

When

indifferent face,

and

enthusiasm past, takes deeper

the regiment goes away.

have experienced it, we seek our mother, go and sit down beside her, and remain there with a serious face in order to I

be asked some question that " grief.

What

Don't keep

what has occurred

and

tell

will

the matter, child

her what

" ?

And we do

not reply.

what has happened to you ? suspense " Then we throw ourselves into her arms

in ?

provoke an outburst of our

it is

;

and our mother, quite moved, passes

her hand over our forehead, exclaiming as she does so

poor boy

Be comforted, others

will

come."

" :

Then we

Oh, re-

turn comforted to our swords and drums.

mothers,

let

your boys come with us we will love them and on leaving us they will return to

like brothers, like sons

;

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

your bosom stronger and more loving, because among soldiers one learns to love, and with a depth of affection that 'softens both heart and

soul.

In proof of which

some told

I will relate

an incident that took place

years ago in a regiment of our army,

me by

who played an important his own words.

a friend

will try to recall to

and which was part in

it.

mind

II.

Upon one

of the last evenings of 1866, our division, which

in the afternoon

had

ern slopes of the

Euganen

Battaglia (a large place on the east-

left

Hills), entered the city of

the Porta Santa Croce, as they were to pass through to Venice.

Although many

tre

and the

was very warm. would a dream I retain a ;

of the bles

all

first

farthest

faint recollection of

becomes white

grows black around him.

from the cen-

the

conversation with his inamorata,

over,

en route

welcome accorded us by however, only remember it as I

least frequented, yet

the people

other corps had passed through the

we crossed were

town, and the streets

Padua by

in the

face,

it,

one does

when he trem-

and every thing

Yes, in approaching Padua, the

we reached, my heart beat wildly and my thoughts grew confused. When we entered later, and an immense multitude, breaking out into a first

great city in the

Venetian

district

that

loud cry, dashed into our ranks, broke them, surrounded and scattered us in a few

no trace of order

moments on every

in the columns, then

mind became clouded.

remember

side, so that there

sight as well as

was

feeling myself squeezed

around the throat and waist several times by two convulsive arms, and tapped on the shoulder and arms by two trembling

MILITARY

66 hands

;

LIFE.

of feeling myself kissed in the face

by burning mouths,

with the same fury with which a mother would kiss her son on first

seeing him after a long absence

tact of

gloves wet with tears

many

times to disengage

;

of having felt

the con-

of having stopped several sword from the hands of some boy who

;

violently in order to make me turn around and " take notice of his small ewiva" ; then of having walked quite

was shaking

a distance with half a dozen bunches of flowers in that I looked like a country bridegroom

ing resound about

;

and,

jacket, so

finally, of

hear-

a continuous and very loud hurrah.

But nonsense, they were not hurrahs, but inarticulate

cries,

by embraces they were groans coming from chests oppressed and exhausted by the depth of joy voices with a tone that my ear had never heard before, but

broken by sobs,

stifled

;

which had sounded many times the expression of a joy greater

than

mind, when imagining

human

The

strength.

crowd mingled with a dizzy rapidity, and, flowing along, bore the soldiers here and there, always, however, advancing in the direction that the

column had taken on

its

entrance

;

and above

the heads of the multitude could be seen a great waving of arms,

muskets, and banners, and this one and that one rushing violently together

osity of the

and

instantly separating, according to the impetu-

embrace and the rapid separation of the

civilians

The boys seized the soldiers by the hems of by the sheath of the bayonet, and jealously dishands in order to press their lips on them and

soldiers.

their coats or

puted their the

women,

;

too,

young, old, of the people, or of rank, pressed

the hands of the soldiers and put flowers in the button-holes

them gently if they had come from far They handed them fruit and cigars, offered

of their coats, asking

and

felt

tired.

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

and house, scorning with amiable affectation their and warmly renewing invitations and prayers. There

their table refusals,

was not one face emotion,

eyes

was not transfigured by and flaming, cheeks pale and tearand in every attitude, every gesture,

in that multitude that

dilated

stained, lips trembling

;

every cry, something feverish

and convulsive, which

blood and made you tremble in every

you were tempted to reply tions of those people,

flags

much

window

every

so that

and benedic-

The

one word.

utter

persons, one above the other

chairs with their

fibre,

salutations

and yet could not

houses were covered with

group of

to the

stirred yourj

there was a

the last erect on

;

hands on the shoulders of the foremost, the

former so pressed against the

sill

as to

be almost crushed.

Some, were waving handkerchiefs, others their hands in the

way

of a greeting,

their tle

and some throwing down flowers

with

all

;

necks outstretched and their mouths wide open like

birds in a nest at the appearance of the

children held in their mothers' arms

toward

us,

waved

mother. their

and uttered a small cry which was

the noise of the

The openings

crowd.

door-ways of the workshops

and

lost

lit-

Some

wee hands mid-air in

of the streets,

the

stores were full of people.

saw many of those good operatives place a cigar in the hands of one of the boys, point out a soldier, and push him toward him. I saw some excellent women put their children that

em-

brace were a benediction from heaven. I saw tottering old

men

out to the officers so that they might kiss them, as

pressing the heads of the soldiers against their breasts, and holding them fast as

midst of so

and

they could never

many and such

affection, the soldiers,

let

them

go.

...

In the

forcible demonstrations of gratitude

poor

fellows,

were quite stupefied,

MILITARY

and laughed and cried

LIFE. being able to find words

at once, not

with which to return thanks, or

they found them they could "

not utter them, but tried by signs to say

much

too

bear

do not deserve

this

all

Our

too much,

hearts cannot

" it

As we approached the gate by which we were to go out, the crowd began to thin and the soldiers fell slowly into line. The gate through which we were to pass is called by the

people of Padua the Portello. limit

by many

soldiers,

arm

noisy, rapid,

were accompanied to the

citizens, the majority, gentlemen,

arm with them, and

and broken conversation

all ;

mixed with the

engaged

in a lively,

for after the

first

out-

burst of enthusiasm, which had only found vent in tears and

had followed a great desire for words, a thousand questions and protestations, they interrupting themselves from cries, there

time to time to look well in each other's faces, with a smile that

meant

" :

my arm

" !

Is this really

Are we

Italian soldier

whom

have

really here in the midst of the blessed

And

here a long pressure of the hand and a re" You are here ; ciprocal shake of the arm, which signified

Paduans

you you escape." In that half hour which was employed in crossing the city, many friendships were made, many promises to write were exchanged, many I

feel

;

I shall

not

let

propositions to meet on the return were made, and meetings

down in the pocket-books with names and You will write me first " "I the first. As soon " as we arrive in camp." You promise me ? " " Yes, I promise you." Then another warm pressure of the hand, another arranged and noted

addresses.

shake of the arm, and the regiment approaches the gate, the dialogues

become warmer and

noisier, the gestures

more ex-

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

and the expression of the faces more animated then they repeat the cries and hurrahs which had ceased for a short time, and the soldiers begin to get into disorder again, until

cited,

;

on arriving

at the gate the greater portion of the

crowd

stop.

There, again, you can imagine a confusion and shouting that is

indescribable

;

an embracing and kissing

a loosening of

;

the arms from one in order to throw themselves into the arms

and so on, hurriedly exchanging good wishes, saluand benedictions. Finally, the regiment was outside

of another tations,

;

of the gate right

and ranged

and two

files

the soldiers turned still

crowd,

marching order, two files to the For a short time

to the left of the road.

now and

then toward the gate, where the

went on waving handkerchiefs and

stationary,

tering cries of farewell

but

;

little

little,

ut-

grew dark,

the crowd could no longer be seen, the cries ceased, the sol-

began marching in order, and the officers, who at first had been walking in groups, fell into their proper places. We had been on the march for many hours before arrivdiers

;

Padua we were

and had already begun to move slowly and in disorder yet on coming out of the city we marched as if we had just then started from the camp after a ing at

tired ;

long

rest.

The

soldiers

the lines were closed up, side.

walked

erect, separate,

and quickly

;

and a chit-chat was heard on every

There were so many things

said.

III.

Now

that night

had

fallen

the lanterns were lighted.

appearance of the light brought that

we had not even

with dilated eyes, as

left

Padua

;

to myself,

The

and showed me

then looking here and there

we do when we wake

in the

room

of a

MILITARY

70 hotel

and do not understand

why we

small boys in the

are there, I

whom

for

moment where we

saw by the

and saw' another

opposite direction,

They were

are

a lantern two

light

the soldiers were leading by the hand.

turned

looked farther

;

were any number of led by hand by the soldiers, and were

away, and saw two more jthem.

LIFE.

all

in fact, there

much

talking in a low voice, hiding themselves as in the shade, so as not to

be seen by the

as possible

officers,

who, per-

haps, might send them home, as that was not the hour to leave

The

the city and keep their families in suspense.

majority of

the boys, one could see from their clothes, were poor

there were not a few

who were

manners, and clean clothing

faces, timid

their

but

;

in comfortable circumstances, as

every ten or twelve paces one stopped, and

after-

showed.

shaking hands

and exchanging some affectionate salutation, turned back. It is impossible to tell what an amount of sweetness, heartiness, and delicate feeling of sadness lay in those leave-takings.

the peculiar accent of the

Paduan

so fully to the expression of

warm

Then,

which lends

dialect

affection,

itself

and the profound

emotion, and the night, and the silence that began to spread

through the ranks

deeply.

;

I shall

in fact, every

word

taking leave and saying good-by to in a sweet, trembling voice, in " "

God "

of those boys touched

always remember one

protect you all Thanks, dear boy,"

all

them who,

the soldiers, exclaimed

which one could hear the soul

said to myself

" ;

may God

bless

may your mother never die, may you enjoy every day of your life some happiness like that " which touches my soul this evening. Farewell, farewell

you with every good thing,

Little

little all

the boys turned homeward,

first

the small-

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. est

and most

timid, then the largest

;

and over the regiment

fell

a deep silence, broken only by the sound of weary, dragging

and the monotonous

steps

tic-tac of the points of the

against the ends of the poniards.

gered here and there like drunken

men who

arm,

dozing and staggering more than

Suddenly "

boy. voice.

I felt

some one touch "

Who are you ? He hesitated to he

"Carluccio,"

then

began

arm

are walking

the rest.

all

arm

bayonets

doze and stag-

;

turned

;

was a

asked, stopping, in a very sleepy

reply,

said,

he was dozing

because

too.

a low and trembling voice.

"Where do you come from?" "From Padua." "Where do " And With the soldiers want to go?" "With the soldiers." " do you know where the soldiers are going ? !

did not reply

;

so I began again

" :

Return home, go

home, you have got too far away. Who knows how anxious your father and mother may be about you at this hour. Take

answer.

advice and go home."

"Won't you go back?" "Are you sleepy

"No." " ?

neither replied nor moved.

"Why little."

not?"

did not

..." Here, give

your hand, then." took him by the hand, rejoined

company, which had got quite a distance ahead, and, thinking that to send him back to his home and make him go all the way alone at night would exI

pose him to some great to the station.

find "

fright, I

When we

decided to take him with

reached the station

knew

could

some means of sending him back.

have a recruit,"

said to one of

comrades, as I

approached me, and after him several others who had heard my words, and while they all were gathering

passed him.

about the boy, and asking

me who

he was and where

had

MILITARY

LIFE.

found him, we heard a blast of the trumpet and the regiment While the ranks broke up and the soldiers threw stopped. themselves down,

dragging behind

the

little fugitive,

en-

tered a field on the right of the road, and the others followed

me.

About

a lantern

ten paces from the ditch

we stopped

;

a soldier with

we gathered around the boy, and throwing his face, bent down to look at him. He was

came up

the light on to

;

and exhausted, and had

beautiful, but pale

beautiful, great dark eyes

two

in his eyes

a very strange expression of sad-

ness for a child of his age, as he could not be

more than

worn, and

His

old, ill-fitting garments were a strong He wore an contrast to his delicate and gentle appearance.

twelve.

old straw hat to which a great portion of the brim was lacking,

a blue handkerchief around his neck, a fustian jacket large

enough ankles,

for a man, a pair of trousers that only reached his and two old shoes laced with twine. But he was neat

and not ragged grace

;

he had his handkerchief knotted with a certain

;

his hair arranged

looked

and

;

face, hands,

the face of one

first

and

shirt quite clean.

and the other with wide-

stretched, motionless eyes.

But don't you know that you are alone

He " "

looked

n't

asked.

fixedly without replying.

Then another

looked

first

to go at

always wide-stretched ;

Speak up, lightly

my friends,

you go back with them ? " What do you wish to do here with us

Where do you wish

him

All the other boys have gone back," said one of

and why did

" ?

now

;

one and then ;

" ?

at the other, with his eyes

then dropped them and was

say something," said "

by the shoulder

;

have you

one of

lost

silent.

us,

shaking "

your tongue

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. But he never opened

his

mouth, and kept his eyes fastened

on the ground, so obstinate and immovable that provoking.

made another attempt

was

really

took his chin between

and thumb, and, raising his head gently, asked What will your mother say when she sees that you do not

forefinger

return

and looked

raised his eyes

me, no longer with that

astonished, almost stupid expression that he

had worn before,

but with brows knitted and his mouth open, as

only at this

point he had begun to understand our words, and were waiting for us to interrogate

had the courage

him and make him

tell

what he had not

to say.

Why did you run away from home ?" He was silent a moment after that question, out crying, and between his sobs he "

beat

They

murmured

and then burst :

" !

we all exclaimed, putting our hands on his Oh, poor boy " And head and shoulders, and patting his cheeks and chin. !

who

is it

"My "

that beats

"But

mother."

Your mother

How

you

that

all

asked

she

;

once, with astonishment

not

my own

after being urged, told us that

some time

that he

only loved her

own

mother." his father

had no one

left

Here the poor boy, had been dead for

but his step-mother,

children and could not bear

him

;

who

and that

had been suffering for some time, he had run away from home with us. He had not finished speaking, when we began as he

to pet

don't worry about

You shall come with us, good boy any thing. You will have as many fathers

and comfort him.

;

MILITARY

and

as many brothers as there are soldiers. Then wishing to quiet him and make him

as there are officers,

Don't be anxious." "

LIFE.

And

any one asks you whose son you arc and where you have come from, you must answer that you are the son of the regiment, and that we found you in the folds of our smile, I said

do you understand ? He smiled slightly, and made a sign

flag

;

And

shall

meanwhile,"

come with me

and walk tired,

continued,

some one

or with

in the affirmative.

of us,

as long as your legs will permit

you are

to say so,

we start, you and keep beside us,

as soon as

when you are and we will put

then

;

do you understand

in a

you wagon." Poor Carluccio, who could not comprehend so many demonstrations of kindness and feared he was dreaming, made a sign in the affirmative at us

by bowing and

with his eyes

How do you

head and looking

full of surprise.

now

feel

you want something little rosolio 1

raising his

to eat

Are you ?

tired

Do you

Are you

wish a

little

thirsty

coffee, or a

No, thank you, I am not thirsty "; and he tried to push back the flask of rosolio which an officer held out to him. "

Drink, drink,

will

do you good and make you strong

;

drink." "

Do you want

bread just now.

The

something to eat

There

nothing but

lantern there, give us a piece of bread

soldier holding the lantern

drew quickly from

" !

his pocket

a bit of bread and handed it to him. " No, thank you, I am not hungry." " Eat, eat you have been walking for a long time, and ;

ought

to refresh

your stomach."

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. He

hesitated a

moment, then seized the bread with both

hands, and bit into it with the avidity of a hungry animal. At that moment we heard the sound of the trumpet, and

After a

put ourselves en route.

little

Carluccio was overcome with sleep.

and led him

more than

a half hour

took him by the hand

to the rear of the column, where, after exchang-

ing a few words with the commissary, I had him placed in the " I am not really sleepy. wagon, while he kept saying :

And

not really sleepy."

he dropped into a sound

off

slumber, murmuring that he did not need any sleep, and that

he wished to march.

hour afterward the regiment stopped

some moments.

Hardly had the trumpet sounded, when the soldiers of the last company, who had seen me take again for

Carluccio

wagon.

ran and gathered

the commissary,

One

them took the lantern from

at the boy's face,

then they

his

about the

musket and

bent over to look at him.

all

put

continued to sleep peacefully, his head resting on a bag of

bread, and his eyes " What a beautiful "

How

well

stretched out his his fingers.

and

all

sleep

still

red,

little

sleeping

said

murmured

hand and pinched with that hand " :

tears.

soldier, sotto voce.

another.

cheek with

his "

the others cried out

third

two of

shouted the corporal,

Leave him alone

Let him

Carluccio waked at that moment, and seeing himself

instantly reassured " Whose son are

soldiers,

was a

frightened, but

trifle

was

and smiled. "

you

asked one of the soldiers.

Carluccio hesitated for a

moment and

advice, he replied seriously

ment."

cheeks wet with

his

" !

Down

surrounded by the

and

rascal "

" :

then,

remembering

the son of the regi+

MILITARY

?6 All the soldiers

began

to laugh. "

Where did they find you ? The boy replied with the in the folds of the flag

LIFE.

Who

brought you to us "

greatest gravity

They found me

" !

" soldiers burst out laughing again. Your hand here, " comrade shouted the corporal, extending his hand. Car-

The

luccio

put out his and clasped

it.

Give

too,"

and Carluccio pressed his also. Then every one followed suit, and the boy shook hands with them The last one said aloud " We are firm friends, are we all.

said another soldier,

not, child

moment ing,

and he replied

" :

and

moved

that

off laugh-

appearing suddenly before Carluccio, asked him

"Well, what have you to

tell

looked at me, and

replied smilingly, in a tone of perfect content like

Yes, firm friends."

the trumpet sounded, and the soldiers

" :

The

soldiers

me." IV.

camp about midnight I do not remember we made from Padua up, nor at what point

arrived in

how many miles we pitched the near the

camp

;

tents.

seen in any direction.

cloudy so that

There must have been some

village

but there was not the top of a steeple to be

The

we could not

sky,

which had been dark and

see the stars,

had become

clear.

The

field where the regiment was to encamp was all lighted by the moon, and surrounded by great thick trees, which cast a dense shade all around. It was a spot full of dark, gloomy beauty, and in it reigned a profound quiet so struck were we by it, ;

that

up as

all

entered

in line in silence, if

we were

the

camp

without speaking, and drew

looking with amazement here and there,

an enchanted garden.

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. In a short

taken

camp was

time the

their

the

places,

wagons were

in order, the

sentinels given their posts

the

;

companies were re-arranged without arms, among their own and the sixteen orderly-sergeants began the roll tents ;

each one standing in front of his company, with the

call,

on one

officers

back

led

the record

self

me by

between two

and a soldier with a lantern

side,

other to light up

Meanwhile

book.

Carluccio,

commissary, had run to hide him-

the

and stood there frightened and

tents,

tonished, contemplating the beautiful spectacle of the

That multitude of

up by the moon.

lighted

long rows until they were lost to sight

those

five

people

;

hundred stacks

and the intense

pany near by

among

all

from the com-

fainter,

as large as a fire-fly

;

lantern

and then the gradual

and the mysterious silence a stroke of the drum, the sudden breaking up

lines

and the noisy scattering

and under the

;

those

monotonous voices of the

cessation of those voices, at

camp

the trees

glistening bayonets;

quiet, the

as-

tents gleaming

one farthest away, where the

to the

hardly appeared

growing gradually

orderly-sergeants

the

and,

;

the

tents, in the

darkness, that confused shouting and hurried preparation of the beds with little,

cloaks, covers,

throughout that

and knapsacks,

immense camp quiet

and an unseen bugle imposes blasts

it is

with

a spectacle that moves one.

have been much more impressive inside those tents.

silence

How many

until little

re-established, its

lamenting

And

would

any one could have seen tapers were secretly lighted if

between two knapsacks, beside a piece of crushed letter-paper, before a face in which appear from time to time the fatigue of the long

march and the

fear of the officer of the

guard

HflLITARY LIFK.

God

and the painful

forbid that he should notice the light

struggle between the

which breaks out impatiently

affection

That is the place and the word that one cannot express and the hour for melancholy recollections. There, under !

when

those tents,

silence reigns all around, there the images

and friends from home crowd

of distant relations

in,

images

and speaking and dear, above all others, are those of the mothers who come to arrange the knapsack unso life-like

;

down

der their sons' heads praying grant that this be

the

all

last sleep

under the tent

tears at night

When

not his

regiment

was

who under

hour

" :

God

has not shed

to sleep, I called Car-

officers' tent of

officers

my company, had preceded me (the

two of those young fellows, full of heart, appearance of an ordinary and gentle char-

ill),

the

acter hide a soul capable of great things soldiers

Who

had gone

where the other two subaltern captain

in that

and took him under the

luccio,

in their 'hearts

who, unknown

or undistinguished

;

two of those brave

among

the

many

life, suddenly spring up giant-like on show themselves heroes, and make peo" would ever have thought it young men

the ordinary course of the field

" ple say

who

Who

love a soldier's

demands

The and

battle,

life

for this reason, that

;

when occasion

they can sacrifice

it to a good end. was lighted by a candle stuck in the ground, two friends were seated one here and one there,

tent

with their legs crossed over a stratum of straw that our orderlies field.

began

had hurriedly gathered, during a scamper, from the Hardly had we entered when we too sat down and to chat.

Carluccio kept his eyes down, and scarcely dared raise them ,

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. moment when he was

to our faces for a

were

still

;

His eyes

questioned.

swollen and red from his severe

voice trembled

and he did not know how

fit

weeping his move or where to ;

hold his hands, so embarrassed and confused was he.

dint

him and urging him to talk, we succeeded in tongue and drawing from him some more par-

of questioning

loosening his

Then

about his family.

ticulars

and warmed

little

he took courage

comforted by the signs of assent

in his narration,

and compassion that we constantly gave to his words. " She is not my true mother," he said; "that is why she does not love me. The other was my true mother, and is dead, but she loved the same eat

me I

and a place

the one I have now very much were not in the house she gives ;

;

to sleep, but never looks at

done something wrong every one can say that. all like

don't do any one any

The

food to I

had

harm

;

neighbors in the house

The other two boys are no I, danger of her making them Then she never took me to walk with the other two.

are

They

;

better than she.

smaller than

cry

and

... me

and there

always well dressed, while

Sometimes she

left

seem

like a

beggar.

shut up in the house,

all

Sunday evenings when you see so many people the street, and I stayed at the window waiting for return, but they never came back, and I used to go

alone, those

pass in

them

to sleep with

head on the window.

return she scolded

;

Then when

they did

had been shut up alone

the

house, and they had

gone to the theatre or cafe", and the other two boys came and whispered in my ear We went, '

then they made gestures to provoke me, and you did not and if I cried, they laughed at me, *uid mother never said ;

MILITARY

8O any

LIFE.

These things made me unhappy, because

thing.

had

never done any thing to them, and every time either of them teased me, and

wanted

do something,

always controlled

There were times when they had mother made me carry away the dishes,

myself and had patience. finished eating, that

and while heavens not have

I if

much

felt it as

red, her eyes shining

all

as I did those words.

the evening of a fete day, she returned

was

Scullion them the boys said Oh, a I should had me blow on the head they given carried

home

late,

Once,

and her face

she talked and laughed loudly with

;

the other two, and they

all

entire bottle of wine.

After they had finished she called me,

put

all

away

;

put

that

down

hands, and said '

your duty

to laugh.

began I

the dishes in

began supper, and mother drank an

she gave

;

said nothing

;

' :

Here, carry these

a kick, and

but when

was

all

in the

three

kitchen

the dishes, threw myself on a chair, and began weep-

ing bitterly in the dark until they went to bed.

had not

been for Giovannina, a young dressmaker who lived near us and was kind to me, I should have always been entirely in rags. I

..."

then asked

how he came

At the beginning," he

to think of

running away.

wanted

to go off with a and when they find company of jugglers, those who play tricks, boys whom no one wants, they take them with them but then I replied,

;

was told that there were

tricks for which,

they wished to be-

come jugglers, they must have their bones dislocated at the shoulders, and this must be done when they are small, so as I was big, I

did not run away.

and gave me began

and

all

But one

ill-treat

me,

day the Italian soldiers the people welcomed them warmly, and

little to eat.

to pass,

Mother continued fine

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

the boys accompanied them outside the city, and there were

some who went many miles with them.

heard that

fact, I

two or three had run away from home, and then came back saying they had eaten the soldiers' bread and slept under

two or three times

but when

;

with a stick and hurt

very

tried

dark, I

began grow But yesterday morning

frightened and went home.

beat

would run away.

I instantly thought I

their tents.

much

;

got

my mother

here are the

my hands, and then she struck me in the face, and all because I had said May you burst to one of the boys who marks on

was making fun of

They

evening they

dow and

who has come

gave

alone in the house.

eyes,

left

them.

Then

me).

something

soldiers of the king

Then you spoke

they told

eat

me (and

not to be afraid

like a beggar.

;

they

and told

want

wish to

I don't

to work.

jacket).

this point

head between all

instantly left the house,

was so hungry But with them. to

when

really desperate,

bring water to drink and get straw for the officers to

sleep on.

stood at the win-

brush your clothes (and he touched

I will will

;

threw myself into their midst,

they would keep me stay here and eat my bread

and was

to liberate us, I

have not

a piece of bread, and then in the

saw that they were the

as soon as I

he looked

heard the band play

suddenly

and

left

with tears in

boots, saying they looked like boats.

did not even give

one of

his

friends cut

him

two hands, and pressing

the pity and love of a father.

short

by taking

his

to his breast with

MILITARY

LIFE.

Toward daybreak, before the bugle sounded the reveille, we were waked by the sound of a heavy rain and a violent clap of thunder.

was the

a soul was to be

almost

to put

seen in the

head out of the

Not

tent.

camp, except the sentinels In fact, at every

sides of the

all

encampment a sharp

but

;

the soldiers were awake.

all

came from

there

first

flash

b-r-r-r,

such as the puppet-man makes to announce the appearance or disappearance of the devil

and

;

every clap of thunder there

was a noisy and prolonged shout in imitation of the burst. of the guard called the officer

was sounded, and the captain of the week to announce that we

were to continue our march

in three

short time thereafter the reveille

ment

set

The announce-

hours.

instantly thinking of Carluccio.

become

had not yet

asked myself what was

son of the regiment

Beautiful words, quickly said

the right to keep

this responsibility all

agreed that

of the

him from home spoke of

was necessary

boy

Who

this to

The

in the end. ;

but had

would shoulder

friends,

and they

to provide for the return of

Carluccio, by writing to the Syndic of

Padua and having

course to the authorities of the neighboring village.

re-

was a

most displeasing decision, but there was nothing else to be The duty of writing to Padua I assumed myself, and I done. did so

;

but the other duty of taking Carluccio to the village and

giving him take.

into the care of the authorities I

Let the others think of that,"

have done

part,"

and

begged one of

the rest of the responsibility

one

after the

other replied.

would not under-

I said to myself.

friends to assume

"What have I to do with " And I ? " I asked in my

it?" turn.

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. "

Well, neither of us have any thing to do with

dialogue ended

thus.

and said

called Carluccio,

"You must come

and the

it,"

returned to the tent quite annoyed, to

him

as far as the village with me,

only a

it is

few steps away."

suspicion crossed his

me.

fixedly at

by voice or face

sign

look for something in "

You want

;

jacket,

began

Officer, don't

food.

I felt

'11

left

do every

thing,

sake, Mr.

now

seizing

Oh, no

no, Mr.

and look

after

Officer, don't

make

;

you home

...

;

you shall always stay with I promise

you

us.

that, rest as-

dry your eyes and we won't say any thing more

;

it."

Then Carluccio grew I

always love you.

I controlled myself for a moment, heart breaking. " don't don't cry or be No, worry, Carluccio

about

his strength

For mercy-

We won't send it

his hands,

said

sured of

all

;

afraid. will

;

me go home and then

de-

me home, for pity sake, for pity sake. I would rather die first keep me here, to do

any thing you wish.

own

and now clasping

send

and looked

he cried suddenly then of weeping, threw himself on his

fit

to say, with

cannot go home,

serious

to dissimulate

travelling-case. "

me home

send

feet,

;

turned the other way, and pretended to

broke out into a violent knees

mind he became

had not known how

was not born

the tent

from Padua be done."

" ;

quiet.

for great undertakings," I said to myself as I

there

nothing else to do but wait for the reply

and then

then

will see

what

is to

MILITARY

LIFE.

VI.

Two days later we encamped in the neighborhood of Mestre, where we remained for nearly a month, until the termination of the last armistice, that

we returned back toward

to say, until

Ferrara.

came

any time from Padua, and Carluccio

re-

mained on with the regiment.

From

the very first day we thought of renewing his wardbecause his clothes, already worn out, had been so spoiled robe,

during the

first

march

that they were literally falling in pieces.

gave him a straw hat, a beautiful red cravat, and two

jacket, a pair of linen trousers, a little

shoes that fitted his small

When we preOh, how contented the poor boy was sented him with all these things, he did not seem able to befeet.

lieve his eyes

;

he turned red, twisted his head the other way,

almost fancied they were playing a joke on him, tried to push

back the unhoped-for gift with his elbows several times, and But when he saw that we kept his chin down on his breast. began

move

grow angry

at his obstinate incredulity,

saying

off,

'11

and pretended

dress another boy," he took a

step toward us, made a motion with his hand for us to stop, " No no " but he was and exclaimed in a tear-choked voice :

instantly

ashamed of

that prayer,

bowed

stood motionless with his eyes lowered and

he had not

his clothes on,

his

head again, and

When

full of tears.

he was so much embarrassed that he did

know how

" Cospetto,

made way Petto

to walk, act, or speak. " the soldiers said Carluccio

for

him

what luxury

him

to pass furtively into their midst "

and he blushed and ran away.

as :

they " cos-

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. But and

end of

at the

full of life as

diers in our others,

and of

our

more than a week he became

drummer

;

he was the friend of

all

the officers in the regiment.

In the morning at the

tent.

when he had returned from rum, or

ful voice,

the sol-

all

Then he began

both busy and useful to himself and others.

rosolio,

it is

Officer,"

"Time

drum

were not well awake

the kitchen of our battalion with

and "Mr.

time

of the

first roll

he was on his feet and disappeared.

coffee,

as quick

company, of a great portion of the soldiers in the

to lead a life

slept in

little

he said for

in a respect-

what

tered in a sharp, rough voice, rubbing our eyes. " Ah it 's you, is it, Carluccio you to get up." !

we mut-

Time

for

Give your

hand," and we gave him a squeeze of the hand that put him

good-humor for the rest of the day.

disputed the work with our orderlies

our clothes

;

wished to brush

polish our buttons, swords, and boots

;

and handkerchiefs he humbly begged

;

wash

shirts

he wished to do every thing himself, and one soldier and then the other to give

first

him something to do, that he would do it so gladly, and try his utmost to do it well, and that it was necessary for him to learn it at any cost. Sometimes we were obliged to take things out of his hands, and say to him with some severity

what

tell

you

and nothing more."

to do,

were forced to be very severe, because to play the servant to us.

him with us

we could not

Why, poor boy

for this sole purpose

And

" :

really

allow

Had we

Do we

him

brought

was afraid that gradu-

we should grow tired of him, although we did nothing but overwhelm him with caresses, and surround him with care and ally

courtesy.

seemed

him

that

he did not work we should

think him a useless appendage in the end, and for this reason

MILITARY

LIFE.

he tried to show us that he was good for something, or

was not lacking on

for nothing else, good-will

that, if

his part.

was even assailed and worried by the fear that he should seem

From

to us importunate.

time to time, while eating with

us,

seated on the ground around a tablecloth stretched on the grass,

becoming suddenly aware that he was being watched,

he was ashamed to

dare do

it,

turned scarlet, dropped his eyes, took

eat,

small mouthfuls, and

we did not

fill

his glass

he would not

remaining with his mouth quite dry during the en-

Sometimes, in the tent, while we were dropping he would asleep, suddenly be ashamed that he occupied so meal.

tire

much

space,

and would

sit

up and spread the straw here and

there toward our places, reserving only a small portion for himself,

then

lie

down

all

curled up in a bunch against the linen of

the tent, at the risk of catching of the draught. his thoughts

Not one

either,

some severe cold on account

of his acts escaped me, not one of

and

always tried to dispel his shame,

by addressing him gaily: "Well, Carluccio?" or by " Have no fear, I pinching his cheeks in a way that signifies either

am protecting you," and he instantly became reassured. Oh, what a tender pity his delicate sense of shame aroused within me " Poor Carluccio," I thought, when, the light still burn!

ing in the tent,

cloak,

and

"poor Carluccio

saw him quietly sleeping, all wrapped up in under a soldier's cap why have you no longer a mother? You.

his face half-hidden !

;

thought yourself alone on earth, and did not imagine that any

one could care for you father

No, Carluccio,

and mother there are the

piece of bread in their pockets

;

soldiers

;

for

boys without

they have only a

but as an offset they have

plenty of affection in their hearts, and dispense both freely to

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT,

any one in need. Sleep quietly, Carluccio, and dream of your mother be assured that she is looking down upon you, and is content that you are among us, because she knows that under ;

our rough cloaks beat hearts that resemble her own."

He camp

was always busy during the day.

went out of the

when they were prohibited him moving around among

to fetch water for the soldiers

from leaving

;

and one could see

the tents laden with flasks and bowls, quite red in the face

accompanied by a crowd of men who pressed around him, importuning him in

and dripping with thirsty

this wise

want mine

he did,"

perspiration,

Carluccio, " " first

no, mine

them back

One

canteen

And making

etc., etc.

or pushing "

;

flask,

Carluccio

"I gave you mine

;

signs for

them

keep

at a time, like

before quiet,

fellows."

good Be kind enough to move off a little, and let me breathe." Then he would wipe his brow and take breath, for he was really so ex:

hausted that he could do nothing more.

some to

soldier

hunted him up to have a

From

letter written

have him read and explain one received.

much

favor with

gravity.

moment, and then

He would "

say, gravely

time to time

home, or

always did this

be quite pensive for a

Let us see."

They

seated

tent, and with the forefinger stretched toward the sheet already written, or to be written finally, Carluccio,

themselves in the

;

turning up

his jacket sleeves, knitting his brows,

work, pursing up " signified

would

It is a serious affair,

assist

the tents, and he

first

would

set to

and uttering an inarticulate sound that

his lips,

but I will do what

one and then the other

had such

taste in

can."

in arranging

drawing the cords and

fastening the poles in the ground that one would have fancied

he had done nothing else

all his life.

MILITARY

When

men were

the

of the camp,

time the

drilling

LIFE.

he would withdraw to a corner

and from thence would watch

When

lasted.

drill

in ecstacy all the

drawn up

the regiment was

all

and handling their arms, the poor boy was greatly excited. That striking on the ground of one thousand five hundred muskets, in one blow, like a single musket rattle of the

thousand

hundred

five

;

and sharp

that long

fixed bayonets, removed,

that powerful tone of replaced, and sheathed in a moment command, and the profound silence of the lines, and all those ;

faces motionless

and

intent as statues

to shout, run,

and jump

;

the sight of those

him with

things fired his enthusiasm, filled

new

restlessness, a desire

but he never did this until after the

regiment had broken ranks, out of respect

for

it.

first

he contented himself with assuming heroic attitudes, and looking at us with his head raised and a proud glance, without

being aware of of his soul, like

presses us that the sense

and

When he

;

reproducing unconsciously the emotions

some one who,

we show by

ings

gay than usual.

of us "

would watch us

until

had

The

when we

we were

left,

all

even-

he was

he would

and outside the

tent he

lost to sight.

this gentle, affectionate

and thus

to the outposts "

Good-night, Mr. Officer

say, with a long look,

;

us a story, so imof our intent faces

heard the band he seemed quite crazy.

less

He had

in relating

movements

effect of his words.

when some one

soldiers

the

loved him.

way with

When

all,

officers

and

he passed among the

any company, he was called on all sides arms were him there was a jumping up and runwith letters in their hands after him soldiers "Carning by tents of

;

stretched out to detain

;

luccio, a

moment, a word, only a word."

gave the officers

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. the military salute,

and with an expression

spect, according to their grade,

tinguish from the very

When

fear.

two or

day.

;

The

trembled from head

his chin,

he was obliged to

;

he raised his eyes timidly, and put

;

colonel looked at him, placed his "

and said

luccio went nearly crazy

and stammering related

held the colonel in great

there was no time to hide himself

to his hat.

under

dis-

and even he himself could give no reason

look at and salute him

hand

less re-

But one day, while he was standing chatting with three soldiers near the tent of an adjutant, be-

hold the colonel suddenly appeared. to foot

more or

which he had learned to

he saw him in the distance he took to his heels or

hid behind a tent for this.

first

Good-by,

;

his

hand

good boy." Carus, and breathless

flew instantly to

this great adventure.

strange thing in a boy of his age was that he never took

advantage in the slightest degree of the familiarity with which

He was

treated him.

ful,

on the

days,

day when we picked him up on the road. Of day he spoke often, and always with tears in his

first

that fortunate eyes.

had

when

always docile, humble, and respect-

all

melancholy hours, too, especially on rainy the soldiers were gathered under the tents, and his

camp was as silent as a desert. At those times he seated himself under the tent with his face toward the openthe

and

ing,

luccio, of

his

eyes

fastened

he were counting the

That

come here beside me fond of you

and we

;

"I?

I asked.

Come

here,

ground "

Car-

Nothing."

poor Carluccio,

many who are Come and sit here

only one of the

but I love you for them

will talk together,

the

drops that fell inside.

what are you thinking?" not true," I said.

motionless

all.

and away with

all

melancholy."

MILITARY

9O began to

LIFE.

Yet they were attacks of melancholy that van-

cry.

ished quickly. VII.

In a corner of the ited

camp

there were two small houses, inhab-

by an excellent family of peasants,

which were estab-

lished the general quarters of the kitchens of

the four battalions. eight soldiers,

Fancy the confusion

between cooks and

the officers of

all

There were

six

scullions, for every kitchen

;

and consequently a continual squabbling between the former who did not know how todo any thing and wished to teach each other

how

do every thing

;

a continuous conflict be-

tween the others who were vying with each other in order to an incessant coming and going of orderlies

become cooks

;

to carry the dinner to the officers

on the outposts

;

and

peasants,

vendors, and stupefied gamins of the neighborhood.

In one of the empty rooms of one of those houses Carluccio

was placed when seized by the

many days from three

company. would die. all

in the

to five

fever,

which had raged for

regiment to such a degree, that every day

and seven

Carluccio had

The surgeon

soldiers it

were taken down

so badly that

in every

was feared he

and

of the regiment took care of him,

the rest of us lent our assistance.

Between the curtains and door of

his

room was a constant

coming and going of soldiers. They entered on tiptoe approached his bed quite slowly looked into his eyes, which he ;

;

moved

slowly around and half closed, or kept motionless for a

long time on the face of the persons without giving sign of recognition.

They called him by name, placed their hands on made signs to one another in order to express

his forehead,

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. their opinion

on the subject of the

" Carluccio,

how

to improve. " I am sorry

heads as

their

are you

invalid

;

then went off

door-way to look back again, and " " Poor creature if to say

in silence, stopped in the

went out shaking

little

asked one day when he began

he replied, but he

left his

reply un-

finished.

What

are

you sorry about ?

"I cannot

"What "

you do?"

can't

something," and he lowered his eyes and looked at my " The others do every thing shoes and trousers, and added : it

wished to say that the orderlies cleaned

all

our clothes

alone, without his being able to help them.

" "

And am

here,"

and

here

nothing

Then he made an

said,

voice full of

burden

effort to sit up,

tears

;

wish

but did not suc-

ceed, and his head sank back on his pillow, and he began to " If I could only black yours but I cry, murmuring :

cannot.

took

all

would

really

be better

were dead."

And

our efforts to comfort him. VIII.

Several of us officers used to gather at evening, seating ourselves near Carluccio's bed, til

midnight.

and we chatted on sometimes un-

There often came to us the communal counsellor

of a neighboring village, and the

regiment was occupying. age, very jovial,

owner of the land which our

They were two

little

men

of middle

very corpulent, and very passionate, be

un-

MILITARY

LIFE.

derstood, about the Italian cause, and quite anxious to make " friends with the "brave officers of the Italian army, excellent

whose goodness of heart showed

sort of people,

in their faces,

and who every day, before taking leave, never neglected to repeat most emphatically that with soldiers like ours the fortress Malghera could be taken with an assault of bayonets. " But believe us," we said, the thing is not as easy as it " " seems to you Oh," they replied, smiling with much dig-

of "

" nity,

the dash of the Italian soldier

And

ished the phrase with a gesture which signified

they

fin-

they could

perform many other miracles.

The

conversation ended unfortunately by always falling upon

the battle of Custoza, regarding which these two gentlemen

a most "

pitiless

When you

amount of think of

it,

had

curiosity.

a retreat must be a very sad sight

" !

the counsellor was wont to remark, in a melancholy tone. " Listen," my good friend Albert replied to him one evening (this

Albert was one of the most impetuous and dramatic talk-

ers in the regiment); "it is a trial in loss of

our

life

comparison with which the

our fondest hopes and the greatest disappointments of are as nothing, and this is the sorrow that filled our

souls that evening.

...

In the morning we were happy,

wild with joy,

filled

with an enthusiasm that brought tears to

our eyes and

made

us break out into the maddest shouts, so

impatient were we for the battle, so sure of conquering; and a few hours later behold the army so full of youth, life,

and daring,

many much

that

army

by the country, the

idolized

sacrifices, the object of so

trepidation

much

and so many hopes

;

fruit of so

care, the subject of so

a few hours

later,

con-

quered, disordered, and wandering over the country like a dis-

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

Ah, it is a spectacle that rends the soul, and Who will give us back the no which words can describe

banded herd

we had

hearts

faith, strength

enthusiasm

what

in the

morning

Who

.Who

one of us asked

back

will call

;

our pride,

to our eyes those tears of

will raise the edifice

the country say

will

on these ruins

And

Heavenly Father, the country

The mere thought fled back astonished we seemed to hear once more the cries and applause with which the population of ;

the cities

went

to '

lent

had accompanied us to the gates, that applause which our hearts and rilled them completely. Oh, be si'

said to ourselves

hearts are breaking.'

There followed a moment's "

What a

;

are soldiers, and our poor

silence.

rout there must have been that evening

" !

said the

counsellor.

"And much treat

your division?" asked the owner of the house with

sweetness

" ;

about what time did you begin to

The

tone in which the question was asked expressed the

strong desire to

know how

things really went, and not as they

were reported to have done by people and newspapers. officer

re-

understood, and replied

far as I

can remember,

the field shortly after sunset.

The

my division The

began to

retire

from

different corps arrived at

quick step from the different parts of the country at the road leading to Villefranche

;

here the ranks were broken, the regi-

ments mingled, every appearance of order was lost, and a tumultuous crowd rushed into the city, spreading rapidly through the principal streets, squares, alleys, and court-yards of the houses.

Burning with

thirst,

a great portion of the soldiers

MILITARY

94 rushed

first

the

with tremendous avidity and a cry of sav-

at the wells

age joy that

LIFE.

was absolutely

Ten, twenty,

startling.

their faces, the others with their chests

first,

thirty, the

on the backs

hung over the mouth of a well, their feet in the

air, at

and disputed with

the risk of falling headlong into the water,

trembling hands the rope, the bucket, the pole, pushing each other back with their elbows and by shoves and kicks, threatening to use their bayonets, and shrieking oaths and imprecations into each other's ears

ous arms, came in doubled,

when

all

;

until the bucket,

Then

sight.

the arms were bent

drawn up by ten

the cries

downward

vigor-

blows were

;

to seize

re-

first

;

appeared, twenty arms caught hold of it, ten burning mouths were nailed to its edges, drawn here and there, the it

water spilled over their faces, clothes, and the ground.

Who

has drunk

one

majority of the soldiers

and so

;

The

was everywhere.

had scattered over the country

some

;

comprehending the orders received, had not even entered Villefranche, and had taken the road in the

battalions, but half

direction of Goito

by paths through the

fields

the nucleus of the different corps remained, one colonel, flag-bearer, the majority of the officers, diers

;

The crowd which

not one of the band.

uttered deafening shouts

;

so that only

;

may

the

say

and a few

sol-

the street

filled

there was a calling in a loud voice,

a breaking through the crowd by means of pushes, a running hither

and

thither of officers to seize soldiers

collect

them around the

flag,

by the arm and

de-camp and couriers on horseback

;

the middle of the

square a hurried grouping of colonels and

staff-officers,

anxious questioning, a giving and revoking of orders ing,

and

their faces flaming, wearied, contorted,

try

a coming and going of aides-

;

all

and

pant-

full

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. Finally, as

consternation.

about thirty

soldiers,

good fortune willed it, followed by to file one by one among a row

who had

of carts and the last houses of the place, I got out into the I found my batopen country, on the road leading to Goito. talion again, reduced to a little more than two hundred sol-

diers,

and with these

resumed

march.

Little

little

grew very dark we could not see before or around us half of the road was filled with artillery and provender wagons, which ;

;

now and

stopped every

then, so that

was

all

one could do to

avoid breaking his head against points of the bars, and to keep

from under the wheels.

his feet

right at

and the

left

every step

;

of the road

There were ditches on the

mile-stones and heaps of stones

;

from time to time carts overturned

in the

mid-

and every kind of provision short within distances of each other the commis-

dle of the road, bags opened,

spread about

;

sary cart at a standstill, on

crowd of up.

soldiers

From

who blocked

a small light, and around the

way

of the persons

coming

time to time there was some major or staff-officer

who came upon us when we least expected it, and ill-luck to him who was not quick in getting out of the way. On all sides there were groups of soldiers

zigzag

;

of putting out our eyes, fallen asleep.

dust,

who

obliged the others to walk

every moment gunstocks which came

which

within an ace

and great knocks from those who had

There was a dense and continuous cloud of

filled

our eyes and mouths

;

a continuous shouting

of artillerymen against the civilian wagoners, who, quite dazed in the midst of that confusion, unluckily filled

angry screaming of the

officers,

together the remains of their

who were

own squads

up the road

;

trying in vain to get ;

soldiers

who

con-

tinually crossed from the fields to the road and from the road to

MILITARY

96 and

the fields, falling

the banks of the ditches

a confusion, a racket, a tumult that

fact,

in fact,

sight

down

rolling

LIFE.

an infernal night.

indescribable

a retreat

exertions of the day and,

completely exhausted me.

in so

was dead

all,

the violent

short a time,

tired

;

wagon where there was an empty place I took the moment when it stopped, jumped up on to it;

advantage of

;

men made room

rained

;

the sky

promised the fields

for

;

I seated myself,

leaned over, and

When I opened my eyes the day was beginning were within a few steps of the bridge of Goito.

to sleep.

to break.

had

caught sight

of an artillery

indeed a sad, sad

more than

emotions which we had experienced

went

;

was,

The

the

;

touched

clothes,

and they were wet.

looked

was covered by a great dark, massive cloud that for the entire day. I looked around through

rain ;

there

were quantities of soldiers walking slowly

along, with their heads lowered and their eyes on the ground.

Many it

them had taken the

linen of the tents

and had put

over their shoulders like a shawl, to protect themselves

from the water

;

many

others

who had

lost

their

knapsacks

and linen took refuge under that of a comrade, and so they walked two by two, arm in arm, with their heads completely enveloped

;

who had lost their caps had put on their others who had thrown away their knapsacks

others

handkerchiefs

;

carried their things in a bundle on the end of their bayonets

and

all

difficulty,

limping and stumbling at every moment.

now and

stopped every

resume

their

Some

then to lean against a tree or throw

themselves on the ground tle,

of them dragged themselves along with the greatest

;

then rose with

weary way.

difficulty, after a lit-

passed over the bridge

;

that

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

bridge upon which, a few hours before, an Austrian and an

drawn up, looking doggedly at each I entered Goito turned to the right on the principal What a spectacle met my eyes On the right and

sentinel stood

Italian

other.

;

street. left

of the street, at the corners, against the walls, under the

eaves, in the door-ways of shops fact,

and houses,

everywhere, in

were soldiers utterly exhausted from their march and

some standing with their shoulders leaning against the some sitting all doubled up, with their hands on

fast;

wall

;

their

knees and their chins in their hands and their eyes wandering here and there with a tired, sleepy look

others were

;

stretched out and fast asleep with their heads on their knap-

sacks

others

;

who nibbled

a piece of bread, holding

two hands and glancing around suspiciously, one were threatening to come and drag it away from in their

teeth

;

others

tightly if

some

their very

re-arranged the things in their knapsacks, or

slowly and listlessly dried their arms on the folds of the cloaks. Meanwhile the street swarmed with soldiers who were going

toward Cerlungo.

Many, glancing here and there with a

astonished, half-frightened face,

passed on

;

side the wall, threw their knapsacks carelessly

themselves

down on

them

half-

others stopped be-

down, and

bundles of rags.

let

From time

one of those lying down, raising himself on his elbows, rose to his feet with a great effort, and joined and conto time

way with the first soldier of his regiment whom he At the doors of the few shops which were open, by.

tinued his

saw pass there was a continual appearance of soldiers by threes, fours, and ten at a time, and a persistent demand for something to eat, for which they would gladly pay, and they stretched out their

hands

show the money.

There

nothing more,'

re-

MILITARY

LIFE.

plied a compassionate voice at the

boys, but there

sorry,

nothing here either

;

end of the shop

nothing.'

nothing anywhere,

before certain dens of

cafe's,

;

another shop, then

they saw the

;

In passing

in fact.

officers

sleeping

with their arms crossed on the table and their heads resting

their

and

arms

;

there were three or four heads on every table,

in the centre glasses, bottles,

and

bits of nibbled bread.

Some

with their heads on their hands looked out into the

street

with their eyes fixed and staring

pallid,

and the

waiters, erect at the

arms crossed over

all

end of the establishment,

their breasts, stood looking

The openings

with an air of sadness. filled

they were

sad,

faces like those of people after an illness

distorted

;

their

the scene

of the side streets were

with carts and horses, around which people were silently

employed, the soldiers of the train and the

Meanwhile several principal

batteries of

and

street,

that

artillery

common

wagoners.

passed through the

grave and slow passage, the dull,

monotonous noise of the wagons which made the window panes rattle, those robust artillery men so pensive, and serious, enveloped in their great gray cloaks,

Many

profound sadness. cers,

came slowly behind

column and

did.

carriages

filled one's

heart with a

containing wounded

offi-

the artillery, stopping every time the

But aside from the noise of the wagons

carriages, over all Goito reigned a mortal silence like that

of an uninhabited city.

"The

had encamped on the left of the road leading from Goito to Cerlungo, and which goes on along the right bank of the Mincio. The camp had a corps of

division

Nothing was to be seen but a few groups scattered here and there, who were unfolding their

melancholy of soldiers

air.

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. wet tents and cleaning their clothes and arms. were under the tents arrived of their sticks,

;

every moment

99 All the others

fresh bands of soldiers

and wandered uncertainly around the camp in search company and as the majority had lost their knapsacks, ;

and

tent,

they stood there near the tents of the com-

hands folded, mortified and annoyed, looking air of lost travellers. No sound of a drum,

panies, their

around with the

trumpet, or voice, was heard, nor any noise

in shutting

;

eyes you would have fancied the whole army was

your

sleeping.

"Having reached the camp of my regiment, I went into my tent and threw myself down (without saying one word), beside

my comrades, who had

who have "

even look one

each other, nor speak, nor

not salute

did

another in the face lost their

we were

;

been there for more than an hour.

mute and motionless as people

memory.

Suddenly, we heard a sharp cry a few steps from the tent

another cry farther away

;

a third nearer

still

;

dred, a thousand voices broke out in concert on

ten, all

;

one hun-

sides of the

camp, and we could hear the noise of hurrying steps. What could it be ? We dashed out of the tent. Oh, what a magnificent spectacle

The whole regiment was running

rapidly tow-

ard the road leading to Goito, and not only ours, but those

th*e

right

and

left

of us,

and the others

cipitated themselves toward the road as

an entrenchment.

farthest away, pre-

changed, trembling, radiant, and they were cries of joy,

all

sides

for the assault of

looked in the soldiers' faces all

;

they were

uttering loud

and prolonged noisy bursts of applause broke out of the camp. We flew toward th road two ;

carabineers on horseback with bare swords passed riage appeared

;

ever/ head was bared,

all

arms

;

a car-

raised,

one

MILITARY

100

LIFE.

powerful shout burst from the thousand mouths of the multitude

;

the carriage passed, and the soldiers turned back.

But the entire aspect of the camp was instantly changed faith and hope seemed revived no one entered the tents on all ;

;

and

sides there rose

and

lasted until evening a tumult full of gaiety

The bands played marches

life.

of our enthusiasms

again

;

the dear old friends

and our hearts experienced

the sublime intoxication of the days before. '

fight

still

Who

was

said

' ;

will fight still "

in that carriage

for a

moment

'Oh we

will

asked Carluccio, with intense

curiosity.

The

king." IX.

Finally Carluccio got up, and the came day the physician

held the following conversation with us "

dear gentlemen,

ought to return exertion

home.

may prove

a few days,

I feel

fatal.

shall turn

bound cured

Perhaps

you that

to tell ;

this

boy

but the slightest over-

peace

declared within

our backs on Venice, go to Ferrara,

from Ferrara, heaven only knows where

;

shall

be obliged and even

to accept the trifle of a fifteen or twenty days' march,

more, and

impossible that this boy should follow us

;

needs quiet and repose, and not to march seven hours a day,

and sleep on the ground.

This

convalescent

therefore.

;

not the

life

for a

boy who

You must provide something

else."

And

time, but

left

us.

thought the subject over for some

no matter how much we

the physician

had

said,

we could

tried to get

find

away from what

no good reason

for oppos-

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

IOI

There was an indisputable necessity for the boy to return home, but how was it to be managed ? But to what

ing him.

home was he

poor fellow

to return,

No, that was not to be thought

die of a broken heart.

where then could we send him consultation about

In his home he would

discussed

it,

thought

but

of,

over, held a

and did not succeed

coming to any definite conclusion about the matter, and we were on the point of paying no attention to the advice of the doctor,

when an

officer

from Padua, a young fellow who had enough

heart to give a portion to the entire regiment and sufficient for himself,

I will attend to the matter,

name and where he

family

;

mother, and

I will

lives.

I will write

he were protected by

but

word

The

;

retain

must know

his family

put him under the protection

home

to-day on the subject.

friends he could return to his step-

there were any need of

will that

still

it,

we would

house and keep him as long as necessary

into the

came out with the following

;

take

him

I give

you

" ?

proposal was received with a general

Very good,

in-

deed," and a great slapping on the back of the proposer, which

took off

all

the dust that

had gathered on

his jacket

during

the manoeuvres.

"But now

the difficult part comes," he added, disengaging

himself from us with a couple of well-bestowed pinches. " What is it ? " we asked.

"To I

persuade him."

resolved to assume the responsibility,

That evening, before chatting about

trifles

officer raised his

claimed

and we separated.

sunset, while ten or twelve of us stood

near the commissary's booth, the Paduan

voice above the racket of the group, and ex-

MILITARY

102 "

LIFE.

new

armistice has been concluded " camp ; who is coming to see Venice ? " " I we all replied in one voice.

we can

;

leave the

Shall

we go immediately

"Yes, immediately."

And

all

moved.

come with us

Carluccio,

From our camp,

;

are going to see Venice."

situated in the neighborhood of Mestre,

Venice could not be seen

but in

;

reached a point from which

much

less

was clearly

than an hour we

visible

that point,

;

which you turn from the highway leading from Padua to Mestre, toward Venice, into a little road which, on a high at

inn well

known and dear

la-

a group of country houses, and an

for the sake of

two of the

prettiest

faces that I have ever seen since I possessed this pair of

little

eyes.

took the road to Padua, and started in the direc-

tion of those houses.

was the

last of the houses,

self to view.

fore,

Fusina on the banks of the

embankment, goes as far goon. At that point there

had scarcely passed the inn, which when Venice suddenly presented it-

The majority

when we approached

beat furiously.

shall

of us

had never seen

;

and, there-

the hamlet, our hearts began see

last,

to this

thought,

about which we have so often dreamed, which

blessed

city,

we have

often sighed for and invoked

and the minutes and seconds, looking Finally some one shouted smiling.

We at

counted our

steps,

one another and

and

There

" it is

All stopped

blood was in a tumult.

;

a shiver ran from head to foot,

one opened his mouth.

Before us was stretched an immense tract of barren, uncultivated land,

scattered

here and there with fords and

large

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

swamps, beyond which we could see gleaming in the tance a bit of the lagoon, and beyond the lagoon, Venice. to us, as

appeared which gave

enormous bridge the fort of San Giorgio

distance,

and mysterious appearance.

a delicate

dis-

through a thick mist, pale blue in color,

that light,

left,

to the right,

;

away

and farther

still,

in the

the

dim

other forts

scattered along the lagoons, which looked like black specks.

was an enchanting spectacle The place all around was a deserted and light breeze that was blowing, rustling strongly It

;

through the neighboring

one spoke

Venice. " jolly

don't let

you

was the only sound

trees,

were absorbed

will,

much

be heard.

companions, a

and

given to the bottle "

but as nice as possible.

Who

stop here and get sentimental.

in the contemplation of

suddenly shouted one of

fellow, rather too

good

sprees,

;

Come, now

all

Come, now, will

have a

drop of wine ? Some one shouted "I," and the others assented with their Carluccio ran to the inn, and

heads.

seated ourselves on

the edge of the dyke turned toward Venice. "

Here

the consoler of the afflicted

friend, pointing to the

Take hold

known

that

when we is

wine which arrived

of the bottle

military

are in

and up with the

men do

company

;

not to be wondered at

we if

" !

exclaimed

glasses

that " !

tipple with our eyes shut

after a

few moments some

;

felt in

Paduan, teach us a beautiful barcarolle, you who many and shriek them into our ears from morning

say,

It is well

not mind a drop more or less

the mood for singing. "

know

moment.

until night,

whether we wish to hear them or not."

MILITARY

104

And

the others joined in

all

" :

LIFE.

Yes, teach us a beautiful bar-

carolle." "

Oh, apply to him," replied the Paduan, pointing to one of neighbors, who was something of a tenor and a poet.

his

Make him They

all

improvise a romance, that

approved

chorus

his profession."

Courage, Mr. Poet, out with

the romance, out with the music, out with the voice, or out with

some banter." think

poem

all

whom

friend, to

these words were addressed,

in his head, because

composed

had

he accepted the

and with too manifest pleasure, but

invitation too promptly

he did not bring out any thing but very ordinary verses, camp verses, which means rather labored stuff. " We want a guitar ." at all events

But where can we get a guitar " Wait wait," shouted a third,

inn. all

guitars

starting off

grow here

on a run

short time after, he returned, guitar in hand.

" ?

for the "

It is

very well to talk about not finding a guitar here within a few

miles of the city of gondolas and love."

The tude "

;

poet (pray pardon him) took the guitar, struck an all

atti-

gathered around him, were silent and expectant.

Listen

;

first I will

recite the verses

and

refrain; then I will

sing the verse and you others the refrain." " " All right," they all replied ; start off with the left foot."

And

the poet began

Pur

saluto anch'

io,

O Venezia immortale Che

infinite desio,

Cara, ion' avea nel cor Che divino m" assale

Entusiasmo

amor

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

IO5

"What nonsense what nonsense interrupted our jovial " to drink what *s this stuff ? the had made who proposal friend, to be gay give us want we We don't want any melancholy, !

;

a barcarolle

go along with your

;

All those

yourselves

and your

dear poet

little

observed,

There

bility in the air of

immor-

Do you

think

more than was good

for

make clowns

wish

really a chance of

with this proba-

it,

being obliged to sheathe our swords and

who knows

take once more the road to Ferrara, and return

whither to lead the poppy-like sort of

ought to turn clowns

The

his sentiments loudly.

Fine taste," !

who had taken

them approved

desire

tal," that you. are improvising, "

we look sentimental

life

of a garrison

" !

sentimental part of the

company were

opinion

Half moved

the party was divided. lighted cigars,

the world

"We

;

and continued

the others took

will sing

off a

few steps from

to tipple with

up the interrupted

song.

you a refrain too, Messrs. Snivelling Poets

laughed. Sing, do," replied our party.

And

the poet (pray pardon him) resumed

Che

divino m" assale

Entusiasmo

And

the chorus

amor

Si,

Venezia immortale,

1" abbiam

tutti nel cor.

us,

the best grace in

shouted one of the merry-makers, raising his glass "

;

and

the revellers insisted on their rights, the poet held firm,

the rest

" !

all

MILITAR Y LIFE.

And

the revellers

Che poeta bestiale Che cane di tenor

And

then a laugh

Carluccio's small voice, tremulous

harmonious, was distinctly heard among

Then

the song began again

all

and

the others.

Ma pur

mentr' io

canto e

miro

sorrido,

Perche un lievo sospiro Come di mesto amor,

non di giola un grido Prorompe dal mio cor ?

Then

the chorus

Ti guardo, ti sorrido, Ma non ho lieto il cor.

The

tipplers

Invece

E At

this point there

la rido,

was a great clinking of glasses, and anthe sun had disappeared, and

other loud outburst of laughter the breeze blew

partito miglior.

;

freshly than ever.

Ah Che

da questa contrada

in noi si affida e spera

Ah non la nostra Non italo valor, !

spada,

una

virtu straniera

Cacciera

Then

the chorus

oppressor

mesta

la sera

Quanto

Con

presagio in cor

tal

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. And

the sponges

IO/

Che squisito barbera Che spuma Che color !

These two others

;

last verses

seemed

were sung with

less vivacity

than the

the solitude of the place, and the dying

day, and the sight of Venice, which began to be peopled with lights, filled

little

even the hearts of the most thoughtless ones with

melancholy.

O madre, sul tuo seno Vorrei chinar la testa E

sciorre al pianto

E infonder nel

freno,

tuo cor

Questa dolcezza mesta Che mi sembra dolor.

And

the chorus

Vorrei chinar la testa

Di mia madre

Then two

sul cor.

voices of the other group

Non mi romper la testa, Fammi questo favor.

The twice.

The

others no longer laughed.

The

revellers improvised

toward Venice.

last verse

all

turned

sang the fourth verse a fourth time

Carluccio was singing no longer

;

but

he understood the meaning had touched his heart. The hour, the ;

poor boy, and it place, and that slow and melancholy music had of

was repeated

no more words, and

it,

filled his

soul

What do you keep your

face

with a sudden sadness. "

What

hidden

the matter, Carluccio

your hands for?"

whispered

in his ear.

MILITARY

IOS "

Nothing "

Listen.

who would

Suppose we should give you another mamma,

looked

Well

later

so despairing, that "

What

had

finished.

talked to him

at the grass

He made no "

about him.

Well

reply,

" ?

we heard

a burst of weeping so violent,

made our

hearts tremble.

the matter

asked the others.

Just what was to have been expected."

silent,

low voice, and he listened quietly to me.

sprang up, ran to the bank, and hid on the other side of

A moment "

with wide-stretched eyes.

but went on plucking

you

asked when

really love

for a long time in a " "

it.

LIFE.

and Carluccio's sobs were

They were

all

distinctly heard.

must cry himself out," said one poor fellow it will do him good."

;

"it

better for him,

;

They

took up the song again

madre, sul tuo seno

Vorrei chinar la testa

sciorre al pianto il freno, infonder nel tuo cor

Questa dolcezza mesta

Che mi sembra

dolor.

Between every verse we could hear the mournful,

tired sobs

of the poor child.

The "

spectacle of Venice at that moment was divine. " said one of our number suddenly. All stopped

Silence

and strained

their ears

;

the wind brought us

now and

then the

feeble sound of drums.

Paduan.

the fanfara of the Croats of Malghera," exclaimed the

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.

were

all

motionless for a long time, without exchanging

one word, our hearts oppressed at the sound of that sad and inimical music, which

seemed

sorrows of the saddened lives in vain.

to relate to us, derisively, the

which we had offered up our

city, for

would be quite useless to try and tell of the weeping fits suffice it to say that more despair and prayers of Carluccio

;

than once our pity was so aroused that we were on the point of

But it was a question of his health, abandoning our project. The idea, however, of a good family and we did not yield.

would protect him, put him to school, and send him out every day to walk with the small brothers of the officer, and that

which,

necessary,

would take him

into the

house

like a son,

and already looked upon him as such, mitigated his grief, especially after we had read to him an affectionate letter from the mother of his host, in which there were a thousand promises

and assurances

that Carluccio

would be the dearest object

affection, and which produced such an effect upon him, that after having tried again and again to turn us from our resolution, he resigned himself to the bitter ne-

of her care

and

cessity, sighing

"Well!

After a few days

Padua.

then, I will return

we broke up camp and

set

home !"

out en route for

arrived there one beautiful morning at sunrise.

entered by the Portello and passed through nearly the same

streets

we had

tain point

traversed the

we saw

the

first

Paduan

time.

Upon

officer leave the

reaching a cerranks and start

in the direction of the entrance of a fine house, holding by the hand Carluccio, who was pressing his handkerchief to his eyes. When they were at the door the boy stopped, turned toward us

M1LITAR Y

1 1

and

his face streaked with tears,

LIFE, raising

one hand with a con-

vulsive gesture, he shouted between his sobs : " Good-by, regiment good-by, Mr. Officers

and

Good-by,

you "

all

All so

Good-by

good

passing.

good-by

Good-by

to you, little one. "

good-by

soldiers

always remember

" !

Good-by, Carluccio "

I shall always,

the officers

and

soldiers replied in

to the son of the regiment

not forget us

Good-luck

revoir.

Good-by

The poor

boy, not being able to say another word, continued

to salute the officers, soldiers,

and

flag,

his

waving

arm

;

and

then disappeared suddenly, covering his face with his hands.

never saw him again from that day forth

;

but the

regi-

ment preserved for a long time the recollections of the little adopted son, and every soldier bore in his heart, from garrison to garrison, the

memory

of that lovely affection, just as he

carried the roses from the gardens of his bayonet.

had

Padua on the point of

THE CONSCRIPT. IT was a Sunday, toward

weather was very beautiful.

Almost

all

the soldiers

five o'clock in the evening,

The

had gone

and the

barracks were nearly empty. to

walk about the

city

;

the

few who remained, part in the dormitories dressing themselves, down in the court-yard waiting, were about to start off

part too

those

;

down below

crying from time to time,

Make

and those above replying, "In a moment," while perhaps they were trying to buckle on their belts so tightly as to Even the conscripts, who had only give them a slender waist.

haste,"

joined the regiment two days before, had gone out in part,

while the rest were on the point of leaving in sixes, eights, and tens together, pale

cloaks

all

and

bunched up,

serious, their caps

their

on crookedly,

their

hands wide-stretched and stuck

into a pair of big white gloves that looked like those the boxers

wear

;

and the soldiers of the guard, seated on a bench

at the

door of the barracks went on making remarks about them as they passed, although the sergeant grumbled from time to "

Leave those poor fellows in peace The officer of the guard, stretched on the bed in a room on the first floor,

time

was glancing over a newspaper. In the farthest corner of the court there was a conscript all

alone, seated

on the steps of a door, with

knees and his chin on his hands.

his

elbows on his

followed his comrades

1 1

MILI TAR V

LIFE.

one by one with his eyes as they went out, and when no one was passing he looked steadfastly on the ground. He had the air of one of those good fellows

who

much

leave with

pain the family and village where they were born, but to act as soldiers full of resignation

and

come

The con-

good-will.

law which enforces this duty, the fact that their names

cise

had been placed on the conscript list, the examples of their and their comrades, afford them justification for such

fathers

a course to

said,

tigations

more is

and, in fact, as their king calls them, there

;

and no one

permitted to

But on

on the subject.

make any

his face there

nothing

further inves-

was something

of that expression, half pensive, half astonished, which

peculiar to conscripts during the

melancholy.

first

few days

;

there was

Perhaps he was repenting not having wished to It is always rather sad to stop at home

go out with the others.

on Sunday when the weather is fine. Gradually the quarters were deserted, and an absolute

silence

reigned.

corporal in fatigue dress, hastily crossing the court, sees

the conscript, stops, and asks him brusquely " What are you doing there with your hands folded " " I ? replies the conscript. :

" ?

repeats the corporal, drawling, and assuming a stupid " This is curious ! To whom are you expression of face. I

speaking

now ?

the

moon

when you speak to your The conscript rose to "

Who

are "

you

Yes, you.

rise to

your feet

superiors." his feet.

and what company do you belong

" ?

Company ? " Company ? asked the corporal " tone. Do you know that you are a "

And

in his turn, in a

mocking

great blockhead,

you

" ?

THE CONSCRIPT. He approaches,

113

him by the edge of his jacket, and, givmakes him tremble, says " Look look ing how you have spoiled your coat by sitting on the ground like a it

seizes

a great pull which

beggar."

The "

conscript begins to clean his jacket with his hand.

Look what

a state your shoes are in

" !

and he gives him a

kick on the top of his toes.

The

draws out his handkerchief and bends to dust

soldier

his boots. "

Arrange that cravat,

The

conscript raises his

going over your ears."

seizing him by the cravat, he throws him to the ground.

gives

hand

And, him a shake that nearly

to his cravat.

Put that cap on better." And he carries his hand to his cap. "

And draw up

them

those trowsers

you don't wish

in a week, straighten the buttons of

those earrings which

are

ridiculous,

to spoil

your coat, take out

and don't stand there

with your chin on your chest so that you look like a monk,

and don't

stare at people with that idiotic face.

The poor young fellow went on touching with trembling hands now his cravat, now his trousers, now the buttons, now his

cap

;

and he did not succeed

more he worked the the vivandiere,

who was young and

stopped, heartless

woman,

all

shames

completely, trifled a

and then

felt his

little

woman

The poor

any thing, for the At that moment

pretty, passed,

to look at him.

lous in the eyes of a beautiful

tormenting of

in doing

he accomplished.

less

To Ah,

and she

appear ridicuit

the most

conscript lost his

head

longer with his cravat and buttons,

arms drop,

his chin sink

his breast,

and

MILITAR Y

his eyes

drop to his

LIFE.

and he stood motionless as a

feet,

statue,

utterly annihilated.

The

vivandiere smiled and went away.

corporal, look-

him and shaking his head with an air of scornful com" on repeating You ape You ape "

ing at

miseration, went

Then low,

The

and quickly

and how we

raising his voice

You must wake we

up,

dear

fel-

wake you, I assure you Imprisonment and bread and water,

too, or else

will

" :

shall

;

bread and water and imprisonment, alternating, just so as not

Remember

to tire you.

that.

Now

go to your bed and clean

march

your clothes

command by

reinforced the

raising his

arm with the

forefinger pointing toward the window of the dormitory.

"But "

"I have "

Silence

" !

not

Hold your tongue, ;

people

tell

off

are speaking to "

do you see it ? Oh, what people oh, what

there "

;

" !

when you

you, is

mumbling Poor army Poor Italy

Mr. Corporal

The

or the prison

your superiors And he moved "

timidly exclaimed the conscript.

corporal turned and pointed to the prison again with a

pair of terrible eyes. " I

wanted to ask something." tone was so quiet and respectful that he could not do

The less

" "

than allow him to speak.

What do you want I

wished to ask

" ?

regiment an officer from

know

there.

you knew

my home

that there ;

was here

there must be, but

in this

do not

THE CONSCRIPT. "

Ilg

From your home ?

your stamp,

If people from your place are all of be hoped that you are the only one in the

it is

regiment."

And "

shrugging his shoulders he "

What manners

him

moved off. murmured

the conscript

sadly, looking at

went away. Yet they certainly told " he But here," added, seating himself again. as he

treat us so

What

are

lead five years of this "

much

and he covered

He court

to himself

was

" is

and saw three "

And

in the tone of a priest "

to the quick .

Who

in this state

at the

" !

end of the

soldiers of the

guard

talking.

the three began saying.

Where have you she has certainly found some

Look, look, what eyes

this time.

then

who

all

three exclaimed in one voice,

saying mass

;

fellow turned pale

" :

Oh, what a block-

they had touched him

he could not control himself any longer

is this

soldiers

face to the

;

man

in love

to himself, going to the

The

too

The poor young rose.

Poor thing,

of consoling herself "

head

much

thinking of his sweetheart.

tell us.

making

could see

him and laughing and

way

you are

too

hands and. thought

her

poor people by a burst of laughter

;

left

If they

why do they And we have to

it is

his face with his

Oh, what a great blockhead

in love.

that he

raised his eyes

;

Oh,

startled

who were looking

Are we dogs

of his distant family.

he said

life

" ?

saw him and

fled

;

window and looked

the soldier too,

the officer of the guard said

window with

his

newspaper

in his

hand.

the conscript raised his anxious at him.

The

officer

and seeing him give a sign of

looked at

attention, then

MILITARY

Il6

LIFE.

one of surprise and contentment without even taking his eyes " Who can this original be ? " he thought, as he from him :

went down into the court and walked up to him. " Why are you laughing and twisting your hands about

" ?

asked in a severe tone.

And

the soldier, although a

trifle

embarrassed, continued to

smile.

But do you know you are an

are laughing at

"Well,"

idiot

the

replied

dropping

conscript,

pulling at his coat with both his hands

were

ask you what you

in this regiment,

;

his

you went away

;

that

too.

but I recollect you I

knew

and

eyes

knew

and they have sent me here

won't remember me, of course three years since

;

you

You is

you, and your family

know

us, though we lived near you, and in the morning I always saw you pass when you went hunting, we came from the same place, you see." and

too

but you did

;

n't

...

now

I understand," replied the officer, looking at

attentively to see

who he could

be.

you had gone to be an officer when you went away, and that you had entered the college, ^and then you did not

knew

him

that

come back.

Since then they have

made over

the

facade of the dome, and opened a cafe in the square, almost as large as this court,

Wait, wait

"Yes!" "You lived the town,

and I

it is

always

remember.

in that little

full of

Is n't

people."

your name Renzo

" ?

house next the church outside

I think."

Exactly mill."

;

now

In the

little

house outside the town, opposite the

THE CONSCRIPT. And " like

he could hardly contain himself for

remember very

being a soldier

The

joy.

me, how do you

tell

" ?

conscript's face

and was

And

well.

changed instantly

;

he dropped his eyes

sileat.

Why did n't you go out to walk with the others ? He made no reply, and looked at his nails as if thinking

he should say

The

officer

understood, and in an affable voice, which went

straight to his heart, asked " "

What

what

but one could read his thoughts on his face.

;

the matter

This loosened his tongue, and growing more and more animated, he began in a trembling voice

Mr.

Officer

matter,

the

;!...!

but they treat us in a

you ask

trouble.

and then they say things keep quiet or

else

there

:"!...;

way

hurts us

that

yet

they ought to have a

little

more patience with

of us before people, put their

and we have

to bear

it all,

do not see why they ill-treat us so. I will do soldier, and said to myself I

ors will like

is it

You know we came on purpose

it ?

give us blows,

the prison there (and he imitated

know how

they

that

;

but we have only been here two days, and

make fun

;

any thing, they do not reply us that offend us, and we have to

don't

Can we help

the

understand perfectly that we to dress, and that we cannot be good soldiers

the voice of the corporal).

;

listen,

know what

don't

;

but

get accustomed to to be so maltreated.

now that I it, we shall

see

us, I think.

hands on

and

Then

us,

and they laugh.

came

our fault

to learn,

willingly to

and .

be a

my duty, and my superi.

not notice

it,

Perhaps when but it hurts us

have been accustomed to home, and

1 1

MILITAR Y LIFE.

our family hurts us

;

These

;

every one liked " does hurt us

last

and

us,

here, instead

...

words were uttered

a really disconsolate tone

and then he stopped and dropped

his

eyes, continuing

;

mutter to himself.

The

officer

allowed some moments to pass in silence, lighted

a cigar, and then, in a careless way, as

he had not under-

stood or did not wish to understand any thing, he said " Draw up your cravat a little (and he helped him to do so) :

;

that

right.

The end

soldier turned ; the officer seized " of his coat. Your coat must have

be as smooth as a

turned

corset.

sideways, for

little

and

must

This way

looks better."

head, and

when you

you did when you played " our court, do you remember ? He smiled, and nodded in the affirmative."

step off freely

;

Turn."

The conscript smiled. " And stand erect, hold up your in

and drew down the no wrinkles

the officer arranged his cap,

;

Turn around."

easily, as

walk,

bowls

Well, then," continued the officer, leaning against the wall "

and putting one leg over the other look every one in the face, because you need not fear any one, or be ashamed of ;

yourself.

Do you

understand

Even

are to raise your head and look '

say

It is I.'

show

The

in this

soldier

him

It is self-respect,

the king passed, you

full in

and we

the eyes, as

soldiers

must always

way, remember."

nodded

in the affirmative

and began

grow

composed. "

And remember,

too, that as

soon as you enter the barracks,

THE CONSCRIPT.

you must change your way of speaking few words, but frank, loud, and sonorous, with any one who addresses you yes and ;

and no and yes

no,

much

you have nothing

When you

the better.

you were

and

in church,

are in the ranks

silent

when

;

else to say, so

exactly as

it is

the ranks are broken,

you are at home, and if the others joke, you must do so too, and not merely stand and look on, because this makes you sad dash right into whatever is going on. Then you must like ;

warm

your comrades, for you will find assure you

you

will find

You

will see

;

a brother.

young

thing, but of heart never. "

No,

who

among them,

will love

may be a great Have you a

there

;

friends

fellows

you

lack of every" pipe ?

sir."

you could smoke. And when a superior scolds if he is wrong, listen right, listen and take heed just the same, and don't take it to heart, because in this world we if

If so,

all

;

have our defects, and

may

take in scolding sometimes

you must not think that

;

do wrong

the officers

all

hearts, are angry with you,

all

but always

and wish

;

we make a

who harm

mis-

And

disobey.

scold have bad

you.

There

nothing more untrue. These rough people have better hearts than the others, and like you, and if they were taken away

from you, you would

They

shout, scold

it is

;

ing more, believe me.

than the others.

weep.

That

Yes

;

all

You

die of melancholy in

a habit, an affair of the lungs

You

will

will see,

have seen so many.

end by

liking

days.

noth-

;

them better

when you go away they saw them

Custoza

will .

went so badly ? saw a captain who was the terror of

battle that

fifteen

and no one could bear him, but they were

all

his

company, wrong not one ;

MILITARY

120

man

fell

that he did not run to help him, look at his

and cheer him '

captain

;

captain

his coat.

don't leave me, captain

And

;

' !

the sufferers

arm and by the end

his

;

I will

stay here with

courage, courage, boy, your captain

Do you

not leave you.' ?

him by

boy,' he replied

you are cured

until

will

was

No,

wound,

he was always in motion though tired to death.

shouted, as they seized

you

LIFE.

man

understand what a

that

him you must not judge from many and pity those who seem bad, and be grateful

there are

;

appearances

;

to the good,

and above every thing respect

all,

because they are

soldiers, and any day we may see them die under our eyes like valiant men. When we love any one we gladly bear any kind of life, remember that. Ask, look about you, and make your

comrades

tell

you

this

;

you

will see

that the best soldiers al-

ways loved their superiors. Take, for instance, the soldier what was his name ? the soldier, Perrier, in '48, who threw himself between his to the

officer

and the enemy, and

ground with three balls in his breast, shouting

member me, my good

fell '

Re-

happy in having saved And that other grenadier, I do not recall his name, your life than abandon his wounded captain, allowed himrather who, If you do self to be beaten to death with bayonets, shouting officer

;

die

not

kill

me,

not leave him to you.'

I will

Then

the other

eight or ten who, under a shower of bullets, at the battle of Rivoli,

body

went and dragged from the hands of the Germans the him with their own

of their officer, as they wished to bury

own camp. Then are names and deeds whose printed in a hunmany dred books, and remember them all and love them as if they " Have you a match ? were living.

hands, and give him the last honors in their so

others,

THE CONSCRIPT. The

and handed

"When

to that point

will teach

and certain scantiness

in a

in the living of the soldiers

so you must think of these things and they and you, who are a good sort of fellow, will ;

you keep them in mind, won't you ;

" ?

a sign in the affirmative, as he could not

made

conscript

speak for a moment. "Certainly," continued the

officer,

"in order to be a good

one must look above the barracks and the parade

soldier,

Then, there

ground.

so heavy at

little

to him.

are quite forgotten

one thinks of these things and has any heart, certain

troubles,

The

had seemed

wondering ecstacy, hurriedly drew out a match

state of gaping,

little

who up

conscript,

121

little

first, it

The knapsack

every thing in habit.

and such a torment

becomes a

And

trifle.

tainly don't live like princes, that

well

the food

known

;

but

You

cer-

say so

all

they

;

but you must

have patience, patience, patience, which is the great virtue of a soldier, and not complain and whimper, as some do, with

and without reason, of is

and be content with

ing

when

spirit

man

appetite

;

and every thing

Then

;

but eat what there

the appetite

never lack-

works, does his duty, and has a contented is

and indolent who contented.

all

little.

a great cook.

They

are only the listless

find fault with every thing,

I see that

good

fellows always

and are never

make good

soldiers,

because their superiors like them, their comrades esteem them, their towns-people respect them,

who

and there are some of them

have never been but one day under arrest, their numero diciotto white and clean as a hand-

in five years

and have

left

kerchief

and you

The

;

will

be one of

soldier assented quickly.

these, won't

you

" ?

MILITARY

122 "

Bravo

Now

LIFE.

don't think our profession

there are flowers for those

who know where

thorns

all

to look

;

for them,

and good soldiers find them. Learn to do your duty well, always be clean, respectful, and willing, and from your captain and officers

will

you

hear certain 'bravos

that will

go to your heart,

and increase your appetite and good spirits. The days will pass quickly. Then, in five years, no one knows what may happen they might make you change garrison ten times, and then time ;

flies,

and the months seem days. You

the country, mountains, seas, a

new places

will see

new and varied

cities,

all

world,

our

which you now only know by name churches, palaces, gardens and in your leisure hours

beautiful country statues,

Italy

;

go to see every thing, in order to

tell

every thing to

your family and friends when you return home.

In the sum-

you

will

mer we go into camp, eight, ten, twenty regiments, cavalry and artillery, and ^ou will see what a beautiful sight a camp is what a noise, what gaiety, and how much life there will be every ;

and the great manoeuvres, and the fetes they have before breaking camp, with music and dancing, tombolas, races and all day,

;

and generals join in the fun and amuse themselves with the soldiers, and all the people in the country round about the officers

come

to see the sight

know

all

friends

And

all

;

and clap

their hands.

Then you

will

the soldiers of the corps, you will have a quantity of the regiment will

seem

the honors bestowed

upon

one great family to you.

the regiment will

seem

belong to you, and you will be as proud of your old colonel as you would be of a father. When you see the flag appear in

drawn up in line, and the bands begin to play the march of the corps, and all present arms, you will feel your heart beat with joy and pride, and you will tremble with front of the battalion

THE CONSCRIPT. emotion.

Little

little

become fond

will

you

123 of every thing

of your arms, your uniform, your trencher, of this court, this

When you are ready to go away, and staircase, these walls. have already been to take leave of your captain, officers, sergeants,

and

all

the other soldiers that treat

you 'good-by, a throb as

in the street,

dows '

fine journey,

when you

did

you

remember

home

;

us,'

your heart

will

down

then when you are

turn to look for the last time at the win-

will

of the barracks,

left

you kindly say

and you

will stop

and say once more

O my

second paternal home, where I have loved so many friends, where I have passed so many beautiful days with a clear conscience, where I have thought so much of, and Farewell

sighed so often farewell

What

The

for,

my dear ones

my good

my poor little bed

sergeant of the guard

the matter with you

conscript

farewell

;

farewell

;

" ?

was motionless, astounded, hisface contorted, and his eyes moist and smiling.

his breathing labored,

What is the matter with you ? " He made an effort to control his voice by dropping

and stretching out

his neck, as

his

head

to swallow a great mouthful

;

but he only succeeded in replying hastily in a mezza voce:

"Nothing."

The "

officer smiled.

Do you know how

A little,"

to write

replied the conscript, thickly.

" Well, then,

come with me."

He moved off toward him. When they had townsman

sit

" ?

down

his room,

and the conscript followed

entered, the officer

at the table, put a

of paper in front of him,

and said

made

his

young

pen in his hand, a sheet " Write to your father."

MILITARY LIFE

124

The

conscript looked at him, open-mouthed.

"Write to your " " feel

What Tell

"But "

him what you have

Keep

seen,

what you think, what you

whatever you choose.'

in fact,

;

father." "

shall I say

quiet

until

;

you have finished

I shall

not permit you

one word."

to say

And

he resumed his newspaper near the window.

script continued to look at him with an

The

air of surprise,

con-

then

bent his head, thought for some moments, and began to write very slowly. After a quarter of an hour, the officer asked nearly finished "

" :

Have you

" ?

It is finished," replied the soldier, quite content.

"Read Read

it,

it ?

then."

"Yes."

was ashamed

so.

"Read it, I tell you." The man prepared to obey. " But tell me first, have you been quite sincere ? Have you feel

really said

" ?

The "

Have you ? what you think and

written the truth

soldier placed his

hand on

his breast.

Read, then."

began to read with

Mv DEAR FATHER

difficulty.

reached the regiment, and they instantly made me cut off my hair, and then they dressed me. That officer of our town whose name you know, I saw I

THE CONSCRIPT.

12$

in the court to-day, and we talked together for more than an hour. don't have the best food, you know but it is so hard to cook for so many ;

;

never lacking, if a man does his duty. The superibut they are not so overbearing as many say for there are solors scold diers who have died to save them, and would not leave them dead in the

and then the appetite

;

hands of the enemy. There are also soldiers who have never been punished, and I hope this will be the case with me. Time passes quickly, because we shall travel, and there are many places to see, and then the manoeuvres,

camp too, and the generals amuse themselves with the soldiers and have tombola. Then it is a pleasure to see the flag and hear the music, and to find friends and the old colonel is like our second father, and we are his sons. Meanwhile I greet you, and I hope you will keep well, etc. then the

;

Your most "

Bravo

said the officer.

affectionate son.

And now do me

go and drink a half glass of wine to the health of

Take "

handing him a

this,"

Mr. Officer

trying to refuse " "

" !

the favor to

all

conscripts.

ticket.

exclaimed the

soldier,

quite embarrassed,

it.

Eh shouted the officer, in a menacing tone. The conscript took the ticket, and preparing to go !

mered some words

know "

really

Silence

He time

;

left

of thanks

" :

Mr.

Officer,

out, stam-

...

I don't

" !

hastily,

went down the staircase three steps

at a

gave two or three jumps in the court, rubbing his hands,

laughing and muttering to himself as he did so

wine cellar smile and

the vivandiere gave

;

manner

time before

;

that

made him

he drank, went

him

his

;

entered the

glass with a lovely

forget the scene of a short

out.

Hardly was he outside when he met the corporal, who approached with a more agreeable expression of face and in a

more courteous way.

126 "

MILfTARY Tell me,

your relative "

LIFE.

you were talking

that officer

an hour ago

" ?

No."

But you knew him

"Very "

" ?

well indeed."

that the officer from your

looking ?" " The same." " I did not understand, you see,

"That makes no "If "

you were

when you asked me

difference."

had understood

whom

town for

should have answered."

Thanks."

The

corporal "

himself

moved

Well

off

;

in the end,

the conscript, left alone, said to

is n't

a bad fellow

this cor-

poral

moment

Just at that

the soldiers began to return in groups

and singing loudly among themselves. band of conscripts, a trifle intoxicated, Among a who were making tremendous racket. to the barracks, talking

the others was a

When

the others

and do the same

" ;

must make a racket

" !

he shouted

dier Perrier

make

a noise, you dash into their midst, remembered these words. " I

the conscript

too," he thought

at the

;

"what

top of his lungs

" :

shall I

Long

cry?

live the sol-

" !

And

the rest, perhaps without understanding what he meant, " " Viva replied in a loud voice !

Our

soldier

dashed into their midst, and singing and shout-

ing they went up

The himself

officer,

" :

in confusion to the dormitory.

who had watched him from

That fellow

will

be a

the window, said to

fine soldier."

THE CONSCRIPT. When

was dark, and the

stars

were

all

12?

and one could

out,

hear in the court-yard that gay noise, and in the street sounded the bugle-call for the retreat, he was filled with an indefinable

mixture of generous and noble sentiments, so

much

so that al-

most without -being aware of it, without knowing the reason, he raised his eyes to heaven and exclaimed affectionately

Perrier

A are

" !

short

you

Because

time after

Do you

" :

Oh, good Perrier

hear your

name

Where

" ?

in looking at a beautiful sky at night, the dearest

and most revered names spring

to our lips.

A BUNCH OF FLOWERS. "

CURED,

yes, entirely cured,

look and see officer

(whom

and there

not even a scar

;

you can find one." Thus said a very young had not seen for fifteen days when we met last

end of February, in the house of a lady friend), as he put out his hand for me to look at. I glanced at it and " there was not a trace of a scar. "And the other man ? I asked.

year, at the

"Oh, he

Who

to us.

asked he. "

was the

better,"

has been

broke

ill ?

friend

"Yes,

Well, listen

"Who? Who

lady of the house, " I exchanged smiles. Shall I

and I

reply.

in the

would do

so, if I

then," began

better?

coming up tell

her

" ?

were you."

friend, turning to the lady.

Three days before the end of carnival, one evening about was standing in front of a caf6 watching the

five o'clock, I

corso.

was

alone, in

no very good humor, squeezed

crowd, quite white with

flour,

cursing the

into the

moment when

had

been seized with the idea of leaving the house and dashing into the midst of

all this

soldier passed with

people to

companied words.

confusion.

time to time a cavalry

unsheathed sword, made a motion

keep back

to the

order not break up the corso, and ac-

his gesture with

In front of

From

me were

some

respectful

and courteous

four or five gamins, who, as soon

as the soldiers passed, dashed into the middle of the street,

between the carriages, and fought with their 123

fists

for the

com-

A BUNCH OF FLOWERS.

I2g

and flowers which were scattered over the pavement, at the risk of being crushed by the horses, and to the great annoyance fits

of the coachmen, who, in order to get on, were obliged to shout

themselves hoarse in telling them to be careful and get out of

One

the way.

who was on

of the soldiers

warned and scolded them

five or

duty, after having

six times, seeing that they

were behaving worse and worse, lost his patience, put spurs to his horse, and raised his sword, as if to give them a blow on the head, which he certainly never

had any

real idea of doing.

Ah gentleman who was near me, seeing this, exclaimed and when the soldier drew his sabre back to his shoulder,

added

ing to his neighbor, said

' :

oppression and brutality.' drew it back and thrust

calmness of which tone, I

should like to have seen him do

This

My it

into

Then, turn-

the result of his education

blood boiled,

I raised

one hand,

pocket, and with

was capable, and

in the

whispered in that gentleman's ear

The gentleman

all

the

most courteous

What education

turned, gave a start of surprise, paled

;

but

in-

stantly recovered himself, and answered with insolent nonchal-

ance

' :

The

military education.'

saw

neither

crowd, nor the corso, and I do not recollect what ;

turned

home

had

lady,

his left

cheek

my hand

just saying that

that the other

wounded hand, and my

with a

that gentleman

The

man is better." who up to that

laid open.

That

is all.

time had

been listening very

and exclaiming :

grew more cheerful on learning of the the duel, and then suddenly broke out with

heavens

fortunate ending of

friends said that

bore no sign of the scratch, and

gravely, raising her eyes from time to time, " "

Heavens

him, the

said or he

only remember that the following morning I re-

replied

was

MILITARY

130

Would

woman's question

a genuine

LIFE.

But why did you provoke him

not have been better to have pretended not to hear ?"

and

My friend

looked at each other, and both burst out laugh-

ing.

Why

are

you laughing

dear lady,"

Listen,

friend

Supposing have ought pretended have done so when my blood was

(which could not be the case) that that I did not hear,

how could

boiling and my head in a ferment ? " what I was doing at that moment ?

The lady did " The people "

not appear at

all

replied. to

Do you

suppose

convinced.

around had heard," continued the

all

knew

officer

;

was one that touched the whole army, and those words were a lie then, just on that occasion the lie was a calthe insult

;

the tone of voice in which the

umny, sounded

learned

(and

a provocation it

could

not

calumny had been uttered

then that man, as I afterward

;

have been

otherwise,

because

these are words which reveal a man's soul), was nothing but

..."

a " "

Silence

Then

there was another reason

me more

son " "

less

still

these words offend-

why

And

than they might have another person.

Fourteen years ago

Listen.

is this.

not necessary that I should know."

It is

than that

was

the rea-

" !

and only seven The last day but one of the carnival my mother years old. dressed me in a pretty costume of blue and white striped silk, Listen

;

Turin with

family

;

with a red sash, a blonde curly wig, and a green velvet cap,

and took me a friend of

to the

his, a

eorso

major

a carriage.

in the artillery,

father

were with

us.

and

A a

The

streets

131

and a large basket of confetti. were crowded with people, and there were innu-

number

had

BUNCH OF FLOWERS.

of bouquets

merable carriages, elegant maskers, a great confusion and noise, and a very beautiful corso. My mother, according to her custom, took no part in the gaiety of the

From

fete,

and rarely spoke.

time to time, when the carriage of some friend passed,,

my hand and had me

she put a bunch of flowers into

them, holding

me by my

first in flinging

them.

sash so that

should not

friends threw

little

throw

fall

head

flowers too,

and greeted me with shouts, laughing heartily at my grotesque I laughed at them, and we enjoyed ourselves to our costume.

Much more

hearts' content.

between ourselves,

than now,

for then our glances, thoughts,

and desires were not attracted

by a beautiful masker stretched comfortably out in a carriage, with a small, shapely foot swinging cunningly out of one door 1

and a debardeur s "

shirt falling

That has nothing

"We

on one

do with

side."

it."

At a

certain point, however, arms my about, I sat down At the entrance of Via Po and Piazza Cas-

enjoyed ourselves hugely.

weary with shouting and swinging to take breath. tello

there was a

of cavalry soldiers

file

grave and motionless as

now

at the carriages,

now

and carabineers, as

they were at a funeral.

They looked

at the people, without saying a word,

exchanging a smile, or giving the slightest sign of curiosity, pleasure, regret, or ennui they seemed like automatons. The ;

crowd pressed forward on every side, undulating, mingling, and making a great' noise from the windows of the neighboring ;

house, which were

filled

with ladies and maskers,

of comfits, from the carriages a shower

from the

street

at the

another into the carriages.

fell

showers

windows, and

was a

fierce

MILITARY

132 battle,

with

great clouds

and a

little

farther on the

the racket of the

LIFE.

which veiled every thing, playing, almost drowned

flour

band was

drums and trumpets

that fairly deafened

one. "

Poor people '

to the soldiers.

said

mother

They never

fail

to the major, as she pointed

they are everywhere.

;

It is

not enough that they defend us from our enemies, put out quiet riots, and protect our lives

fires,

and our property

have neither joys nor sacrifices

many

and

fetes,

suffer so

they

;

who much and make so

protect our fetes too, and secure us our pleasures

;

they

without ever gaining anything or obtaining any

recompense, not even any consolation, a word of acknowledg-

The

ment, or a thank you.

them

;

people do not as

much

as look at

are every thing for them, they nothing for us

abso-

lutely nothing.' "

The

major, solemn as a judge, replied quite gravely, without

even looking "

it is

at the soldiers

true

look at the soldier there,

choly air he has

Does he " "

Can

That

true

' !

mother quickly. Look, major the first one on this side, what a melan-

added

' :

;

there be something troubling

him

feel

ill ?

Who knows ? replied the major, smiling slightly. Who knows what is the matter with him repeated my

That good woman is so conand gaiety of a fete,

mother, looking at him pensively.

stituted that in the midst of all the racket

trifle

will take

her mind from

all

and

that surrounds her,

from thought to thought she falls into a state of sadness. The carriage went on and my mother continued talking of that soldier

;

then she

some one

fell

and suddenly said That might be the case

to thinking again,

home were

ill ?

' :

too.

A BUNCH OF FLOWERS. They do not allow him " "

home when one

to go

they,

major

Look

demned

replied the latter.

exclaimed

what makes him

to stand there in the

I am willing to wager And meanwhile he is commidst of all those people who are '

mother. sad.

...

amusing themselves by singing and shouting

" "

him out

The major

How

I help

it ?

replied

mother

Throw sash,

there, did

I rose to

to him.'

you not

and whispered

;

I replied proudly.

curve in the

air,

and

You

started as

tarily,

in a

carriage

;

saw

said that one '

Yes, yes, quick

my mother.

There he

described a beautiful

;

soldier, be-

made him

he smiled and looked fixedly

disappeared.

My ;

little

heart beat

reins.

a sign

until the

furiously

;

father

had not

circuit

we left

the corso

the major and

seen any thing. Before making another and went home. I

dream, seized the bouquet almost involun-

mother had become calm

on the breast of the

raised his eyes with surprise,

with both hands

the

the carriage stopped,

The bouquet had

fallen right

tween the buckle of his belt and the hand which held the

so.'

and, held as usual

feet,

asked once more.

were seven or eight steps away went on, here we are. said Courage !

was born

handed me a bunch

fling the flowers.

prepared to

We is

moment when

mother, seizing the

father were not looking,

flowers, pointed quickly to the soldier,

;

When the circuit was ended, the carriage was about to pass by

major and my

cannot

smiled. '

can

mind.'

the soldier again.

ear

It is rather rare

that that is

get "

of his family

ill,

133

saw the soldier again, ten or twelve days later,

in the

pub-

MILl TARY LIFE.

lie

gardens.

was with a number of '

talking and laughing heartily.

whom

threw the bouquet

'Be

her by the dress. notice of him.'

command

Look, there

quiet,' she replied.

and was

the soldier to

said to

his comrades,

mother, pulling

not take any

could not understand the reason for

this

he looked fixedly at me, and My recognized me, started with surprise, and said, Oh After mother seized me by the arm and dragged me on. ;

looked at him

;

that

day

The

did not see him for more than a year.

follow-

ing year, on one of the last nights of carnival, on returning

from the theatre with the family, I went to the window a few moments before going to bed, and stood a short time looking

The

out into the street through the glass. it

was snowing. From time

to time

street

was dark and

maskers kept coming out of

the opposite house, which was a cafe and hostelry tered, followed each other, disappeared

;

new ones

;

they scat-

arrived,

and

meeting and recognizing each other crowded together, making a terrible racket with their shouts in the falsetto, and confusedly exchanging invitations and salutations.

cavalry appeared at that point.

around them, shouting and clapping their hands

The

The maskers began

band to

dance

as they did so.

enveloped in their mantles, passed on without but one of them turned giving any sign of having seen them toward our house, and seemed to be looking at my window. soldiers,

;

Can

be he

ment the

I opened it. At the same moone hand out from under his mantle, gave

thought, as

soldier pufc

a salute, and passed.

The

following morning I learned from

the porteress that some days before a cavalry soldier had entered our portico, glanced at the stairs as

he would go up or

not,

uncertain whether

and had then gone away.

few

A BUNCH OF FLOWERS. months and

heard that a regiment of cavalry had

later I

did not see

Many

passed

years

arrived.

'59

;

embracing a military career. your

studies,'

left

Turin,

soldier again, nor did I think of him.

with the army, and manifested to

ish

135

said,

became infatuated

father

intention of '

father was uncertain.

and we

will see

about

FinIn

it.'

August of '59 I ended them, and from that time forward I had a discussion every day with my father on the subject of my career. As time went on he seemed less disposed to second

question.

desires.

But an unforeseen incident

was

beginning of January, '60.

in the

There was a rap

I'sat writing at a table.

came

servant

can

mother.

said to

and we went

some one wished

to say that

at the door,

I rose,

and a '

to see me.

Who

she followed me,

There was a man

into the hall-way.

settled the

One morning

workman's

clothes at the door, wearing a large cloak, a fur cap on his

head, and looking pale, thin, with a saddened and weary '

The unknown

entered.

said : "*

you

visitor

giving

looked smilingly

me, and

Christian and surname.

Yes,' I replied. I

am a poor young

been a "

air.

does not even raise his cap,' muttered the servant as we

My '

soldier,

and

mother and

Give

fellow

who

is left

you could help

I consulted

without work in

;

have

some way. ..."

each other with a glance.

something,' added the

man

in a tone of supplica-

tion.

took and handed him in spite of myself a couple of francs,

saying as I did so "

Will you put

Take

Into your pocket

this.'

into '

pocket

exclaimed, half surprised, half of-

MILITAR Y

36 But

fended.

produced a strange effect upon me I a few moments, and then placed the money

his glance

looked at him for

;

pocket of his cloak.

in the

"'Thanks,' he replied

as I "

Will you accept

ate tone. " ' "

it,'

I replied.

Here

said,

it is,'

and opening

embrace him ror "

What

He I

the cloak

the matter

seemed almost

;

my mother

mother.

dashed forward

uttered a cry of ter-

I asked, turning

At the

around.

don the

the reason

at the corso I feel

fell

do not know how

fellow to

This

cried

desire to be a soldier It

so.

saw that the poor fellow had no hands. had lost them at San Martino.

same time "

;

My God

' :

his cloak with his elbows,

exclaimed impetuously, and

an affection-

his vest.

the soldier in the corso

it is

Ah, '

'And now,

of emotion.

with his eyes a bunch of flowers that were fast-

ened into a button-hole of "

full

he asked timidly,

sir ?'

it,

Let us see

he showed "

a voice

going home, I beg you to accept a memento of me.' mother and I turned to each other in astonishment.

LIFE.

happened changed

but from that day forward

an act of homage to that poor young

military uniform.

every time

why

;

into a firm resolution to

And

I see

heart beat as

behold

a soldier.

a soldier of the cavalry for a friend,

and

wish

be a child in order to throw him a bunch of flowers." "

And

that soldier

Where

" ?

asked the lady quickly.

died." " ?

At our house, in my arms, in the presence of little bunch of flowers at his pillow."

with a

mother,

A NOCTURNAL MARCH. WHAT

stars, pitch

darkness.

Though

only the

a night

No moon, no

never was such utter gloom seen before. first

of October, a fresh

There it

was

autumn breeze was blowing,

which whipped sharply across the face, under the clothes, and It was about nine o'clock in the evening shrivelled the skin. the regiment had folded the tents and was drawn up across the ;

field, their

The

arms

at their feet,

soldiers, just

sleep, all bitter,

awaiting the orders for departure.

awakened from a short and uncomfortable

stood there, doubled up, bent over, shivering, with a

discontented expression of face, their hands in their

pockets, the muskets leaning against their arms of the

;

and instead

usual chatting, so lively and gay, nothing was to be

heard but an occasional subdued and darkness was so great that, in looking

was

listless

at the

whisper.

The

camp from the

be seen but the long line of lanterns hung from the end of the muskets, each one of which lighted up road, nothing

Over there,

three or four sleepy faces.

beyond the extreme to be seen

in the corner of the field,

flank of the regiment,

moving about

many

in a small space,

little lights

were

and these served

illumine dimly a confused bustle of people (differently dressed)

around certain carts and boxes

Here and there through the they were the

last

field a

sparks of the 137

the baggage of the sutler.

few

little

fire

flames

still

gleamed; which the soldiers had

MILITARY

138

LIFE.

lighted with the straw of the tents, to take off the

contracted in sleeping on the ground.

dampness else was

Every thing

in darkness.

Suddenly a loud beating of drums

The companies

follows.

heard

then silence

;

face about, each in turn

the

;

first

lines

After passing a narrow move, and the regiment starts. bridge over the ditch which separates the field from the

little

road, the lines close up,

now

forward,

crowd, and

and a mass of

lights are seen

now backward, according

start

up two by two, extend on line, and little by

moving

motion of the

to the

the sides of the

straight road in a double

sink in the

little

distance into two luminous streaks which wind and undulate

two great reins of fire shaken at the end of the column. On they march, and for a short time is heard a subdued

chatting, which

broken only by "

Order

" !

gradually dies

into

away

profound

the rough voices of the officers

silence,

who grumble,

every time that, casting their sleepy eyes on the

soldiers nearest the lanterns, they discover a little falling apart

or crowding in the is

All the others are silent.

lines.

Nothing

audible but the dragging noise of the foot-falls, and the mo-

notonous clinking of the

measured

tread.

the silence increases, sleep (that tormenting

companion all.

boxes, which keep time to the

tin

of nocturnal

seized by

chat with friend, nor strong liquor, nor

quer

;

Look

he must give up to at that officer in the

struggling with sleep for lids,

terrible

to take possession of

marches) begins

Unfortunate he who

and

former

rest,

nor

effort of will

can con-

has been

entirely.

middle of the road.

more than an hour

trembling and heavy, are closing

;

but

irresistibly

;

now

his eye-

his knees are

A NOCTURNAL MARCH.

139

bending under him his head, raised by force, falls again heavily on his chest, and his arms hang inert and powerless. His mind, ideas grow confused, and melt curiously little by little, wanders ;

;

by sleep, the soldiers who him and beside are walking before stagger confusedly along and the trees and houses on either side of the way, (whose dark

into one another.

his eyes veiled

;

are

outlines

scarcely discernible) present strange, shapeless,

wonderful aspects to him. Sometimes he still follows with his eyes the walls of a house when they have already been left be.

hind, or he seems to see a house or

clump of

trees

where there

At another moment, there suddenly appears before

are none.

him, right in the middle of the road, directly in his path, a great obstacle, a large black thing, which he cannot

but he sees hit

;

there

with his head

it is,

;

right there,

;

on he goes.

hundred

steps, then he begins to dose again.

dreams.

among

Thirty,

fifty,

This time he

other people, in the daytime.

sound of the

out,

be walking alone, in some unknown direcanother place, far from there, perhaps at home,

seems

be in

tion, or to

make

just about to

stops, stretches out his arm, shakes

there was nothing

nothing

and he

foot-falls of those

around him

Suddenly, the

strikes his ear

;

becomes aware of the clinking of the canteens wakes, glances around, comes to himself, yawns, falls into step, and, shortly ;

one hand

his chest,

With

the whole thing begins again.

afterward,

his sword,

in his pocket, the other

he goes on, leaning on

it,

his

head on

on the handle of

unequal paces and

springs, tottering, winding along, three steps here, four there,

a stumble into the knapsack of a soldier.

five,

six,

starts,

wakes, looks around with staring eyes, comes to himself

again,

ashamed of

himself, shakes his

head as

out of pity

MILITARY

140

and then resumes

for his sufferings,

hurried

He dashes

of him, wakes, looks

pray

it,

his

way with a

free

and

After a hundred more paces, the same thing

gait.

occurs again.

mention

LIFE.

" :

into a person

who

walking in front

excuse me, captain."

Don't

These are things that happen to all." You walk for a short close to you.

companion comes

Then time, without being conscious of it, side by side. " " is "Are there ? you sleepy ? you grunt your reply.

little.

Give

The arm

your arm."

shoulder, hip to hip, and

ten,

Eight,

you both, and your heavy heads

and come

Shoulder to

given.

forward you go as best you can,

staggering and stumbling. seizes

Are

into contact with each other.

twenty paces, sleep

on the same

fall

Ahi

" !

side

Then you

separate.

All round about

quiet

;

the pitch darkness continues, the

two long lines of light keep waving along the sides of the road, and there is always the same monotonous clinking of the canteens.

Suddenly, an "

line

irritable voice bursts

with that light there

" !

out in the middle of the

and the

soldier

who

car-

and who, overcome by sleep, had slackened the musket fall on the head of the man behind

rying the lantern, his

arm and

let

him, wakes, draws up his arm, and raises the

light.

few steps more, and a long and sonorous yawn, like the braying of an ass, breaks the silence. Two or three voices try to imitate

;

there

a laugh, and

few steps more, and a

all

shrill

are silent.

voice attempts a song.

outburst of protests and disapprobation rises from the lines. " " Leave that alone At another moment " Sleep in peace." !

And

the unfortunately inspired singer drives back into his throat

the rest of the song, and

is silent.

A NOCTURNAL MARCH.

141

Twenty paces more, and one hears a sharp cry, followed by " What 's the matter ? " " Who is

a raging outburst of oaths. "

it ?

a soldier who, overcome by sleep, has dashed

And on all sides violently against a mile-stone with his shin. " Look out where you are going." " I should think so ; he :

walking with his eyes shut."

You caught

it,

Keep

it!"

a great laugh breaks out at the end of the col-

little later,

umn, and an "

prolonged into a tone of " What has happened ? "

What

happened

"It's only a poor devil of a soldier

it?"

along the edge of the road, dozing

mockery. "

Who

who was walking

and staggering, and so

" Is it deep ? Who can ended by tumbling into the ditch." see?" "Let's look." "Courage, courage (an officer) what "

;

are you doing there will

on.

'11

get

And

himself.

you hold that

" light

Then silence, and ing, biting

forward, and increasing darkness, and freez-

wind, which scourges one's face and sets one shiv-

ering, continue.

Oh, perhaps,

may be "

thing."

ing?

drowsiness

this

later."

What time can it be ? " " Ten, "What a night " " One can't see a friend, how long have we been march!

I say,

How

Speak.

does not hear any thing more." "

Well, time

"I'm

might

am, great heavens .

and the wind

break his neck

'11

...

asleep and

minute

in a

be able to sleep." What a nuisance not to be Ah, to

could only sleep on

Phew

"He

long?"

sleepy too.

If I

do you say

;

passing with him

able to see any thing try,

how

sleepy

the night to sleep

is .

am, how

dark. .

foot.

sleepy

dark

H2 A

MILITARY moment more and he

the trumpet,

stones,

every thing

;

will fall into the ditch.

Halt

many dead bodies among thorns, into

like so

to be

LIFE.

escaped

it.

Down

blast of all

go where they can, on to the mud, wherever it may happen fall

they

;

they

comfortable, every thing clean,

soft,

de-

There, on a pile of stones, on one side of the road, an

licious

entire

squad has pitched

across the other, just as

down

itself

happens

a heap, one on top or

the barrel of the guns un-

;

der the neck, the leather bottle of a comrade under the head, a corporal's foot in the face, the knapsack of another against the hip

;

thing damp and of sleep

and the hand, sometimes, in the grass, in someBut what a heap The luxury

soft.

so great, so sweet,

and powerful,

one cannot

that

pay any attention to any thing, but the utter enjoyment

abandonment

of soul

final gratification of

and

and body to it. Oh, the sweetness of the a long and harrassing desire A sense of !

languid pleasure and gentle exhaustion " We sleep." Oh, what bliss .

man

over the frame.

steals

If a ray of

moonlight could

for a

fall

moment on

to that

point of the road, what a strange spectacle would greet our It looks like a heap of bodies thrown carelessly down some face upward, others face downward, some stretched out, others doubled up, and here and there arms, legs, feet, and

eyes

muskets, which protrude between the legs and arms of others still

;

a muddle, in

cover to is

whom

fact, in

the different

a slight movement, a

bodies

each one

;

position,

there

and

which

little

would be

members

belong.

struggling in that

seeking, quite gently, the

this gives rise to " "

Blood of Bacchus

difficult to dis-

first,

most comfortable "

little

there

mass of human

squabbling

Out of the way with

Get over

that foot

" !

A NOCTURNAL MARCH. "

Draw

face

in that leg

But

quiet.

;

don't

deep, full sleep takes possession of each. is

heard

then a dull, rattling moaning

;

you are sticking it into my moment, and then all are

only the affair of a

a quick, heavy breathing ing

see

you

143

;

and,

;

first

then a feeble, broken sigha general snor-

finally,

every key, bass, baritone, soprano, harmonious and dising an infernal style of music, in fact. sonant, shrill and sonorous in

blast of the trumpet

;

no one

;

Another

motionless as dead bodies. all

the Attention!

it is

In that group no one hears

as motionless as before.

'11

stirs

blast

straightened there, an

moves more

a head

when "

this

are quiet

which has no

make them

says a menacing voice above the sleepers.

a leg

;

all

;

get up,

and

effect

now

;

" !

that voice, behold

arm outstretched

here, farther

way, a body writhes, as

the case

a group of snakes turn slowly in the heat of the sun. " we get up or not ? the first voice repeats more angrily

Shall

than before.

One

of the sleepers rises to a sitting posture,

another rubs his eyes with the back of his hand, another feels

around for

his cap, a fourth

...

sixth

misery,

what a torment

sleep

Where

me my cap." "

yours."

and

all

This

already on his "

feet,

and a "

fifth

What up Oh, at last be waked so roughly, and to be when one was beginning to enjoy the

and a

obliged to get up just

are

cap ?"

And my musket

mine."

Whose musket

No,

is this ?

now

it is

n't

;

" ?

Say, give

that other

Mine, give

me."

one "

and they search, scrape, and here and there the stones on the road, down in poke among the ditch, in the grass and bushes, breathless, puffing, swearing. .

find the little tassel,

It is

The trumpet sounds dark

still,

again and the regiment starts.

and the same

chilly

wind which freezes the

MlLI TA R Y

LIFE, "

face and shrivels the skin keeps on blowing.

cold

when one stands

lanterns are

Who knows It 's

all

still!

extinguished

rascals

guish

away, a

far, far

now and

go on, on, a

Do you

see

ment." on,

little

trembling

then and reappears like a

The reigns.

may be marching

man

;

No, no, "

we go.

which disappears What can it be ?

light,

" fire-fly.

The

small light

seems larger and burns more

brightly.

the lantern at the head of the regi" " a town." But what place On, on,

it 's

begins to distin-

farther, another bit."

little

disappears no longer "

how

lucky for them that they cannot be seen."

After a half hour's silent march, some

Let

shiver."

an Egyptian darkness

;

what confusion these

Heavens

makes one

You

are right,

it is

a place."

The rumor

the sleepers wake a spieads those dozing rouse themselves " Heaven be praised here are the little whisper starts up. ;

;

houses, the principal street, and

The hour

late

;

we have

entered."

the streets are almost deserted, the tread

regiment resounds distinctly in that solitude, and a

of the

whispering

crooked

heard on the right and

proceed, to the

in those

Small ugly houses here and there,

streets.

and barred,

left

were an abandoned

and

right,

dark and all

closed

But as we

village.

on the ground-floor some

little

doors half open so that we see the hearths gleaming inside, or the

head of some half-dressed

woman

run to the threshhold, and curtain

stuck timidly out

in the

upper

raised, a light shines through,

stories

;

the children

now and

then a

and behind the window-

panes appears a dark figure which looks down to see what this Ah that black figure unusual commotion means. .

may have just sprung from the bed, where it was sleeping, and it will -soon go back to resume delightfully its quiet, gentle

m " That was a large cafe, lighted and gleaming with mirrors,

full

of staff-officers, aides-de-camp," etc.

(Page 145.)

A NOCTURNAL MARCH. Oh, that bed

slumbers.

145

can almost see

;

seems as

the fold of the sheet stretched over the bolster was before our

and that we could pass our hands over it, and perceive the fragrant freshness of the linen just from the wash. Oh, eyes,

fortunate person

our beds

The little

The all

sleeps in there

Happy and

little,

When

blessed are they

narrow and tortuous

street,

who

shall

too have

who have one

first,

becomes

straighter

broadens, widens, and comes out on a square.

beautiful square.

Two

lines to the right,

Here and

look around them.

two to the

left

there are groups of curious

some shops open, there a church, here the house of the oh, Syndic, a fountain, an arcade, and over yonder people,

how

tantalizing, a cafe

strange but veritable emotion

Cross a village in the

and painful march pass, weary, exhausted, with dust and dirt, unaccustomed for some covered

night, after a long thirsty,

;

time to any pleasant habit or amusement of city fore a cafe,

and your heart

will beat

life,

pass be-

with a certain tenderness,

a certain melancholy longing, almost with a sad pity for yourself,

and you

will

cast

into

that

cafe

bitter look of passionate love, as children

;

eager,

envious,

and you

will re-

your mind the image of the place, obseen. and persons jects, That was a large cafe", lighted and gleaming with mirrors, full of staff -officers, aides-de-camps, covered with gold and silver tain for a long time in

medals, plumes, trinkets, and crosses the door, others out on the square,

ously with arms and

legs,

and

;

all

some

inside,

some

gesticulating continu-

noisily trailing

their

swords

dense cloud of smoke enveloped every thing we could see and hear a great drawing of beer-corks, a running

along.

;

MILITARY

I4 6 hither less

and thither of

LIFE.

waiters, red in the face, utterly breath-

and confused by the unusual splendor and invasion of a wild coming and going from the interior to

customers

;

the outside, from the exterior to the interioi, calling to one another,

and vicing with each

other, until they

had completely

Before the door was a crowd of people with

lost their heads.

wide-stretched eyes and mouth, gazing at the broadest galloons

and breasts most covered with medals. cafe, quite at the end, in

by a younger set of

At the back of the

a corner behind a

officers,

on a raised

niche or temple, was the beautiful

little

table,

surrounded

seat, in a species of

face of a

girl,

over

which modesty and coquetry were amicably disputing the space, amid so many unusual compliments, so many gentle-

manly

courtesies, passionate protests, audacious petitions,

and

such a twisting and turning of slender waists and legs incased in

buckskin. All eyes are fastened

upon that lovely figure, beautiful face, and there they rest until she disappears from view. They are no sensuous thoughts, images, or desires which she awakens at that

moment

;

oh, no, although she arouses in our hearts (like

a weary desire for peace and affection) a vague melancholy,

and we suddenly aged.

feel ourselves alone,

The woman

recalls to

pleasures of domestic life

life,

abandoned and discour-

our memory the gentle, quiet

which, in comparison with our hard those

as soldiers, especially at

hours and moments in

which we only experience the discomforts and

bitterness, not

the consolations nor the proud satisfactions, of such an exist-

ence make us seem almost unhappy.

That woman's face

rouses in our minds the image of our mother,

one dearer

still

;

and,

when

flees

from our

some

sister,

sight,

we bow

A NOCTURNAL MARCH.

147

our heads, think, grow sad those shadows seem to weigh on our chests, cut off our breath we look and look again at ;

;

growing light and in that melancholy wandering of the fancy, it seems as if we would gladly go to sleep for ever, could we only see once more our mother or the the sky to see

sun.

;

The regiment

Nothing more

of which have been extinguished for Shall

The same darkness

outside the village.

and wind continue.

said of the lights, all

some

time.

Well then

follow the regiment to the station in this cold

gloom, to witness the repetition of the scenes that already described

him take

Any one may

who

and

we have

pleases.

'11

he may find a good camp, and eat a luscious orange, enjoy a long and quiet sleep, because, to tell the truth, these poor soldiers need and deserve let

'*:

\yell.

his way,

hoping that

CARMELA.

THE island,

affair

which

going to relate occurred in a small

about seventy miles from

Sicily.

the island there

only one town, numbering not more than two thousand inhabitants, in

which, however, there were, at the time

gins, three or four hundred prisoners

and on

their account, there

condemned

story be-

hard labor,

was stationed there a detachment

(commanded by a subaltern), who were months. The soldiers led a very agreea-

of about forty soldiers

changed every three ble

life,

guard

especially for these

interior of the island,

nothing to do

;

two reasons

and the wine, which was

four sous a bottle.

delicious, cost only

say nothing of the officer,

the largest liberty, and had the power of saying

mander-in-chief of

all

had

two gendarmes

at his disposal

the office of the

who enjoyed "

am comHe

the military forces of the country."

command

in the quality of

employes

in the square, a beautiful

furnished gratuitously in the centre of the town

mornings hunting

from the

that, aside

prison, some reconnoitring in the and a little drill now and then, they had

and

at the barracks

;

apartment passed his

in the mountains, the afternoons in a little

reading-room with the principal personages of the place, and the evenings in a boat on the sea, smoking excellent cigars at 148

CARMELA.

149

two centimes apiece, dressed just as his fancy dictated, without any annoyances, or superior officers, and as quiet and contented as a

man could

Only one thing there was

well be.

him, and that, the thought that such a delightful

life

to trouble

could only

months.

last three

The town

on the

sea-shore,

and has a small harbor, near

which a postal steamer, plying between Tunis and Trapana, stopped once in fifteen days. It was very rarely that any other boats touched there. So rare indeed was this occurrence, that the appearance

nounced

of a ship

headed

that direction

was an-

town by the ringing of the church bell, and a good portion of the population rushed to the shore, as they would have done to some spectacle. to the

The appearance smiling

;

the place

very modest, but gay and

especially in the large square in its centre, which, as

in all villages, is to the

populace what a court-yard would be same house in a city. This square

to the people living in the is

joined to the shore by the principal street, which

narrow, and a stone's-throw in length. lic offices

are in the square.

that time, two cafes

There

The house occupied by

ment was

straight,

All the shops and pub-

are, or at least, there were,

one frequented by the syndic and

other authorities and gentlemen people.

;

the other

the

by the common

commander of

the detach-

situated on the side of the square toward the sea,

and

ground rises considerably from the shore to the centre of the town, from the windows of his room (there were two of

as the

them) one could see the port, a long stretch of the shore, the sea, and the distant mountains of Sicily.

The

island

ous groves.

is all

volcanic mountains, and great, thick resin-

MILITAR Y

LIFE.

Three years ago, one beautiful April morning, the postal boat for Tunis stopped at the entrance of the little port.

had been ringing from the moment of its first appearance, and the entire population had gathered, among which was the commander of the detachment, the soldiers, the syn-

The

bell

dic, the judge, the parish priest, the delegate of public security,

commander

the receiver, the

of the port, the marshal of the

carabineers, and a young military physician attached to the detachment for the service of the prisoners. Two large boats ap-

proached the soldiers of

ship,

and took and brought to shore thirty-two and an officer, a handsome young

the infantry

blonde, of pleasing appearance, who, after having shaken hands

with his colleague, and replied courteously to the polite welcome of the authorities, entered the

between the two

lines

town

at the

head of

formed by the spectators.

his squad,

When

he had

quartered the men, he instantly returned to the group of per-

sonages awaiting him in the middle of the square, and the syndic presented them to him one by one in a serio-comic way, full

of cordial familiarity, tempered with a

dignity.

When

and the

officer, left

this

ceremony was

little

innocent air of

over, the group separated,

alone with his colleague, was taken to the

house destined for him.

There, the orderly of the officer

who

was leaving was engaged in packing the boxes, and that of the new arrival was hastening the moment for the opening of his own by lending a helping hand every thing was in order.

The detachment

that

to his

comrade.

was going away

left

hour later

the same evening

about eight o'clock, accompanied to the harbor by the detach-

ment his

that remained,

and our

officer, after

bidding farewell to

comrade, returned to his home and went to bed, quite worn

CARMELA.

out with his journey, and, having been busy

And

great need of sleep.

all

sleep he did, indeed

day, he

felt

II.

The

following morning, as soon as the sun was up, he

He had

the house.

some one

felt

not gone ten paces on the square

pull lightly at his coat.

and saw, a couple of

steps away, erect

left

when he

stopped, turned,

and immovable,

in the

attitude of a soldier giving his salute, a girl with

rumpled hair and disordered dress, who was tall, slender, and beautifully formed. She kept two great black eyes fastened on the officer's face,

and smiled. "

What do you wish

air of surprise

The

girl

and

made no

the latter asked, looking around with

curiosity.

reply, but

hand against her forehead

The steps,

officer

shrugged

and another

turned again.

in a military salute.

his shoulders,

was

girl

and went on another ten

tug at the coat.

slight

The

soldier in line.

continued to smile and hold her

still

as erect

and

and immovable

as a

said, smiling

forefinger pointing

wish you."

after,"

to her,

understand," he thought

it 's a copper she is and taking a few sous from his pocket, he held them out But the girl, folding her aims turning to move off. !

across her breast, as the

stopped, and

looked around and saw some one near by,

who was watching the scene and laughing. "What do you wish ?" he asked again. The girl stretched out her hand, with her to him, "

;

to shield herself with her

elbow from

hand which was holding the money, exclaimed again

MILITARY

$2 "

LIFE.

want you."

Then

she began stamping, rumpling her hair with her two

hands, and uttering a low, monotonous moan, as children do

when they

are pretending to cry.

laughed.

The

officer

looked

The persons round about

at the people,

and proceeded on

again at the people,

then at the

his way.

He had

girl,

nearly

crossed the square unmolested, when, on reaching the opening of the street leading to the port, he heard a light, rapid step

some one were running on tip-toe, and as he was turning around, a low voice murmured with a strange

behind him, as

tone in his ear

" :

treasure

a shudder run from head to foot

felt

" :

treasure

did not turn, but

Once more

hurried on with quickened pace.

mured

;

that voice

mur-

" !

Come now," he cried out angrily, turning entirely around " Go leave me in peace. to the girl, who drew back timidly, " about your business. Do you understand ? The

looked grieved, then smiled, moved a few steps

girl

ward, and, stretching out her

arm

murmured

quickly drew back,

as "

to caress the officer,

Don't be angry,

for-

who

little lieu-

tenant." "

Go away I tell you." You are my treasure." " Go away, or I will call the soldiers, and have you put in And he pointed to some soldiers who were standing prison." "

at the corner.

Then

the

girl

eyes always turned toward the

moved

officer,

off slowly sideways,

time to time, and repeating, just above her breath treasure "

her

putting out her chin from " :

" !

What

a pity

street to the port

" !

" ;

said the lieutenant to himself, taking the

she

so lovely."

CARMEL A. She was beautiful, indeed

one of the superb models of that

;

proud and bold beauty peculiar

whom

for

to Sicilian

women, the love

upon you than

rather imposed

153

gen-

inspired,

by a single long intent glance, that seems to sink to the bottom of your soul, expressing more ardor even than it awakens the eyes and hair very black, the forehead broad erally,

;

and pensive, and the movements of the brows and taneous,

brusque,

full

expression

and

lips instan-

Her

life.

voice

seemed weary and hoarse, and her laugh convulsive. After she had laughed she kept her mouth open and her eyes widestretched for

some

time.

III.

'Why

don't they keep her shut up ?" asked the officer that

same evening

of the doctor, as he

tlemen's cafe, after having told

went with him

into the gen-

him what had occurred

in the

morning. "

And where would you have

her shut up, pray

She

lias

more than a

year, and the municipality her there at its own but kept expense'; seeing that it was time and money wasted, it had her brought home. There was little

been

in the hospital for

or nothing to hope for

Here, at

so.

say

and that can

no trouble "

And why

" Well, It

mon

told

;

least,

easily

the physicians there were the

she

first

as free as the air, poor thing

;

be conceded to her, because she gives

any one but the military." to the military

rather

vague

in a variety of

people,

and who wish

to to

whom

;

ways

the

sort

story,

among

especially

simple truth

add something themselves.

not

you

see.

the comsufficient,

However, the

MILI TAR Y LIFE.

most probable the place,

fact,

this

confirmed too by the few gentlemen of Three years ago, an officerjwho was in

command of the detachment fellow, who played the guitar fell

angel,

love with the

you now an

girl,

and sang

then, as she

now

is,

artist,

who was

a handsome

are,

the most beautiful one in the town." " I should think so," interrupted the officer.

"And

the girl naturally

in love with

fell

count of his charming voice (they

all

mad

him, partly on ac-

about music here),

partly because of his prestige as commander of

And how

low.

all

desperately she was in love too

furies,

member

full

of the family, a poor

the

woman who

her eyes and was ruled by her entirely.

what

full

ple talked

liberty

she

conduct gave

because time.

It is it

in themselves,

much

rise), so

that there .

but facts have proved the

;

picions (most natural

affirm

enjoyed.

was

only saw through

You can imagine The towns-peo-

falsity

and

spasms,

only remaining

of their sus-

which the

girl's

and

so, in fact, that all believe

really nothing out of the

very strange certainly

who was more

of jealousy,

Her mother was

and tragedy.

fel-

She was one

of those fiery characters here, you understand,

ardent than the lava of volcanoes,

the military

was a handsome

forces on the island, but especially as he

;

way

it.

indeed, rather incredible,

said that the two were together half days at a

But you know there are such characters, especially in few to be sure, yet they do exist. Bold, inde-

these places

;

pendent girls who are under their lovers' feet all day long, and do not seem to have understood any thing about modesty as ;

austere, however, and tenacious of vestal virgins.

Though

their

good names

as the

the fact remains that the officer

had

CARMELA. She believed him, and had

promised to marry her. head from pure content.

think so too.

girl

out

her

injured her severely.

had seized

they had not

she had become

Right here,

Nor was

passing

her

killed or

in front of the cafe, she

her, in the presence of every one,

No woman,

the window, or look

and

was a

the only one either.

house, was allowed to

officer's

in the street, without her threatening to last

day,

whom

hands, of

serious affair, I assure you.

glance up

One

some unknown reason, she would have

jealous for

her

temperament may reach a

taken

lost

They really say, you know, that there was thought her brain was affected. I Who can tell what point the love of women

were days when

of that

155

him

meeting him

do her some harm.

the day for the change of the detachment arrived

;

At the

promised that he would return in a few months, the believed him, and he went away and was seen no more.

officer girl

The poor that

little

him

but

;

thing

fell

ill.

Perhaps, in getting well and losing

ray of hope remaining, she might have forgotten she

before

had recovered from her

illness,

know how, that her lover had married. blow was unexpected, and was terrible in its effect. became mad. That is the story."

learned, I don't

" "

What

followed

Then, as

The She

" ?

I told you, she

then returned, and

she

it is

was sent

now more

to the hospital in Sicily

;

than a year since she has

been here."

that

moment a

soldier

came

to the

door of the cafe

search of the doctor.

'11

you the

tell

disappeared.

The

rest later

;

officer, rising

au revoir" to. salute

saying which he

him, hit his sword

MILITAR Y LIFE.

against the table.

out in the square

And "

at the

that

moment a

heard

it,

same time the mad "

Send her away

girl

voice was heard crying

heard

there

appeared on the

" !

door-sill.

cried the officer, bounding quickly to

started up by a spring. The girl was sent off. " and wait for him at home go they heard her say " I will go and wait for him at home, my as she moved away

his feet, as "

will

;

dear

little officer

Among

the

" !

persons present was one who, noticing that

many

impetuous movement and "

neighbors

Can

his

changed

face,

whispered to his

the lieutenant have been afraid

" ?

IV.

Carmela's mother lived in a wretched house at the end of the town, together with two or three families of peasants, and

earned a precarious livelihood by sewing on linen. At first she received assistance, from time to time, from the well-to-do families of the place factors

had seen

for the girl

;

but,

finally,

nothing more.

were made

that their contributions

would neither eat nor sleep

Her benein vain,

home, nor was there

any way of making her keep a dress in order for a week. There is no need to tell how much the mother suffered, or how she tried with untiring patience

daughter each day

;

do something

but always in vain.

for

her

Sometimes, after

would allow a new dress to be put on, and then suddenly would tear, cut, and reduce it to rags. At others, hardly had she left her mother's hands, nicely dressed

many

prayers, she

and cared hair

and

when moment

for,

in a

she would dash her hands through her loosen and rumple

She spent a great portion of the day

like a fury.

wandering among the

CARMEL A. most rocky and

solitary mountains,

gesticulating, talking,

times

Many

laughing loudly to herself.

157

when

and

the carabineers

localities, they saw her from a distance quite intent in building towers with stones, or seated motionless on the summit of a promontory with her face turned toward the

were passing those

sea, or stretched sleeping

on the ground.

If she espied

them,

she followed them with her eyes until they disappeared, without replying by voice, smile, or motion to any sign they might

have made. pretended

sometimes when they were far away, she them with her two hands but her face

first,

to fire at

;

was quite serious all the time. So it was with the soldiers, with whom no one had ever seen her talk or smile. She passed before

them or among them without replying

to the jokes they

flung after her, turning her head, or looking a,ny

Nor was

there any

man who would have

her finger or pull her dress, because

cuffs that left the imprint of her fingers

However

may have

as she heard the

go and

drill

been, she

attempted to touch

made her appearance as soon The soldiers left the town

sound of a drum.

on the sea-shore, and she followed them. While

commanded, and the officer, at a she would withdraw and mimic with the

the attitudes of the soldiers,

movements

face.

was said that she gave on their faces.

the sergeants on,

one in the

distance, looked greatest gravity

and imitate with a

of the muskets, repeating the

little

command

stick the in a

low

Then, suddenly, she would throw away the stick and and go lounge around the officer, looking and smiling lovingly at him, and calling him by the sweetest and tenderest names,

voice.

a low voice, however, covering her

mouth with her hand

that the soldiers should not hear her.

When

she was in the town she almost always stood on the

MILITARY

square in front of the

boys

whom

she would

officer's

LIFE.

house, in the midst of a circle of

she amused with every sort of buffoonery.

make

Now

a high hat of paper with a large brim, put

sideways on her head, and, leaning on a large stick and grumbling in a nasal voice, imitate the gait of the syndic.

Now

with some tags of paper in her hair, her eyes lowered, her

mouth

tightly closed,

moving one hand

using a fan, and

swaying her body gently, she caricatured the few ladies in the At other times, place when they went to church on fete days. picking up before the door of the barracks an old cap thrown

away by some her ears, hide

make

soldier, she all

would put it on, draw it down to it, and then with folded arms

her hair under

the circuit of the square two or three times, in slow and

measured drum,

imitating with her voice

steps,

as serious,

scripts.

stiff,

and erect

But whatever she did or

more attention

The

to her.

were her only spectators.

the sound of the

one of the hardest con-

said,

boys,

the people paid no

especially the

gamins,

However, their mothers tried to because one day, contrary to her

keep them away from her, habit, and who knows for what caprice, she had seized one of them, a boy about eight, the prettiest of her spectators, and

had given him so many furious kisses on neck, that he became frightened and began for fear she

Once

and

his forehead

to cry

and shriek

would suffocate him.

would enter the church, kneel, the others, then mumble some un-

in a great while she

and join her hands

known words

;

but a few moments later she would begin to

laugh, assume queer attitudes,

and make such strange and

ir-

reverent gestures, that the sacristan ended by taking her by the

arm and leading her

out.

CARMELA. She had a beautiful well

inarticulately

and when she was herself sang

but since her brain had been affected she only

;

own

voice,

hummed

and monotonously, generally when seated on her

door-step, or at the foot of the stairs of the lieutenant's

house, nibbling Indian

figs,

which were, as one might

say, her

chief nourishment.

She, too,

had her melancholy hours,

which she did not

any one, not even with the children, and she

talk or laugh with

generally stayed curled up like a dog at the house-door, with

her head enveloped in her apron, or her face covered with a handkerchief, not moving or stirring from her position at any noise around her, or no matter

how many times

she was called

even by her mother.

This happened quite rarely, however, was almost always gay. She paid no attention, as I have already said, to the soldiers,

for she

nor even looked the

measure

them

She

officers.

did

;

but reserved not

all

her tenderness for

it,

however, in equal

dispense

Since her return from the hospital, the detach-

all.

ment had been changed six or eight times, and officers of every age, aspect, and humor had come. It was noticed that she displayed a

when

much

greater

sympathy for the younger ones, even

there was only a few years' difference

their

ages,

and she knew very well how to distinguish between those who were handsome and those less so, although all were equally her "

love

the

and her

first arrivals,

treasure."

man

a certain lieutenant,

with a stentorian voice, and basilisk eyes,

any favor.

She had addressed a few sweet words

time they met

among

and stomach, she had never shown

in the forties, all nose

him the

but he, disgusted, had replied disagreeably, his words with a threatening movement of the accompanying

first

;

MILITARY

l6o

hand, in order to show her, that

And

all.

LIFE. it

was best

hind him every time that she met him

many

to desist

once for

she had desisted, not ceasing, however, to keep bein the street,

and

to pass

hours of the evening seated on the steps of his house.

Whether he entered or went

out, she never said a

And

nor moved from the spot.

word

to him,

she conducted herself in the

same way with two or three other officers who came after him, and who differed little from him in manners, customs, or appearBut some young and very handsome ones arrived, and ances. one might say that she went mad about them, if that had not been her state already. Some of them took it into their head that they could cure her by pretending to be charmed and in love

with her

;

but having taken the thing up too

wearied after two or three days'

Some

project.

tive,

" :

tried to

love-making

;

they were their

and more material,

always necessary that a beautiful "

and having replied in the negapersuade Carmela that brains were a superfluity but, strange to say, they had met with an un-

should be perfectly sane

had

lightly,

and had abandoned

others, less philanthropic

had asked themselves girl

trial,

expected and obstinate

She never said a positive and resolute no, because, perhaps, she did not clearly understand what they wanted of her but, almost by instinct, at every attitude or resistance.

;

(who can suggest an adjective?) which might seem decisive, she would loosen one hand after the other, draw back her arms, act

cross

them on her

breast,

and clasp herself

certain strange laugh, like children

tightly, giving

when they think some one know what, and,

intends to play them a trick, but they do not

by laughing, wish to

have

explained.

show

that they have understood

order

At those moments when her face became

animated and her eyes sparkled, she no longer seemed mad,

CARMELA. and was very beautiful to her movements and

;

l6l

that self-possession

and

reserve, giving

composure and grace, to the wonderful beauty of

attitudes a certain

added an extraordinary

brilliancy

few who tried to tempt her became convinced that it. was a useless undertaking. I was informed that In

her form.

fact, the

one of these men,

in telling the doctor,

exclaimed

his vain attempts,

one day, something of

Women

with virtue in their

whatever you like, I have seen one who has it in her blood in her

brains, conscience, hearts, in

many blood

;

women

but

like this

confess I have never before encountered."

whom

that in every officer

Some

said

she liked or fancied, she saw her

own, the one who had loved and abandoned her. Perhaps this was not true, because sometimes she would have made some allusion to

what had taken

place, but,

on the contrary, she never

any thing. Frequently she was questioned or spoken to on the subject, but she never gave sign of understanding or remembering any thing about it she listened attentively and said

;

When

then laughed.

when

the port, and

handkerchief

a detachment left she accompanied

was moving

the ship

new

love to the

more than

all

she

waved her

but did not weep or make any demonstration

;

She went immediately

of grief.

off

officer.

The

to offer protestations of her

last-comer seemed to please her

the others. V.

The doctor the officer

all

returned a short time thereafter and related to that

we have

just finished telling. "

taking leave, exclaimed a second time so lovely ter she

" !

Yes, indeed "

must have

;

The

What a

latter,

pity

;

she

on is

and what a proud, noble characThe officer went

added the physician.

MILITARY

out.

LIFE.

was very late, and not a living soul was to be seen on His house was on the opposite side from the cafe*.

the square.

Thither he slowly sauntered in an almost melancholy frame of " She will be there," he thought, sighing, and he mind. strained his eyes, turned his head from right to left to see there was any one before the door

ness

was inpenetrable.

;

but

all

" .

was awaiting me,

that a cutthroat, knife in hand,

"Ah

there she is."

knew

could go on

He had discovered

She was seated on the steps outside the door

dark to see her

If I

boldly," he said to himself, then took ten or

twelve resolute steps. her.

in vain, the dark-

On, on he went, more and more slowly,

stopping, meandering, spying about him.

more quickly and

face.

approaching her.

What

;

you doing here

are

but it was too " ?

he asked,

She did not reply immediately, arose, came two hands on his shoulders, said,

close to him, and, placing her

with a sweet voice, in a tone as

was waiting

for "

you

talking most sensibly " I went to sleep." But

and

" :

why

removing from his shoulders " her hands, which instantly seized his arms. Because I wish " " he thought to remain with you," she replied. What a tone did you wait

asked the

officer,

"one would

;

suppose she was talking like a sane person." Then, taking a match from his pocket, he lighted it, and apreally

proached Carmela ness

than

for she all,

in order to look into

her eyes.

The

weari-

had been wandering around all day and, more had just waked hav-

the short sleep from which she

ing taken from her face a sive vivacity

little

of that

which was habitual

it,

immoderate and convul-

and

a shade of melancholy and languor over

moment her

face was enchanting,

but a mad-woman.

in its stead diffused it,

so that at that

and she seemed any thing

CARMELA. "Oh,

darling, darling!"

163

broke out Carmela as soon as she

saw the lighted face of the lieutenant, and, stretching out her arm, she tried to take his chin between her thumb and forefinger.

by one arm, she in her turn took hold of the arm her, fastened her mouth on his hand, and kissed and

seized her

which held bit

The

it.

officer

broke away, dashed into the house, and closed

the door.

"Treasure!" cried Carmela once

again,

and then, without

saying any thing more, reseated herself on the steps, with her

arms crossed over her knees and her head bent to one

side.

Shortly after she was asleep.

As soon

had entered the house and lighted the lamp, hand and saw there

as he

the officer looked at the back of his right the light imprint of eight

love

little

teeth, all

around which

foam of that convulsive mouth.

gleamed the

?" he said aloud to himself, and, lighting a

this

still

What kind cigar,

began pacing the room, thinking over the time-table for his " I '11 think to-morrow," he said suddenly, small detachment

and he turned

his thoughts to

self,

to bed.

He had

by an idea

dow, stretched out his shrugged his

The

hand

open shoulders, and went to sleep.

following morning his orderly,

girl

ing

;

wake

down

himself.

the door."

she says she

The

He seated

him-

decided to go

finally

when he was

seized

instant, ran to the win-

who

times on tiptoe, was astonished to find his habit to

;

nearly finished undressing

he stood meditating for an

;

else.

something

opened a book, read several pages

...

withdrew

it,

entered his room be-

him awake,

was not

And he said, smiling That mad "What is she doing?" "Noth:

waiting for you, lieutenant."

officer tried to laugh,

and looking then

at the soldier

MILITARY

164

LIFE. "

while he was brushing his clothes, said to himself

low

working by steam

he said

" :

Look and

this

see

When

morning." she

still

"What is she doing?"

looking

"No."

up?"

and down he went.

The

there."

Playing with stones."

side."

soldier

"Is she

"I can escape from

But the sound of

fel-

in the affirma-

door

Is she directly in front of the

"At one

or at one side ?"

That

he was dressed,

opened the window, looked down, and replied tive.

her,"

sword betrayed him. " " shouted the girl, running up Good-morning, good-morning the stairs to meet him, and when she was near him, she kneeled his

down, drew out a handkerchief, and, seizing him with the other hand, began dusting his boots in the greatest haste, murmur" Wait, wait, one moment more, a little ing as she did so :

patience, my

dear

are all right." " "

Carmela

;

one moment more, ah

exclaimed the

When "

little

hand

it,

now you

he attempted "

;

Carmela

" !

he was at liberty he hurried

But

there really

off on a run. " no way of restoring her reason ? he

asked of the doctor soon afterward. "

that

officer severely, as

vain to free his leg from her

perhaps so

;

with time and patience

Ah .

" !

the latter replied, ."

VI.

After a month the doctor and lieutenant were very great friends.

than

all,

The

similarity of their characters

and

ages, and,

from morning until night in be said there were no other young men might

their constant intercourse

a place where

of their position, resulted in the fact that they grew to

know

each other intimately and to be as fond of one another as old friends.

But during that month one of them, the

officer,

had

CARMELA.

165

V changed

his habits in a singular

manner.

During the

first

few

days he had had certain huge books sent him from Naples, and during the evenings of several weeks he had done nothing but read and make notes and indulge in long and abstruse discussions with the doctor, always -ending with the

remark

Well,

I fancy that physicians can do little or nothing " in those cases ! will see how you succeed," the doctor

enough of

it.

"We

would reply

;

and they parted with these words, only

resume

the discussion from the beginning the following day.

One

day, after having asked certain questions of the syndic,

the officer

had sent

for the only tailor in the town, then

had

betaken himself to the shop of the sole hatter, and from thence to the only haberdasher's establishment.

he went out to walk on the sea-shore

Four days thereafter

all

dressed in Russian

The

linen, with a broad straw hat and a sky-blue cravat.

tor in meeting " "

Nothing." "

" matter, persevere."

The

receiver of the

and knew how officer

him the same evening had asked " " Not even a sign ? Nothing,

Oh, never fear

" :

doc-

Well

" ?

nothing."

" !

town had been a singer for many years on several instruments. One day the

to play

went to him, and without any preamble, said the favor to teach

to play the guitar

ceiver, beginning that very day,

" ?

" :

Will you

And

the re-

gave lessons on the guitar, morn-

ing and evening, to the lieutenant, who learned with wonderful quickness, and in a short time was able to accompany himself in singing.

said to

him one

"You must have a beautiful voice," the master And in truth his voice was lovely. Then day.

he began to learn the guitar the that

to sing,

little

and

Sicilian

was a pleasure

at the

end of a month he sang

songs with such taste and feeling

to hear him.

had another

officer

MILITARY

l66

LIFE.

the receiver once said to him. who played very well too "There is a little air," he added one day, "which he always sang ... an air ... wait ah, how divinely he sang It began ... he composed it himself, you know it it !

;

began

'Cannela, ai tuoi ginocchi Placidamente assiso,

Guardandoti negli

ocelli

Baciandoti nel viso Trascorrero

" ' L* ultimo

di,

miei

di.

nel seno

II volto scolorito

celer6, sereno

Come un

fanciul sopito,

morir6 cosi."'

Carmela, at thy dainty feet Content I find a resting-place

While gazing

And

;

in thine eyes so sweet.

kissing oft thy beauteous face,

days will thus glide swiftly by.

The

last day,

upon thy breast I '11 lay and keep,

My pale brow

Sinking quietly to rest Like a child that 's lulled to sleep

And "

I* 11

Say it over again." And he did so.

;

gladly die.

The

receiver repeated

it.

Sing

it."

Another day, after having talked at length with the tobacconist, who had a shop next his house, he went to the marshal of " the carabineers, and said to him Marshal, they tell me that :

it 's two I, oh, heavens you are an excellent fencer." years " since I have had a foil in my hand." Would you like to " " exchange a few thrusts with me, from time to time ? Oh, !

CARMELA, "

gladly

Then

167

And

us appoint the time."

let

they arranged

all those who day a of heard crossed the square swords, stamping great clashing It was of feet, puffing, and noise in the lieutenant's house.

From

their meetings.

that

on, every

morning

and himself who were fencing.

the marshal

You may

spare

yourself this experiment," said the doctor to the officer one " " " None at all." " But it was Does she give no sign ? day.

worth trying.

the marshal, just

was told that he fenced every morning with at that hour, and that she, not liking to stay

and look on, went down friend,

else is

something

into the square."

needed.

Oh,

Something

yes,

else is

dear

needed

" !

VII.

month and a half had passed

tachment's in his

his

own

pen

that

;

here

;

At what

how

there are

will

end.

moments

am ashamed

which

of myself.

seems as

every

back."

repeated the other, in order to seize time for a

" reply.

table

little

up the flame of the candle burning before him, How do you think it will end ? I shall become

one were laughing at me behind " " Laughing at what ? "

day of the new de-

house, opposite the doctor, and with the point of

too

Look

since the

night the officer sat at the

stirring

he said

mad

arrival.

One

Laughing

zeal,

pity for this

poor unfortu-

nate creature, my experiments, my useless attempts." " Zeal These are not subjects for laughter." And pity " Tell me he fixed his eyes on the other's face then added " the truth you have fallen in love with Carmela ? " " I ? hastily exclaimed the officer, and he stopped in the !

;

midst of his question, growing red to the roots of his hair.

M1LITAR Y LIFE.

68 "

You," replied the doctor.

with

;

Friend, yes

not like to

Tell

not your only friend here

but just because

;

tell

you

hastily,

now becoming

was

silent for

be sincere

;

wish to be sincere

which does not

that

other.

the truth "

exist,"

I might answered the

a moment, and then went on talking

now

pale,

scarlet,

embarrassed and contradicting himself,

stammering, growing like

a boy caught in

mischief and obliged to confess his wrong-doing. " And with Carmela ? With an insane person I, in love ?

What

are you thinking

friend

of,

strange idea into your head

give you the right to say to

How

The day

make me

very strong and lively

pity.

give to see her cured

;

health

madmen.

my and

;

don't

family.

That

falling in love with

have

all

her there

'11

lost

In love

know what

would make any

should delight in her recovery as

pity for that poor creature

feel

laugh.

did you get such a

that that happens, I

colonel that

reason and ought to be shut up with

You

yes, a

;

would not

sacrifice

for her

she were one of

very true, but between this is

a great difference.

I like

is true too, I like her very much, as I think you do Then I because pity always goes with affection. . fond of her because they say she has always been a virtu-

her, this too,

ous, affectionate girl

;

that her

first

and only lover she

really

loved, loved worthily, with the idea of becoming his wife, and

without being willing to sacrifice her honor to him before bearing his name. ue,

and

arouses

This

virtue,

all

fate instead of a misfortune like the

her

lot.

dear friend, real

virt-

so that poor creature it, you understand the more compassion because she deserved a happy

admire

How

;

one which has

could one help having compassion

fallen for,

and

CARMELA. loving her

169

Is not the character of her

sion of a good, loving, lovely soul

madness the expresher mouth I have

From

never heard any but sweet and modest words of her hands

on me, her

caresses, her kissing of

mad-woman, but there

certainly the-acts of a

this reason, I girl,

abandoned by

dog.

all,

she

(because

that cannot be denied figure,

her hands

hair

Tumbled

And

ful.

beautiful

she looks like a savage, but

it is

one cannot love those

Then,

pity all the stronger. ' :

Poor of a

life

I tell

angel

;

What

a pity,

And

it 's

her

beauti-

well,

her

Looking at her I what a shame that

But don't you know that !' would be enough to turn any

brilliant eyes

that girl's face, were she sane,

know

for

look at her eyes, her mouth, her whole

;

Her very

attached to her.

beautiful,

cannot help saying to myself

and

not fond of her too

then dressed in another way.

man's head

;

attached to her.

have you ever seen her hands

;

very beauty makes

did not

forced to lead the

me if you are am sincerely

Tell

you frankly that beauty

way

repeat to you, that I

hands, are

ever seen her do

No, certainly not

nothing in them

Have you

that passes the limits of decency.

any thing out of the

and that laying

;

too, there are

that she was

moments

which,

mad, you would be ready

you commit

some extravagance for instance, when she looks you in the and the evening, at eyes, then smiles and says My dear ;

dark,

when you do not

;

see her face

and only hear her speak

and say gently that she was waiting for you, that she will stay with you until morning, that you are her angel, and what not besides I

;

at those times

look at her,

felt

I listen to

what she says

she does not seem like a mad-woman.

her as

me, and

she were herself and really

I assure

you

that, while the illu-

MILITARY

I/O

heart beats, yes, vbeats as

sion lasts,

I try calling

her.

her by name,

fixed idea that she ought to

show me

And

I say.

mad

I ask.

reply that will

'Car-

You

she

replies,

make

with a certain air of surprise that would '

Carmela

cry suddenly, car-

Tell me once more away by a sweet hope. She looks at me astonished for a '

mad

with the

ried

in love with

swear that she was not.

not

were

know why,

me some

give

she answers:

are not really mad, are you

looking at

don't

been suddenly cured. What do you wish

that she has

mela

LIFE.

then breaks out into a loud laugh.

Oh,

you are

that

short

time,

friend, believe me,

moment I am ready to dash my head against the You know how much I have done to try and restore her reason but you do not know all. Nearly every evening I at that wall.

;

have had her brought to my house, I have talked to her by the hour, I have played and sung to her by the hour the songs her lover sang, I have tried to tell her I was in love with her, to

calm her by

caresses,

by pretending to cry and grow desperate, do with me wh^t she chose, to kiss me,

by allowing her to embrace me, caress me I

have tried

heart I did

whether

it,

all

mothers do their children.

do the same

I leave

was a

morse, or

exulted in

combined

;

and

I felt

friend,

it,

could not

tell

were kissing a corpse.

were making a great

seemed

horrified at myself.

and

you

the fact remains, that, in kissing her,

and, mingling with the kisses,

At other times

cheeks.

feeling of repugnance, fear, shame, or re-

seemed as

and with what a heavy

you to imagine, for

trembled and grew pale, as

times

to her,

all in vain.

sacrifice,

my tears

fell

Someand

on her

be committing a crime, have suffered terribly, dear

The more

the despair increased, the

CARMELA. more

this

171

cursed and obstinate fever raged in

know

I cannot sleep at night, because I

curled up before

door,

and tortured

heart.

that she

as I

already

continually by

ought to hear from one moment to the other, another tapping on the glass, and see appear above this idea,

seems as

window-sill that distorted face, and have those two motion-

less, staring

eyes fastened upon mine

hear her coming up the

fancy

hear

down

stairs,

and

Sometimes

spring up in

have not the courage

gin to read, to write, yet

will

this

agonizing

remain in

know

life will

heart.

answer, and I dash

...

end, and how

I feel that

cannot bear

...

Oh, friend

my hair tell me that heart

cannot

ask

what trace

;

reply, I

hands into

;

I be-

Then

not why.

do not dare

one desperate. go mad too, because this life

heart

mind, always fixed upon her,

sad, disquieted, almost fearful, I

myself when

and that

window.

to look out of the

bed, or I

in the square a burst of laughter,

laugh produces the effect of an icy hand laid on

but

seem

am .

afraid .

shall not

breaking and

cannot bear

it!"

Then he

stretched out his

hand

to seize that of the doctor

the latter drew his chair nearer, and being so

could not utter one shoulders, looked at

word, he

him an

placed

instant,

moved

hands on his

both

and then embraced him.

All at once the officer exclaimed with a suddenly quiet face "

If she

;

that he

could become what she once was,

she could regain

her reason and the heart she then possessed, and those eyes

should lose forever that strange

which

so frightful

;

her

light, that

mouth never

fixed expression

give again that horrible

laugh, and one day she should say sanely

thank thee, I

MILITARY

1/2 bless thee, dear

of thee,

thou hast given

;

love thee

me back my

life

and should weep.

LIFE. ;

fond

Oh, to see her

weep, to hear her speak, to find her always neat, well dressed,

and cared pray,

for like other girls

and blush as she used

to see her return to

;

and

second childhood,

in a

one by one, as

;

have her experience, the sweet and pure

all

Not

feelings of affection

which have disappeared

any more

at the foot of the stairs, to

evening

home

to her

church to

to find her

be obliged to go

in search of her, where, beside her mother, she

and contented) would be occupied with some work. " he exclaimed, seizing him by the hands and Oh, my friend (quiet

gazing at him, his eyes

god

;

would seem

filled

possessed two souls, lived

seem

my own

for me,

and

;

piness

were true

" ;

should feel like a

I, too, had created something, two lives, hers and mine she would

that

;

should feel that heaven had predestined her

would lead her

she were an angeL ;

with tears

should go

into

Oh,

mad from

mother's presence as

could not grasp such hap-

joy

oh,

;

were true

;

" !

Then weeping, he buried "

his face in his hands.

Oh, my they heard some one cry in the square. The officer sprang to his feet, and said resolutely to the doc" " tor Leave me love

The

latter

pressed his hand, said

" :

Courage

and went

out.

The

lieutenant remained motionless for

some moments

the middle of the room, then approached the window, opened it,

drew back a

step,

and stood contemplating

for an instant

the exquisite spectacle stretched out before his eyes.

clear, soft,

still,

enchanting night.

was

Directly under his eyes

CARMELA.

173

lay the lower part of the town, the roofs, the deserted streets,

the harbor, and the beach,

on which the white moon-light

fell

so brightly that you could have seen a person passing as distinctly as

if it

were day

then the quiet sea as smooth as

;

glass,

and away in the dim distance the mountains of Sicily as clearly denned as if they were near, and over all a profound silence. "

could but enter this sweet peace," thought the

If I

officer,

and trembling, he approached the window and looked down. Carmela was his eyes swept across the

immensity of that

sea,

seated before the door. "

Carmela

" !

Darling." " "

What

are

What am

you doing there I

doing

ing until you let

me come

you know Don't you want

waiting

up.

;

it.

this

wait-

even-

ing "

I '11 come down and open the door." Carmela began clapping her hands and jumping about with

joy.

The door opened, and

the officer appeared with the light in Carmela entered, took the light from him, passed

his hand.

before him and began hastily climbing the stairs, murmuring " as she did so Come, come, poor fellow," and then turning :

to stretch out

her hand to him, she said

little

hand

into the house.

There the

officer

made

of a saint began to repeat

tempts, invented

with

Give your hand

you handsome fellow," and so drew him by the

your

one,

" :

new

active

her all

sit

his

ones, tried

solicitude

down, and with the patience former experiments and

them

and

at-

several times, always

ardor,

simulating

love,

MILITARY

174

hatred, anger, sorrow, despair

and listened

him

" :

Poor

but in vain.

;

attentively, then

asked him with a loud laugh or said

LIFE.

fellow,

-She looked at

when he had

What

you arouse

finished she

the matter with you

compassion."

" ?

Then

she took his hands and kissed them with the air of intense pity.

Carmela

exclaimed the

finally

officer in

order to try

one more experiment. " What do you wish ? "

He made

her a sign to come nearer him.

She approached

suddenly threw herarms around his neck, and,

slowly, looking lovingly into his eyes, then

self

his breast, clasped her

mouth

pressing her "

dear

who had

dear

near the

dear

quite lost his head,

and thus supporting laid her

she cried with a suffocating voice

it,

" !

The poor young

passed his

arm around her

fellow,

waist,

her, bent slowly, she with him, until he

down, almost without being aware of it, on the sofa little table. Carmela suddenly rose to her .

feet,

looked very serious, seemed to be thinking of something

for a

moment, and then murmured with a

disgust

What

The silently

slight expression of

are

officer

you doing ?" saw a gleam of hope, and stood watching her

and anxiously.

Carmela remained pensive, or seemed to be so, an instant longer, then, smiling in a singular way, as she had never done before, said

The

officer

and the

tip

Oh, are we already married, we two ? gave a half cry, and with his eyes toward heaven of his finger at

thought for a

moment what

his lips,

pallid,

reply he

convulsive, he

should make.

CARMELA. moment Carmela

that

raised

175

her eyes to the wall, caught

hanging from a nail, burst out into a laugh, on her head, and screaming and shouting, she it, put began jumping about the room. sight of a high hat

took "

Carmela

cried the officer, sorrowfully.

But she did not

heed him. "

he shouted again, dashing toward her. She, frightened, sprang down the staircase, and a moment later was in the middle of the square, still jumping, shouting, and shriek-

Carmela

ing with laughter.

The

officer

once more his

went

to the

window.

Carmela

" !

he shouted

an exhausted voice, then covered his face with

hands and dropped down into a

chair.

VIII.

The

following morning, as soon as he was up, he went to the

doctor's house.

The

latter,

on catching a glimpse of the red

eyes and distorted face, saw that he had come for comfort and counsel, and making him sit down in front of him, began a regular lecture.

But the

officer

did not listen to him, and

seemed preoccupied with other thoughts. Suddenly he grew " Ah brighter, and clapping his hand to his head, exclaimed :

never thought of that before

doctor.

The

other

made no

pen, and began writing

read the following letter LIEUTENANT

" !

furiously.

;

Of what

" ?

.asked the

took a sheet of paper, a

When

he had finished he

Without any preamble, as is the habit among us military men. I will say that I have been, for a month and a half, in command of the detachment of ... which you commanded three years ago during the months of July,

MILITARY

LIFE.

August, September. I have learned to know in this town a girl of eighteen or twenty, called Carmela, who has been mad for two years her insanity having been caused, it is said, by her love for you. What has happened to ;

her since your departure from the island, you must know, and you ought also to be conversant with the especial character of her madness, because I have been told that you have been written to on the subject by some

The most

one here.

saw

unfortunate condition of this girl aroused in me, from

profound feeling of pity, and I tried every means dressed like you, learned to play and sing like you, informed myself of all your habits familiar to those persons who have known you I feigned love for her, spoke of you, pretended to be you, but

the

first

time

her, a

to restore her reason.

;

You cannot understand how unhappy

I have been made by one by one. There is, however, one more thing to do not refuse me grant my prayer and you try, and this is in your hands will perform a sacred duty. Listen It is said that one of the most efficacious means of restoring insane people is to represent before them, with the most minute details and scrupulous exactness, some serious event that preceded their malady, whether it were or were not the direct cause of the same. I

all in vain.

seeing

hopes

fall

;

have thought that by repeating exactly before Carmela the scene of your 1 have questioned many departure, I might produce some effect upon her. persons in town and have not succeeded in learning any thing more than the fact that

you

left at night,

and before your departure supped

home

the syndic, marshal of the carabineers, and several other particulars of that supper and of your subsequent departure

company with people. are only

The

remembered indistinctly at best. I beseech you from my heart to do this work of charity, which will cost you little or nothing, and may give life and happiness to the person most interested. Write me all that you remember, tell me of the persons, speeches, occurrences, every thing in fact. And, above all, try to tell me the precise hour or moment in which and tell me every thing with clearthe most noteworthy incidents occurred Do me this great service, I pray you, and I shall be ness and in order. I add nothing more. I trust to the gengrateful to you all through life. I press your hand as a good comrade and say adieu. erosity of your heart ;

;

" the

What do you think of it ? " doctor, who had listened with

you know

his

Divinely inspired," replied the greatest attention. " "

name, regiment, and

knows every thing." "I am convinced of

"Do it."

The

syndic

will reply to

you?"

station

you think he

CARMELA.

did reply

written

in a letter of eight pages, in

But there was not a comment, not an allusion

all.

to the past, not a single

supper and

word

his departure

any thing but the

referring to

not a syllable aside from the ques-

;

even an expression of pity for Carmela.

tions asked, not

from that bare, crude felt

which were

the details required about the persons, speeches,

all

hours, and

and

;

177

letter

one could see that he must have

deep pangs of remorse while writing

been the case,

at least

But

If this

it.

some feigned expression

had not

of regret or

repentance would have been found therein. In closing he " I hope but there etc." would have said at least " At one o'clock at night the steamer was nothing of the kind. I salute

left.

And

you."

;

then the signature. IX.

understand

had

" !

exclaimed the doctor, as soon as his friend

finished reading

not one of

the particulars.

ing like that

him the

"now

letter;

understand why

the persons present were able to relate any of

all

do not doubt

it,

when they had been

drink-

" !

That same day both began to make preparations for the great experiment. Both of them went to the syndic, judge, receiver, marshal of the carabineers, and

the

others,

all

whom

and the one, the doctor, with scientific were very intimate arguments, and the other with those coming from the heart, by sheer force of talking, explaining, and demonstrating, succeed;

making them understand what it was all about, assuring themselves of their assistance, and teaching each one the part he

was

to play.

Heaven be

coming out of the

praised

receiver's house,

exclaimed the

which was the

officer

last visit

;

MILITARY

work

the greatest part of the

LIFE.

whom

an explanation of the

than

affair,

magnates whom one could confide, but a ;

was

far easier to give

to the syndic

them most excellent people,

all

Then they

accomplished."

sent for Carmela's mother, to

dull of

little

and other

to be sure,

comprehension

in matters of that description.

Carmela had not been remained

home

feeling well for

almost

the time.

all

some

The

days,

and had

officei

and the

She was seated on the ground

doctor went to look for her.

outside the door, with her back leaning against the wall.

soon as she saw them she rose, and moving a than usual, went toward the lieutenant and

embrace him, murmuring,

habit, to

trifle

more slowly

tried, as

was her

in a feeble voice, her cus-

tomary words.

"Carmela

said the lieutenant,

we have a

piece of news

for you."

piece of news, a piece of news, a piece of news," re-

peated Carmela, gently passing the palm of her hand three times over the officer's cheek. "

To-morrow

I, I

am am

going away."

going away I

going away.

going to leave this place. I shall

diers.

far, far

go on

" ?

am going away from here. I am am going to leave with all my sol-

to the steamer,

far

for an instant,

tone

to indicate a great dis-

away," murmured Carmela, looking in the

rection the officer

will carry

away."

Saying which he rased his arm as tance. " Far,

and the steamer

had pointed.

and then

The steamship

said, .

She seemed

di-

be thinking in an indifferent vaguely, quite which smokes/' .

CARMELA.

And

179

she tried to embrace the officer again, while calling him

by the usual names. " It produces no

effect,"

thought the

latter,

shaking

his

head. "

You must

say

us wait until a

And

many

times," whispered the doctor.

Let

little later."

they went, after speaking severely to Carmela, so

off

that she

would not follow them.

The supper was

fixed for the following evening.

That same

evening Carmela went, as was her custom, and seated herself before the

her up

officer's door.

stairs,

The

latter,

on returning home, took to orders, had

where the orderly, according

turned every thing upside

The

to take place.

down

the departure were really

little table, chairs,

and sofa were covered

with linen, clothes, books, and papers, flung here and there, and of the room were two open trunks, in which the had begun to place the clothing. Carmela made a movement of surprise at the first sight of

in the centre

soldier

the disorder, and looked smilingly into the officer's face. " I am preparing to go away," said the officer.

Carmela looked around the room again, knitting her brows a thing she was not in the habit of doing. The

as she did so officer

;

watched her

closely.

going away, far away from here

;

going on the

steamship." "

Are you going on the steamship ? " Yes I am going to-morrow evening. " To-morrow evening," repeated Carmela mechanically, and

...

seeing the guitar on a chair, she touched a string with one fin-

ger and

made

sound.

MILITARY

180 "

Are you not sorry

gret never seeing

Carmela looked

that I

LIFE.

am -going away ?

again

him

fixedly,

and then dropped her head

The

she were really thinking.

and

eyes as

ing

more and began

Will you not re-

officer said noth-

whom

talking sotto voce with the soldier,

he helped to fold the clothes.

The

stood looking at them without opening her mouth.

girl

After a short time, the officer approached her and said " Now, go away, Carmela you have been here long enough. :

;

Go home, go." And taking

her by the arm, he pushed her gently toward

She stretched out her arms

the door. the neck. "

to clasp

him around

do not wish you to do so," said the officer. Carmela stamped her foot two or three times, stretched out I

her arms again, clasped his neck, passed her mouth over his

cheeks without kissing him as thing

else,

she were thinking of some-

and then went slowly and

silently

away without

laughing or turning back, with a look on her face that expressed nothing, like an abstracted person a thousand things, and of nothing, at once. " " What is this ? thought the officer. " sign

The

Oh,

God

only willed

who

Can

thinking of

this

be a good

Let us hope

" I

following day he did not leave the house, and would

not even see Carmela, although he knew that she was seated as usual, at the door.

employed the

entire afternoon in

preparing for the experiment of the evening.

His small apart-

ment was composed of two rooms and a kitchen. Between the bedroom and the entrance, there was a large room, whose windows,

those of the other one, looked out into the

CARMELA.

l8l

In this room he had the supper

square.

his neighbor, lent

him an immense

The

laid.

landlord,

came himself

dining-table,

cook in the house the few dishes that were needed, and set the table with the greatest possible luxury, as he had done

Toward nine

three years before for the other officer. in the

evening the doctor arrived, the

first

down below," he

said to his friend

on entering

plaining that she

had not seen you

yet.

well,

and she

Well

passing through her head.

When

Oh,

God

;

She

she was comif

she

felt

Steamship,'

alone can

tell

what

us see these splendid prep-

let

" !

both had given a glance

arrange between them

the

best

the table, they began to

mode

comedy, or rather the drama, because to

and a serious one tor

asked her

replied, after looking fixedly at

and she did not laugh. arations

o'clock "

comer.

asked

" :

When

too.

Have they

officer replied that

all

was a drama

the matter was settled, the doc-

learned their parts well

he hoped

the

representing

them

" ?

and the

so.

Shortly before ten they heard a shuffling of many feet, and " " a confused sound of voices. said the docThey are here !

tor,

and he looked out of the window.

The

soldier

It is really they."

went down and opened the door.

The doctor

lighted the four candelabra at the four corners of the table. " How my heart beats " said the officer. " " Courage, courage At that moment they heard Carmela exclaim " I am going !

on the steamship too "

" !

and then she began clapping her hands.

Courage repeated the doctor hastily in his friend's ear " do you hear that ? She is beginning to get that idea into her !

head

;

it is

a good sign

;

take heart

;

here are your guests

" !

MILITARY

The door opened and who had met

LIFE.

the syndic, judge, and

at the cafe", entered smiling

now

the officer was welcoming them, and thanking the other, the doctor whispered a

word

the others

all

and bowing.

While

one,

now

in the ear of the orderly,

who stood motionless in a corner, and he disappeared. A moment later, without any one's noticing it, he returned with Carmela, and both of them passing close to the wall on

tip-toe,

entered the other room. "

Let us be seated," said the

All took their places. that ting

down

made by "

long and

The

blissful,

officer.

noise of the

chairs

moving

uttered by the gourmets

at table, did not allow

them

when

and sit-

to hear a slight noise

the orderly in holding back Carmela, who, exclaiming "

have not seen him for a whole day had opened the door and attempted to dash toward the officer. The orderly held I

her back, placed a chair near the door,

made her

sit

down

;

then opened the shutters enough to leave a space as wide as your

hand, and she placed her face to the aperture and stood looking on.

None

looked then or Little

and

later,

little

plates,

of the guests turned in that direction,

no one

and Carmela made no other movement.

the confused clatter of forks, knives, glasses,

and laughter and discordant voices

that tried to over-

power their neighbors', began to increase. All save the doctor and officer were eating with the best appetite in the world, and tippling

gayly.

They began by

to the discipline, virtue, valor, corporals,

and sergeants

upon the choice

of the

giving the loudest praises

and courtesy of the

detachment

quality of the wines

;

soldiers,

then they enlarged

and viands

;

then talked

which was very fine, an enchanting night, and of the voyage, which ought to be delightful then discussed

of the weather,

;

CARMELA. then the soldiers again, once more the voyage, and

politics,

talking

183

more and more

so,

loudly, laughing harder, emptying their

became rubicund,

glasses in greater haste, until all their faces

motion of their

their eyes gleaming, the

lips rather

difficult,

words followed each other without any connection whatsoever. Almost involuntarily each one had taken his part

and

their

seriously,

and represented

But the more the

marvellously.

others forgot the end for which they had assembled, the the officer

his heart-beat increase,

felt

and he showed openly

his face the tempest raging in his soul.

discovered

him

in a

Carmela.

it,

one, however,

save the doctor, who, from time to time begged

loud voice not to lose courage, and kept his eye upon

The

latter

was always immovable and

her face pressed between the

The

shutters.

an opportune moment, had taken himself

intent, with

orderly, seizing

off.

At a certain point three soldiers entered the room, and each took on his shoulders one of the three trunks that were in a corner,

and then passed

out.

Carmela followed

all their

move-

ments with her eye until they had disappeared, then continued looking at the table.

The doctor murmured "

word

in the syndic's ear

the latter suddenly exclaimed, rising with

toast,"

culty to his feet, his glass in his hand.

of this valorous lieutenant

ment

of the

town that

who commands

going away, and

diffi-

toast to the health

the brave detachthere remain per-

let

petually and forever in this our town a beautiful, undying, and immortal memory of the brave detachment commanded by this

valorous

thought a moment, and then went on resolutely " " And they Long live the lieutenant who departs :

all

MILITAR Y LIFE.

8d.

and

rose noisily, clinking their glasses

table:

The

spilling the

wine on the

"Evviva!" heavily on to his chair, and

fell

syndic

for suspicion that he

was

there were

really intoxicated.

grounds Others offered toasts of the same nature, and then they all began talking again, in one voice, of the soldiers, politics, the wine, and the voyage. " Mr. Receiver, give us a song

cried the doctor.

All the others echoed this request. himself, allowed

them

beg him a

The

receiver excused

then smiled, coughed,

little,

took the guitar, and sang two or three verses.

began "

to 's

grow noisy again, and interrupted him. my turn," said the officer, and all were silent.

the guitar, tuned

began. as

The

rose to his feet, pretended to stagger,

it,

took

and

with fever

guests

;

was pale as death, and his hands trembled notwithstanding which he sang his song with a

sweetness and feeling that was really charming. Carmela, ai tuoi ginocchi. Placidamente assiso,

Guardandoti negli occhi Baciandoti nel viso Trascorrer6

miei

Carmela listened more and more from time " in

Bravo

dl.

intently, knitting her

to time, like a person !

one voice.

Good

And

brows

absorbed in deep meditation. " said all the guests Very well, indeed

the officer continued

L' ultimo

dl, sul

seno

II volto scolorito

celero, sereno

Come un

fanciul sopitn,

cosi.

moriro

CARMELA.

185

These were the words and music, and every thing round " that night. Bravo

about was exactly the same as on

Good

repeated

the guests.

all

as a statue,

the officer's face.

The

officer fell back, as

all began to shout Carmela was as and kept her eye steadily fastened on

exhausted, upon his chair

immovable

The

;

doctor looked at her out of the corner

of his eye.

Silence

" !

shouted the lieutenant.

All stopped, and, the

window being open, they heard the gay music of flutes and down in the square together with the noise of a crowd

violins

They were

of people.

the ten or twelve musicians of the place,

surrounded by a great portion of the population, the detachment

Carmela

was

stirred,

who thought

really going.

and turned toward the window.

Her

face

began to grow gently animated, and her great eyes to move restlessly from the window to the lieutenant, from the latter to the guests, and back again to the window, as

hear the music well and est

movement made by

When

at the all

same time not

she wished to

to lose the slight-

those people.

the music ceased, a great part of the crowd began

clapping their hands, as they had done on the same occasion three years before.

this point the orderly

"Lieutenant, the ship

The "

advanced hurriedly

waiting."

lieutenant rose to his feet, saying aloud

must go." Carmela rose

softly too,

and slowly moving the that

same

instant

keeping her eyes fastened upon him

chair.

up and pressed around the lieutenant. Carmela's mother appeared, entered the

All the guests stood

MILITARY

room unseen, put her arms around her daughter, and

other "

LIFE.

Be brave

;

will return in

said

two months."

Carmela fixed her eyes on her mother's face, slowly removed one arm and then the other, and, without uttering a word, turned her head slowly, and again fastened her eyes on the officer.

All the guests shook hands with the officer, giving rise to a

confused

murmur

of thanks,

good wishes, and salutations

;

buckled on his sword, put on his cap, slung the travelling-bag over his shoulder

While he was doing

this,

Carmela had unconsciously opened and with her wild eyes looked

the door, taken a step forward, rapidly

now

at the officer,

finally at her

now

at the guests,

mother who was near

rubbed her forehead, rumpled her trembled convulsively

Once more

all

her,

now at

the orderly,

and with both hands

hair,

sighed wearily, and

over.

the music in the square began, another burst of

applause was heard. "

Let us go

" !

said the officer resolutely,

and he turned

leave.

shrill,

desperate, agonizing shriek broke from Carmela's

At the same moment she dashed with one spring upon the lieutenant, seized him with superhuman force about the

breast.

and began to kiss him furiously on his face, neck, chest, wherever she could, sobbing, shouting, groaning, and feeling his shoulders, arms, and head, as a mother would the son saved waist,

from the fury of the waves that had shortly before enveloped him, and from which she had seen him stretch out his arms and

beg

for assistance.

After a few

moments the poor

senseless to the floor at the officer's feet.

girl

fell

At the same moment she dashed with one spring upon the lieutenant, him with superhuman force about the waist, and began to kiss him furiously on his face, neck, chest," etc. (Page

seized

86.)

CARMEL A. She was saved

The

IS/

lieutenant threw himself into the doctor's arms, which

The mother bent

were outstretched waiting for him.

to kiss

and bathe her daughter with her tears. All those present raised their faces and arms toward heaven in sign of thanks-

The music continued

giving.

Four months clear that

that evening,

moved

town,

after,

seemed

playing.

on a beautiful night in September, so which had left Tunis

like day, the ship

and stopped off rapidly

as usual at the harbor of our little

toward the Sicilian coast.

The water

was so calm that the ship hardly seemed to move. The passengers were all on deck, and stood contemplating in silence the clear sky and the sea illuminated by the moon.

Apart from the others and turned in the opposite direction from the ship's course, were a young man and girl leaning on the railing,

arm

in arm, with their

heads so close together that

Far away in the distance one could still see confusedly the island they had left, and they were lookThey remained a long time without changing their ing at it.

they almost touched.

attitudes, until the

Yet

where time,

makes

woman,

raising her face,

heart ache to leave

have suffered so much, where

murmured

poor

little

home, saw you for the first

where you restored me to life." she laid her head on her companion's shoulder.

And "

will return there

some day

" !

the latter said to her,

turning her head gently, so that he could look into her eyes. " And shall we return to your house ? " she asked softly. "

Yes."

"And

in the evening will we sit and talk by the window " from which you once called me ?

MILITARY

88 " "

LIFE.

Yes."

And

you play the guitar again, and sing once more

will

that song

" ?

" Yes, yes." "

Sing

now

exclaimed Carmela with joy

" sing

;

softly."

Then

the officer placing his

mouth

at her ear

sang

Carmela, ai tuoi ginocchi Placidamente . . .

Carmela threw her arms around her husband's neck, and burst into tears. " Poor, dear one," said the

" here, here,

The poor

my heart,

latter,

Oh,

And "

the

a dream

and exclaimed

it 's

young man, interrupting

No, darling,

The

;

" !

thing drew back suddenly, looked around her, at

the sea, the island, her husband, " " it 's

pressing her to his breast

always here

the waking

ship swept on as

her, replied

" !

borne by the wind.

'Apart from the others, and turned in the opposite direction from the ship's course, were a young man and girl leaning on the railing, arm in arm," etc.

(Page 187.)

THAT "

DAY.

your turn," a young lady once said to an

returned from the war

" ;

tell

me what one really

really experiences in those terrible I

You

beg of you.

military men,

moments.

when you

officer just

feels,

get talking of the

who

swal-

warn you.

Tell

war, recount very marvellous tales, and find people

low them

but

;

not one of the number,

the truth and nothing more, without any of the fine rhetoric

which

have had too much of already

of battles, for they are " Tell,

out any head or

Give

reminiscences in order,

Tell

same

style."

not

but without

time at least to collect and put I shall give

you an account with-

tail."

dear

sir

;

no preparations

philosophical dissertation, and, history.

in reading descriptions

written in the

all

easily said," replied the officer,

tell, is

any preparation

what one

But be concise,

much

less,

do not wish a

a page of military

quickly and as best you can,

all

that

you

have seen." "

Do you

insist

upon

it ?

"Yes, absolutely." "

I will

begin

;

than what

not be

fault."

but remember,

have seen

concise,

;

and do not

I shall

not

tell

one word more

the story does not please you,

try to 189

be any thing more.

will

Begin

MILITARY

190 "

and

I will begin,

that

;

first

line

let

all,

Give attention.

ground.

of the Alps

first

LIFE*

will

give you an idea of the

suppose that

hill

this is

a chain

Topography ? oh, for pity sake You do not wish it ? Well, then, !

another way

;

will

be better

I will explain myself in Let us suppose, then, that

so.

are out in the open country, one beautiful, clear, quiet sum-

mer morning.

Let us suppose

beginning here under our

that,

feet, the ground rises gradually, until

high

regular curves, whose top stands out against the

hill in

horizon, about half an hour's walk from

green

sprinkled half

hill,

forms a lovely broad,

us.

It is

way down with hedges,

a beautiful trees,

and

long rows of grape-vines, ploughed with ditches, and traversed in

every direction by paths and low walls of heaped-up stones,

such as mark the limits of farms with grass and plants stones

;

here, "

;

there,

an easy bit

;

here, a bit of

ground covered

broken and reddish, covered with

there,

suddenly steep and barren.

you see it ? "Yes." "

that a good part of the hill, Well, suppose one thing more from the top down, is entirely free from trees and houses, bare and clean, where the sun beats in such a way that every furrow, :

bush, and person would be visible,

You tell

you

see a person, let us suppose, as

whether

"Yes, "

it is

this to give I

man

woman.

there were any people. as this, so that

Are you laughing

you can ?

I tell

you an idea of the distance."

understand."

Well, then, that morning

the one I have described, the right

tall

and

left,

we were

and were

in the distance,

at the foot of a hill like

waiting.

Here, there, to

behind the trees and bushes,

THAT DAY. among

IQI

the vines, in the ditches, everywhere, in fact, there were

down, some with bare heads, some with coats unbuttoned, some with their muskets on the ground, others with theirs across their knees, all grave and soldiers, standing, seated, lying

thoughtful. Although divided and scattered, there was still The officers were some appearance of order in the column. in in an and talked undertone standing groups, among them-

few

selves, in

their eyes,

words,

from time

monosyllables

to time, to look

and

raising

gestures,

around and back of them.

But the majority looked up, and seemed to be waiting for something from that quarter every glance was directed toward ;

something would appear from one moment to And, in fact, at a certain point, where there was a

the summit, as

the other. thick

clump

of cypresses, a long black spot appeared,

slowly, slowly forward, so that

seemed

shadows that isolated cloudlets cast

moving

one of those broad

in passing before the sun.

broadened out and moved more quickly. It advanced, was a column of soldiers, all bristling with bayonets, which sent

an undulating

flash

from one end to the other, like a black torWe were all silent and mo-

rent covered with silver spangles. tionless,

watching

our mouths half open, our eyes fixed on that its

steps,

noting

all

the undulations

;

heard in the whole battalion, not a gesture was seen diers

all

seemed

statues.

look on the other side

Suddenly a voice shouted

line,

not a breath was the sol-

;

There,

turned the other way.

And, on the summit, where there was a hovel, another troop, broader, deeper, and gleaming too with bayonets, advanced rapidly, resolutely, and with serrated ranks in an

in fact,

on the

right,

opposite direction from the rose:

all

'How many

first.

are there?'

Then an

excited

'A regiment?'

I If l; i

murmur 'No, two

MILITARY

I9 2

'Or one?'

battalions.'

LIFE. 'Three.'

'No, no, two.' '

look like sharp-shooters.' 'But, no.' '

Do you

see

how

'But yes

think so

they

Our eyes

We measured

ran, without stopping,

all

;

latter

and expectantly

are stopping.' !

move

from the

other,

'They

Yes, they have stopped, I tell you No, Meanwhile the ground between the two

bodies was diminishing.

ment.

Sharp-shooters.'

infantry.'

see their feathers.'

; '

'They

No,

from moment to mo-

from one troop

to the

back with the rapidity of thought, hungrily our life was in our eyes all our soul was ;

up there. The ground between the two went on diminishing, and the two bodies were very near, and marched rapidly, a trifle

disordered and confused.

tionless, nailed to the spot,

We, with our eyes

dilated,

mo-

our hearts beating, and our breath

bated.

"Suddenly, almost instantaneously, a bright those two bodies, their bayonets,

shout, that

and was extinguished

fell,

and

instantly thereafter

;

light flashed

from

they had lowered

began running.

must have been tremendous, came

faintly to

A our

ears.

replied with a shudder.

Ah, they are within a few steps of each other they will clash have done so one gives way, spreads, draws back, ;

;

it is a rout. breaks, and scatters to right and left " fresh shout, a cry of joy reaches us and this time ;

spond

;

too.

Our

shout,

ready for

pressed, suffocated, and strangled,

came up and

burst out from

the depths of our souls, and was savagely long and sharp. " The victorious band stopped an instant, then continued run, caught up with the fugitives,

came only a black

point,

re-

so long a time, but sup-

moved

off

its

behind them, be-

and then disappeared.

THAT DAY. "At

that point a high, vibratory voice resounded *

midst

193

It is

your turn now.

our

your place

"It was the voice of our major.

"Try

letting

lar^e, thick ant

drop a flaming piece of paper over one of those hills, which at a few steps' distance seem quite

immovable, and look

make out

little

dizzily in every direction,

Try the

passage.

one another too

;

first

The

;

this,

too

ones are wandering around

more dead than although a

"When

many

;

this,

When

first.

the

unfortunate

desperate manner, quite blindly,

they, too, find a place of safety,

passed, the

some burns.

same thing occurs

;

all

;

all

became

in search of their places

quiet.

Some

he who found

ran here

pushed he who did not, made one for himself with his elbows ;

the battalion "

into the hole,

in a

ing and squeezing, and then

and there it

to the

were up and in arms the ranks were there was a great ferment, a whispering, a push-

In a twinkling

quickly formed

into

quick, another

the soldiers at the sound of that voice.

among "

the

and, perhaps, at the cost of

terror

first

closed

back then

alive, until

trifle late,

others press forward, dash over

number have dashed

greater

quite frightened, turns

troop,

and rushes toward the subterranean

that passage

to a third

black spots, which you cannot

like ugly

The

first.

was

in order.

was a beautiful spectacle

That multitude a short time

before scattered and stretched out with loosened clothes and belts, their

tionless

and

arms on the ground, up silent,

prepared for death.

in line,

mo-

It is sufficient to

look

an instant

understand that they are men who will see the enemy's backs, or cover the ground with their bodies. The flag is motionless the arm which holds it does not

them

in the eye, to

;

MILITARY

194

who form

In the midst of the soldiers,

tremble. it

LIFE. a hedge around

with their bayonets, there are superb faces and

flashing

eyes.

Forward

"An

sounds the well-known voice.

movement throughout

instantaneous

murmur

shudder, a

then

;

quiet.

column, a

the '

Forward

the captains

repeat.

Forward, then, up the

tates a

mojnent

hill.

The company

in front of the first

hedge

panies which are following crowd behind

and

closes up, oscillates

uneven ground

;

totters

at the

in its

way

head

hesi-

the

com-

;

the heavy

;

column

from the head to the rear on the

then breaks, broadens, draws

in,

stretches out,

forms again, begins crowding again with ceaseless bustle, with

sudden is

starts

unequal steps and bounds. He who .thrown back by the knapsack of the man in

and

at the rear is

stops,

him

front of him, which strikes

in the chest

suddenly precipitated on to the one

;

in front of

now, a

man

him, and stag-

gering, pushes him forward he who is at the flank, tossed here and there sideways, and by blows from the elbow and knap;

up zigzag and staggering, his head down, and his Here is a hedge: up with the legs and

sacks, goes

legs wide-stretched.

muskets. tion of

There a ditch

ground

with the hand, and

obstruction

quick,

Here an

passed.

which

fall

down with

out with the sword,

across one's face

the heads. it is

eleva-

There an

courage, up, without any disorder.

interlacing of branches, it

away with

vine forms an

on the ground, forward.

Grass, vines, hedges, bushes, ditches, paths,

all

change, every

and disappears under that wave, that weight, that precipitous tread, of that irregular multitude. Here the ground is steep, here stony: the foot slips, many fall up on the elbows, thing

falls

;

THAT DAY.

up, strength, on to the feet, forward.

help themselves

Many

with their hands, the butt-end of the musket, or their knees every thing, in

the trunks, clods, stones, roots,

support to the trembling hand

the

;

fact,

crowd climbs,

;

serves as a

slips, is

piled

up, here dense, there thinner, scattered, separated, but tenacious, resolute,

and

Meanwhile our strength decreases, and the

raging.

sun drives us mad, and here in our hearts we are burning.

Not climb any

further

courage

;

give a glance

;

up and see how

much remains a little only. A glance backward fallen who stretch out their arms many try to

;

are almost there

more,

A cry,

the ground.

a long line of

with

and

fierce,

and

rise,

they must have seen us.

long, sharp, shrill,

heads of the column. '

;

those heads

fall.

moment

passes over the

joyful shout, a deep shudder, '

all

shouts the major

;

when you hear the whistle it has passed.' All are on their let us close up the feet here we are they have seen us ranks down with the bayonets quicken the pace. Under ;

;

more penetrating,

Another cry longer, sharper, all on the ground. frightful

comes from the same voice be afraid safe "

;

' !

here

are

on the

crest

another

;

let

All turn their eyes around in

immense and superb

plain

Up, for heaven's

sake, boys

look death in the face

;

Another whistle

nearer,

and more

The

;

halt

;

are

astonishment sky,

Don't

unharmed

all

us wait

What an

which was very clear, On one side, far

permitted us to see the most distant horizon.

away in the distance, mountains behind mountains, high, and clear on the other side plains. The entire green ;

blue,

plain

was ploughed here and there by long, slender white lines, which intersected at many points and were lost among the distant trees, raising at certain times great clouds of dust which

MlLITA R Y

LIFE.

appeared very pure as they were touched by the sun, and stretched out slowly in the direction of the roads

those white

were the roads that we had taken that morning those clouds of dust revealed the advance of the Italian columns. lines

;

There were a few thatched houses here and the trees, as

among

there, half

hidden

they were afraid and did not" wish to see

what was taking place up there. Below, quite franca was the nearest and silent spectator.

far

down,

Villa-

the other,

toward the enemy, there were dark spots among the side green of the fields, and an uncertain gleaming of bayonets, which now advanced, now stopped, now pointing to the left or right,

almost as

uncertain toward which point they should

move and proceed plain,

circumspectly.

were four or

five

hill,

many

us,

on the same

Austrian cannon which were roaring

slowly and continuously. foot of our

Nearer

the opposite side, directly at the

of our

cannon were

firing like the first

Behind us on the slope of the neighboring see a we could dense white smoke, and hear a quick firing hill, it was the extreme flank of another division. of muskets We but more slowly.

;

saw nothing more, further.

or, at least, I

do not remember any thing

stood waiting there, contemplating that marvel-

lous spectacle. " In the time of great excitement,

moves

us, the

mind

when some strong emotion

often, almost unconscious of

what

pass-

by little, and wanders and abandons itself to the strangest and most childish thoughts and fancies, as if that passing hour were one of the most idle ing in the soul,

becomes abstracted

and quiet of

our daily

bell-tower, I thought

morning,

'It

life.

little

Thus, perceiving

Sunday.

in holiday dress, have gone

The

a distant

people there this

out joyfully into the

THA T DA Y. street,

197

then to church, then have finished their work, just as on

any other day, quietly and contentedly.' Then breaking away from this fancy, I saw all those women on their knees in church, absorbed in their prayers, and I watched their faces

and

said

soldier

That one,

and

;

one there

yes, that

the mother of a

every roar of the cannon I saw her grow pale

and tremble. "

who was

Suddenly, a sergeant

seated near me, rose to his

took two or three steps with his head raised, a smile on

feet,

his face,

tains

;

and

his eyes fixed

on the distance, toward the moun-

then he stretched out his arm, pointed his forefinger in

that direction, stopped an instant, looked at his comrades,

shouted

in a

high, clear voice

come here

and

Boys Many Look he added, keeping and gathered around him. his arm stretched out and his finger still pointing in the same Do you see that distant tower down there, and direction. :

rose

that house

Where

hurried toward him. 'I

ing.'

see,'

said

where

? '

many

others asked as they

There, there, look where

one.

too.'

I am point'We all see.'

"'Well?' " is

Well

Verona "

' !

he exclaimed in a deep and trembling voice, 'that

' !

Verona

the rumor spread

;

' !

in a

they

all

moment

shouted, clapping their hands

;

the entire battalion was there,

every face turned in that direction, every arm stretched toward that tower, their

looks

mouths open

for that shout, looking, as

one

Have you

ing your mother?

ever been a long time without seeyou had been waiting for her arrival,

you would have fixed your eyes anxiously along the road by which she was to arrive, and when far away in the distance

M1LITAR Y LIFE.

you discovered a black speck, or a little white cloud of smoke, and the blast of a horn reached your ear, dear reader, what

would you have felt in your heart ? Just what we felt, fixing our eyes on those most desired towers shouting that .

dear name. " i

All four battalions of the regiment were up there.

denly a loud shout feet,

heard,

the officers give the order

panies reform,

and '

officers repeat

' :

Bayonets fixed

' !

your place

the

and

all

four battalions '

their bayonets, then another period of silence follows. is it?

arrives his

The

What has happened

all ask.

com-

Another shout, and the

are silent.

all

Sud-

the soldiers spring to their

all

fix

What

colonel's adjutant

on horseback, approaches our major, and whispers The battalion Forward shouts the major. ear. '

moves, passes the summit of the mountain, and descends the slope on the enemy's side.

number, stretch out

All those behind,

and put out

their necks,

the right and left to see where see any thing, as the

first

and

are going

among

the

heads to

their

but we cannot

;

company impedes our

view.

turn

back and see the other battalions following us slowly in the At a certain point, when the last company has distance. reached a slight elevation of ground, distance,

among

At the same

catch a glimpse in the

the trees, a movement, a gleaming instant I hear a terrible explosion,

whistles on the right and

left, at

feet,

above

and sharp head, an

agonizing cry a few steps from me, and in the distance a great cloud of white smoke, then a powerful shout Charge with '

the bayonets."

The

disordered battalion dashes forward on '

The battalion breaks Another cry Savoy out into a loud shout and starts on a run nothing but smoke

quick

step.

;

here

enemy, a

a door

enter quickly with lowered bayonets a court-yard, the Around the flag is a bulwark courage, on to them of breasts, bristling with motionless bayonets."

flag

;

(Page 199.)

THAT DAY, is

be seen

forward

Where

are

another explosion

;

Oh, what smoke house '

Charge with

forward,

;

The

It seems

other whistles

;

The trumpet has sounded the halt. Where is the enemy ? What are they doing ? Halt

199

battalion

the

bayonet

midst of the musket-firing

;

Here

scattered.

all

they were

from that house.

firing

we hear confusedly

the

dashes forward

the battalion

;

where are we going ? how do we get there ? There is nothing to be seen. Oh here is a door enter quickly with lowered !

bayonets

;

Around

them.

;

a court yard, the enemy, a flag the flag

firm

others,

then

column

begins a precipitous

but cannot see sharply stifled

;

first, ;

overcome,

the furious

the bayonets

suffocation, ;

the

and

cross ;

strike,

and

we hear

resounding

that follow the force

are straightened, the

The

the

stops,

that

crowd thickens,

the combatants dash at each other, form groups, gether, face to face.

there are horrible shouts

and broken groans

weapons

fall

assault

shower of blows

the broken muskets crack

of the blows

courage, on to

a bulwark of breasts, bristling with

The

motionless bayonets.

;

jammed

to-

soldiers seize the bayonets, take

each other by the throat, cross legs and arms, seize and break

away from each other, fall, rise pale and breathless, with teeth One feels the heated breath set, and bare and bleeding heads. of the other in his face

and a head

falls

with the fallen

ner '

;

at every

moment

a face becomes pale

back with distorted eyes the ground is covered the group around the banner has became thin;

;

the standard-bearer has been hit in the breast

Your

turn,' shouts a dying voice

Meanwhile they are cries of distress

from

;

fighting all over all

the rooms.

by a bayonet.

another has seized the the

The

house.

floors

flag.

hear

tremble under

MILITARY

200

the weight of hurrying steps,

LIFE.

and doors creak and burst open The besieged twander here

under the blows of the muskets.

and there

hide in the fire-places, behind the furni-

in despair,

and doors

ture

rush shouting on to them,

hunt them, discover them, drive them

scatter them,

drag them

;

the besiegers

and

out,

along, streaking the floor and stairs with blood

the conquered will not surrender

;

the prisoners revolt, break

;

away, throw themselves from the windows, and dash into the court-yard, or get transfixed with bayonets in their backs, and

dead

fall

others,

of the

in the

door-ways

resources.

Surrender

reply in a stifled

shout

by the roofs

others try to escape

;

wounded and dripping with blood, drag themselves out The defenders of the flag are at the end of their fray. our

voice.

men

shout. '

Death

first

they

Suddenly a loud

heard which resounds through the house, and

at the

same moment a man dashes out of the crowd with the enemy's flag in his hand, his forehead aloft and shining, but lacerated '

and bleeding. out the house.

Hurrah

What has happened

Retreat

? '

impossible

now

trumpet

How

Another

why ?

a mistake

It is

that

heard.

Why

What

' :

Retreat

and a

Retreat

' !

It is

impossible

It is

blast of the trumpet,

shout from the major

thundering

shout a hundred voices through-

blast of the

Silence

' !

are

out of the house, the major points out the direction of the road, the other battalions are already in motion.

Father

why

are

turns

we we

retreat

Captain,

retreating

The

captain, in

Heavenly

captain, without saying a word,

toward the enemy and stretches out his arm

direction of the plain to point out something.

There was an interminable column our back, and losing

itself in

name

heaven's

of the

Look

the

in .

enemy advancing

the green of the country.

THAT DAY. "

201

But captain captain and the other corps and divisions, where are they ? what are they doing ? why do they not !

come " "

Humph

Have. we

he replied, shrugging

them

lost

seems

shouted

his shoulders.

tone of despair.

in a

' !

looked around

soldiers, I

looked again at the

Austrian column, then at Villafranca, at that superb

Lom-

bardian plain, the beautiful sky, and the beautiful mountains. '

Oh,

poor country

to the ground,

and

wept

exclaimed, letting

sword

fall

like a child."

The young lady bowed her head on her hand and

thought.

THE SENTINEL. IT was one of the

and the

last nights of

January

streets of the city, the squares, the

of the houses,

with snow

and the

trees

the flakes

;

fell

were

all

was snowing,

sills

and balconies

;

white, buried, overloaded

slowly, large,

and

thick,

snowy stratum along the walls a track was hardly every trace of

The lamps

disappeared.

the streets gave out a veiled, sad light

;

and on a

made

at the

before

corners of

the crossings, no

matter in which direction you looked, not a soul was to be seen

;

on every

side there reigned a

could almost hear the snow It

was one of those nights

dead

silence, so that

you

fall.

which any one who

so unfort-

unate as to be out hurries home, keeping close to the walls, ra"pid, silent steps, like

a stealthy phantom, with his eyes on the

ground to escape the puddles, the brim of his hat over his ears and nose, his neck down and the coat-collar turned up at the back, one hand stuck into the other sleeve,

dashes head

down

all

huddled up

;

into the door-way, climbs the stairs, stamp-

ing his wet feet and shaking the snow-covered garments, pushes the key into the keyhole, enters, off with the coat,

what a

the hat of the

fire,

drops

there, drops his

enjoying

it,

state to

be in

down on

head over the

pushes the

it,

down with

chair in front

one foot here, the other foot

fire,

puffing a cigar slowly, 202

first

and

stays there poking

making

and

hieroglyphics in the

THE SENTINEL.

2O3

ashes with the tongs, muttering from time to time

weather

One

disenamored husband draws his chair a wife

;

"What

those nights in which even the bored,

nearer to his

little

the bachelor dreams of the quiet joys of a family, and,

renouncing his usual dissipations, dashes under the countertwists

pane betimes,

about until he has made a warm nest for

himself, puts out one hand far enough to hold his novel, and

having read two or three pages,

falls

peacefully to sleep, whet-

own enjoyment of the heat and rest with the picture poor benumbed people who have neither home nor bed.

ting his

of the

One

of those nights in which the

life

of the city

restricted to

the domestic hearth, where the usual conversation between the

family and most intimate friends extends beyond the customary hour, until the children, overcome with sleep, tug secretly at the

mamma's

skirt to

remind her of the

them, and go to sleep enjoying

little

bed awaiting

in anticipation the battle

One

snow-balls that they shall fight in the morning.

with

of those

nights in which the most ardent desires are three in number, as the bon vivant would say

a dear face, a charming book, and a

good glass of something. All,

even the poor, seek

little fire,

and a

little

until the first rays of

neither

;

fire,

roof,

nor

a shelter from the

at least for those

that

all rest, sleep, all

such nights the cover of a roof, a all find

;

dawn,

comes down so thickly houses

straw

;

hours in which

seems desirous of burying the

but the sentinel

rest

snow

but only a

for

little

whom

there

wooden box, a

heavy cloak of coarse cloth, and the corporal's countersign.

Look down and lighted

there at the

end of the square,

all

white with snow,

all around by four long rows of lamps, near the door of that black palace, so colossal and old in form, great

MILITARY

204

LIFE.

huge illuminated windows look there at that sentinel's box, that muffled man, erect and motionless like a marble with

its

;

statue.

has been there for hours, without moving, without

uttering a word, with his right hand quite

benumbed on

barrel of his musket, his feet in the snow, his eyes cast

and

fixed, so that they

which

fall

around him.

seem

From

the

down

be counting the large flakes

time to time his eyes half close,

head drops slowly on his shoulder but instantly an inner voice warns him, and he raises his head quickly, opens and dilates his eyes, glances around rapidly and vigilantly, as if to his

;

compensate his conscience for that moment of languor and inertia. Look at him even the poorest have a bit of house, fire, ;

and bed

;

but he has none.

These thoughts passed through my mind one night at the end of January, when I was on guard with about forty soldiers on that square and in front of that palace. And I walked, thinking thus, at a short distance from the door, measuring

with slow step a small portion of the square that was free from

snow, and turning

my eyes now and

then up toward the lighted

windows, from which there came to

mony

moving

and

ears a confused har-

and a

violins, dull, heavy sound of feet, cadence tread over an immense floor. Then I

of flutes

looked into the immense vestibule, at the lamps gleaming with crystal, the

marble

floor,

Toward

carpets and vases of flowers scattered over the

and the walls covered with

the front, between

me and

tapestries

the door, was a

and

laurels.

coming and

going of grand carriages, a shouting of coachmen, a continuous

mounting and descending of men and women, a hastening

the carriage doors, a reverential opening of these, a respectful presentation of the hand, a long

sweeping of dresses, an un-

THE SENTINEL.

2O$

covering of bedecked heads, a curving of spines, and an appear-

ance and disappearance of servants

Here a

gleaming gala

livery.

carriage with a coat of arms approaches, stops

down

the

;

ten hands vie hastily gather around to the reach door-handle one fortunate hand with each. other

footman gets

all

;

seizes

;

the door opens

and

the right

left

head appears, a

;

the crowd divides into two wings, on

necks are outstretched, and eyes fixed

foot,

then a

hand

little

in a light glove

;

and

another hand stretches out from the midst of the crowd, touches timidly a

carefully,

its

little

down

finger tips,

farther, a trifle

goes the small foot, slowly, farther

and the small

still,

on the ground. Oh, how pretty How unfortunate would have been if it had touched a flake of snow But foot

What

kept inside the train of the dress.

;

on her

The train is What a superb

here.

feet.

stand back and look at her.

free,

figure

indiscreet

the face of an angel

jealous

gown

hood

only shows the curious eye a wee bit of that charming face it

;

the ground, and she

Make way

must have

look, look

delicately

Quick they run in twos, threes, and fours no there gently carefully caught ? Here

caught on a nail

Where

a pity

;

hides from the

hungry glances the beautiful hips and white shoulders, but lets one imagine, under its folds, the form which is divine !

The foot

beautiful

on the

figure advances gracefully, turns, places her

staircase,

has disappeared.

What

one more a pity

bit of the dress,

and then she

But follow her with the mind's

eye into the midst of the intoxicated throng of

rooms

;

among

all

the other beautiful

those noisy

heads bedecked with

gems and camelias, distinguish her tresses and flowers, and follow them in the mazes of the dance, amid the conflict of ardent

MILITARY

2O6

LIFE.

glances which provoke, search,

flee away amiably astute, meet and betwixt the fascination of the soft amiably audacious, abandonment and pleasure of the dance, they languish, flush,

beseech, refuse, promise, punish, grant, and carry one off to

Heaven.

And he

there, I thought,

poor sqldier

there, ex-

posed to the cold, to the snow, alone, silent, sad, without

and without hope.

fort,

laughing, frolicking, enjoying intoxications

;

and

he,

com-

there they are playing, dancing, wildest

life's

and most charming

from that darkness and that

solitude,

obliged to hear the gaiety going on above his head, and com-

pare

with the sad abandonment, and the weary melancholy

of his poor heart.

obliged to submit to the imageries of

those dear faces, beautiful persons, and glances

;

he,

who

away from his own, who has no woman's face smiling on him, no little hand to press but who, perchance, to his alone, far

;

greater sorrow, will

always have fixed in

made

braid and two modest eyes that once

with love

and

her,

without gems, and without flowers "

Present

Who 's

a black

his soul tremble

and

flower-

sees those dear tresses, " "

Corporal

" !

the soldier in the sentinel-box

Such and such a one."

You may

go."

heart told

was a conscript. the regiment for a few

still

of his former life

home ;

through his head,

" ?

that

He has only been in Poor conscript is still bewildered and by this new days, heart are

memory

in the midst of those hyacinths

decked heads he dreams of "

his

with his mother,

life

;

his

among

head and his

the quiet habits

the thought of return does not even pass or, if it

does,

only a thought of a very

THE SENTINEL. distant pleasure

2O/

has no friends in the regiment as yet

;

suffering from the jokes of the older soldiers, and the hardships, which are the most painful, of the discipline

is still

first

;

not a friendly voice, not an affectionate word, not a smile,

nothing but- harsh threatening voices and disagreeable faces.

come here, weary and cold and will have a wretched, with overcome and wet, sleep, which to and will fall on into that interrupted, bare table rest, After another hour passed there, he will

painful slumber, being

waked by a jogging

handful of snow in his face.

which

of his legs or a

has not even a

fire

little

dry his clothes, not a drop of wine, not even a bit of

tobacco,

and probably not even a centime with which to I could swear that he is suffering at this moment.

buy some.

The music and

the gaiety sadden him.

myself of the fact. Yes, indeed, I will

Oh, we

And

will see

not

not go

why I

passed in front of the box, looked in

could not see his face.

tated for an instant, and thought

very powerful emotion, be

word uttered

first

go and assure

I will go.

I started.

was dark, and

I will

go and see him. But no go and see him. Whv should I will

When

;

turned back, hesi-

one

stirred

by a

sorrow or joy, the sound of the

after a long silence

must

rouse and reveal that sentiment in question.

moment

at that

Let us

try.

The sentinel approached the box, and stopped in front of it. I did not see his face, noticed me, and came to the opening. nor he mine.

you cold

asked, in an affectedly indifferent tone

and

hesitated a

;

Are

moment, and then replied No, sir That was enough. There was a slight tremor voice

" :

no doubt

had divined the

;

supposition had been quite

state of his heart.

" !

the

correct,

MILITARY

208 " "

Are you Oh, no

really not cold

" ?

you know

little

Poor

fellow,

he was freezing should he

had made the snow

was afraid of appearing he was cold. Just as if

right at

fall

moments

his feet,

for the heart

;

Great heavens

braid like the cap.

gilt

so hard

tell

which must

state.

soldiers at such

with

so that

was so pleased with his reply, poor So, do not talk to me of the distance between officers

have been in a sad fellow

He me

lacking in discipline

and

much

but not so

rather

he or

LIFE.

not covered

how can one be

and reserved unless he be made of stone

? However, had gone there to play the pitying consoler, or leave him either before I had cheered him a trifle with a few friendly words, I said, in an indifferent man-

did not wish

ner " "

seem

How much I really

Yes

stand ure. all

longer have you to stay here ?"

don't know, Mr. Lieutenant.

...

here, at this

hour and

was broken), certainly

such weather,

good heavens it is our profession. this, and we must take things as they

But,

something worse. will see

fellow, this

nothing.

That

when you

for instance, in a dark

try

we go

When you

affair,

not a pleas-

are.

to war, then

quite another

it.

You cannot

on account of the music."

well (at this point the ice

;

still

good

you

hear the clock near here "

you

It is

But,

will see

you know, as

are on the outposts,

wood, under one of those

fine drizzling

and make you thoroughly uncomfortable, quite alone, abandoned, and not seeing a palm before your nose, but there you must stay, firm and erect as a rains that go through every thing

reed, with a vigilant eye

and strained

ear,

because the enemy

THE SENTINEL.

20g

and from one moment

in front of you,

to the other

may

fall

Then, after a night passed there, you return to the and there is nothing to satisfy your hunger, no place regiment, to sleep, and you are obliged to stretch yourself out in the

upon you.

This

on the damp grass then you know what a Yet brave soldiers lead that is nothing.

so full of perils

and deprivations courageously, and never

mud, on hard life

stones, or

life is

grumble when they can sleep, well when they cannot, patience when there is bread, hurrah for the bread when there ;

;

none, one can

temper

are living a soldier

& la bonheur, and does not get out of

fast,

for such a

trifle.

Do you know why

Because they do their duty, to be ?

among friends and know how to who will defend the country where he was born and

brought up, where he has his family, home, friends, and all that is dearest and most sacred to us in sweetheart ;

world

;

do you understand

And

this

the consciousness of having

See how good soldier needs. many poor unfortunates the soldiers have dragged out of the

done

his

river

down

duty

much

that the

there during the

what have those of people

all

who have

soldiers

whom

summer bathing season

they did not

Well,

risked their lives to save those

know gained

Nothing

;

that

is,

the gratitude of the saved, and the consciousness of their

courageous deed, and the soldiers

who go

who knows

that he

this is

for a brave

enough

to fight the brigands is

dead

;

who

will

man.

Then

Every day one dies

remember

his

name

;

be-

yond the members of his family ? Yet the soldiers are willing to stop up on the mountains, in the woods and ravines, and Because they to lead that cursed sort of existence, and why ?

know

that they are doing their duty.

soldiers too,

who wander about

And

the carabineers, poor

the country at night, two by

MILITAR Y

two,

among

the malefactors hidden in ditches,

ously shoot at them from

hard

LIFE.

.their hiding-places,

who

treacher-

they too lead a

Yet see how gladly they do their duty It At night, such nights as sentinel.

life.

same thing with the

who

sees the sentinels enveloped in their

at the

back of

silent

are, or thinks of them

these,

curled up

cloaks,

and

their boxes, motionless

them, knows who they

the

who

;

hears

Yet

one.

the sentinel must remain at his post, without any melancholy

mind, and think

in his

thoughts

watch over the sleep of all would be able to sleep from largest palaces

;

Every one

sleeping

there were no sentinels,

fear.

little

;

but

no one

box protects the and

everywhere people are singing, playing,

enjoying themselves, and they can do so without thought or suspicion, because I all

;

ladies

silent, vigilant,

who go

to balls

silence those sounds.

;

this

The

listening for

them

shadow protects that light, my must draw comfort from

soldier

the feeling of this truth, of which one think,

and

rough cloak protects the silken and velvet robes of the

or of

not accustomed to

which many have never thought, but which be kept alive in his mind and heart, and

really to

ought he ought to comprehend that in this feeling lies the most beauAre you contiful reward for his sacrifices and his virtues. vinced of

Oh, yes, lieutenant." His voice had trembled, had come from

some impediment on

way

his heart,

had found

his throat, I perceived

;

went

" at

half

And all

after

he has sacrificed for

five years, five

hours and moments, his own

habits, thoughts, every thing in fact

;

will,

desires,

long years, affections,

has sacrificed every thing

THE SENTINEL. to those three beautiful colors

to his duty, his flag

hold dearer than ourselves, our

ought

in the

world

him

;

when

211

after five years

life,

which we

than every thing

passed thus, the country

This is enough, you have done ypur duty, give musket with which you have defended my honor the. and my life, and return to your home, for your mother is expecting you, and your sisters wish to see you, and there is ansays to

me back

other

woman, who, standing by the window

away along the road by which you are

at evening,

looks far

to return, then, believe

my good fellow, the being able to return to your old mother's

me,

arms, with the consciousness of having been a good soldier,

the

being able to return under that poor roof with a high head

and

your hands hardened from constant handling of the musket is, believe me, a joy that has no equal on the earth Do you believe ".

" it ?

Mr. Lieutenant

!...."

And when you have returned home, at evening, and the beautiful moon is shining, you begin to dance in the meadow, and

as in old times,

enjoyable,

He made "

n't

that "

the kind of ball which

the most

it ?

reply.

I right

or not

" ?

broke out the poor soldier, in a voice whose tone was indescribable, but which still resounds in my ear, as if

Oh,

yes, yes

had

just

yes, cer

heard .

" it.

Oh, yes, you are

right,

Mr. Lieutenant,

you know why he stopped ? Because, affected and as he moved agitated was, solely by affection, by gratitude for

my I

brotherly words, the good fellow forgot for an instant that

was an

officer

and he a poor conscript, and had stretched

MILITAR Y LIFE.

212

out his arm toward me, but recollecting himself, had instantly

withdrawn

it,

not, however, in time to prevent his

my cloak slightly. Ah ." I exclaimed. He was ashamed of himself,

hand from

grazing "

and quite embarrassed, and,

murmuring timidly some words of excuse, dashed back into He seemed to be breathing with great difficulty. his box. Perhaps he was weeping. I felt so I moved off with my heart profoundly touched. I at the looked up lighted thoroughly contented with myself windows, went back to listen to the music, to which I had !

paid no attention for some time, returned in

room.

Pooh, they were

Poor enjoyment

all

this, I

spirit to

the ball-

faded imageries.

thought, in comparison with mine.

THE CAMP. THERE is

a beautiful, great, level, rectangular

on the four sides

meadow, shut in

by a ditch and a hedge, well covered with grass,

and studded with

Beyond the

daisies.

ditch,

on one

side,

and further on, clump a gently sloping hill, green and low, projecting above that mass, Half way up the scattered with trees and small white houses. of mulberries, oaks, thorn trees,

thick

slope, a

group of higher and more city-like-looking houses, and

a high, light bell-tower

round about some bluish and reddish

;

palaces, flowery hillocks, long rows of pines, groups of willows,

sandy, winding avenues

;

and here and there white

statuettes

and bushes.

In front

and sprays of water, hidden by the

trees

of that field, along the side opposite the grove, runs a broad, raised road,

which winds around the thickly planted

climbs the hillside to the village. tents in the

and

trees,

regiment has pitched

its

meadow.

Let us place ourselves on the road and look at

Beginning

boundary

line

at the camp. from the to the opposite ditch, twenty paces of the field, there are eight long rows of tents,

divided by a space of about ten paces. In row there are one hundred tents three soldiers to each every tent three hundred soldiers in one row two thousand four in parallel lines,

;

hundred, or

little less,

tents are neat

in all

;

in fact,

and well stretched 213

;

an entire regiment.

The

the cords fastened to the

MILITARY

214 in

ground

straight

lines,

LIFE.

equal intervals

;

every thing in

camp which looks as if painted. Opposite the the openings of tents, at the back and on the sides, rise the huts and sheds of green boughs (they have despoiled the trees perfect order

in the

;

it is

fields in the

neighborhood, so that the colonel got .into a perfect rage), and from the branches (like triumphal

poor

arches)

wave garlands of wild poppies and wheat

interlined.

Here and float

there, on the top of a cane stuck into the ground, several flags, made of a red cravat, a bit of shirt, and a

blue handkerchief, which looks like green.

In the

tents, is a

confusion of straw, clothes, knapsacks, rags, cartridge-boxes,

Between the

gun-stocks, and bayonets.

tents are stretched

ropes, on which are displayed those half drawers, which are supposed by the government to reach the ankle, but which in reality only

as nature

come down

to the knees

soldiers,

made them.

the right of

all

these tents, in a parallel line with the

shortest side of the camp, there in shape

on the legs of the

and

another row of tents, conical

higher, larger, better stretched,

ably arranged than the others that of the colonel, which

that of the officers of the last

;

and more comfort-

the tents of the officers

the nearest to the road,

company.

a parallel line with the tents of the

;

from

down

Farther to the right, in

officers,

along the dividing

row of wagons overladen with boxes, trunks, a hundred various articles. Behind the last and bundles, and mules tied trunk of the a of horses to the troop wagon, ditch, is a long

Along the opposite row of black kettles, placed

trees.

side

the left side

an unending

in groups at regular distances,

and

between each group, ovens made of heaped-up stones and bricks, and piles of ashes and burnt sticks, brushwood, and

THE CAMP. Beyond the

scattered straw.

215

ditch, small trees

on the ground

and broken up, thinned out hedges, furrows trampled

split

down and ruined all the signs colonel, how furious he was

of a great sacking.

;

Oh, poor

little

wooden

bridge, just

made

with two trunks of trees

and a few boards, unites the camp with the road.

Beside the

bridge, in the camp, along the edge of the ditch, there are ten

or twelve isolated tents in which the prisoners in irons

confined.

the bridge

are

a sentinel, another in front of

those tents, and others around the

camp

at the different points

of exit.

Such

the camp.

The sun was

setting

was a beautiful evening

;

The sky was wonderfully

clear, the country

damp from

and

green

hill,

a recent rain the

villas,

of the sinking sun, It

were

made

was an hour of in motion.

trowsers,

bands

;

and the

rest

Most

still

in July.

fresh

that dark grove, the beautiful

little

hamlet

still

gilded by a ray

the scene a fascinating one.

and recreation

for the regiment.

of them, in their shirt sleeves

wandered among the

tents, alone, in couples, or in

some were seated or stretched out

were playing a game with stones the midst of a circle of spectators bit of

cord between two

two rows of admirers

;

All

and linen

in groups, or chasing

each other, like boys in the court-yard of a school

and

;

others

others fenced with sticks in

;

tents,

others,

still,

having stretched

jumped on a wager between

some, seated on the edge of the ditch,

around a rag of table-cloth, devoured a few leaves of lettuce in a friendly way, nibbling at a little white bread (the kind the officers

eat)

;

some were seated cross-legged over the

poles smoking peacefully

;

some, dressed

cart-

in linen waistcoats

MILITARY

2l6

LIFE.

which only the white of the past remained, were back among the ovens and kettles, breaking upon their falling to bits, of

knees the piles of branches, brushwood,

and on every side rose shouts and and diffused sounds.

How many

the kitchen

etc., for

;

songs, and continuous,

cries,

beautiful pictures for an artist

There, at the end of the camp, in the middle of the opposite side from the road, the sutler has placed his three

in the

wagons

form of three sides of a trapezium, the opening toward the

camp

he has stretched a pieced but torn tent between two side wagons

;

has set up two or three tables, and three black and rickety

benches

;

has placed a wardrobe door over the two

and made a counter of lodged his wife there

;

tallest

put the biggest cask behind

casks

and

has stretched between two wheel-spokes

a well-greased cord, and suspended therefrom some long, black,

which

supposed to be eatable sausages, and which can be enjoyed without danger of death then, in order to excite the soldiers' appetite, he has exposed to view a crusty things,

are

;

couple of baskets of fresh vegetables, a great plate of plucked

and rather gamy fowls, a huge piece of raw meat, a row of and badly washed glasses, cigars pregnant with oil, and

bottles

by anchovies then has shouted Here you can eat till you burst " Which,

sheets of letter-paper perfumed "

Come

on, boys

by the way, all

full

;

a highly probable statement.

the tables covered with bottles

;

The benches

the

men

are

are playing

mora, singing, shouting, disputing, and making a racket

the glasses jingle

and the there

sutler

from time

to time,

turns around.

What

officer appears, there is

and are

strike

they doing over

a profound silence

appears, and the revelry begins again.

;

each other,

;

dis-

Meanwhile, in the open

THE CAMP. passage between the tables there of

two

lines

217

a crowd forming,

composed some who are com-

in opposite directions,

moving

and others who, having Make way there," swearing at and cursing theirs full, shout the unfortunate man who does not give way and thus makes ing to

their trenchers with wine, "

fill

them

spill

Around

a few drops.

young corporals has formed the others,

knows

it,

who

vivandifo-e a circle of

that of the third

company, among and so impudent the husband from casting certain sharp glances

so graceful

and cannot

in that direction

;

the

refrain

which are

;

like so

many

arrows

and the wife

;

does not neglect to

make eyes

would

but the

shop are flourishing, " Let wheedling of madame.

like to protest,

and much

this is

due

A "A

;

the

husband

affairs of the

to the

us close our eyes," he thinks,

money." wish?"

her favorites

until

we have taken "

soldier approaches the counter. glass of rum."

"Here

in the

What do you

is; pay for it." and he a "I "Take this"; bill. cannot change presents " Then what shall I do ? Ah, it; I have no small money."

that

little

delightful

And

try."

the poor soldier stands there,

puzzled and confused, fingering the little

bill

and glancing

off,

that there

murmuring is no specie

at the

Then moves

glass with an angry expression of face.

slowly

They pay us in paper, and to say But all those who go on horseback put

in their pockets."

Fifty paces nearer there

who has

many circle,

collected

about

as he could pick

and, after

of marching to

another picture.

fifty

soldiers of

up round about, telling them that they

It is a

his

captain

company, has placed them

will

as in a

have a great deal first one who

do the following day, and that the

gives out will be put immediately in irons, has a small cask of

MILITARY

218

LIFE.

wine brought into their midst, and glancing at one of the "

quickest

soldiers,

says

bung and distribute

all

Get out of the way

any one another drop the

his

over

hand on

all

holding

Wait a moment, or

there,

for

won't give

And

stand back.

all

the

while

endeavors to open the cask with his nails and

soldier

the point of it,

They

out

take

;

gather around,

out trenchers, canteens, and glasses. heaven's sake

turn

your

They

it."

his

the others,

and the captain stands bending

bayonet, his

directing the

knees,

operation

;

gathered together on one side, smother their

laughs of delight, twist their hands around their knees, and,

bending their backs, they make mute signs

one another, ex-

change certain droll gestures, hit each other's elbows, nodding with their head and a half-closed eye at the unusual treat ;

they pass the back of the hand over the mouth, as

to pre-

enjoyment of the treat, without leaving any other profane taste on the lips they exchange furtive pinches, and they rub their shoulders against each other. Suddenly, the

pare

for the full

;

All are erect and motionless, so not to appear

captain turns.

quite crazed at the idea of a few drops of wine.

them

The

captain

the approach they crowd forward a stream forth comes ten bubbling bung is out, great purple trenchers are held under it to catch it, after these ten others,

makes a

sign for

;

another ten, and so on. waves.

Shall

reply twenty

Down

we touch

others.

The

the throat

glasses

goes in perfect "

asks one voice.

Yes,"

trenchers are raised above the heads,

they move, turn and return, touch

;

the wine overflows

and

spreads over their heads, faces, and hands, staining waistcoats and doublets, and dropping everywhere. But what does it matter

" ?

Hurrah

for pleasure

Hurrah

for the captain

" !

exclaims

THE CAMP. one of the boldest

an undertone.

Hurrah "

others in chorus.

219

Silence,

you dogs

" !

reply the

shouts the captain

impetuously, not succeeding, however, in concealing under that " Have you of anger a certain feeling of complacency. " The crowd ? lost your heads separate, running Disperse

show

But the other

in every direction. festivity in

little

the cask

The new

soldiers,

who have

empty, and the captain's pocket-book

wander around, glance warily

arrivals

do, as they say of the Indians, turn their eyes at the clouds,

ently off,

but

;

vain

and every hope ;

way

dead.

strained,

in the throat

let

to gaze

upward

indiffer-

Well, this

trifle

moves

make

suffices to

they return to the place whence they came,

harsh voice that seems to stick

when we

are provoked at something

wish, but do not succeed, in dissimulating

Now

each other,

the captain does not see them,

;

closed.

and kick the stones about while yawning

all in

men happy and humming in that half

sniffed a

the distance, collect, but too late, however

and

it.

down

us look in another direction,

there in the

or four metres in

Along that line of wall runs a canal three width, and in it are two palms' depth of water

between two

and slippery banks.

farthest corner.

soft

standing and are near by.

Suddenly there

Here

one of the sides are

it is

for the

whose

tents

comes a voice from the group

standing on the opposite side

officers

lira?

sitting the soldiers of the company,

" :

Who

man who can jump

wants to earn a

this ditch,"

and a

hand with a coin

in it is raised in the circle. All turn and run " in that direction. Then an officer exclaims : I, I, I, I too." " Let us see stand in a row," and he makes a sign with his ;

hand.

The crowd

of soldiers turn their backs, run twenty

paces from the bank,

stop, turn around,

draw up

in a semicir-

MILITARY

220 cle,

LIFE.

the most courageous in the centre, the laziest at the wings

;

three or four in the middle dispute the best position with their

elbows

;

one

finally conquers, puts his left foot well forward,

bends backward, measures the ground with

his eye, rises

tip-toe to look into the ditch, thinks, hesitates,

turns to his

neighbor and says "You jump first." An "oh !" of shame rises on all sides. The neighbor hesitates also two or three excuse :

;

themselves.

Make

way, then,

jump," says a new-comer,

I will

They make opening a path by means of pushes and blows. way he comes forward, prepares, sways backward and forward, ;

glances at the ditch and the ground, and intervening space, courage, bravo right foot, with his left

The

tended.

lira

competition

and another

lira

breathed he

down he

one.

goes

lively is

flat

;

starts.

and he

in the

air

passes the

over, resting

and

his

man

has

third starts.

his

arms well ex-

The

away he runs for a drink.

another

;

won.

one

his

taken

the

leap,

Oh, how short-

reaches the bank, takes the leap, and

to his face, dashing the water over every

prolonged shout breaks from every throat, and ends

The poor fellow by a general laugh and clapping of hands. has climbed with difficulty on to the bank, all wet and dripping, his hair clinging

and matted

bunches over

the officers are devil

" !

becomes

under the

face,

his

And

the face of

the poor

serene.

the circle of singers.

the tents,

One

" pity.

exclaims one of them.

devil instantly

Then

moved by

and

arms hanging. But glass of wine for this poor

and

his trowsers clinging to his legs,

his ears

trees,

One

five,

ten,

warbles a pathetic ballad with

here, one there,

and twenty

around

together.

the greatest effrontery

others, half intoxicated, with glistening eyes

and inane

;

faces,

THE CAMP, howl certain hands

both

bacchanal

end

the

songs, of

lows

;

every the

trenchers

their

raising

down

noses in them, and taking

221

burying

verse,

bad wine

their

in long swal-

then a waving of caps in demonstration of their joy,

a reciprocal clapping of hands on the back, surly shouting of

Hurrah

a monkey-like puckering

Around

satyrs.

and

a sharp

and

for the blonde," with certain grins,

of the nose,

and the

attitudes of

more harmonious voices

the group of

small circle of spectators, and in the midst of the chorus there is

a director,

who marks

the time with his finger, and reproves

any one who goes out of tune, performing his part in the most serious way, with a modest face, and glancing around as he does so

Then

all

that racket,

even when heard

tempt.

to increase.

who

there are the solitary and melancholy ones

refuge from ing,

which continues

at the audience,

and

whom

take

the music and shout-

a distance, causes sadness and con-

They wander around

the deserted portions of the

camp, or seat themselves on the edges of the ditch, with their, feet just above the water, poking the sand and stones at the

bottom with a willow

stick, or else

they

lie

stretched out across

the opening of the tent, their faces buried in their hands, the

smoked-out pipe in their

dazed

sort of

way

fingers,

and

the beautiful

their eyes following in a

little

flame-colored clouds

caused by the setting sun. Their eyes run over the tops of a plain those mountains and they think what may be behind :

;

and behind these? another plain; and so on over mountains, valleys, and unknown plains, in

then,

other mountains;

imagination, until suddenly they discern the dear and well-

known

hills of their

own home, and

mingling of tenderness

and

they contemplate with a

grief that sunset

which they have

MILITARY

222

LIFE.

not seen in so long a time.

Then, suddenly, they turn their eyes and seem to become aware, at that point, where and among whom they are they heave a deep sigh, give a toss of the head ;

to chase

away the

feeling of melancholy

creep into their hearts,

and join

others,

which begins

and away they run

rise

in the general racket, since

to join

no use

the to

grieve over things which cannot be helped.

But not

Many

all solitary

men change

of the younger soldiers

main there the

up the

their thoughts so

entire evening, thinking

grass about

easily.

and some of the older ones

re-

and thinking, plucking

Some, seated cross-legged, Turk

them.

fashion, polishing their bayonets with a bit of rag, their clothes, or attending to

mending

some other

affair, accompanying work with a low and monotonous chant, which is sorrowful both in thought and expression. Others seize their knapsacks,

their

spread out on

a sheet of paper, upon which

depicted a

soldier starting for the war, or a great heart pierced

by a huge on the ground, draw out the stump of a rusty pen, and squeeze and arrange the stringy arrow

;

they stretch themselves

flat

sponge of a dried-up inkstand, and, after having looked

at the

and pressed it as many times against their nails, they pass and repass the palm of the hand over the sheet, and breathing upon it, drawing in and out point against the light several times,

their

necks as they do

so,

scratch great crooked words and

form wavering pot-hooks, raising their faces heavenward from time to time, as

asking inspiration for a word or phrase

which they no longer remember, but which they have certainly read, they could swear to it, in some printed book, the name of which has slipped from their mind. officers, too,

Like the

have their sad hours, and they

sit

soldiers, the

cross-legged on

THE CAMP. the boxes, in

front of

wander around the

their tents,

223 a book in their hands,

solitary corners of the

"To whom

camp among

you writing?" asks an offi" a who is writing. Are you soldier behind cer, stopping " " the Yes, sir," replies latter, getting on to writing home ? the soldiers.

are

his knees in order to rise to his feet. "

How long

and go on." Four months."

are

;

Let

No, no, stay where you "

you have been learning ? " That 's not bad. Bravo

since

see.

To whom are stops behind another goes. The soldier nods in father?" the negative, you writing, your " To whom then, your mother ? " " No." smiling as he does so.

And on he

To whom

then

head around

The

soldier continues laughing, twists his

into his shoulder,

and with one hand pretends

play with the sheet in order to hide the

understand, you

word

sufficed to put

will join the others little

Both those

rascal."

;

them in good-humor perhaps, later, they and dance too. A pleasant word costs so ;

you

carrying that

word.

soldiers are contented

Let us look on to the road and see will

first

man

me what

tell ?

A leather

who

coming.

Well,

that the quartermaster- sergeant

bag swung over

his shoulder

Wait

until

has got into the camp, until some one has caught sight

rumor of

and then you will see what a tumult, crowd, and confusion there is. Here he comes, and makes with quick, stealthy steps for his tent, of him, until the

his arrival has spread,

looking suspiciously around

for

;

tries

pass unobserved in

and arrange that mass of papers a little, he does not do so, it will be almost impossible to dis-

order to dash into

tribute them.

it,

But

to his comrades,

it is

in vain.

A soldier discovers him,

and gives a shout of joy

" :

Letters

turns

Let-

MILITARY

224 ters

" ?

LIFE.

they ask, running around and glancing here and there. "

"Where

he? where

he?"

went

this

"No,

way."

"Ah, here he is !" All dash in that direction. Mean-, while the news has flown to the last boundaries of the camp

that."

;

two, three, or four soldiers break from every circle,

who

they run, .

will arrive first

Ah, the poor carrier

and get hold

and away

of the fust letter

already surrounded, enveloped,

squeezed, and suffocated by a restless, impatient crowd,

have their arms

him with

hum

in the air, stretch

of supplicating

ing about they bear

from

and

persistent voices,

him here and there

little

reduced to a group still

and sway-

happens,

until,

detach themselves,

letter,

go the men, into their tents, to read them in peace and Little

quiet.

just as

those outstretched arms, two, three, or four hands

all

off

who

out their hands, and deafen

holding convulsively the wished-for

and

the press diminishes, and the crowd

some disappointed, headstrong creatures

;

stand there persisting in a lamentable tone of voice

But

again

really ;

there nothing for "

do me that favor." "

nothing

But

Oh, for heaven's sake give

The few who remain

tell

impossible

you

;

look

that there

time to breathe

scatter slowly, their chins

on their

" !

breasts,

arms hanging and the poor letter-carrier breathes, draws in a long breath, and wiping his forehead with his hand, " " exclaims Heaven be praised that is over

their

;

Along

the edge of the road, toward the camp, there

a long

most of them peasants, men, women, and boys, who have come from the village to contemplate this The children sitting spectacle, to them so novel and curious.

line of inquisitive people,

on the banks of the

ditch, the fathers

and mothers standing on

the roadside, the grown-up girls a step behind them.

All point-

THE CAMP. ing with

their fingers

the

225

different

picture, giggling at the shouts of the

details

of the

great

singers, pitying the pris-

and breaking out into exclamations of surprise in seeing " Poor fellow, he must some jump, and commiserating with a

oners,

have hurt himself," those who have

fallen.

Then they com-

and the

divisions of the ment upon camp, and explain to one another the difference of grade, judging from the bands on the caps, constantly interrupting,

the structure of the tents

and growing quite provoked at each other. At all points of the road where there are two or three, or a group of young and pretty peasant girls, there is correspondingly in the camp, right on the opposite bank of the ditch, an unusual gathering of soldiers, who, like all

make

ing at them,

men when

gestures,

they

assume

know women

attitudes,

are look-

and study

their

slightest movements, with a careful indifference, an indescribable air of liveliness and effrontery, that is really entertaining ;

and the peasants laugh and laugh, cover their faces with their hands, hide behind each other, or scatter and group themselves again, still laughing, whispering mysterious words in each other's ears,

and sometimes caressing one another,

pleasure (the coquettes

those demonstrations of affection, and

make them

fingers from pure rage. At one point of the road a band of young

the

neighboring

villas,

rose-colored, blue, at the

place a

slightest little

keep them that light

just for the

of seeing their admirers envy

has

and very

breath of

light dresses,

wind,

that

hand on them and stand

bite their

ladies,

appeared, in scant,

them

from

airy, white,

which so

fly

about

they are obliged to still

for a

moment

Those young ladies are bare-headed, and breeze stirs and disarranges their shining ringlets, in place.

MILITARY

226

and forces a white arm

LIFE.

to raise itself

from time to time, and a

Near

small, patient finger to put the riotous locks in order.

by, in the camp, there

the ground.

Ah,

Oh,

who

a group of officers,

there

glance along

would only come a breath

wind

begins to increase, passes, seizes a little white skirt, the

same small hand does not

arrive in time to prevent

from

fly-

Those officers Oh, what a pretty little foot ing. know they are being watched, and how they enjoy it If this were not the case, that man, to cite one instance, the one .

nearest the ditch,

elegance, falls

would not wear

his sash with that careless

and would not have run the ring along so down to the knee

over one hip and the other

;

that a bo\v that other

one there would not puff clouds of smoke into the air, raising his head so proudly as he does so, and would not stand in a Napoleonic attitude at

;

this third

the nape of his neck to see

would not if

so frequently

feel

the small

amount

of neck-

band allowed by the colonel were not quite limp and starchless. Meanwhile a family from the village comes down the road and stops

at the

entrance of the camp.

There

an elderly,

lively, strong-limbed, and corpulent papa, with one of those old-fashoned faces, two ships' sails outside the cravat, two locks

of gray hair

on the temples, a pair of elephant's paws in Uvo and a knotted stick under his arm, the coun-

gray linen shoes, terpart of a

with

all,

talent

communal

thoroughly

secretary,

who

lives

satisfied with himself

for arithmetic

perfect peace

and the remarkable

developed by his boys

school

;

the

good face of a mamma under a hat in the shape of a Roman helmet and three boys dressed in their best clothes, well ;

combed, full

of a

oiled, little

smoothed, and shining, with their heads

still

lesson on the laws of politeness, which was given

THE CAMP. in haste

mamma

227

were leaving the house. They What a fortunate chance that

just as they

are old friends of the colonel.

he should have camped right there, near their house papa, with his round face loudest voice, begins

" :

The

wreathed in smiles, and in his

all

Mr. Soldier," touching the wide brim " might one see

of his broad hat as he addresses a sentinel,

commandant

the Signer Cavalier Colonel,

The

makes him a

sentinel

hand

ward and announces the

The

visit.

sky as

his

gray-bearded sapper runs forfamily walk slowly on in a

most respectful and circumspect manner. looks about, stops, knits his

and points with

sign to pass,

to the colonel's tent.

of the regiment

brow

The

colonel appears,

to see better, glances at the

to collect the scattered reminiscences of old times,

remembers, and recognizes them, and smoothing his forehead "

of surprise and pleasure, adand uttering a prolonged "oh vances to meet his guests with outstretched arms. Then fol!

low the reception and bows, hurried questions and answers, the passing of hands under the chins of the children, who have

sprung up in an astonishing way, and have grown pretty. "

Then

madame

Oh,

a conversation,

the colonel exclaims, in order to start

the effect of the companies

One hundred and fifty men in each What a fine camp, eh ? Would you

know. delight.

Would you thanks

" !

to take a turn

the colonel, after a

;

" ?

little

The

very great, you ;

quite a

like to see

it ?

family consent with

reflection, places himself

the left ot the lady, the husband on the right, and the children in front

The

;

the troop begins to move.

officers salute

follows them.

The

them.

Every one stands

aside.

subdued murmur precedes and

colonel, a good,

rough soldier that he

is,

forced into the thankless position of cavaliere servente, says to

MILITARY

228 the lady

Look over

there

Those are the

kettles of the

company, those of the fourth, the others of the

third

You

" :

LIJ-E.

will

which

tell

probably

quite true, but

because

And

proceeds to explain the whys and wherefores. in the

fifth.

bad condition, and then he

that they are in a

the lady,

midst of those two rows of soldiers, connot conceal her

embarrassment and confusion a colonel

soldiers, repeating

and admiration

;

but the papa, proud of having

a slow, benignant glance at the

his side, gives

from time to time

What

in a tone of

a fine thing youth

complacency

" is

One

of the

boys approaches mamma, and pointing to the colonel, asks " " " But who is that soldier there ? Be quiet," she replies in :

an undertone here."

" ;

And

the one

could he cut off

asks the child. "

The music

of the camp.

the music

" !

who commands all their

heads

all

the soldiers

he wanted to

they suddenly shout on

all

sides

In fact the musicians have come out of the tents

one by one, have collected, marched toward the centre of the camp, formed a circle, and stand awaiting the signal of the band-master, holding their instruments in their hands quite ready to place them

at their lips.

In less time than

takes to

an immense crowd has gathered around them, half the regiment in fact; a deafening noise is raised, loud shouts of joy, tell it,

the most furious and a burst of hand-clapping and whistles dancers break through the crowd by means of blows and their ;

elbows, look for and call each other, dash together, and

placing their

hands on

their chests,

treading on their toes, they succeed in opening a circle

couples prepare, the dancers seize a handful of shirt on partners' backs

(if

pushing into them and ;

the

their

they were only women), clasp their fingers,

THE CAMP. put the

left

229

foot forward, bend their knees, turn their faces " " : Well, are you going to play, or not ?

toward the leader

The

couples grow impatient, tap their

twist themselves, puff, shout finger, the

;

feet,

the leader

fists,

sign with his

instruments are placed at the mouths, the tongues

protrude and moisten the upper and lower

and they begin turn,

shake their

makes a

The

to play.

lips

;

touch each other, meet, dash right and

backward, back to back, hip to

not,

they make

and

grin.

may be it

;

forward,

fall

happens,

there must be place for every one,

or if

by blows and kicks, they push, stagger, shout,

moment

In a

under the heavy

left,

hip, the heels on their neigh-

bors' corns, a,way they go blindly, just as

not as the case

another sign,

couples are in motion, turn, re-

the grass in the field has disappeared

the ground

feet,

broken up, the couples get

mixed, divided, or grouped differently

others

;

fall

flat

to the

ground, and the dancers, pressed over them, stumble and tumble

them

;

others were dashed into the midst of the surround-

ing crowd; but, in the midst of that hurly-burly, the

Lombard-

dance imperturbably with that swaying of the and motion of the head and shoulders, that crossing of hips

ian continues to

and sudden bending of the knee as if on the point of fallsudden rising as if on springs the Piedmontese goes on impassible and grave, and takes things seriously, warms legs

ing, that

;

to his work,

and

proud too of

and the

his robust graces;

Calabrians, two by two, facing each other, their necks crooked, arms akimbo, their faces in grotesque shapes, upright or

doubled, continue to dash rapidly over the ground.

What

the matter

sudden deep silence has fallen upon the camp turn in one direction he who was on the ground rises

all

;

faces

he who

MILITA R Y

2 30

LIFE.

was on the edge of the camp comes to the centre under the sutler's tent the customers have sprung to their feet on to the ;

benches and tables

others have climbed on to the wagons.

;

Every one has come out of the

What is the matter ? Look up the road.

tents.

horseman

starts

a cloud of

toward

comes out

dust

colonel's

;

and

tent,

The

stops.

and

turns,

off.

One would

silent.

the

;

colonel

him a paper,

All eyes are turned in that direction, every one

breath

advancing on a gallop, quite near the entrance,

the horseman salutes, hands

;

and gallops

the

has happened

enveloped

What

astonished

say that every one was holding his

looks like a square filled with people intent

camp when

on fireworks

the unexpected glare of the Bengal light

illumines ten thousand faces with wide-stretched eyes and open

mouths.

The

colonel opens the paper, turns toward the trumpeter,

makes a

sign.

Before the

blast

first

has sounded, a universal, prolonged,

and very loud shout bursts out heaven from titude

sides of the

all

starts

like a thunder-clap,

camp

;

every direction with startling rapidity

benches and tables of the sutler are deserted the poor

man

rises to

the entire scattered mul-

dashes his hands into his hair

in ;

;

the

an instant

quick

;

down

with the tent, out with the boxes, in with plates, cabbages, sausages, bottles, clothes, chickens, cigars, every thing in con-

fusion

;

time

the officers

flies

wander

;

another blast of the trumpet hastily about the

voice for their orderlies,

with perspiration.

Quick

who !

camp, calling

arrive breathless

imminent in

;

a loud

and dripping

take hold of the boxes, in with

THE CAMP. the

clothes

boots on top of

;

no matter, only be quick with the knees on the cover

closed.

Quick

sword, sack

around the .

roll

;

tents,

are

;

231

combs

shirts,

will

force,

up the overcoat in

order at

the pockets,

The boxes

not shut

;

still,

down !

it 's

here with the jacket,

;

And

least.

the

soldiers

loosening the knots in the cords with their

rolling up covers and linen,

filling the knapsacks hastily, their on with the confounded buttoning gaiters cramped fingers which cannot find the button-holes, feeling in the straw for

nails,

the bowl, tassel, bayonet, with red face, dripping brow, labored breatfl,

and

a perfect fever lest the second blast of the

trumpet should sound, with the voice of the sergeant at their

backs threatening them with imprisonment scarecrow before them of the captain feet,

shouting

Another

and screaming

blast of the trumpet.

hundred excited

who

with the

late,

stamping his "

Quick

Form

quick

the ranks

quick

" !

shout a

All rush forward just as they are,

voices.

with their fatigue caps on the back of their heads, their coats

unbuttoned, belts in hand, their knapsacks hanging over one "

shoulder.

To your

place,

quickly

;

order

right

about."

The companies form tumultuously, breaking open at the appearance of every fresh advent of soldiers, then close in, sway backward and forward, undulate from the head to the foot, Another blast get out of order, and then form again rapidly.

The regiment

of the trumpet.

the second

outside the camp,

Such

camp

ways beautiful it,

;

it,

Who

and does not

with enthusiasm

first

the

sometimes hard and

and beloved.

does not love

desire

life

The

starts.

the third

company

camp

distasteful,

empty. but

al-

there who, having tried

recall

with pleasure, and

THE DISABLED SOLDIER.

IN the evening, produces upon

at a certain hour, the aspect of the

country

the soul a vague feeling of melancholy, which

resembles that oppression of the heart experienced

chil-

dren who, having escaped from the house to wander about through the fields, from path to path, farm to farm, go on and

until they

suddenly discover that they are alone

look around them, the place

dark and gloomy

back, they have lost their

way

the sun has disappeared "

the mother, poor

for them.

;

they

they glance

;

they raise their eyes to heaven,

Oh, dear me, what have

woman

done

waiting

" ?

they exclaim,

and there they stand quite dazed, with a lump in their throats and their little hearts all in a tumult. This is the nature of the melancholy which gradually takes possession of. our souls in

the country,

when

the sun has

set,

every thing

one hue, and along the mountain tops there

becoming

nothing to be

seen but a slender streak of sky, pale gold in color, above

which the

stars are rapidly

hour, one which

beginning to appear.

made sadder

still

the

It is

a sad

monotonous

croaking of the frogs and the distant barking of dogs, which

break from time to time the deep and solemn silence of the country.

Who, walking

that

lane, in the direction of the city, but 232

hour through a solitary still far from it, not. seeing

THE DISABLED

SOLDIER.

233

a living soul about, nor hearing other noise than the sound of

own

his

burdensome

Not

could do without table-

does not find barking of

footsteps,

that

the

dogs he

afraid, but, well

exactly

Passing before the gates of the vege-

it.

and flower-gardens, he walks on

tiptoe in order not to

rouse the ugly dog crouched behind them, holds his breath,

and

listens attentively

most in

he has nearly passed the gate,

when a wretched bark which thoroughly

safety,

him breaks out

tles

;

at his back,

aj-

star-

and he passes on without

even turning, but he seems to see the ravenous beast with his nose at the crack in the gate, and his eyes gleaming with rage.

he goes, but in the middle of the road, as he does not

mind the hedges

;

dust,

and

provided he

not obliged to pass too near the

he hears the sound of footsteps or the voices

two wayfarers who are talking together, he does not turn back to see who they are, as that would make him appear like of

a coward, but proceeds with his eyes on the ing to glance at the fields, he takes his eye

;

and pretend-

with the corner of

then gazing ahead of him he sees appear in the dis-

tance two their

them

alert,

men on

horseback, enveloped in huge black cloaks,

heads covered by a two-pointed hat (gens d' armes)

those two unexpected friends,

;

and arriving in front makes way for them, looking

takes courage, quickens his pace,

them with an expression of amiable obsequiousness, and

of at

ac-

cepting, with a feeling of intense pleasure, the long, searching

glance they bestow upon him.

When

finally

reaches the

blessed gates of the city, and perceives the first lamp-post in " " the nearest street he exclaims, as he Heaven be praised :

dusts off his boots with his handkerchief; "here last

" !

that

are at

hour any one passing the gate of a cemetery

MILITARY

234

LIFE.

does not stop, although the strange fears of the ple

and children do not pass through

common

straight on, turning his face in the opposite direction.

by the

own

steps,

which, entering by

At that hour,

the windows, resounds under the dark vault. until a ray of light

In going

country, the children are almost

solitary chapels in the

frightened by the sound of their

and

peo-

mind, but goes

his

be seen

in the west, the families

of the people at the villas live on the terraces, leaning over

the

railings

contemplate in silence

The boys

nightfall in the country.

fingers the small lights that

people

like us in

The

them.

point out with their

appear one by one

names

houses, or ask papa the

sad spectacle

that

of the

girls,

stars,

little

in the country-

and

there are

sitting apart, with one arm

on the back of the chair and their heads resting on their arms, fix their eyes dreamily on the distant mountains and are soon lost in tains.

But they are not thinking of those mounAt such times their thoughts withdraw wearily from thought.

that silence

and solitude

;

although they are in the midst of

their family, they feel quite alone

and abandoned.

some great good

lacking, that there

hearts, that their life

not complete

that

irresistibly

the city, loses

balls, seeks and finds

;

itself in

and

They

feel

a void in their

their fancy runs

the joyous tumult of

again the dear faces forgotten for so

long a time, enjoys reviving those imageries, in presenting self

upon the

choly.

the

spot,

and sharing with them

They count the time they shall

villa,

have to pass

run over that time in their mind, and enjoy,

dear faces, waking as they

that sweet melan-

still

ticipation, the pleasures of return and the finally

it-

first

an-

sight of those

from those sad and lovely fancies

would from a dream.

THE DISABLED SOLDIER. Oh

that hour in the country

beside the

woman whom you

2$$

Even

a sad one.

you were

love, at the height of

your bliss, none but sad fancies would pass through your mind, and none but sad words come to your lips. Just at that hour, one evening, during the early part of May, in 1866, in a deserted lane

which ran across the slope of a

hill,

near one of those country shrines where the picture of the Virgin

painted at the back of a niche, a young

were talking

an undertone

stone, leaning against

girl

in h*er

hands

;

He had

crossed over his breast. it,

and wore a coat

soldier

on a large

the latter erect be-

side her, leaning with one shoulder against the wall,

call

and a

the former seated

a projection of the shrine, her elbows

on her knees, her chin

resting

his

;

and

his

arms

his fatigue cap, as soldiers

knapsack lay

at his feet, arid in this

There was something sad and despairing in the appearance, and she kept her eyes fixed motionless on the

was a bundle. girl's

ground

;

little

light,

which was burning before the image of

the Virgin, cast a veiled gleam over the

hands, and showed the imprint of a long

The

the eyes.

brow buried

fit

in the

weeping around

soldier, without his belt or musket, looked like

a soldier on leave, and such was the case, for he belonged to

one of the classes that had been recalled to arms on the

2 8th of

April, and on the seventh day after the publication of the royal decree they were to present themselves before the military com-

mandants of the ing day

in a

district.

That

soldier

must be on the follow-

neighboring city, ten miles, or

less,

distant

from

that place.

Judging from the attitudes of the young girl and himself, and from the long silence which followed their few subdued words, it

seemed

they must have been there for some time.

Not

MILITARY

236

LIFE.

a living soul was on the road, either near by or in the distance, and a profound silence reigned all around. Only, from time to time,

one could hear a confused sound of distant voices,

which came from a house situated at the foot of the

slope,

appeared and disappeared. They were peasants who had returned from the fields and who were replacing

where

lights

oxen to

their things, putting the

to each across the yard.

their stalls,

the wall, took both the hands of the

her

feet,

and said

and talking loudly drew away from

Suddenly the soldier

who

girl,

instantly rose to

to her in that faltering tone of pity

used when giving some one a sad piece of news

you know,

It is

Gigia.

time for

betimes to-morrow, and the road

Having

said

his

to go.

moved

must be

town

girl's face.

The

latter,

nearer him, placed her two

shoulders, let her head drop

sobbed.

which

It is late,

long."

which he looked into the

without opening her mouth,

hands on

" :

Courage, Gigia, courage.

'11

to them,

fire

and

a couple of

shots and then return." " "

Return

she said, raising her head slowly, and letting

" instantly drop again.

voice

went on

she then added, in a

silence

followed,

after

which the soldier

Well,

from behind her hands.

full of tears,

A moment

Who knows ?

then,

good-by,

Gigia."

placed his

hands on her temples, raised her head, kissed her on the forehead,

stooped,

his back, passing

picked up his knapsack,

one arm over

slung

over

his head, fastened the straps,

bent once more to take up the bundle, and giving his hand to the girl,

made ready

to start.

She,

who meanwhile had

covered her face with her apron, and stood motionless as stunned by

grief,

suddenly started, and seizing the soldier's

THE DISABLED SOLDIER, hand with both of wishing by

this

You

ments "

No,

and

a firm

hers, said, in

means

resolute voice,

few mo-

to delay his departure for a

will write

you

will write

every day

dear, not really every day," the soldier replied in an

affectionate tone.

"And why not ? " she asked hastily, in " " But if we are marching every day ? "

Yes

"But

" !

a reproachful voice.

replied the girl in a low tone, dropping her head. "

went on, suddenly taking courage, when there is a battle you will write and tell every day at least," she

are well

at least

me you

" ?

He, who

any other time would have smiled

at the

ing ingenuousness of that question, felt his heart

charm-

sink with a

compassionate tenderness, which was so strong and sudden, that he to go

put his listen,"

was overcome by off

that

and knew that

moment and

arms around the

it,

was necessary

without another word.

her, kissed her,

poor creature

shouted

and away he a

ran.

supplicating

He Oh !

tone,

running a few steps after him with her arms outstretched "

one word more."

did not turn

;

she stopped, covered

her face with her hands, stood motionless in the middle of the

road for a moment, then turned back, and

fell

on her knees

before the shrine, weeping and sobbing bitterly, as children do.

The

soldier

went hurriedly on

his

way without turning back.

When

he reached a certain point where the road divided, he After a moment's hesitation he turned, looked at the stopped.

shrine,

saw her

;

she raised her head at that moment, glanced

toward him, seemed peared.

had struck

see him, rose to her feet that

;

he disap-

branch of the road which, de-

scending rapidly, led to the city.

MILITARY

238

rejoined his regiment at the beginning of May, and then

wrote a

from

LIFE.

home almost

letter

and betrothed

his father, mother,

by the latter's hand, as the old

father

every day, received one as often

no one

;

all

in his family

written, however,

was able

knowing only enough arithmetic

to write

for his

;

own

special use.

was

at the battle of the twenty-fourth of June.

weeks elapsed news of him.

after that

Picture

Two

day before his family received any anxiety, heart-beats, and dis-

their

God

quietude.

But one

how much

joy

hands.

and they After reading it, however, they recovered from fright, because he wrote that he had received a

grew

pale.

their

first

fine day, as

gave them.

Ah, but

came, and

willed, a letter

They opened

with trembling

was not written by him

;

hand on the day of the battle it was a slight wound, of which every trace would have vanished within a few days, and he should have got out of bed but for a slight fever

wound

in his

;

caused by the loss of a their courage,

because

little

They were

blood.

was nothing

to cause

keep up any anxiety, and

excuse his not having written himself, the right hand being the

one wounded, and his fingers still paining him only a trifle, however, almost none at all. Little by little the family became A week from that day they received the first letter calm. ;

by him they knew that he had returned to his regiand ment, they said nothing more about that slight misfortune, because something worse might have happened to him, and written

;

they ought to thank

Poor people

thanked heaven soldier

;

God

that things

things had gone

but they did not

had been struck by a

rifle

had gone as they had. so,

they really might have

know

the truth.

The poor

ball in the leg, at a

hundred

THE DISABLED SOLDIER, paces from the enemy

and the

tibia

fibula

;

the bullet

239

had broken two bones, the

he had been carried to the hospital, and

they had amputated the leg a few inches below the knee.

After forty days, they gave him a

wooden

leg,

a pair of

crutches, a passport, and, opening the doors of the hospital, " Go home, poor fellow, you have done your part." said :

Before turning homeward, he wrote to his mother to in-

form her of val

;

his departure,

and the day and hour of tell them of

having written which he resolved to

fortune, but could not bring himself to

so.

his arrihis mis-

Numberless

words and instantly scratched them almost that out, they should have fallen from his frightened But the letter had not gone before there came to his pen. mind all the possible consequences, in fact the inevitable and

times did he write the

terrible

first

sorrow his pious fraud would cause

had been

;

he was troubled

on the subject of his misfortune, was astonished that^he had never thought what sadness might follow his reticence in not telling the truth bravely and going

that he

silent

;

over in imagination

that

would happen

home upon

in this state, picturing the despair

appearance

so unexpected

all

and

terrible

his

of his parents

a sight, and thinking of his

betrothed and friends, he dashed his hands into his hair in utter despair,

But

and began wept.

was too

according to his

late.

arrived in the city near his

slept at

letter,

inn.

he ought

home to

the day before that when,

have been with his family.

The

following morning betimes, helped by he the landlord, climbed into the cart of a miller which was to

pass the

hill,

placed his crutches by his side, seated himself

on two sacks of they started.

flour,

the miller gave reins to the horse,

and

MILITARY

240

LIFE.

down

Passing for several miles along the road the cart did not begin to

the valley,

some hours

until

hill

During that time, the poor

after their departure.

had not been able

climb the

who

soldier,

to close his eyes during the night, oppressed

by a rapid and troubled succession of thoughts, imageries, and painful presentiments, had sunk into a species of lethargy, induced by the monotony of the road and the slowness of their pace, and only interrupted now and then by the jolt-

But when, on

ing of the cart over the uneven road. ing a stronger light in his eyes

and a sharper wind on

he became aware that the cart had come out from trees

and begun

feel-

his face,

among

the

ascend, then he waked quickly, saw that

hill,

that road, those houses, instantly closed his eyes again, turned

away his head as if seized by a sudden fright, and threw himself face downward on the sacks with his face in his hands. His heart beat violently

stunned as

;

his blood

he had

it little

hands on the sacks getting

entirely,

" :

heart gave a the houses

yet

little, first lifting

became

his brain

And

his head, placing his

to raise himself to a sitting posture, then

but always with his back to the

hills,

and

but without glancing

in that direction,

farther along,

little

and ahead

were

;

Shortly thereafter he began to look at the horse

upward. then a

a tumult

in that position.

head

finally turning his

received a great blow on bis head.

he remained a long time

He changed

was

still

large

bound

on the road,

There are those blessed houses as

had appeared before him white

specks

And

;

left

his

he had got there by accident, and involuntarily.

very far away, quite indistinct as

and

to the right "

half

;

hidden

they seemed quite near to him,

They

they hardly looked

among

and he

the

felt

trees if

;

THE DISABLED SOLDIER. should reach them in a few

241

Then

minutes.

his

parents,

relatives, and friends would gather around the cart, and he would have to get down, and how should he do it And !

he pictured people,

to himself,

who would

hour on the waiting

him.

faintly to his ear,

to see

all

those dear

certainly be gathered in a group at that

doors of their houses, or

street, at the

for

and seemed

seemed

to hear the

in the yards,

gay voices come

and among those voices he distinguished one all. His heart-strings tightened, and

dearer and sweeter than

he wished those houses farther away, so far that he could not see

them

yet.

the other hand, they were right there, and

be approaching him more rapidly than he did them, so he closed his eyes and dropped his head in order not to see

seemed

them.

Yet

this

was a worse

torture, for in

opening his eyes a

moment, and

raising them, he seemed to have got over a great deal of the road, a hundred times more than he had done in reality.

Then he thought

turning his back to the horse,

and, moving the stump slowly, he turned.

remain in

this position

But he could not

long, for at every instant

felt

head back, greatly to the discomHe then assumed his first position

irresistible desire to turn his

fort of his entire

again.

body.

And, glancing

to the right

and

left of

the road, he dis-

covered, at a short distance, a large oak with

its

trunk

split

through the middle, and the thick, leafy branches, under which there was a board, upheld

by two stones, which served as a seat. He looked at the seat, touched his forehead with one hand, as if just becoming aware of the sudden outbreak of a recollection

his eyes glistened, his

;

hands spot,

violently,

and keeping

cheeks reddened, he clasped his his eyes fixed motionless

went on raising and dropping

his head, as

on the

to say yes to

MILITARY

242

LIF1:.

the recollections which were waking in him, one recalled by

all

That was exactly the spot where he had come one " Do evening with her, despite the admonition of his mother " And she had not wished to come, as not go too far away the other.

was

really too

far

him

evening, alone with

her

the

from home, and

sky was so

at that hour, late in the

But, heavens,

how he had begged

clear, the air so mild, and the whole

country so fragrant, that she had been obliged to yield and

They were seated there, on that seat had exchanged few words, but these were tender, rapid, and faltering he had

come.

;

sought her hand, and she, frightened by the thought of being alone with him whom she loved, had shut her hand and drawn it

from him with gentle

conquer

finger

opening the second the sisting

force, so that

finger, for first

would

hand opened and was

he had been obliged to

as soon as he succeeded in close, until at last the little re-

his.

Absorbed

in the

thought of

that beautiful evening, the poor disabled ^soldier (by

an illusion into which our fancy often drives us

present day, forgot

are

all

that

at the sight of

bound by some tender recollection) time which had passed since that evening and

a place to which got the

means

for-

the

which had happened meanwhile,

the war, the wound, the amputated leg

;

the thought that

within a short time he would see that girl alone filled his mind, quite separated from the other sad ones which usually followed it

;

the feeling of a great joy

oppressed him

he made an

;

moved by an

filled his soul,

irresistible

effort to rise to his feet

intoxicated and

impulse of his heart

without the aid of his arms,

and did so so violently that the nerves of his maimed leg, pressed strongly against the wood, were pained and sent a terrible pain shooting

up through

his body,

which drew a cry

THE DISABLED SOLDIER. from his

lips

and, casting him

cruelly

illusion to the feeling of sad reality,

ward on the lately

dition

She

The

hands

cart, his

and with a sob

back from the dear

made him

his hair,

no longer wish who was walking beside the

fall

face

down-

murmuring disconso-

Oh, she will not wish

will

miller,

243

in this con-

in this condition cart,

turned and

Are you ill ? The soldier replied in the negative, The poor fellow quite abruptly, and said not another word. remained motionless in that position for a long distance, and

asked

was better

try,

for him, because

aroused, and with

Meanwhile,

and

had he glanced about the coun-

every step some fresh recollection would have been

new

pain.

home he was being waited

for

his relatives

friends, who, informed the previous day of his expected

arrival,

had gathered

joyfully at the paternal

home

to receive

him with love and honor. At the

first

gleam of

light, his

two old parents had risen and

dressed themselves with the joyous haste of children

preparing for a beautiful

walk

in the country,

who

are

and had begun

wandering around the house with hurried steps, opening doors and rapping hard on the pillows of the sleepers, shouting :

Wake up

;

out of bed with you, boys

" !

The

latter,

wakened

and mouths, glanced sleepily around, and made those wry faces which people do who are disturbed in their slumbers, but on being thoroughly roused, so suddenly,

opened

their eyes

and remembering the reason of that sudden shout, they too became gay, mingled their voices with those of their parents, of bed, dressed quickly, and away they went through the house, road, gardens, to do their usual work with

jumped out

unusual solicitude, smiling at one another, making signs to

MILITARY

244 each other

the distance, and

Shortly thereafter

;

came

the

girl,

LIFE. urging

all

make haste. who lived near

the betrothed,

she arrived on a run, accompanied by two friends, dressed

in gala

costume, with a bunch of flowers in her

self into

and quite

ing her face two or three times from those

look into

it,

Then

all

the furniture and the sticking the

who wanted

she too began wandering about the house as

were her own.

from the

hair,

met the mother, smiled, blushed, threw herher arms, and then breaking suddenly away, and hid-

red in the face

broom

wall,

to if it

together began dusting and arranging

little

the

into

the house,

articles pertaining to

remotest corners, moving beds

changing mattresses, folding up clothes-horses,

shaking sheets and counterpanes out of the windows, dragging

from the wardrobes certain brass candlesticks kept in reserve for grand occasions, and tying boughs and branches of wild flowers on the racks, window-gratings, around pictures,

above the doors, so that house was as neat,

at the first

fresh,

and

appearance of the sun the

and fragrant

as a garden,

and the

house-plot smooth and clean as a marble floor, without one tuft of grass remaining, even if any one had looked for an hour. They could not do less for the reception of a soldier who was

Thus said the good old coming home wounded from the war other when had to the finished their work, mother women, they !

moving from room

to room,

and showing them with compla-

cency the beautiful order and neatness of every thing.

Then

they went out into the front yard.

mained behind, called the

girl

The mother

by name, and as the

latter

re-

came

dancing up, she took her by one hand, led her to her room, "

and pushing her in front of a small glass, said Look, you " " Heavens exclaimed the girl, have spoiled your hair." :

THE DISABLED SOLDIER.

245

how could it have happened ? ".' making a woful face, " There are twigs hanging from every side," replied the old " woman, and you are running hither and thither like a mad bending your head sit down." down, the mother went behind her, loosened her

creature, without looking, or

The

girl

smoothed her

braids, to

sat

keep

hair,

;

all in

one hand

with the other,

made her

and then taking

tight, in order to part

bend her head backward, dropping her hand little by little, and taking her chin between her forefinger and thumb, or touching the dimple in her throat, so that she twisted about with that convulsive laugh peculiar to girls

who

are being tickledj

She did her braids, put in the hair-pins, passed her open hands two or three times over the hair so that it should be smooth

and shining, and then placing her hands on her shoulders, and looking her in the face, she gave her a kiss, and moved off, say" ing

Let us go."

The young

girl

rose

and followed

her,'

keeping her face turned toward the mirror until she entered the neighboring room.

Here, allowing the mother to go out/

she raised one foot gently from the ground, and using the other as a pivot,

wheeled around twice, and suddenly stopped, threw

back her head

to look with

charming curiosity

at the skirts

puffed out by the wind, which looked like a dress over hoops."

Then, she too ran out into the house-yard. All the others scattered over the place,

some on the

front of the house, were in continual motion, as

road, in

their feet

And in

were scorched when they kept them quiet for a moment. that continuous

wandering about there never were two

who met

at each other without exchanging a gay word or a because the glance of the one recalled to the other the

and looked smile,

happiness of

all,

and revived

him the same

feeling.

The

MILITARY

246

LIFE.

brother of the fiancee, in passing, either gave her a pinch in the arm in order to draw forth a scream, or, coming quietly

up behind her, seized her by the elbows and pressed them " Get away with you, you wretch " which together, and that was his punishment, accompanied by a menace of a box on the !

him

ear (which was never forthcoming), gave

Her

drew her aside from time

friends,

infinite pleasure.

to time to

whisper

all

which were followed by a burst of a sudden breaking up of the circle, and a general laughter, sorts of things in her ear,

From time to time the old father, stopping in " front of her, said with a serious face He is not coming." " ." Why not ? Who told you so ? she asked excitedly, changscattering.

ing color. " "

exclaimed

fancy so," replied the old man, smiling. she,

heaving a sigh and becoming reas-

sured instantly, "you were joking.

keep

his

Then

you see any one? I

who was

turning to the mother,

kept her eyes fixed on the road "

never has failed to

word." " :

outside the gate and " she asked, don't

Mamma,"

only see a cart in the distance."

The

girl

began joking again with the old man, without giving

any anxiety about the matter. Meanwhile the cart had come within three hundred steps of the house, and in the heart of the soldier a strange change had

herself

taken place.

did not 'seem to have any true or real appre-

ciation of his condition, nor to

know where he was

going,

and

the memory of the places he was passing seemed to be fleeing away, so much so that he kept his eye fixed motionless on his

home, the wooden windows and terraces of which began to appear quite distinctly, or he let them wander slowly and list-

THE DISABLED SOLDIER. lessly

over the

fields,

approached

The

place.

his

247

houses, and kitchen-gardens near the street.

home

he would have done an unknown

sensitiveness of his heart

was exhausted.

Such

our nature, that we submit with entire impassibility and a species of

abandonment

seemed

to us at first quite insupportable.

to the excess of those sufferings

that poor unfortunate fellow

open mouth and eyes quite

now gave

And

which

for this reason

his attention, with

all

fixed, to the noise of the cart, as

the presentiment of the sorrows into which he was about to cast his family

had

Now, giving a blow

entirely disappeared.

with his hand to the sack, he looked astonished at the white dust which flew about

now he buckled and unbuckled

;

lessly the straps stretched

wooden opening

the

between those two

into which the

stump

sticks fastened to

of the leg

(two sticks that hold the leg quite firmly in its support) seizing a crutch near the end, he went lightly

on the end of

his foot.

list-

;

put

now,

on beating the handle

But he had been feeling

a slight pain at the end of that poor thigh for some time,

al-

though he had wrapped it carefully in some old pieces of linen with which his pockets had been filled when he left the hospital

;

and

so,

almost involuntarily, he unbuckled the straps for

the last time, stretched out his arm, took off that wretched apparatus, lifted free, the

it,

and placed

at his side.

When

the leg was

pain decreased.

the cart went, and he, without giving himself any other

thought, passed and repassed his hand over the leg, as

soothe the

little

pain that remained, when, on raising his eyes,

he suddenly changed color, clasped his hands, gave a

remained as motionless as a

where they had parted

;

statue.

He had

he came to himself

;

cry,

and

seen the shrine all

the memories

MILITARY

248 which had

lain

dormant

point,

and

tions,

had given a

for

LIFE.

some time had been roused

at that

suddenly by a crowd of violent emo-

his heart, filled

bound.

terrible

gazed for a long time

the shrine with pallid face, dilated eyes, and trembling lips

then stretched out "

Oh, Gigia

oh,

arms

his

Gigia

and

fell

;

way and cried face downward on the

in a supplicating "

cart.

that point a loud shout reached his ear,

rushing from head to foot. his

wooden

raised his head, looked, seized

put the stump into

leg,

trembling fingers,

and

tried,

but

set for the

it,

all

Meanwhile the people were coming lips all

and sent the blood

grasped the straps with

buckle them.

in vain, to

nearer, with

open arms and

shout of joy they could not utter.

And

all

this time the poor fellow could do nothing but pull at his leg

first,

madman.

here they are quite near; the mother

who, stretching out her arms with a divine smile on her

dropped her eyes, saw, gave a desperate cry which came from the depths of her soul, seized him groaningly around the All the others covered their faces with neck, and stood still. face,

their hands.

After a

moment he was on

fastened without his knowing all

thought

at once.

the ground it.

;

the straps

Let him go by himself like that ? Oh, no

See him walk

No must carry him. Carry him ? ing no, they would not carry him

;

had been

They

they

carry the dy-

.This thought passed like

During that instant the poor fellow had placed the crutches under his arms, and to shorten that a flash through their minds.

sad spectacle for his dear ones, he started in long strides tow-

ard the house. All looked at him fiancee

;

all

except the mother and the

they hid their faces in each other's bosom.

THE DISABLED SOLDIER. He

entered the house

around him, took away

first

;

249

instantly thereafter all gathered

his crutches,

made him

the table; he bent over his crossed arms

and

sit

down near

head

let his

rest

But instantly a trembling hand was laid on his forehead; he raised his. head, saw a breast heaving violently before him, knew who it was without raising his eyes, and hid his face on them.

that

All about there was a great silence, for they could

bosom.

not weep yet.

The wounded man detached Suddenly a sob broke out. from his himself mother's arms, gave one glance around :

"Is

you

he shouted, his eyes glistening with

The young

his arms.

opened them.

The mother,

present,

made

girl

tears, as

threw herself wildly into

struck by a sudden idea, turned to those

a sign, and they

all

disappeared in an instant,

she following them.

The

girl

glanced around the room, and not seeing any one,

drew a chair

hastily

one hand with her

up left,

to that of the soldier, sat

placed her right one on his shoulder,

and with her face covered with began

down, seized

tears,

and her chest heaving,

to talk quickly, brokenly, breathlessly, in an undertone,

giving a glance at the door at every breath, to see

any one

was coming. "

and believe

Listen, Carlo,

ing right from

marry you more

heart, I love

;

believe me, for I

you better than ever

speak-

;

I will

now, than you as if you were as you used to be. I would gladly die at this moment if I am not telling you honestly just what I feel, and if you listen, Carlo, and don't cry so hard if you do not care for

me any

willingly like

longer I would

hands, to take me, to tell

you

this

come and beg

are

you, with clasped

that I cannot live without

you

;

MILITARY

25O you were

so, if

to say no, I should

come now, do not be from the war,

LIFE.

if I

grow

so despairing.

ill

from sorrow.

But,

you had not returned

(here she pressed her lips together)

God

had sent me the misfortune of losing you, do you think I would ever have taken any one in your place ? No not even if the !

king had come.

listen; if before I loved you with all my which she covered her face with her apron (saying and began to weep), now I would fall on my knees before you."

soul,

Now,

now

And

down from her

she slipped

chair and

on her knees

fell

before him, who, quite beside himself with

joy,

broken

and more with the animated ex-

groans, inarticulate sounds,

of face which bore the divine imprint of the thought,

pression

and with a convulsive movement of the hands, tried to say one word, only one word but he had not breath enough to do so, ;

and went on

deep, vehement

Then he "

could hear

Oh, thanks

fields

thanks

" !

tried to raise her.

the force of her girlish love

like this, I wish to stay so

excitedly "

she replied in a resolute tone, in which one

all

thanks

by the arm and

seized her

came a sonorous,

trying, trying, until three times

" ;

let

remain

and, drying her eyes, she went on

will

always live together.

any more

I will

;

we now

stay

moment

leave you alone for a

you, just as

are.

you are crying so hard?

all ;

I will not

I will

But what Tell

go to work in the

day near you

work is

;

in the

never

will

house beside

the matter, Carlo, that

love

you so

what

well

the matter ? " But," replied the poor fellow, in a timid and trembling " "

voice, "

and

And you ?

every thing, Carlo."

Well, what do you

mean by

that

Tell

THE DISABLED SOLDIER.

2$ I

But he could not go on. " his

And III! how hands, shaking

" But, Carlo,

shall I

yours

know

that I don't say

know, who

lives in

several times,

and

the

head

talk to

here

all

his

manner.

me in that way ? Am I not am very good at sewing, you to praise myself. And that lady, you villa near here, has offered me work

why do you

Are we not

work ?" and he buried

in a disconsolate

have always refused

;

but

now

and

all

more when she knows how you have returned I will bring Will that do ? Then I will work beside you, and you will tell me all you have seen the towns and places

the

work home.

you have passed through, and if you always remembered me, what you did every day, if you had comrades from this neighborhood, and what you

all

talked about."

she went in this tone, growing more and more fervent,

always on her knees before him, keeping one hand on his shoulder, and twisting the buttons,

upside down,

whose numbers had got and thumb.

into their places with her forefinger

Her cheeks were

suffused with a brilliant rose-color, her eyes

and the words dropped so warmly and spontaneously from her lips, and there was so much ingenuousness and grace in her gestures, looks, and smiles, in her glistening with a soft

light,

whole person, even in that humble position, that the good soldier looked at and listened to her like one in ecstasy. When she had finished speaking, she fixed her eyes upon him as if to ask

and he gave her one that was better " " " than any she could have desired he said, you Oh, Gigia for a

word

of comfort,

make me "

And

forget I

all

misfortune

never will

cried, with enthusiacm.

they both wept heartily.

" !

the sweet girl you remember it Then he put his arms around her and

let

MILITARY

252

The mother's

LIFE.

idea had been an excellent one.

moment they heard the noise of hastening steps and confused murmur of many voices coming from the court-

At the

that

The young girl sprang to her feet, and moved off several from the soldier. Both turned their eyes in the direction paces " from which the noise proceeded. Where is he ? Where is

yard.

he? shouted a voice outside.

And

almost at the same

moment

a young fellow, pale, breathless, and quite voiceless appeared in sight and hardly had he seen the soldier when, with one spring, ;

he was years.

in his arms.

They had been warm

The new-comer was decidedly

friends for

many

younger, and belonged

to the second division of the class of 1845, called that

And

arms.

that very evening the

taken leave, not without

toward the

city,

when,

tears,

day

young man, having

of his dear ones,

was going

passing the house of his friend, of

whose return he was quite ignorant, he had been called by the driven fairly into family, informed of Carlo's misfortune, and his arms.

as she

and the mother, as soon the neighboring room, and given a

All the family followed him,

had

set foot in

searching glance at the faces of the betrothed couple, ful,

still

tear-

but lighted up by a deep joy, had understood every thing,

been quite comforted, and while her son's head lay in his friend's arms, had communicated this comfort, more by signs than words, to the others. Finally, the disabled

made

long embrace,

soldier

detached himself

a sign to his friend to

sit

from that

down

hand over

beside

him, and, having passed the back two or three times, gave him to understand that he had someof his

thing to say.

All gathered about

nearest to him.

him

;

the mother

his eyes

and fiancee

THE DISABLED SOLDIER. "

253

Keep up your courage/' he began, turning

who seemed

sad and disheartened;

that seeing

after taking leave of

it,

your family,

poor fellow

such a profession get disheartened

Well, then,

And

then, then I will

tell

starting,

are going to

you

Don't you think you

you will say, from what good does it do to serve as soldier whether you

fine result

matter quietly and leave willingly. too.

that

very painful. ?

You have

are willing or not.

now

But, heavens

you are

in this state just as

a soldier in time of war, is

understand

"keep up your cour-

Don't allow yourself to get melancholy.

age, comrade.

know

to his friend,

you

much better to take the You will understand that frankly, that

was des-

tined to have such a misfortune as this, either from falling off

a cart, or

down

the stairs here, or have

there, I prefer the latter.

that I

content in

we have not those

who

got to stay in this world long,

Do you

else think the less of

And he

suppose

exclaimed

all

has

to say

but, in the end,

and when there are

care for

;

what does

mother, father, and any

The

Oh, Carlo

;

raised his eyes to them. "

their hands,

present condition

are fond of us, that

the rest matter

one

It is natural.

happen as do not mean

old parents, clasping

The

girl

gave him

a long look of inexpressible tenderness. "

More than

ever," he went on, his tone

and face suddenly

becoming quite animated. "And after this misfortune all loved me more than ever. If you had been at the hospital with me, you would have seen things which are hardly to be credited,

my my

dear fellow.

After

had been there about twenty days,

regiment passed through the city

company came

to see

;

all

me, and some others

the officers of too,

do you under-

MILITARY

254 stand

They gathered around my

half

hour

;

saw the

cer (I had a

little

recommended me

fever) put his

officer,

young fellow without any his face. Another offi-

running down

tears

neighbor said to him

told

bed, and stayed there for

and there was the captain, who looked

good and cried, and another beard.

LIFE.

Take

hand on

forehead, and his

you worry him.' They the care of the doctors and nurses, and :

off

have some one write to

;

family, but without tell-

would give them too much And one of from the first to the last, shook pain. them, every hands with me before going away, and the youngest, the one ing them what had happened, as

who commanded the second squad in which I moment when the others were not looking, and

was, seized a

kissed

me on

my forehead, and when he was at the door he turned and gave me one more salute with his hand. Do you understand ? One day came the old general with his breast all covered with medhe approached my bed, cap als, and followed by many officers in hand, and all the others uncovered their "heads too. He, ;

me how

the general, asked

was, and where I

had been

wounded, and how and then when I had told him every thing, I seem to see him now, he raised his eyes to heaven, then ;

closed his

lips,

with a sigh, and said:

'Be brave,

Then he grasped my hand, he who was a

general.

boy.'

His hand

was very thin, for he was so old. I would have kissed it, but I was afraid to seem lacking in respect he seemed to me like ;

another father. sions to

know what

one must have been present on such occais

felt.

Then, even beforehand

One .

forgets all his misfortunes.

You

will

see,

comrade

;

was one thing to talk of it at a distance, another to be there on the spot, right there in the midst of all those bayonets, the

THE DISABLED SOLDIER.

2$$

in the superior officers ahead with their swords flags,

music, arid

whirls, '

and the

Forward

all

those shouts

your heart

;

your head

still

shouting

songs and the music of are

They

and the

At that moment there came from the "

fires,

you while you are

ball has struck

air,

and shepherd's

fifes

who

companions to

the conscript, springing

are

sound of

street the

pipes. starting,"

his feet with a

shouted

sudden outburst

of gaiety.

The

disabled soldier's face lighted

;

he, too, rose to his

fiancee, and begged them to feet, supported by lead him to the door, saw the conscripts who were leaving

his

mother and

pleasant journey, boys

;

a pleasant journey !" he shouted.

They turned toward him, caught a glimpse of " Hurrah stood, and replied in one voice

his leg, under-

for

soldiers

the brave

" !

And he thanked them by waving head, for between his emotion

hands and shaking

his

and weariness he had no voice

left.

Hurrah

moved

The

for the brave soldiers

" !

the

men

shouted as they

off.

disabled soldier

made one more motion with

his

hand

and head, then, passing one arm around the neck of the young girl who was supporting him on the left, he turned to his mother, standing on the other side, and, in a sweet and affectionate tone, exclaimed "

Oh, mother, can you believe it ? Then he let his head sink on her breast. .

The away,

eyes of little

all

present

little, in

filled

content

" !

with tears, and the music died

the distance

down

the road.

A MEDAL.

"I AM always obliged len look

Thus

and

sul-

said a captain to himself, after having re"

viewed his company. " done to him ?

He was

to encounter that cloudy face

But why

it ?

What have

thinking of a soldier, an Abruzzese,

him during the review. doggedly There are some proud, savage, and

ever

who had glanced

amour propre in

so intense

every smile, a snare in

person.

They

are

reticent natures in

which

and gloomy that they suspect scorn every word, and an enemy in every

good and affectionate characters

at the bot-

tom, but appear and are judged as proud and unfortunate ones.

They

are souls that are retiring sheerly from diffidence

;

they

have no spontaneous affections never are the first to love but hardly do they perceive that they have inspired a feeling ;

of affection

when they

return

with as

;

much

greater a strength

and effusion as they generally display the contrary qualities with others. When, however, they take an aversion and be-

come

envious, they are incredibly obstinate

and tenacious

Yet they do not hate as they fancy they do. One almost always arrives in time with a hearty hand-shake

their opinions.

and a pleasant

smile, to dissipate their antipathy (which they

believed to be unconquerable) and their rancor (that they swore

was

eternal).

256

A MEDAL. Such was the Abruzzi

soldier

257

who looked

so sullenly at his

captain.

The still

day he joined the regiment with the other conscripts, wearing their peasant and working dress, the captain had first

looked at him with an expression of curiosity, had said in the "

ear of the lieutenant

Look, what a forbidding countenance

The

and then smiled.

soldier

had noticed the

being taken to the store-house, he had put on the

smile. first

" !

Upon

coat that

was given him, and the captain, on seeing him, in passing, so bundled up, with a pair of sleeves which came down below his hands, and with great folds that covered his knee, began to "

You

His face grew Another a at the and he .clouded, gave sharp glance captain. time, on the parade ground, when the conscripts were being laugh,

and said

look like a rag-bag

taught their steps, and were called out from the ranks one by one,

and made

moving

walk some distance

their legs slowly

and

to the

stiffly like

sound of a drum,

marionnettes, he was so

embarrassed when his turn came that he could not take two

making such grotesque comrades were obliged to point and scolded him, so

steps without tottering, stumbling, or

and laborious motions that

all

his

His captain arrived at that he became worse than ever.

this

laugh.

was time quite

lost,

went

off,

Then

the captain, seeing that

saying:

"You

are

the worst

soldier in the

company." Near by were some girls with children, who were looking on, and they began to laugh loudly. He blushed to the roots of to his place, grinding his teeth like a

mad

So he became thoroughly convinced that the captain him only from a spirit of malice, and

ridi-

his hair,

and returned

dog.

liked him, reproved

dis-

MILITARY

258

LIFE.

culed him with the hateful intention of enraging and so ruining

But

him.

this

was not

The

true.

man

captain was a fine

;

had nothing more against him than he had against the others he loved his soldiers, was incapable of a blind or unjust feeling ;

and perfectly abhorred intentional persecutions or oppression. Only he had not understood the character of this soldier. Seeing him always so gloomy and sullen, he had fanof aversion,

him

cied

be of a stubborn, ignorant, and sullen nature, and but he was tractable by means of

wished to conquer him

;

persuasion and kindness, and not with menaces and imprison-

ment

made him

these

One day our ner

;

worse.

soldier stood talking with a girl at a street cor-

the captain passed, but the soldier did not see him.

former fancied he had pretended not to see him,

him

to give the salute, so he took

the girl and soldier

many

other people

was so ashamed, that

The.

order not

to task in the presence of

who were

standing about.

as soon as the captain

The

had gone,

he too disappeared and was not seen again. But his anger against the captain went on increasing, and became absolute hatred, continually tormented him, left

peace, and fairly poisoned his no matter how hard he tried. dier,

and the

latter

life.

The

him not a moment's

Nor could he conceal

coughed and kicked

his feet

turned angrily around, and he, quite ready,

looked tive

when

During a march,

the clouds.

it,

captain reproved the sol-

;

the captain

lifted his

head and

a soldier was atten-

the captain wished to drink and offered

him

his

leather bottle, he sneered, and, drawing that soldier aside, " You imbecile " When the captain whispered in his ear :

reproved him, he pretended not to understand, rolled his eyes like a madman, shook his head, or smiled maliciously with

A MEDAL. mouth and

half-closed eyes, twisting his lip.

259 sticking out his under-

there were always that surly glance and

Then

gloomy

face.

One

evening, on the parade ground, while they were drilling,

a major reproved the captain in a loud voice

the latter glanced " at his the soldier around soldiers Canaille! "' laughed. hastily he shouted, blind with rage, and coming' up to him planted ;

;

both

fists

in his

The

face.

neighbor and said in an undertone)

" :

soldier paled, turned

Some day

...

or I

toward his

or other (adding a few words

not an Abruzzese."

had he entered the barracks and reached

his

Hardly bed when he

The

threw his bowl and knapsack against the wall.

captain

Sergeant, appeared unexpectedly, saw him, and shouted The him and soldier seized under arrest," disappeared. put :

with his teeth

the sheet

and beat

his

head with his

fists.

Three or four comrades dashed upon him, seized and held "

him, saying

doing

said in

What

the matter with you "

What

Then he came to Are you going mad ? " a low voice, with a gloomy smile Yes. :

going mad, and you will see one of these days have the courage to do."

There

portion, in

rise

gulleys, precipices,

on both sides

to a great height,

and dark, deep ravines, stretch

out their rocky arms almost to the river banks. at that point presents

the water

and

am what madmen .

a part of the valley of the Tronto, the narrowest

which the ridges

and forming

are you

himself,

and these extreme

big stones and of the ridges

;

The

a sad and gloomy appearance.

valley

Between

projections, the ground is all gravel, enormous rocks precipitated down from the top and from the edge upward, there is a labyrinth

MILI TA R Y

26O

LIFE.

and mounds, without any pathways. Several narrow paths climb up zig-zag, and are lost A few dwellings in the midst of the great rocks and thickets. of caves, precipices, thick bushes,

appear here and there, half hidden among the projections of some bits of level and verdant earth, but on every the rocks ;

other side there It

was a

only the rough, wild face of nature.

autumn evening.

rainy,

patrol of a few soldiers,

one behind the other, were passing through that portion of the valley, climbing, descending, and winding according to the elevations of ground and the rocks which

way worn by the

feet of pedestrians

filled

the small path-

during the long series of

years.

soldier preceded the patrol

followed

by about

forty paces

;

another

about the same distance.

slowly and silently

They were walking with lowered heads, their muskets under

their arms.

who was

Suddenly, the soldier

ahead, heard a sound of

hurrying steps, saw three heads appear above a rock, three gun-barrels gleaming, and

taken left

off,

and heard two

of his head.

upon him.

three flashes,

balls

whistle

felt

his

fatigue-cap

the

right

and

an instant three brigands dashed out

discharged his musket,

and one of them

gave a cry and fell to the ground. He rushed upon the other, and with a powerful blow from his musket pushed his carbine aside, and dashed his bayonet into his stomach. the third,

who was

behind, attacked him before he could turn

and raised a

against him, seized the musket with one hand,

dagger with the other. grasped the

But

The

armed hand

soldier

abandoned

the brigand

with

clasped his throat with the right arm, squeezed

his his

weapon, left

one,

like a serpent,

A MEDAL. and

and lacerated

bit

broke from the

They

fell

and

his ear

rolled

and a

horrible

shriek

terrible struggle ensued.

on the ground, a false step and death minute a large portion of

in less than a

;

the ground was covered with

furiously.

assassin's breast,

*vould be the result

2<5l

deep tracks

;

the stones, struck

violent kicks, sprang from the terrible arena

;

the two ene-

mies clasped, unclasped, and grasped each other again with a marvellous rapidity thrusts their elbows

;

they beat each other with their

and knees

into each other's

fists,

stomach and

and shouting with suppressed rage and gleaming their foaming and

chests, snorting, gasping,

;

their eyes horribly dilated

;

bleeding mouths opening and contracting convulsively, as they

gnashed their teeth, so that those two faces no longer retained any semblance to humanity. But the soldier still kept tightly clasped in his iron hand his adversary's knife.

Suddenly the brigand

ing the ground about

him wildly

;

fell

fist

which held the

like a corpse, beat-

the soldier got

seized his throat with both hands, shielded himself

with his bended knee, and while the prostrate

him

in the

left

arm, the soldier

ground by extreme

force,

with his entire strength

;

raised his

and flung

upon him, on the left

man wounded head from the

back against a stone

then taking advantage of the stun

caused by the blow, he squeezed the wrist of the armed hand with both of his. The aching hand opened, and in an insiant the assassin's knife passed into his possession, and he

driven

into the

brigand's throat.

through the uvula and broke the

The

icy blade

bone of the

passed

palate, the blood

dashed through the opened throat, mixed with a confused tle, which was his last utterance. u

Bravo

bravo

" !

had

rat-

shouted the other soldiers as they came

MILITARY

262

They gathered around him and

up.

breathlessly

LIFE.

whelmed him with

with pallid face and glaring eyes, was gazing

now

trate brigand,

over-

questions, while he, motionless, gasping,

at the

now

the pros-

which he

bloody knife

held"

.still

tightly clasped.

The

had been attacked

patrol

brigands,

who

fled as

same time by a band of

at the

soon as they had discharged their guns,

and the soldiers followed them for some distance.

The wounded soldier was quite well The first time that the captain saw him, in him

at the review, "

"Bravo ear

bravo

passing in front of the eye and said

Instantly thereafter his neighbor whispered in his

You

he looked him firmly

within a few days.

say he has

"Oh, he

felt

something against you

said

obliged to do so," he replied, shaking

his head, smilingly.

Three months ferred to Ascoli.

after

day the

that

week had passed

was

regiment

since their arrival,

the colonel ordered that on the following day the

should be in

full

uniform to

assist

the principal square of the city.

at a military

trans-

when

regiment

ceremony

They were to decorate a

sol-

dier with the medal for military valor. " " So soon ? thought our captain, when he received the col-

instantly ran to the quartermaster-sergeant's " Have you heard the order ? room, and asked anxiously " " Have you done every thing ? Every thing three days ago," " Oh, that 's all right let replied the quartermaster-sergeant.

onel's order.

;

see.

Give

sure about

They

paper, pen, and inkstand

;

want

to be quite

it."

seated themselves at the table, and the quartermaster-

sergeant began tracing on a scrap of paper

some

streets

and

A MEDAL. houses, talking

all

263

and taking up the explain things more

the time in a low voice,

conversation from time to time as

clearly.

After a short time they both rose, and the captain, on going

"Third house

away, added:"

Third house

sure

The

second door."

made

quartermaster-sergeant

second door?"

right,

Are you quite

a sign as

much

right on, you cannot mistake it." hour later the captain was on horseback on the road lead-

to say:

to the right,

to the

ing from Ascoli to Acquasanta, a small place on the bank of the Tronto, half way, I believe, between Ascoli and Arquata.

reached Acquasanta

at sunset.

Before entering, he unbut-

toned his coat to hide the number of buttons, and pushed up the visor of his

Then he

cap.

sound of the horse's the

first

gathered the

there

step,

in left

was a

Who

hearing the

to the doors of

houses, others approached the windows, and the boys

The captain looked uncertainly moved toward a door where right, group of women, who drew up timidly against the the

street.

and

then

wall at his appearance, 11

entered.

some people came

will give

and looked

him

a glass of water,

in astonishment.

good women

" ?

the captain, reining in his horse, and affecting a careless " I,"

replied one of the "

peared.

It is she,"

women

And

quickly.

thought the captain

;

said

air.

she disap-

"it can be

no one

else."

The woman

moment later with a glass of water, and handed it to the captain. The latter looked at her attenThe woman, meanand to in drink it slow tively, sips. began returned a

while glanced at him from head to foot, twisted her head from side to side, got

tiptoe in order to discover the

number

MILITAR Y LIFE.

264

swayed backward and forward, was not quiet one moment, and by her fixed and excited look, and the rapid movements of her mouth, she showed a timid and his regiment, twisted her hands,

anxious content, an irrepressible desire, which she did not

how "

The

to gratify.

captain watched her

know

closely. "

no one among you women who has a soldier son ? he asked, with apparent indifference, as he handed back the Is there

glass.

have," replied the

stopped to "

In what regiment

told the regiment,

Have you

regiment, Mr. Colonel

this

son

I ?

the water.

The woman is

woman who had brought him

and she made a sign with her thumb, and wait for his reply, as immovable as a statue.

have one

Oh, no

and added

Do you chance

seen him anywhere

how

but

is it

" hastily

that

Where

know my

" ?

you do not know where he

is?" "

Well

" !

exclaimed the woman, looking very serious, cross-

ing and then letting her hands

have seen him. he was fighting

fall idly,

letter.

it is

two years since

month ago he was not very far from here the brigands, poor fellow, and he wrote me but ;

;

since then I have heard nothing,

another

and he has never sent me

Oh, he may have sent one, but

has not ar-

Those gentlemen who ought to forward the letters, who knows what they have done with them (And she grew more rived.

and more excited, and uttered each word with an increasing The letters of poor people expression of sorrow and scorn.) are

known

to those

them

into a corner.

write,

and

gentlemen by the writing, and they throw I

know how

things go. Those poor fellows

their families receive nothing.

But the

officers

who

are

A MEDAL. in

command ought

me, Mr. Colonel,

to me.

to look after these affairs

don't say

poor women can

know what a life aches, fears,

was

every day and

heart-

have suffered on account of that

let

which finish,

I really

cannot bear

Mr. Colonel,

not

women

assented by word and gesture

here,

him. "

Look

handing

;

the cap-

silent.

my good woman

The woman uncovered her " !

She took

he then said suddenly.

tear-stained face,

repeated the captain,

to her. it

" !

and glanced

taking off

cap and

his

top and bottom, glanced around at her friends as

to question them, then stared fixedly at the captain, as

show him "

with a stupid expression of face,

The

weep.

Look

looked

they see

so, for

you

Oh, no, no,

All the other tain

Saying which she covered her face with her apron, and

began

but

;

have been leading for some time,

and the pain

any longer. "

tell

you

you must excuse does n't seem just

pass entire

There are moments

poor boy.

just

;

months without knowing and we are always anxious, and my

any thing of our sons, friends here

265

that she

had not understood.

captain laughed.

Is there

nothing which interests you

in this

cap

The woman began examining it again, and uttered a cry "Ah it is the number of the regiment my son's regiment " :

and seizing the cap with both hands she kissed and rekissed it impetuously, and in a moment overwhelmed the captain with so

many

questions, prayers, demonstrations of gratitude, joy,

and

was overcome, and was obliged to wait, in order to reply one word, until this outburst had quite exhausted her strength and choked her voice. affection, that he

MILITARY

266

LIFE. "

To-morrow you will see your son," he then Ascoli, and is expecting you."

said.

The good woman sprang forward

hand

back.

He had

to kiss his

;

he drew

Half an hour later he started for the

talked for a long time with that poor

city.

woman, but had

said nothing of the gold medal.

when

Scarcely had he reached Ascoli and entered his house

he called the orderly, and uttering each syllable distinctly, and accenting each word with his hand, he talked for some time, while the other listened with wide-stretched eyes and mouth. " Have you understood ? " he said at last. " Yes, sir." " You " " will do every thing carefully ?" Rest assured of that." I

depend upon you." And he went out. The orderly followed him with his eyes as far as the door, stood meditating for a moment, then sticking his hand into a boot and seizing the brush with the other he began blacking

murmuring a

premium

as he did so ;

" :

You

are a

with

good man

to-morrow morning your boots

all his ;

might,

you deserve

shall shine

brightly than any in the regiment."

The

following morning, about eight o'clock, the

standing at the

orderly,

corner of a street which opened on the princi-

pal square of the city, saw an old peasant

woman,

in gala dress,

with two great hoops in her ears, a beautiful string of coral

around her neck, and her

skirt

speckled with

all

the colors of

As she approached she a her with around mingled expression of curiosity, glanced He watched her carefully, and then and astonishment, gaiety. the rainbow, coming slowly forward.

approached

her. "

"My

good woman

"Oh,

are you the soldier the captain told

about ?"

A MEDAL.

267

Yes, exactly." "

Oh, thank you thank you And my son ? Where is he ? Why did n't he come to meet !

instantly "

where he

is,

my good

one moment

Is n't

Take me

fellow.

he here Tell

right to him."

you must have a little patience you cannot see him immediately. You must wait about half an hour.

;

You must remain

regiment

here and see a certain parade that the

going through

They

medal

are to give a

for

my comrades it is only an affair of a few moments, and you must be patient." " A half hour more Oh, heavens how can I wait for a military valor to one of

;

hour?

half "

understand,

half a century to

you

you must

wait.

good woman ;

but there

will

chat a

a half hour will seem like

;

nothing else to be done, so

little,

and the time

will pass

quickly." "

But tell me, tell me, are the Oh, heavens a half hour " soldiers to come into this square ? " " Yes, right into this square from that side look !

"But then

shall see

him

instantly,

and

can go and

speak to him." " " "

No, you cannot, my dear woman." But it is two years since I have seen him." I know but no one can speak to a soldier when he ;

line

;

know that too the regulations are clear colonel commands here, my good woman; the to

you ought

;

enough; the mothers have nothing to do with the matter and even if the colonel's mother should come, she, too, would have to be patient ;

and stand on one

women have

not

side

made

and

wait.

You must understand

the regulations."

that

MILITARY

268 "

do understand

..."

but

;

LIFE.

At that moment they heard the distant sound of drums, and all

who were

the people

Here

square turned in that direction.

in the

The

the regiment," said the soldier.

old

woman

felt

her heart throbbing wildly, stood quite perplexed for a moment,

and then suddenly tried

dash toward the regiment.

Wait

shouted the soldier, seizing her by the arm, and making a mo-

favor

;

Wait

he sees you we shall get into trouble.

him put

to have If

with his hand to keep her quiet.

tion

in prison

does

he should turn his head to the

to the right." " That 's true

" !

murmured

do me Do you

much

when he ought

left

the

take

n't

;

woman, and she

that

wish

so.

to turn

controlled

herself.

You

will

only have to wait a quarter of an hour

;

that

not much, when you have waited two years."

The woman

them motionless on the opening of the ment was to appear.

The

of the

roll

and then

fixed

where the

regi-

crowd divides

into

raised her eyes to heaven, sighed,

drums approaches

;

street

the

two wings here are the sappers, the drummers, the band, the colonel on horseback. ;

" "

And

the soldiers

" ?

asked the old

woman

anxiously.

One moment.

There are only about ten paces between " Here they are the colonel and the soldiers. !

The woman dashed forward dier held her back.

Oh,

again,

and once more the

for heaven's sake

you want him to be thrust into prison is drawn up in line.

sol-

do be sensible

any cost

" ?

The regiment "

have seen him

woman, clapping her hands,

Look

shouted the old

him

" !

A MEDAL. "

Where

;

The woman

that

You could

pointed.

You

not he.

269

are mistaken, I assure

not recognize him from

here

;

you.

are too far

away." "

Then

that other one." "

"Which one "

But no,

The woman pointed

I tell

you, that

is n't

again.

it is

;

impossible for you to

see him ; he is in the second line." " In the second line ?"

"Yes." " " "

What do you mean by

the second line

" ?

Behind the others." "

exclaimed the woman, as she passed Oh, holy patience hand over her brow and sighed, " what are they doing !

now ? " "

Don't you see

The

colonel has placed himself in front

of the regiment in order to

medal

make

a speech.

Before giving the

make

a speech, in which

to the soldier they generally

they relate the circumstance, and

tell

the other soldiers to fol-

low the example of their companion, who is a brave soldier, has done his duty, and has done honor to his regiment, and so forth." " I don't hear any thing. "

This

the story

What is he saying ? " The soldier who is to

receive

medal was one day attacked by three brigands, all of fired on him at once. He was not hit, and did not get ened

he discharged his musket

;

him

killed

other

;

throat."

;

one of the

the

whom fright-

assassins,

and

then planted his bayonet in the stomach of the

and took away the knife from the third and cut

his

MILITARY

270 "

my God

Oh,

LIFE.

Was n't that fine deed ? " Have they given him the medal ?

"They " "

are doing so now."

will

be happy, poor young fellow

should think so

superiors treat

he deserves

him

comrades are so fond of him

his

regiment

his

;

respect and esteem him and he is one of the best deserves it

son

like a

he really

it,

soldiers in the

;

" !

all

;

there are few like him, I can

tell

you." " "

But where In a

The "

the

soldier

is this

moment

the colonel will call

look

out of the line."

the orderly suddenly exclaimed,

woman away from

In a

hirt)

colonel ceased speaking.

Look

dows

" ?

in front.

moment

Look how many people soldier

are at the

had stepped out

" "

come

woman

of the line,

the colonel's side, facing the regiment, so that the

turning toward the

windows

hands."

they will all clap their

Meanwhile the

turning

the regiment and pointing to the win-

soldiers, could not see his face.

Is that the soldier

" ?

Yes."

What

now ? " The colonel

are they doing

Don't you see

putting the medal on his

breast." "

How Oh, holy Virgin how my heart beats for him. " he must fellow Now what are ? be, they doing happy poor !

Now

the regiment is going to present arms." " " Really ? asked the woman in astonishment. " Certainly."

A MEDAL. "

Oh, what an honor

" !

271

exclaimed the good old woman,

clasping her hands and remaining motionless in that position,

her eyes gleaming with a very beautiful smile, a mixture of content, marvel, and affection.

The

colonel turned toward

the regiment, and in a loud,

senorous, vibratory voice, which echoed through the square,

shouted "

Present arms

The woman

" !

felt

a shiver run from

and seized him

to the soldier

head to

foot,

drew close

she were afraid.

At the colonel's shout the four majors of the regiment each turned to his battalion and repeated the command in a powerful voice.

Almost instantaneously, as if moved by a single arm, did the twelve hundred muskets rise, gleaming from the ground, and resound when

by the twelve hundred hands. All faces were motionless, and all eyes were fixed on the soldier's face. The officers saluted with their swords. The crowd broke out in

hit

a burst of applause, and the band began to play. "

But who

ished,

The some

asked the poor mother, astonmoved, and fascinated by that stupendous spectacle. is

this soldier

orderly turned, looked at her, opened his mouth, uttered inarticulate sound, glanced

again to the

the soldier, and turned

woman.

The band continued

playing, the regiment was

still

motion-

less.

It is

The

your son

old

" !

woman

the orderly shouted.

uttered

cry,

stood immovable for a

moment, with wide-stretched eyes and mouth, dashed her hands into her white hair, smiled, groaned, and sobbed that ;

MILITARY

LIFE.

applause and that music resounded in the depths of her heart like a all

harmony from paradise

the thousand gleaming muskets

;

confused into a single torrent of light, her

grew

came suddenly confused, her

mind be-

eyes veiled, she tottered

and was upheld.

When

came

she

to herself, the regiment

had disappeared

;

her son was clinging to her neck, and the two hearts were so

was hardly plac

closely pressed against each other that there

medal between them.

for the silver

some

tion for "

They remained

in this posi-

time.

But how," were the first words of the son, as soon as he " was released from that embrace, how did you know that I was here ? Who told you ? How did you happen to get here

this day,

and

The woman officer

just at this

told

him

hour

" ?

breathlessly, that the previous

on horseback had arrived

in her town,

day an

stopped at her

where her son was, offered her money so that she could come to the city in a carriage, had given her the door, told her

money, and she had come, and found the soldier who was waiting, at the officer's orders, for her.

"Where around "

;

Now

the soldier?" asked her son.

the orderly I

understand, look

understand why the

he wanted

She looked "

to see at

They both looked

had disappeared. officer

" !

wished

said the

woman.

come

this

Now

morning

I ;

... "

her son and embraced him.

me to see every thing, and so told me nothing, and the soldier was in the plot. in order to give me a surprise But how did he learn where I live ? And What a good man what interest could he have in giving me this pleasure, when " Tell me, my son he did not even know me

wished

;

A MEDAL. The son was "

But where

thinking busily. is

the officer

want

to kiss his clothes.

him,

Take me

son.

273

Immediately

this

man

owe him

want

him

to see

want

life.

;

to him."

exclaimed the soldier, coming back from

the thoughts in which he had been absorbed.

took his mother by the hand, and they hastily crossed

the square, entered the street where the barracks were, stopped

twenty paces from the door, at which almost

all

the officers

woman

were gathered while waiting for the report, and the old

to seek eagerly with her eyes, the soldier helping her

began motions and words

knowing whom he wished " " "

Who I

one who "

who

seen him

Point him out

Look

That one there

n't

to find.

Have you

without

instinct,

have not found him yet."

Look

No, no,

from

he, too, searching

;

that one leaning against the wall.

mistaken

it is

;

lighting a cigar.

n't that one.

Wait

till

That

the

other,

Wait

he turns.

no,

he,"

But who

is it,

there he

then is

" ?

This time

sure.

has placed his hand on the shoulder of the

the one

man

standing

near him." "

What

" !

Yes, " "

I tell

he."

it is

Mother

" !

you

Really

sure of

it."

Are you not mistaken

Are you

shouted the soldier, seizing his mother's hand.

really sure

" ?

MIL1TAR Y LIFE.

274 11

The ing at

sure as

of the light of day."

soldier fastened his eyes

on the captain, and stood look-

him motionless.

Meanwhile, the mother, whose heart and head were with her

him by his clothes, finger and thumb, drew

son, rather than with the captain, pulled

and taking the medal between her it

first

closer to her face, looked attentively at

to the soldier,

who

still

it,

and

said smilingly

stood motionless looking at the captain:

would wager that, after your mother, this is the dearest thing in the world to you." And she raised the medal the entire

" "

length of the ribbon.

No," replied her son, without turning. No Well, what is the dearest thing !

your mother ?

The replied "

asked the

woman

soldier raised his arm, :

That man there

" !

in this

world

after

with an affectionate smile.

and pointing

the captain,

AN ORIGINAL ORDERLY. OF

all

can boast

the original beings under the vault of heaven I

have known many

there certainly

and

none who can

compare with this one. He was from Sardinia, a peasant of twenty, ignorant of the alphabet, and a soldier in the infantry.

The

first

office of

time he appeared before me, at Florence, in the

a military journal, he inspired

His appearance, however, and several of instantly that he was indeed an original.

with sympathy.

his replies,

Seen in

showed

front,

he was

One would From the front

himself; seen in profile, he was quite another.

have said that his features changed in turning. view there was nothing to say the face was like many others but his profile made one laugh. The point of the chin and the ;

;

and did not succeed, impeded and which allowed

end of the nose

tried to touch

by two enormous

lips that were always open,

one to see two rows of teeth scattered

like a platoon of national

The

guards. eyes resembled pin-heads, so small were they, and they almost disappeared between the wrinkles when he

laughed.

The eyebrows formed two

circumflex accents, and

the forehead was only high enough to separate the hair from the eyes.

for a joke.

friend said to

that he

seemed

like a

man made

had, however, a face that expressed

gence and goodness

;

but an intelligence, 275

intelli-

one may so express

MIL1TAR Y

2/6 which was

himself,

partial only,

spoke, in a sharp, hoarse

LIFE.

and a goodness sui voice,

generis.

an Italian for which

he could have demanded with perfect right the patent of invention. "

How

does Florence please you

" ?

asked, because he had

only arrived in town the day before.

"It

not bad," he replied.

For a person who had only seen Cagliari and some small cities in Northern Italy, the reply seemed a trifle severe to me.

"Do

you

Florence or Bergamo better?"

"I only arrived yesterday, and cannot judge yet." " " he went away I said Adieu ; and he

When

replied

"Adieu."

The

following day he entered

my service. During the first was several times on the point of losing my patience and sending him back to his regiment. Had he contented

few days

himself with understanding nothing, transeat ; but the trouble

was that

of every thing,

thing wrong.

ground

Lemonnier's and

knife-grinder's

maker and a lieve

and the novelty made him half comprehend things and do every If I should say that he took my razors to be

his difficulty in understanding Italian,

;

my manuscripts

that he carried a

be printed

French novel

pair of boots to a lady's house,

because, in order to credit

it, it

at the

to the shoe-

no one would be-

would be necessary

have seen to what a point (beside undestanding badly) he carried affairs, the mere misunderstanding not sufficing to account for such

some

huge blunders.

But

cannot refrain from citing

of the most marvellous of his exploits.

At eleven

in the

morning

sent

him

buy ham

for break-

AN fast,

and

ORIGINAL ORDERLY.

was the hour

was some news

which the Corriere Italiano was

One morning, knowing

cried through the streets.

wished to see in the paper,

that there

said to

him

He never "Quick, now ham and the Corriere Italiano." could seize two ideas at a time. He went out and returned a moment

ham wrapped up

later with the

One morning

was turning over

a friend, a beautiful military the library, and I said I

cannot see

all

that

map "The trouble

in the Corriere.

in his presence

had been

that of

me from

you understand, that and am obliged to look

is,

at a glance,

these

and

lent

maps them one by one. To get a clear idea of the battle I should like to see them all nailed on to the wall in a row, so that they at

would form one picture." That evening when I entered the house I shudder to think of it every map in the collection was nailed

to the wall, I

lowing morning

and

was obliged

modest, smiling face of a

make matters to

man who

see is

worse, the fol-

him appear with the

expecting a compliment.

Another morning I sent him to buy two eggs to cook in While he was out, a friend came to talk about a very spirits. important I

said

affair

" :

Wait

with me. "

tinued to talk with

That unfortunate wretch returned. seated himself in a corner, and I con-

friend.

After a

moment

saw the

sol-

and green, and seem to be on thorns about something, so that he hardly knew where to hide his face. I dropped my eyes and saw a leg of the chair slightly streaked dier turn red, white,

with gold color, which I had never seen.

approached

;

was the yolk of an egg. The wretch had put the eggs in the back pockets of his jacket, and on entering the house had seated himself without remembering that

under him.

breakfast was

MILITARY

2/8

LIFE.

These, however, are roses in comparison to what

having trained

obliged to see before

order,

not say, as I wished

it,

him

to put

putting things in

them

in architectural style

but in a manner that would

For him the

indistinctly reveal at least the rational being.

highest art in

was

room

order consisted in arranging

one above the other

;

and

his great-

was

est ambition

ing the

first

to construct the tallest edifice possible.

few days

which tottered

at the slightest breath

;

the wash-bowl, turned

upside down, upheld a bold pyramid of

on the top

new high column

which

Dur-

books formed a semicircle of towers

little

dishes and vases,

shaving-brush rose proudly

;

old and

hats reared themselves in the form of a triumphal

to a dizzy height.

So that often

there occurred noisy overturns

in the

dead of night

and tremendous scatterings

property, which were only restrained by the walls of the room from going on no one knows where. In order to make him

comprehend that the tooth-brush did not belong

to the family

of those intended for the head, that the jar of

pomade was

quite different from that of the extract of beef, and that the

commode was shirts,

not designed as a receptacle of freshly ironed

required the eloquence of a Cicero and the patience of

a Job.

Whether he were felt

grateful for

kindness

him,

the slighest affection for me, I have never been able to

learn.

Once only did he

person, and that ing been ill for

worse.

who was

display a certain solicitude about

in a very strange fifteen days,

manner.

was

in bed, hav-

and growing neither better nor

One evening he stopped on

the stairs

a very grave man, and asked him brusquely

now, are you going to cure him, or are you not

" ?

physician, " : Well,

The doc-

AN tor

ORIGINAL ORDERLY.

2?$ "

It is only and gave him a regular wigging. the thing has been going on rather long already," he mum-

was

that

furious,

bled in reply.

At other times he had

tricks

which

reproving him for them, as I ought morning he waked me by whispering tone of voice

" :

laughed instead of have done. One ear in a curious

Lieutenant, he who sleeps catches no

fish."

One day he entered the house just as an illustrious person was leaving

it,

and heard me say

me, that that personage was a

to the friend

who was

with

" very conspicuous personality"

was talking with several friends, he the door of my room and announced a visitor.

fortnight later, while I

appeared

"Who name)

;

and he joined would be difficult

rious subject spoke dian,

the

remember the

the gentleman in question heard

matters,

(he did not

that very conspicuous personality" he replied.

out laughing

"It

it?" I asked.

and

Italian, all

infinite air,

number

to give an idea of the language this cu-

was a mixture of Sardinian, Lombar-

chopped phrases and abbreviated words, thrown here and there or left in

of verbs

so that they produced the effect of a speech

son in delirium.

One day

a friend

came

to see "

ner-hour, and on entering the house asked "

his dinner

explained

heartily in our merriment.

;

All burst I

your master?"

by a per-

at the din-

At what point

trembling" replied the

My open-mouthed with astonishment. That trembling meant terminating (finishing). soldier.

friend stood

In five or six months, in attending the regimental schools, he had learned to read and write with difficulty. It was my misfortune.

While

penmanship on

was away from home, he practised his and used to write one or two hun-

table,

MILITARY

280

LIFE.

dred times the very same word, generally a word that he had heard me read and which had made an impression upon him.

One morning,

for instance,

he was struck by the name Ver-

That evening, on entering the house, I found on the margins of the newspapers, on the backs of my proofs, on the bindings of the books, on the

cingetorige.

Vercingctorige written

letters, on the paper in the waste-basket, every where that he found space enough for the fourteen letters so dear to his heart. Another time the word ostrogoth appealed

envelopes of

to him,

and the day after my house was invaded by ostrogoths. the word rhinoceros fascinated him, and the follow-

One day

ing morning

house was

however, on another

side,

made

the use of crosses

which he had

letters

filled

and

with rhinoceroses.

I gained,

was

abandon

being able to

with various colored pencils on the

to carry to certain persons, because

and make him remember names, instead of which he would say "This letter is going to the blue lady

was useless

to try

(demi-monde), this to the

this to the

black journalist (who was red), and

yellow employes (who was al verde, meaning short of

funds).

But while speaking of his

something have yet cited. He had purwhich he made extracts from all the

more curious than any thing chased a copy-book, in

books that came into

writing, I discovered

his

hand, the dedication of authors to

their parents, always taking care to substitute for the latter the

name

of his father, mother, or brother, to

whom

he fancied he

was thus giving a splendid token of his affection and gratitude.

One day

opened

this

lowing dedications

Born

in poverty,

Was

book and Pietro

read,

Tranci

among

(his

enabled with study

others, the fol-

father, a

peasant),

and perseverance

ORIGINAL ORDERLY.

28 1

Acquire a high position among servantes, and Succor parents and brothers,

his

and Worthily

excellent

educate his children.

father

This book

dedicated

Antonio Tranci, instead of Michael Lessona.

the

memory of The author

another page

To Pietro Tranci my Father Who in announcing to the Subalpine Parliament The disaster of Novara Fell fainting to the floor,

And died

Farther

down

within a

few

days

Consecrate this

Cagliari (instead of Trent)

Poem,

Not yet

etc.

repre-

sented in the Italian Parliament, etc., Antonio Franci, instead

of Giovanni Prati, etc

That which most surprised me in him (for he had seen nothing) was an absolute lack of the sentiment of surprise at any He thing, no matter how extraordinary, which he might see.

upon the marsaw the opera and ball at the Persaw the carnival fetes and gola (he had never seen a theatre) witnessed, while in Florence, the fetes attendant

Humbert

riage of Prince

;

the fancy illumination of the Viale dei Colli

saw, in fact, a

;

hundred new things which ought to have astonished, amused, and made him talk, but there was nothing of the kind. His "

admiration never went beyond his usual formula

Santa Maria del Fiore.

bad."

Tower. bad.

not

I firmly believe

bad that

the

;

it is

Pitti

the good

not bad

Palace.

It is

not

Giotto's

;

not

Lord himself should

have asked him in propria persona what he thought of the Creation, he would have replied that it was n't bad.

From

the

was always

day that he remained with me, he he was the same humor, half serious, half gay

first

to the last

;

always docile, always dazed, always punctual

misunderstand-

ing things, and ever immersed in a beatific apathy, and ever

extravagant in a certain way.

The day upon which he

re-

MILITAR Y LIFE.

282

ceived his dismissal, he scribbled away, for

many

know

not

how

copy-book with his customary tranquillity.

hours, in his

Before leaving, he came to say good-by to me.

The

scene of

I asked him if he were parting was any thing but tender. " " I sorry to leave Florence, to which he replied Why not ? then asked if he were glad to return home, to which question :

he responded with a grimace that I did not understand. " If you ever need any thing," I said at the last moment,

"pray

write,

and

you very much

I shall

" !

be glad to hear from you."

he answered.

And

Thank

so he left the house,

passed two years with me, without giving the

after having

slightest sign of regret or joy.

I looked at

him

as he

went down

stairs.

Suddenly he turned. "

Now we

will see

whether his heart has opened,"

thought,

coming back to take leave of me in another way." " " Lieutenant," he said, your shaving-brush I put in the

"and he

drawer of the big table." And he disappeared.

AT TWENTY. any one talk to me of the gay life of students and for officers who have just been promoted and are passartists ing through the first few months of regiment life are really the

DON'T

let

;

jolly good-fellows after

all.

young man

of twenty can not

be placed in a position more favorable to gaiety and escapades That leap from the college to liberty, from the in general. dagger to the sword, from the refectory to the restaurant the

new

first

delights of

new

friends, the benign superiors,

command,

outfit,

;

the

the ordinance, the

...

way

of experi-

ment, and that vague idea of dying some fine day in the midst of a grain

field,

struck in the forehead by a ball which leaves

us not even the time to cry

Non

which keep

dolet ! are things

us in a state of continuous intoxication, like newly-married people.

This kind of

officer's

honeymoon

time, perhaps less than the other lightful.

How many

one

;

but

lasts it

only a short

colonels covered with crosses

quite as de-

and laden

money would give their standing in the "Annual" to over again the twelve months of that enchanting carnival

with

live

Oh, cloudless days and peaceful nights passed in laughing

and joking

ah, continue

healthful as roaches, strong as oxen, thoughtless as

mad-

men, audacious as adventurers, always in mischief, always hungry, always happy, to see us one would have thought that 283

MILITARY

284

we were

LIFE.

sure of being generals of the

army

That

at thirty.

The most cordial laugh of the captains and was a gay time the simper of a hypochondriac, a consumptive majors was like cough in comparison with our explosions of hilarity, which threw !

us across the chairs, and

were seven,

all

most beautiful

made

the whole house tremble.

belonging to the same brigade, in one of the cities of Sicily,

manufactory of

Modena.

and

just

from the great military

Three had come together from

Turin on a journey full of incidents. Suffice it to say that we had started from home with a certain sum of money for our current expenses, in the certainty of going direct from

Genoa

and were obliged to stop at Naples, because the steamer could not leave on account of the cholera, added to to Sicily,

which was the disagreeable necessity of being forced our own expense during the quarantine

to live at

Palermo, where we

passed ten interminable days in the Bella Partenope, living on simple macaroni and broth, which

we always devoured

eating-house called the Villa di Torino at the end of a private room, reserved for people in embarrassment,

under the surveillance of the

police.

little

and those

But scarcely had we

reached the regiment before our charming existence began. seven new-comers met on the second day, and one of the

number was should

all

seized

by a

live together

brilliant idea.

proposed that we

and have a common mess, and the

proposal was accepted. We rented a regular rat's nest, comWe got an orderly as prising seven rooms and a kitchen. cook, and each one settled himself in his den, hung up the orders for the day in the dining-room, and off

started with

our house-keeping. It is quite

impossible to give any idea of

all

that

was done

AT TWENTY. about the house.

seemed

like a hotel, a barracks,

Fancy seven

insane asylum.

28$

officers of twenty,

and an

seven orderlies

two Piedmontese, one Lombardian, one Tuscan, three and Neapolitans fourteen persons in seven rooms as large of twenty-two,

;

as the shell of a chestnut, all night, like so

many

from morning

in motion,

One went

lost souls.

until

mount guard,"

another returned from picket duty, three came in from the

two went out on provision duty, one snored

the morning, another rose at three in the night,

returned

home

after

daybreak

the

drill,

until ten o'clock in

guard.

and another

The

orderlies

arrived to carry dinner to the absent officers, the sappers to

bring the orders for the day, the ambulant vegetable-venders to thrust in their wares at the door, the fruit-sellers to toss the

oranges in at the windows, the guitarists to sing under the

balcony, and so on

infinitum.

one side the windows

were scarcely two metres above the street, so that when any one The was in haste he simply went out through the window. house door was always open the dogs walked in and wandered ;

around

The

at their pleasure.

seven

soldiers

masters' cloaks

all at

There was not one moment of

amused

themselves

the same time, and

that people gathered in the street.

hear

all

From

beating

made such

quiet. their

a noise

the street one could

the sounds in the house, even to our conversation car-

ried on in a low voice.

One

worse, hired a piano, and two for fencing with canes.

edly resonant, that

Then

more were

when any one used the rain

spite these discomforts,

make matters

seized by the mania

Besides which the house was so wretch-

the rooms echoed the sound,

malediction.

of the seven, to

his handkerchief all

and from every bed there burst a fell in

and the

the dining-room.

pitiful

Yet, de-

poverty in the way of

MILITARY

286

LIFE.

and waving curtains and hangings, we

furniture

all

enjoyed

immensely.

The

mess, too, went on charmingly, although the cook, as

discovered two months

later, was the son of an old apothecary. One of us had assumed the direction of the household and

Poor caterer! The first. day (I shall always rememwas a sorrowful one for him. His name was Maglietti, and

kitchen.

ber

it)

he was a Piedmontese, a capital fellow, sober, orderly, a good

house-keeper, economical without being mean.

made

the direction of affairs he had

said to us, rubbing his hands as he did so

me.

will live finely,

had made

The

was such a

first

time

we went

When

the kitchen,

But he

march, there

viands that he was petrified

all

made

the leaves of the radishes to be

a salad, on which

which we finished a

after

or nothing."

every thing seemed to have been

one of us collected

finished,

little

to table, after a

total destruction of the

with astonishment.

and had

Leave matters

accordance with his own appetite,

his calculations in

not ours.

found

and spend

assuming

his calculations, "

munch, Poor Maglietti was

kilo

and a

all

began to

half of bread.

in despair, almost ready to weep he rushed and seizing a handful of uncooked vermicelli, " the table, saying as he did so Take it, and eat ;

into the kitchen,

threw

I refuse to manage affairs any longer. I you burst " with wolves I was with and not officers, dealing thought Then we burst out into roars of laughter, and it took all our till

tact to pacify

However,

him and make him continue after this

The conversations down in the street. power peculiar

"incident" table

With

all

in his office.

went on marvellously.

were a joke for the passers-by and vocal

that delightful freedom

young men of twenty, we discussed every

AT TWENTY.

287

evening a hundred different subjects, from the most ballistic

problems

immortality of the soul

the

regulation of discipline to the

music of the future,

difficult

from the

;

to bursts of

eloquence, to cavils like rascally advocates, to shouts, to can-

nonades, to explosions of mortars

were left

in the projectile-car of Jules

the oxygen retort open.

;

so that

seemed

Verne when Michael Ardan

In this case

was the

light

wine

which was working. From time to time two of the would each other too hard a blow, and these were party give of Sicily

ready to

fight,

to-morrow,

this evening,

immediately, right there

between one course and another, and would rise search of their swords but then, after being begged

in the room, to go in

;

to desist, they

would consent

to finish their dinner,

and by the

time the cheese was put on the table they were reconciled.

There were some small the hand

in,

and a

every difficulty was uproar.

Little

duels, too, out of the house, just to

little

adjusted at table in the little,

without getting enraged tunately, a

man by

the

;

all

tory, else,

the

;

but

but there was one exception, unfor-

name

of Cerraghi, a great, big Lorn*

modern European history and cared to talk on no other subject.

facts,

keep

midst of the usual

fiery.

His

delightful for this reason.

especially

then

learned to take jokes manfully

bardian, a good sort of devil, but rather really all

now and

crossing of swords

;

But he was forte

was

his-

he read nothing

He remembered

names, and dates in a marvellous manner, and got into a

when any one said any thing out of the way, although he took a solemn oath every day, with a thump of the fist on the table, that he would allow us to say what we chose without passion

opening his mouth. voking him without

So of course we amused ourselves by proletting him see our purpose.

MILITARY

288 "

Have you

LIFE.

man would ask

seen," one

of his opposite neigh-

bor, "at such and such a lithographer's, that magnificent draw-

ing representing Philip II at the battle of Pavia

Poor Cerraghi sprang up on "

see

his chair, but kept quiet.

Friends," continued number two, It is

it.

you

and the epoch

in it

really

There

a stupendous piece of work.

color of the locality,

" ?

One

must go

the

is really

really breathes

the air of the i4th century like . ." " " " Bravo bravo the battle of Pavia another, interrupted .

in the i4th

century

are confounding

You

Well, you have studied history well.

with the battle of Legnano."

poor Cerraghi, the veins of whose throat were almost ready to burst, could no longer contain himself, and he this point,

broke out into a shout "

You

asses

you asses Then, of course, there was a general outburst of laughter which made the window-panes rattle. Another delightful type !

you

was Boccetti, a handsome, elegant fellow, a good-hearted, til

who tugged

night in order to display his cuffs,

table.

So we,

raise

the

fact,

vain, but very

from morning unespecially when he was at

for a joke, took to imitating him, vicing with

each other as to so,

trifle

at his coat-sleeves

that

who could show the most linen, sometimes we stopped eating in

our arms in the

air,

elbow, like bell-ringers

such a pitch, that

much

order to

with our sleeves pushed back to ;

and,

in order to

finally,

things

avoid fatigue

our cuffs on sitting down at

arrived

we calmly took

and placed them beone side our plates, so that every could admire them at his Boccetti had a mania for passing as a great conleisure. off

table,

queror, enveloping his conquests in a profound mystery

;

and

AT TWENTY. he had good taste and aimed high

we were

289 at

coats

after

tesses

and three or four marchionesses of

talk at table without a lack of delicacy

rascal probably did not

know them by

whom we

toward him.

sight.

one was forthcoming. " Did you see such and such a countess "

evening "

one of us would

Yes, indeed

little

beautiful

arms.

could not

And

Every day a

the

new

at the theatre last

ask of his neighbor.

rose-colored bodice.

to kiss the point " I

established there were two or three coun-

month

woman, with that charming would give the half of my blood

little

beseech you," interrupted Boccetti, becoming suddenly

quite serious, "let us change the topic." " Come now, is the veto on this one too ? " " I beg you to desist, out of regard for me." " Well, then, let 's change the subject." But there were quiet

laughs which were worth a hundred loud ones. of a Boccetti'used to rub his

door before coming

in, in

back against the wall

order to

make

That at the

idiot

house-

us believe that he had

whitened himself in squeezing some lady of high degree on the staircase of a palace, where she had gone to call upon a friend; and while he was dining, he would jump up from table and rush to the

window

declared,

at the

sound of a carriage

and then return

only to expectorate,

to his place with a smile full of

condescension, as he stroked his moustache.

His neighbor the

Grand

at table

Seigneur.

had another passion that of playing was born for this r61e, and it fired all

was empty

and not being able to squander in any other way, he did what he could. He lighted his cigar with four matches at a time, the kind which cost four his blood.

as air,

AflLITAKY LIFE.

2QO

sous a box and are as large as tapers

candle to burn glass of beer

all

night

;

he would allow his

;

gave ten sous as pour-boire for a

and threw two francs out of the window, with the

;

gesture of an annoyed prince, in order to stop a violin-player

who made him

Dear Cavagnetti

nervous.

squandered "expenses for representation." And he said so quite ingenuously: "You understand; one must

half of his

pay

in these

And

maintain a certain amount of dignity."

own

dignity he played like a

dominoes, mora,

lotta,

madman

with any one

to maintain his

at cards, billiards, chess,

who came

along, at

hour, and upon every occasion, until he had not a copper

any left

;

then he would light his cigar with an entire box, and on re-

home

turning

say quite seriously that he intended to hang "

himself with his sash, which really meant

And

francs."

knows how)

Lend me twenty

he had a curious fancy (developed one hardly

that

made

He had

us laugh most heartily.

seized

upon a word, which he continually repeated, quite involuntarily,

new

clop.

the wt>rd was cy" In speaking of the colonel he would say The cyclop

was

bad humor

giving a

" "

signification to

each day

;

this

Ho,

there, cyclop

would

call the orderly

fourth bottle appeared on the table

morning."

and always quite " the word. How do

Oh, a fourth cyclop

him the meaning of " it comes quite naturally reply ;

And

has his

own

cyclop

with intense enjoyment.

particular taste."

me.

seriously. I

know

I like

" ?

it.

little

ball,

each one imitating the

own

how

shall I say

(it

it ?

strange, but the

he would

Every one

he would puff his cigar

After dinner our pianist generally performed, and

asked

mode

the

we had

of dancing of

his

a Frenchman might say inclination

opposite word

would be more

gal-

AT TWENTY. But that

lant).

pianist

as he began.

as soon

2gi

was so extraordinary that we stopped Never in the world had the passion

music been planted in such a disharmonious brain. To hear him play, it seemed as if he were jumping all equipped, for

and with all

despite

baggage to boot, upon the key-board. Yet, this, he was possessed with the idea of com-

his

he degraded counterpoint, searched for a libretto, and among his other fixed fancies, was the desire to set to music the Orlando Furwso, upon which he said he had been working for three years. One day he brought a musicposition

master

;

home

and the

in order to

latter's sole reply

ask his opinion about a mazurka,

was

to ask in a

weak voice

for a glass

But

of brandy, which of course gave us food for merriment.

our imperturbable friend continued to compose and pound

away on the piano in all his spare moments, singing his romances in a voice strongly resembling a rusty lock that made But he did not attempt this sort of thing however, as, having endeavored to enliven our dreams once with the Casta Diva, there was such a shower of slippers

one's flesh creep. at night,

and boots

in his

room, that the following morning there was

really a leather carpet over the floor.

But the

jolliest,

fellow of the

lot,

and

at the

same time the most heedless

was a man from Romagna, a certain Mazzoni,

with a huge frame, who, upon sitting

hungry,"

down

to table, said

" :

such a deep voice, which apparently came from

some unknown depth,

that the poor caterer fairly paled.

And, was only the hunger of a trombone-player after a seven hours' concert, of an Esquimaux after a seal-hunt, or a

in fact,

lion

who had been

fasting for three days, that could

pared to the fury with which he cleared the

table.

be com-

His dinner

MILITAR Y LIFE.

2Q2

was not a dinner

squad

was a regular

;

raid, the

of a

requisition

time of war, a devastation, a sacking.

of cavalry in

much occupied was he

in masticating, that

amused the company away from the

he talked

little

So but

;

table with every sort of

unexpected joke, for which he really had a satanical imaginaDid I say amuse? Sometimes he drew forth more tion. curses than there were hairs to his head

by laughing. preparing one

;

but we always ended

was quite capable of meditating upon and

toward one o'clock, while we were sleeping

wakened suddenly by a sense

we found then

fell

again,

of bitter cold,

bottom of the bed.

asleep again

and

really

it.

it ?

;

seemed as

witches were at work, until one taper, another lighted a " " It

Mazzoni

discovered in every room, and cally

him.

of that imposter

But

him, for

Not

Mazzoni was snoring, and had not even moved. What could it be ? Finally some one stumbled

over a small cord stretched across the room

fist

and

rearranged our beds, and

a bit of

of us,

and counter-

an hour later the same thing happened

man, having lost his patience, seized a candle, and all sprang up, exclaiming

What

all six

ourselves uncovered, with the sheets

at the

panes

One night, soundly, we were

of his tricks for seven days running.

was

all

he drove us

all

who was

six

;

there was one

were joined

snoring.

in the ras-

Then we went

for

very fine trying to manage a giant like

all

from the room

wasps with

just six

blows from his pillow, and remained master of the situation. Another time a poor devil who was utterly worn out after a

march was waked

midnight by a beautiful Catherine-wheel of or we various colors, that filled his room with a shower of fire at

;

all

the

rose from table with our chairs fastened to the floor

moment we drew out our swords on

the review,

;

or at

we would

AT TWENTY. find

the hilts tied to the sheaths

all

which, at that

moment, we would

293

by a

fine silken cord,

with

gladly have hanged our dear

friend to the nearest lamp-post.

The greatest fun, however, was always at table, where someFor some time we had the thing new was invented each day. habit of unbuttoning our coats, for traordinary statement was

and unbutton

all

left

that garment.

little

but button

For certain canards of Boccetti

our shirt-sleeves without any ceremony, or the table to run and throw open the seven windows of ;

in fact,

one, in relating lady, who, tale,

that

;

every time an ex-

air,

and we did

six got into

the house

the

made

his old adventures with a Florentine

from a marchioness of twenty

changed all

one evening he gave vent to such a colossal

one of

into

at the

beginning of

a princess of eighteen toward the end,

rushed down into the street and obliged him to

hold forth from the balcony for some time before returning to the house for dinner.

One day we

ate in the Oriental fashion,

without knives and forks, talking Turkish, that ting an a into every

to say, put-

syllable, with a forfeit for every one

who

made

a mistake, which nominally resulted to three hundred

lire in

one evening.

Another day

the seventh to speak, and

six of us

silenced

agreed not to allow

him by drowning

his

voice with a continuous and deafening chorus of disapprobation.

Another time no one was allowed

to talk except in verses

of melodrama, song, or quotations of the master, or title of the Then came the mania for " food-stealing," which was opera. a regular calamity.

However, we made a rule by which every abide. Any one who could carry off some

one was obliged to tid-bit from a friend's plate had a right to it, and the friend, if he did not wish to fast, was obliged to send the orderly to buy

MILITARY

294 sausage.

LIFE.

There was no way of getting out

might turn red, yellow, green, or black

The

laugh. little

The

game became a

the

little

many if

devil of a

by magic.

had

off

by a certain

defend

Some had acquired

Mazzoni emptied, with one it

that

one time a half

infernal tool,

shape of a funnel

a fear-

for the purstroke, a

cup

with the rapidity of lightning an

enormous piece of bread, so shaped and he carried

picks in the

rage.

bones of fowls, eggs, and glasses of

of coffee, by thrusting into

broth,

sufferer

but he was forced to

;

They even invented instruments

ful dexterity.

pose.

The

There was no way of dining

dogs.

cutlets, side

wine disappeared as

That

it.

successful onslaughts provoked revenges, so that

ourselves like so

peace.

;

acted like a

kilo,

made with a bunch bed

or with a

pump

;

of maccaroni in

of tooth-

bar, at the top of

which he had cautiously tied a fork, he would carry a slice of the fry from one end of the table, which was two metres and a half

length.

Then came

the thefts

hooks, wires, and highway robberies. ful,

said

by con jury, cords, was something fear-

But Mazzoni always see the monster theft, the greatest one

desperate, and absolutely ruinous. " :

" all

You have And we

yet to all

trembled.

Finally,

one evening, while we

were disputing with our forks a dish of polenta with small birds, Mazzoni uttered an oath, saying that he had dropped his Ye heavenly powers fork, and stooped to pick it up.

...

had not finished our exclamation, when the table was already in the next room, carried off on the back of that gigan-

tic thief,

without a single drop of wine having been spilled.

Then came

the passion for nocturnal excursions.

out at night in old citizen's clothes which

went

we had brought from

home, dyed, faded, and recolored, which were threadbare, and

AT TWENTY. We

certain cutthroat-looking hats.

windows

who had

of friends

2$$

went

sing,

under the

fallen asleep, songs for the occa-

which they generally thanked us with wash-basins or garbage-boxes or to mysterious dens in the suburbs, to drink sion, for

;

punch among English and French

sailors, to

whom we

repre-

sented ourselves as journeymen varnishers and cabinet-makers,

What

en route to the East.

outbursts of laughter there were

with that crazy Boccetti, who, at two in the morning, on returning

home through

those deserted streets as dark as cata-

combs, saw behind every blind he only a gleam of light, " which meant don't Boccetti, my husband has returned :

come up who played

;

To-morrow

at this

rifle-shots

;

and the

pianist,

The nocturnal

generally undertaken after great dinners "

dinners despite the

came

half a

overdrawn accounts

dozen

at a time.

of invitation like that in the assiettes "/

stumps of

Vie de

superhuman

excursions were

because we did give

;

of Maglietti.

The

could not write cards

Boheme

" :

but we managed things equally well. candles,

Cavagnetti,

by throwing

who wished

upon himself by shouting his

romances under the windows

guests

And

the grand seigneur even in the dark,

handfuls of coppers to the dogs

draw

hour

y aura

des

lighted

and placed on the bureaus and behind

vases of flowers heads of lettuce, arranging

upon the walls decorations made from cudgels and birch trees. Those Avho arrived

last

Roman

style,

dles,

made themselves comfortable on

the beds,

drank their wine out of coffee cups without hanSome arranged their mouths on newspapers.

and wiped

on a military box set upright others without any compliments went straight to the kitchen to All talked at once and often a pilfer from the saucepans. their little spreads

on one

side,

;

MILITERY

296

LIFE.

troop of shirtless players in the street enlivened our dinner with music, by singing

Mamma,

sto passiarello ;

the soldiers

wrangled and disputed in the kitchen as to precedence in the question of rapine, and altogether there was such a racket that the discharge of a

braggart

That

gun would not have been heard.

Cavagnetti, however,

seized

the brief

moments

silence, to make the people gathered in the street believe that " we were having a supper worthy of Lucullus. Softly there," " " with that Johannisberg ! or: "Boccetti he shouted, ho, " have that pheasant with truffles passed there, Boccetti !

The

conversations changed

little

into choruses from

by Ernani ; the brigade scattered to play the devil in the different rooms then- some dressed themselves up, some danced, and ;

others indulged in trials of strength

other above and below with sticks

;

the neighbors hit each

seemed

the house

were being shaken by an earthquake, for the dust and smoke covered every thing, and in fact one could see nothing, or only indistinctly at best. in

even seemed as

saw, flying around

a giddy waltz, the Rosalies, Concettas, and Neddas, as young

as us, but wilder, quite as agile

who melted away

had plenty of occupation

seven orderlies,

and dark

as Bedouins,

in the air. too, in

who took advantage

keeping in order the

of our absence for

all

These malefactors, when we were away caught them in the act), put on our jackets, lighted placed themselves at the windows with our swords

sorts of wild doings.

(we

finally

our pipes, in

and played the Agnus Dei with those same whom we, royal sub-lieutenants, had made eyes.

their hands,

neighbors to

They assumed the attitudes of lovers a la Metastasio, the rascals And we had to keep our eyes open too, on account of !

AT TWENTY. coming and going of laundresses, and needle-women, because from the very

the constant

ironers,

and

day we caught, through the cracks of the doors, fragments of Lombardian, Piedmontese, and Neapolitan declarations of love, uttered pin-

demanded

in tones of voice that

the most speedy and vigorous

But

intervention on the part of their superiors. the

One evening

worst.

first

was not

this

general caterer goes into the

the

kitchen to change the position of a cask of Marsala wine,

which we had purchased three days before for grand occasions, and upon seizing it, he discovers that it is alarmingly light.

Our good

friends drank,

then,

While we were

and how?

swallowing wretched black table -wine, they were indulging Poor Maglietti lost his head he was like lords in Marsala. ;

them

ready

to stick

But

was necessary

all

with one blow, like so

them

to catch

ing at dinner, taking advantage of a silence in the kitchen,

put our

tiptoe,

sight greeted us

all

many spiders. The next even-

in the act.

moment

of suspicious

rose softly, approached the door

eyes to the crack

and what a

There were four of these scapegraces, leaning

over the cask, with four long straws stuck into a hole, sucking

away

blissfully, their eyes half closed like four great cats,

a smile on their

lips,

with

so engrossed in their agreeable employ-

ment, in such a tranquil state of beatitude, that they were quite selves.

unaware of our presence, and continued to enjoy them" " shouted the caterer. The men Oh, you rascals !

sprang up like four steel springs, and stood quite breathless. for that piece of impertinence the cook had the face to ex" " " he murmured, you are quite cuse himself. Oh, lieutenant

Yet

right

Too good

can one drink with a straw

" !

But

well

what

Saying which, however, he

MILITARY

298

LIFE.

dashed behind a wardrobe with one spring, to avoid the cuff that he knew he deserved.

These

domestic calamities, however, gave variety and

little

home

spice to our beautiful

life.

we went out

much

together, so

called the patrol of the seven of the seven

;

and

was possible we were

our street was called the to say

" :

street

going to

have seen the seven," without any " Venice they used to say once I were like brothers. When one was

Just as at

have seen the ten."

so that in the brigade

was the custom

dine with the seven," thing more.

;

quarrelled occasionally,

Whenever

but at heart were fond of each other.

absent at table, the usual good-humor was lacking

from the kitchen were sent

;

the choicest

a one on guard regular "oration" was made to him who returned from duty; when any man received fifty francs from home he was carried tid-bits

around the house need six

triumph on a chair;

he was

any service

ready

to render

to the

sure

;

find

another was the

remaining

cigars, watches, candles, sashes,

;

were

common

Toward the end of the month, when property. was he who had any, gave it freely, and if every scarce, money one was entirely out of pocket, we all dined together on salad all

and

and smoked the stumps which had

fresh water,

gotten in the drawers, as jolly too,

military

because we

life,

gay

not gayer than ever.

lain for-

were

possessed that fresh enthusiasm for

still

because the music of the regimental band made

our hearts beat, because we wished well to the soldier, but,

above

all

this is the true reason,

because youth boiled

our

Gino wrote, and a readers recitation on life.

veins and beat to our brains, as the venerable life

but

'11

spare

Everything has an end '

;

*"k

and

this

was the case with the mess

AT TWENTY. The

of the seven too.

cook,

who was

first

299

shock came from the

replaced by another.

illness of the

took a Genoese (with

a face that would have looked well on the top of a bayonet),

who was as bold and secure of himself as an old brave, and who prided himself on having been under-cook in a great When asked what he knew how to do, he modestly rehotel. " " What a marvel! " we said to ourselves. Every thing." plied: " Now we shall have fine dishes." And we instantly set him to

was simply a wretch, a Borgia, a monster without the bowels of compassion. If he had at least been work.

aware of cooking

his !

own

ignorance, and had restricted himself to plain

But no, he

insisted

upon getting up the most aristowhich he only retained the

cratic dishes of his great hotel, of

and placed upon the table stuff that made him worthy of being shot in the back. For a time we went on with a saintly resignation but it was useless, we

most

indistinct recollections,

;

could not stand flavored

promised

with well,

it.

One day he served us an enormous risotto sauce of his own invention. Appearances

we took our

places at table, our

mouths

fairly

The mere odor drove us Ye heavenly powers that matters from table And culminated we could day away

watering.

;

not procure another cook, because the colonel did not like to dispense with soldiers in service

and give up the mess.

But

;

we had

make

a sacrifice

was a genuine sorrow

all.

Fortunately a great event came unexpectedly to con-

That same evening, while the excellent Maglietti, surrounded by us all, was closing up his accounts of the mess, and

sole us.

notifying each

one of

his

indebtedness with a melancholy

voice, a telegram to the division arrived, ordering the

diate departure of the brigade for Northern Italy.

* !

immewas the

MILITARY

300

All heard and received

breath of the messenger of war.

first

the

LIFE.

announcement with a shout

after

all

having

And we

of joy.

the seven

run together, like a single sub-lieutenant, to the

telegraph office to ask seven money-orders from our respective

our now famous mouse

families, gave, the following evening, in

den, our

which we drank,

last Sardanapalus-like feast, at

honor of beautiful

quantity of Marsala that

Sicily, the small

had escaped from the rascally straws of our seven revellers. Two days after, one beautiful April morning, the brigade

embarked on a a brigade

The embarkation

large military transport.

All those boats filled

a spectacle full of poetry.

with soldiers, and bristling with gleaming gun-stocks, which

smoking giant, make one think of an ancient fleet, pressing around a solitary fortress, set on fire by When we were all aboard we turned toward its defenders.

crowd around

that black,

that beautiful shore, from which thousands of handkerchiefs

saluted us.

I shall see

All were gay.

shall salute, in passing,

thinking that he

Only the

" :

in his

soldier thought "

the Neapolitan said

;

my Vesuvius

would land

dian said in his heart the war."

The Piedmontese

dear Alps again

Genoese rejoiced in Superba ; and the Lombarthe

;

shall pass

country en route to

who had never

Sicilian soldiers,

left

the

island, looked around with a meditative air at their beautiful A cermountains, which perhaps they might never see again.

tain disquietude took possession of

store for us

putation of an

Glory

arm

Humiliation

medal

all.

together,

and

to the

the future in

Promotion

The am-

that ball in the forehead,

in the midst of a beautiful field of grain

ment the seven were

were going

What had

war, or, in other words, to a mystery.

all

Even

at that

mo-

looked at Sicily with a

A 7" TWENTY, slight

$01

Boccetti touched his eyes with his

feeling of sadness.

handkerchief, pretending to weep for his ppth countess pianista

waved an adieu

his divine

to that fortunate sky

harmonies for

five

months

;

the

which had heard

Maglietti saluted with

among which he had made so many useless practise rigid economy and even Jhe good Mazzoni

regret those walls

attempts to

;

contemplated with a certain sweet melancholy the city where

he had devoured and imbibed so much, and taken so many

who had

lost seventy-

two days before, stood on one

side, leaning

turns with his friends. five francs at play

Cavagnetti alone,

over the parapet, more angry than sad. with you, Cavagnetti

" ?

What

the matter " Are asked on approaching him.

you thinking with regret of your Sicily

" ?

Not a

replied, continuing to fix his eyes on the city.

bit of I

" it

thinking

with regret of the seventy-five cyclops that I have lost there."

But then he suddenly roused himself, lighted a cigar with eight matches, assumed his usual air of a millionaire, and began promenading with long steps up and down the steamer (which

was majestically cutting the waves) laden with and hopes.

many arms

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. REMINISCENCE OF 1866.

dear friend Alberto, I

from your reminiscences

going to copy several pages

do not be annoyed

;

at this, for if

these pages do not give you honor as a literary personage, they

show you

certainly will not

Permit

dier.

to take this liberty,

discretion, because

timacy,

to disadvantage as son

and

sol-

rest assured of

were really desirous of abusing our

in-

could publish

many

others of your secrets.

AT HOME. I.

After parting with the joys and illusions of

youth,

when

nought but the comfort of recording them remains to me, shall last

think more frequently and with greater emotion of the

days of April and the

others during

entire

first

ones of

May

1866 than of any

life.

had never seen Turin so gay and beautiful. The imminent outbreak of the national war which had been invoked and I

expected for so

many

years,

had suddenly aroused all the genIt was sufficient city.

erous and warlike characteristics of that to pass

an evening in one of the principal

streets, to

aware by the bustle, the unusual attitude of persons 302

become

in general,

DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

303

and the bands of workmen, students, and boys, that there was something stirring the souls of the people, and that some great event had taken place or was about to do

seemed

so.

Every evening

like that of a fete.

They were at

the days when, in meeting a soldier, one looked and wondered about the horseman who crosses the street

with a folded paper buttoned into his coat ;

;

talk in loud voices in groups at the cafes, fists

on the table

become

and

;

mad

quite

and cease a sires,

and the people stop

convoy of the army train pass and in the boys' schools no way of preserving quiet the old pensioned officers

to see a

there

;

little

and bring down

the mothers grow anxious ;

the

women

;

the

their

young men

are less looked at than usual,

to force themselves into all thoughts, de-

plans, as they always do,

with their usual proud

tyranny.

Turin

felt

most profoundly

all

the morning, on the avenues

During were the

families, relatives,

the poetry of these days.

around the parade ground,

and friends of the soldiers of the

second division, who had been called to arms within a few days and

still

wore the greater part of

their ordinary dress

high hats, red caps, elegant light trousers, and great Alpinehunters' gaiters, black coats, and ragged jackets,

Around

there.

all

equals

the barracks there was a continual wandering

of fond mothers with bundles

under

going of officers and messengers of

coming and the division and public

their arms, a

crowd of curious people before the At evening, behind the deafening noise.

squares, together with a

door

;

inside,

bugles and drums,

walked

in time, in

came an immense concourse of people who in arm and the

bands of ten or twelve, arm

songs and shouts that echoed

through

all

;

the neighboring

MILITARY

3O4

LIFE.

At the point where the music and

streets.

soldiers re-entered

the barracks there were hand-shakings, applause, hurrahs, and " " the cries Till to-morrow till to-morrow They all :

seemed

There

soldiers.

I felt thee,

Piedmont

II.

How much

better

were

all

in those

days

The expectation of that solemn war by which liberty was to be vindicated and the country restored to a people so illustrious and beloved, who had suffered so much the ;

knowledge that even the people of the poorer classes felt that it was a just and holy war the sight of those poor fellows from the country, rough, ignorant of every thing, who had come ;

much

to serve as soldiers with so

part so quickly,

mon

gaiety

;

not

the report that the

com-

same thing was taking place

young men

that everywhere

everywhere went by the hundreds to ;

good-will and heart, and take

in the enthusiasm, at least in the

enlist

;

every condition

that the fathers

and mothers

themselves accompanied them, and the people greeted and blessed them, and in that marvellous unanimity of hopes and

good wishes political discords were readjusted, and only one all this filled people's souls with a single cry was to be heard ;

calmness and joy so happinesss.

Every

full,

evil

so intense, that

passion

fled

offenses were pardoned, old rancors stilled

found

their enemies their

a stone on the past.

That

seemed a

veritable

from the heart ;

;

old

people sought or

mutual friends, and they placed ever-presen-t thought, that

deep which occupied us continually, gave us an energy and a vigorous and unusual vitality which made itself felt by our tone, looks, actions, and steps. What joviality, what affecaffection

DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

305

How pure and elevated were harmony among friends our thoughts, and how much stronger were all our affec-

tionate all

tions

Spring did not smile in the flowers alone, nor was

the air and blood solely

felt in

a breath of fresh young

What days

being.

thus

;

laughed in

that

life

country

all

hearts

;

had permeated our if

was

entire

we could always

feel

III.

From

the

day that the

first

possibility of

and the confusion increased

my head began

little

until the probability

tainty.

little,

grow confused

J say confused, because

some intoxicating

then a regular fever

;

the hands to get to

was changed

into a cer-

can find no other

fitting ex-

and worked as if under the influence

pression. I thought, talked,

;

war was mentioned,

First agitation, then disquietude,

liquor.

rushes of blood to the head

work

;

an itching.of

an intense desire for motion,

;

air,

and an absolute impossibility of fixing the mind on any one thought. Not even the thought of war, because the representing to myself in imagination events, no

light,

music, poetry

;

how marvellous and terrible, was like taking something from that idea of an indefinite and adventurous future which

matter

me When

filled

with so

much

I entered the

a dozen books

joy and

house

down from

life.

could not keep quiet.

each, panting, working myself around

ping

feet impatiently

then

;

Books are not enough " Books do not tell what newspaper

;

in those

drew

the shelves, looked over a page in

threw them

chair, all

they are not enough is

boiling within me."

days the newspapers were on

and

tap-

into the air. " I

shouted.

opened a

fire

a glance at the customary enthusiastic article and

;

tore

gave the

MILITARY

306

LIFE.

But this is weak heavens this is sheet in a hundred pieces. " And seized by a sudden poetic inspiration, I seated cold !

;

myself at the table and began to write hastily. said

article,

paper, and I

and

;

no verses

fever that "

in Italian literature

me ? "

timidly,

devouring No, not Berchet,"

"Berchet

is irate,

brother to I

meet

would

all

self all

I love

many

to them, Italy

which

express the

will

Berchet," she

suggested

replied in a dramatic tone

intensely, love every

in the street. kill

could throw

;

cold

;

Berchet hates, Berchet curses, and I love

moment, love

in this

Every thing

Tell me, mother, in heaven's name,

growing desperate.

are there

threw away pen,

instantly thereafter I "

ink, exclaiming as I did so

I will write

them

;

one

arms around

;

I feel

like a

those

whom

all

even the Austrians, dear mother but

I love

them, because, thanks

thus roused, raises her head, and shows her-

be so powerful, dear, and beautiful, diffusing through

her sons that inexpressible feeling of pride and joy

to the Austrians, but hurrah for

them too

never

much like a Christian before " Then I dashed to the window and grew enraged

Death felt

possible

What

Why

noise

come

this fever

seizing

Just see

sort of people are these " !

sword,

trian officer, long

protruding eyes.

Let

over-

Then, shutting myself up in my room and pretended that I had facing me an Aus-

and I

thin,

with a pair of bushy moustaches and

put myself on guard, and

down came

blows, the parryings, leaps, and thrusts, until I

hausted upon the

at the still-

what a shameful quiet How does not every one go down and make

ness in the street.

sofa.

fell

the

quite ex-

In other words, I was crazy.

It is quite superfluous to

say that the neighborhood were

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. thoroughly aware of tions,

existence. Besides,

which were heard

3O/ poetic exclama-

in the street, I

used to pass the entire

in the court

and every one knows

evenings on the terrace what the courts are like

in the

;

new houses

one of the three great palaces

at Turin.

(We

Via Nizza, opposite the railway station.) are They great pigeon-houses, where there are more people than stones, and after dinner ail rush to the windows, and those above look at those below, those below lived in

look at the legs of those above

on the terraces the children papers,

and from the roof

;

in the attics they

love,

from the groundtalk illy of those on an-

to the ground-floor,

up to the roof, those on one floor other, and all bow to and smile at each other floor

friends in the world.

make

play, the employes read the news-

lived on the second floor.

the best

had

on one side a charming, cultivated, and clever Neapolitan lady, a great friend of ours a woman a la Cairoli, full of energy and ;

dash, imaginative and prolific, who, one day to fight a duel,

had

filled

prise in saying to her quietly

when her son was

mother with admiration and " :

will

his

duty

sur-

and octogenarian, who was blind, and a veteran of Napoleon I, surrounded by a half dozen dear little grandchildren, who were my delight. the other side lived an old engineer, a painter

was a handsome old man, with a good heart, was fond me his son, and when I was away and delayed

of me, called

replying to

mother

last letter.

forty,

him

for a couple of days,

would go timidly

if I

could have taken offence

the same

who was

floor,

any

to ask

thing in his

opposite us, lived a widow, about

elegant, languid, thin, ugly, a rabid devourer of

novels, and had the habit of going to the window every time I was there, casting certain long, languishing glances, drawing

MILITARY

308

LIFE.

up her mouth and drooping her head with its false curls on one In the window next hers usually stood her cook, who was seized with an incipient passion for side in a melancholy way.

handsome

orderly (a

round

fellow, in parenthesis)

face, quite purple in color,

seemed

and so puffed out that

she were continually blowing

she had a

;

great

lips,

large

immense shoulders, with a broad curve here and there, which could be seen even from the most distant quarter of eyes,

above the languid nymph, lived a student of the University, who was very young, a

the house.

sort of

good

fellow,

floor

crazy about the war, already enrolled

volunteers, one of the dearest and most curious of

the

the third

At any hour of the day, when

jovial people.

clapped

hands, he would spring on to the terrace, with his arms and

and replying

face in the air like an improvisatore questioning to

in verse,

would

discussions on the higher politics,

start

war, philosophy, and literature, declaiming, gesticulating, and

humming

a most amusing manner.

the sound of his

voice the entire neighborhood would appear at the windows.

Then

followed a vast amount of hilarity on like this,"

murmured

say

mot and

What dear

me,

idiots

sister

off,

my "

be serious

him '' !

of laughter.

the

Her to

flung a bon-

mother pulled me by the coat, is too much." Then my

This

when he was

called

fit

And

which was intended

The Neapolitan lady

there, a

really fond of me, but he gave

which reason gravely:

ran

into a smile

brother muttered

cousin, the colonel,

who was

mouth

the floors.

the poor old man.

youth cook hid behind a blind and burst into a mistress pursed her "

all

stiff,

austere soldier,

great wiggings, for

beneficent executioner, said to

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. In his presence I cannot deny that but suddenly

friend

was a

309

trifle

embarrassed

;

would break out with another strophe,

and then good-by to all gravity, for we grew wilder than ever. This was the public comedy, which was followed by a private

The

one.

come and into line

arm,

them

eldest of the old soldier's grandchildren used to " and I would say to him : Courage ; fall

see me, "

then taking

put them

in line

stay there too.

sister,

and the boy by the it or not, and made

mother laughed, "

on her shoulder and said serious, otherwise

mother,

whether they liked

are

very robust." "

she would reply.

Then

silence

my hand

doors and declaim

shall close the

" !

for pity's sake

shouted.

fifty-

our lungs, and you

eight-line stanzas with all the strength of

know we

placed

dear lady, erect, and

Quiet,

" !

shall

murmured, laughing afresh, and turn^that and laugh of hers was so sweet and gentle. my sister, " march Attention My shout was so deafening that my

have

to stay here," she

ing to "

little

would get into disorder, and rush about here and holding on to their ears, and I behind them to bring

soldiers

there,

them one by one back

to their place

;

then I set them

with the understanding that they should "

"Hurrah

for the "

But

But you

not shout."

war

will shout."

all

mother said "

free,

shout together, to

Oh, no."

me "

" :

I will

Then

take

you angel Several But from day to day she became more thoughtful. to another we from one hour had and already started, regiments kiss,

expected the orders for mine to leave. times,

when

sadly,

and

She knew

this.

Some-

was making a racket, I caught her looking at me " " " Of what are you thinking ? My son,"

I said

she replied sadly,

thinking that

we have only a few days

MILITARY

3IO more together the same time .

we I

glad that you are so gay, and at

this gaiety of

think that I shall feel

and silence which "

It is true," I

all

yours hurts me, because

the

painfully the void

house before long." Poor women " Courage thought. will

fill

this

we who go

say to them,

LIFE.

war

to the

full

" !

courage

of enthusiasm, ambi-

tion, with dreams of glory, gay, thoughtless, and surrounded by

friends

but they remain here alone without comfort or

;

dis-

traction, always with that thought, that fixed pain. " I understand, I feel that in these days I am nothing to " ." added my mother. . No, no, let me finish, I you. .

do not complain of .

but

you know

Poor boy,

Listen," I said to comfort her

easily than other

war ought

women.

to take place "

duty of the country " "

Oh,

We ?

it is

just

that

five

it is

you think a solemn

we do not make

it,

wiped her

eyes.

we, the adult generation, our

children will be obliged to do so afterward.

now

much more

are not selfish.

that

yes, that I admit," she replied, as she

Then

you have so noble and

;

choice a heart, you can find comfort in yourself

this

natural

it,

If there

were not

hundred thousand mothers who are weeping, there

would be that number within twenty years. We sacrifice ourselves to our country for the five hundred thousand boys and girls

who

are

still

in leading-strings

their predestined lovers

;

they have in each other

and wives, shall we not then assure their lies, from every pain or sorrow, and

future, as far as within us

and multiply in peace mother smiled, but instantly became sad again.

so act that they

My this

sole a

may

love, marry,

true," she said, with a sigh,

mother

" !

but

it is

" ?

All

not enough to con-

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. Then son

;

console her.

I tried to

silently.

go out, go and hunt up your friends,

sadden you let me weep alone go." It was evening she stayed in the dark

No,

do not wish

in a corner of the

;

room, alone and

silent

;

thinking and thinking.

have never experienced as

lous

;

leaning her elbows on a table and burying her face in

her hands, she wept

did in those days the marvel-

power of imagination over sentiment.

began some-

times, in an idle way, to fancy all possible cases of the war,

and then

little

little I

concentrated

thoughts and buried

myself so completely in the imagination of

and

the

seemed

battles, tri-

be present, to feel, and to see my blood was stirred, I clasped my head in for it seemed as if it would burst, so great was the my hands, tumult of ideas, and my chest was heaving, and I was filled

umphal

entries,

returns, that I really

;

with

all sorts

One

of childish impulses.

night I

room, seated

giving rein to

a height that

country all

was on guard at

my I

at the

Madama

Palace

;

alone in

a table, with the light in front of me, and

fancies, I

imagined that

had

risen to such

could take in with a single glance the entire

mountains, valleys, rivers, forests,

and

I felt

and saw

the streets in the city filled with people, the parade grounds

gleaming with bayonets, and from the fortresses, arsenals, and doors came a confused sound of arms and songs, and the dull noise of a hurried, feverish labor.

the railways were in-

terminable, heavy, slow trains, running over the country in

all

directions, meeting, crossing, following each other, greeted with

joy by the people

who had

gathered.

Here and there they

stopped to discharge a load of cannon, horses, wagons, and piles of

arms.

Suddenly a loud sound of drums and trum-

MJLITA R Y LIFE.

312

and from every city there started and spread through the country the columns of the regiments, which converged, united by twos and threes, and advanced pets broke out on every side,

slowly to the frontiers, crowning the heights, winding along the rivers,

overflowing the valleys, and stretching out in immense

battle-lines over the plains.

the mountains of the Tyrol,

from Lake Garda, up, up as far as the eye could reach, gleamed in a thousand points the red bands of the volunteers, climbing and descending the slope, disappearing in the chasms,

and reappearing on the summits of the rocks. Meanwhile all the vast Lombardian plain was peopled with tents and parks, and the sound nightfall

and

of shouts all

was

Then came

and music was heard.

quiet.

break of day, a

Finally, at the

troop of horsemen started with the rapidity of lightning from the general headquarters, scattered in every direction, and

shouts ran on from stir,

organize,

camp

and advance.

camp .

;

the whole .

army began

Here the imagination

not being able to embrace the entire picture of the measureless battle,

an immense

veil of mist

appeared before me, broken

here and there in great rents, through which one could see our

young regiments dashing to the assault of the hills, receding, and reclimbing again with determination then squads of horse;

men

with hanging lances burst venire a terre against the squares

then

batteries

hastily

join

other

batteries,

and

from

heights gleam and break the flanks of the retreating columns

then indefatigable troops of sharp-shooters scatter follow,

chains,

ceed

;

unite,

draw back, hide, and then stretch out again in long and on every side assaults succeed assaults, lines suc-

lines,

tumult.

and

;

the

and the very heavens resound with the horrible

When

suddenly a deep silence

falls

over

all,

the mist

DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

313

disappears, the dust grows thinner, on the tops of

our battalions are moving, our

tains

all

flags flying,

the

moun-

our fanfara

echoing, and from one end of Italy to the other bursts out a

prolonged shout of joy, which has been suppressed for so long a time. Yes, break out, O shout, and resound through all the vaults of heaven but do not drown that undertone .

;

which comes from head I

head

mother's breast.

dashed out of the room,

was vent

as deserted ;

and

the

hill

What

left

the palace

;

Piazza Castello

and quiet as the court of an enormous conwas distinctly outlined against a clear and the facade of the Gran Madre

by the moonbeams, seemed as a beautiful night," I exclaimed.

But a picture disturbed

woman,

O God

of Superga

starry sky,

lighted "

happiness

seated in the corner of her

di Dio,

only two feet away.

" really

happy

the picture of a poor

little

room, quite in the

dark, with her forehead resting on her hands, thinking and thinking.

THE DEPARTURE. I.

the 6th of May, toward five o'clock in

a group

barracks,

when we heard

ten

officers

were gathered

evening,

the door of

the

coming down

the

a hurried step

the

stairs, and instantly thereafter the breathless adjutant appeared, " Gentlemen We leave this evening at eight shouting :

o'clock.

Luggage

in the

barracks at seven.

Full marching

equipment."

gave a shout of joy, and without even asking where we

MILITARY were going, started

off

A moment

home.

to the neighboring

after in the barracks there

drums

awful racket, the

Some

a run.

others to call their orderlies, and the

cafe" to tell their friends,

rest

LIFE.

was a most

beat, the news spread through the

neighborhood, the people gathered, and in a few moments from house to house, street to street, the rumor flew through half the city, scattering fear in the hearts of

the mothers.

all

ran home, climbed the stairs three steps at a time, rapped,

and the door was opened by my mother. " My God what is the matter with you !

what

is it ?

was panting like a horse. We must go."

" "

Yes

there

;

no time

to lose."

"When?" "At " as

eight o'clock."

At eight o'clock," my mother repeated in the same tone, in echo, and there she stood without speaking or making

the

Quick, quick, to

at the

them

with a dazed

;

My "

" !

she replied, as

Erminia

ready.

going,"

all his

things

wait

where

see

;

come

for "

courage

mother did not move,

;

or rather

coming out of a

" stupor.

" !

sister instantly

they have

;

"Well?"

I said:

packed

meanwhile, we must begin

After a moment, on seeing that "

air.

trunks must be

barracks at seven, and the orderly will

few minutes

in a

any gesture, looking

appeared.

mother said

every thing the trunk

" hastily

ready

But no

;

you must put up Well now ?

not

better

first

let

DEPARTURE AND RETURN, :

And

she looked here and there, as

That good woman

her senses.

315

she had taken leave of

made on purpose

to lose her

head on

similar occasions. " " she then said (in order to get over her embarrassWell !

ment) to

who was

sister,

also standing there as

in a

dream. "

yes, we must hurry." Then both ran into

A "

pull at the bell "

Here "

Maria

Go and

The

call

come and

opened the door

my mother,

;

was the orderly.

returning in great haste.

daughter instantly.

come

In passing,

Have

fetch the trunk.

Tell them to

the cafe.

;

the other room.

;

shouted

quick

;

he exclaimed breathlessly.

servant appeared. " porter to

replied the latter, rousing herself suddenly

The

tell

the

Ettore called from

quickly."

orderly carried the trunk on to the terrace

the trunk brought the languid

nymph

to the

;

the noise of

window

;

the lan-

the impetuosity with purple cook guid nymph which the purple cook threw open her window called the other called the

;

neighbors to the terrace.

Meanwhile any "

my mother was

thing.

Friend

" !

Italy

I shouted,

clapping

he replied, appearing

in his shirt-sleeves, in

going and coming without doing

hands.

at that

moment on

the terrace

an inspired attitude.

going at eight o'clock."

disappeared, returned dressed, threw up his stick.

will wait for

you

down

shouting

stairs

at the :

station "

" !

Hurrah

he exclaimed, and dashed for

the

war

" !

letting

his

MILITARY

3l6

LIFE.

and creating thus a most

stick hit every iron in the railing,

dreadful racket. " " exclaimed Alberto !

mother, stopping in her breathless

haste.

Here

am."

She drew "

Tell me.

"To " To

aside. .

Where

are you going,

do you know

" ?

Piacenza."

Piacenza

tell

;

Piacenza

me.

is^

a fortified

city, is n't

it?" " it 's

Yes,

Shall

you remain there ?"

do not think

But

fortified."

so."

don't they defend fortified cities

Not

that one, because

we go

further,

" ?

and

remains behind

us."

" Yes,

who has

she said, with the air of one

lost all

hope, and off she went.

Another pull at the bell I opened the door it was She pressed my hand and joined the others. sister. ;

third ring

;

was

;

elder

brother.

my mother returned, her arms laden with linen. She was so serious and impassible that I was amazed behind Meanwhile

;

her came the others,

bent over the trunk take the things

it."

me do "

;

with lowered heads.

the orderly

made a

" !

the hand.

my I

hands

mother

respectful motion to

No, let me " do the same. Let

she waived him aside and replied

sisters stretched out their

it,"

Mother

;

all silent,

mother replied again, and stooped

to kneel.

said in a tone of affectionate reproof, seizing her " She looked at me. I do not wish you to do it,"

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. I

Then

added.

mine

ask

she said, in a tone even more affectionate than as a favor."

She knelt down and packed the at

;

looked

The

things.

half touched, haft surprised, as "

nate you are, lieutenant

know

$17

to say

him

sorry that your mother

orderly looked "

How

fortu"

to reply

I heard a heavy mother rose and went away. turned, and saw my younger sister weeping.

My mother the trunk,

sigh,

returned with something in her hands, placed

and went away

again.

not here."

looked:

was her

portrait.

She returned with three books, and put them on the portrait.

" " 1

What

are those,

They

are

mother

The Promessi "

Oh, thanks

and

" ?

Sposi."

I kissed

always impassible.

hastily

her hand all

she withdrew again

;

looked

her in astonish-

ment, and grew uneasy.

"Take "

Why ?

your sash."

off

I asked.

She removed

without saying a word, and put

the

trunk.

"Mother,

must wear

She made no

it."

Another heavy sigh

into another room.

reply, but

went

elder sister was

crying.

My mother returned with a magnificent silk sash, put it around my

neck, and said

" :

have made

during the hours when

you were on the parade ground." "

Mother,"

much The

exclaimed,

seizing

her hand,

She turned her head away.

orderly looked it her with glistening eyes.

this

too

.MILl TA R

8 "

That

"You

she said, turning around

is all,"

can close

with her hand, but did not

who

tried to help

what are you doing

later

;

it,

pushing back

her foot slipped, she

Mother

and a moment

she placed her knee upon

with her elbows those .

pressed

lid,

in closing it;

tottered "

;

it."

She lowered the succeed

Y LIFE.

all

exclaimed, catching

hold of her.

rap at the door

;

was the porter who had come

to fetch

the trunk. "

Here already

exclaimed

The " "

"Take

the barracks of Porta Susa," I said.

know where

Stop "

it."

porter placed the trunk on his shoulders.

To I

turning around

mother,

sharply, in a tone of disagreeable surprise.

it is,"

exclaimed

he replied in moving

my mother

suddenly

;

off.

the latter turned.

careful (she tried to think of something to say) " careful not to let it fall !

"Don't be

afraid."

Out he went

mother accompanied him

;

watched him down the pressed her

stairs.

the door, " has disappeared ; she to

together violently, and conquered

lip

She returned

tears.

as impassible as before,

and

the rising I

began

grow alarmed.

Here

replied; "

head.

all

the beneficent executioner.

he understood, looked

That

right

;

that

Good-evening." in the face,

and

No one

I raised

not bad," he seemed to say

passed into the neighboring room, where

selves in a circle.

spoke.

We heard the

my and

seat our-

rustle of a dress,

the door opened, and the strong-minded lady appeared. rose to their feet.

;

one

All

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. "

good friend," she

said, putting

319

out both hands to

mother, with her peculiar grace and her strong and energetic "

have only just learned that your son

way,

going away.

These are certainly sad moments, but each one of us must sufA great These are great days for Italy fer for the country. !

war

Believe me,

enemy should be wave of fire which

impossible that the

it is

able to withstand for any length of time the will seize its is

The army has

sides.

all

nations are

way

mother looked

made

a whole people at

These are great days.

go into the field. "

the

" it

back ready

at her in astonishment.

could once see a great battle from a distance.

If I

This

at the finest point,

when our regiments have driven

see

the

enemy from all the hills of the line of battle, and down the on the other side, horses, soldiers, wagons, cannon, all slopes ;

flying precipitately

crusade

;

even the

Courage, dear lady

women and

this is a veritable

army was broken up, another would form

If the

days." "

Yes

meant

" !

yes

broke out

for enthusiasm,

and was

Every one ought to go would be millions and

to the

fifteen

mother with a dash that was

in reality nothing but maternal "

affection veiled in the love of country.

really

;

children would like to fight too.

war

;

Yes

It is

a crusade

every one, so that there

millions, and that the enemy would be frightened, abandon the idea of resistance, and open

the doors of the fortresses." " Where is my son ? " a trembling voice asked in a neighboring room, and at the same

old blind ing

man

to him.

moment

the door opened, and the

appeared, with his arms outstretched as I

embraced him

;

he touched

if call-

sword, sash,

MILI TAR Y

320 epaulettes,

and asked

Then placed

my breast, and

remained in

Are you ready ? shoulders, rested his cheek on

in a trembling voice

hands upon

his

LIFE. :

The

All were silent.

this position.

"executioner" erect at the end of the room, contemplated the

and folded arms.

spectacle with knitted brows

mother

looked fixedly at me.

few moments elapsed, and "

said with a great effort

All sprang to their feet,

executioner "

man "

Well

honor

The

and took a step toward me. in

ear

murmured, putting on my cap.

said the Neapolitan lady resolutely, pressing and " at every word. Courage ; do yourself

us,

Farewell, Alberto

sisters

Here

son

The

and " !

Saying which, she

write."

exclaimed

" :

may

executioner

threw herself into

fled.

exclaimed the old man, opening his arms. Here, And my head on his shoulder, he murmured in a If this is to

be the

heaven grant that "

pressed

last

time that

be the

first

for a

arms, put hers around

with kisses of despair

embrace

one

hand, looked firmly

and withdrew without saying a word. My mother and I looked at each other covered

retired.

brother, throwing his

my neck, and kissing me. embraced me, sobbing, and then

trembling voice

you

" !

approached me and whispered

remember

;

My my

time to go

my hand

arms around "

giving a glance at the clock,

Well

shaking "

It is

;

moment

;

me,

she

my neck, and my arm with

then seizing

one hand, and pressing the other tightly on my shoulder, close to my side, she allowed herself to be dragged rather than led to the door.

There

released myself by force, and dashed

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. down

the staircase.

heart-breaking cry

seen I

same moment she uttered a

that

Alberto

long,

she had

over a precipice.

fall

heard, while going down, the others,

a confused sound of voices said: "Courage, madame " I

321

promise you

;

I will

who had run

soldier,

among

forward,

others,

always keep near him

the despairing sobs of

;

who that

mother,

and then nothing more. In hurriedly crossing the court, I met the four grandchildren I stopped of the old man, who were returning from school

last, faint

cry of

Alberto

;

them, and covered them with

me "

" !

shouted the frightened

Mr. Lieutenant,

joining "

kisses little

" :

Oh, you are suffocating

girl.

you had seen

exclaimed

soldier,

with his handkerchief at his eyes. "

I shouted. Be quiet And we hurried through the !

street.

II.

When

reached the barracks

The com-

was almost dark.

panies were already armed and drawn up in line in the court. Outside, there was an indescribable confusion

;

the street was

crowded with people, and illuminated with torches by a large number of the students of the University the door of the ;

quarters was

filled

with officers, around

of mothers, sisters,

whom were

a multitude

and small brothers, who wished

enter,

and who were weeping and begging with clasped hands " Let " us see him once more, one moment only, only for a word :

And

the officer of the guard kept pushing

and begging too the space open

;

" :

Do me

the favor to

we cannot allow you

them back, shouting draw back and leave

to enter

;

it is

forbidden

;

MILITARY

322

are only doing our duty

Then

away."

and

sel

who had come

their prayers

whom

;

them when they go words of coun-

to offer their last

then a coming and going of other

wom-

neither mothers, wives, nor sisters,

some

who were

girls,

will see

there was a gathering of the officers' wives with

their children,

en and

you

;

LIFE.

were weeping, others pretending to do so

order to

who remained, others at one troops of workmen who passed

arouse a practical sympathy in those side

melancholy attitudes

singing and waving banners

;

there were shouts, applause, and a

;

waving and confused murmur like the sea in a storm. A roll of drums was heard the officers disappeared, a sudden ;

silence fell

upon

the crowd.

A moment

and out came

later

the sappers of the regiment to clear the street. I

was seized by the thought We are going to the station God We shall have to pass under our windows " :

The music

began, the regiment

rows of torches

;

turned at another point flags

;

repelled here

;

and

by two long

the officers and there, they re-

the people gathered at the

here and there

;

out, flanked

the families attacked the lines

sergeants drove them back

waving

;

fall

windows

a shower of cigars and oranges

;

a multitude preceded the regiment singing ; another followed it. " Hurrah for the Piedmontese brigade " " Hurrah for the old " shouted a gentleman from a window, and anregiment 637 " " othei cried : Hurrah for the brave men of Calmasino !

We reached the Via Santa Therese,

we advanced my heart grew heavy trembled: "She will hear the music and these

the Piazza Carlo Felice

and

legs

shouts, poor I

dow

raised ;

woman

there

the Piazza. San Carlo, then

eyes

;

" !

here

some one

the house

there, but

and an illuminated winis

not she

;

who can

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. be

cannot distinguish the figure " My God who can it be

see

God

bless you, ;

entered the train again,

ing a salute.

put out

;

for,

head

saw the lighted

;

heard the whistle

the train started

;

"Who

else has

come

saw two arms stretching out toward Did I hear a cry?"

The house "

my good May heaven

angel

of having lost " it 's

window ?"

..." My God

farewell,

holy and adored

my you

mother

again, or die so

will lighten the grief

our turn

" !

I said,

turning quickly and slapping

melancholy

left

having

and shouted loudly

sweetheart, started suddenly

Then

heart gave a

my neighbor on his knee. My friend, immersed the war

to the

grant that I see

nobly that the pride of being

Now

;

disappeared.

Farewell,

mother

And

Hurrah

and the old blind man, quite alone, who is wav" Oh, will the music never cease Oh, my poor

tremendous bound.

and

mother

and disappeared.

window

papa he embraced me, kissed

;

Here was my friend of the third floor " Good luck to you, brother me, and shouted the war

hands "

appeared at the window below.

light

the old blind man.

it is

;

its

waving

" ?

Suddenly a

;

looks down,

323

" :

Hurrah

his

for

" !

all

in a

the others cried

moment

" :

Let

light

the carriage was

our cigars

filled

" \

with smoke, noise,

gaiety.

THE CAMPAIGN. At

this point of the

book

I find a

long series of Alberto's

MILI TAR Y

3 -4

LIFE.

and beside some of these the answers of

letters,

fastened to the

writing you could

Taking them is

thing,

something which will

but in those of her son there

;

be noted here and form

the trem-

say the same

whole, her letters always

quite natural

;

certainly the surest indication of eventa

as a

mother

his

the examination of the mother's

draw out the history of the war

hand

bling of her

From

leaf.

there.

incomplete

I will jot

and disjointed

down

this,

chronicle,

but a truthful and lively one, of the different events of the war,

or rather of

them

left

the various

friend's

mind

impressions

which some of

PlACENZA, 8th May.

There are more

Piacenza seems like a barrack.

and more medals than breast

do not

covered

tirely.

at every step

;

at every turn there

strike us as being

any thing

soldiers than citizens,

we meet some one whose

a general

;

and as

at all extraordinary.

for colonels, they

How I

feel

my own

the gilt braid Great military reunions have this evH, poor lieutenants are not looked at even in fact, we disappear enI am joking, you know I have you, my soldiers, my friends

littleness

that

;

soldiers

among

all

;

my blood is I am happy,

heart full of Italy, my soul full of the future desire nothing, and envy no one. are quartered in a conIt is a desperate sort of business with those convent and sleep on straw. full

fire,

;

who do not know how to dress themselves, walk, or eat. Things have been done too hastily. If the war were to begin to-morrow, I tell you we should find ourselves in a sorry state half the regiment does not know how to load there is a great need of provincial soldiers, who are exscripts

;

In the whole barracks they cannot find a room for the officer of pected. the guard. The other night I took refuge in the office of the majority, and I

slept

on the

registers

At the end of the mother's

reply I find these words

" :

they may be important. Did you think to put something under your head ? Erminia is ill from the pain of parting with you. The other day, in dustcareful not to injure the registers

ing your things, she began crying.

;

saw

her,

and said

so.

She

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. denied

but she was really crying.

it,

The

a good heart she has."

You do

letter

ends

$2$

not yet "

know what

Where

are the

Austrians ?" In another of her letters she puts this query

" :

Tell me, Al-

they say the Austrian battalions are larger than ours.

berto

;

How

does

The

happen

son replied

" :

What

you do ? send two of ours against one

will

theirs."

and those fastened

All these letters

them are

full of affec-

tionate messages from the old man and the Neapolitan lady, who expects " great descriptions of great things." And now

and then there "

What

a postscript from the mother,

asks

the orderly doing?"

gather from the book that the colonel

who

the "executioner" "

at the headquarters of the army, and from that superb " watched lovingly over his obscure cousin by means of height

was

letters

it.

and indirect information

The

but the cousin knew nothing

;

"executioner" concealed the protector, so that the

colonel should not appear in the matter for

;

and

I praise

him

it.

Alberto's regiment had been

encamped

for four days near

San Giorgio, within a few miles of Piacenza, and he had only written to his mother on the day of his departure to tell her that he

was

to sleep

under the tent."

Four days since he has written the ground he will suffer and be ;

have happened

Oh,

my God

sleeping on

Who knows

what may

Poor Alberto ill.

must telegraph

to the colonel

immediately."

She sent the dispatch " Give me some news of Alberto, I beg you. I receive no letters, and am trembling for his :

health."

MILITARY

326

The

colonel instantly replied "

so delicate

LIFE. "

But he

very well.

My mother understood the irony was a trifle angry seized " her pen, and began My very dear friend, I do not say that Alberto is delicate, but I think I might ." She stops at ;

;

this point.

The Cugia it

division has left for

go to Goito.

will

You

will say that I

not understand

but

;

If I

should wait a little

;

from Cremona

;

foolish, that I talk of the things I

no necessity

I certainly see

the Mincio immediately.

think

Cremona

from the mother runs thus

letter

were General La Marmora,

one never knows what may happen

have General Cialdini's soldiers go any because they have the fleet near them, and in any case rate I should

for passing

first,

Could they take refuge there ? asks Alberto in " This is no time for joking." mother writes back

;

His

reply.

The Cugia

division

hastily written,

into each other,

urge

and

what

lines

and strokes

mother's letter

and words

of exclamation points

that run

that are a finger in length.

do your duty I am the first to but don't do too much. Armies need officers,

For it

and

The

on the Mincio.

is all full

pity's sake,

son,

;

more than

the officers expose themselves

be the result

will

It will

end

necessary,

in the soldiers

remaining

without any guides or discipline, and then

become

of the

soldiers

army .

For

pity's sake,

(oh, maternal love,

do think a

what little

will

of the

what subtle arguments

do your duty, yes, but think ." Here there are some words which are not comprehensible.

and think of

Then

" :

me, too

Your

life

;

mine.

what tremendous moments

Oh, I will

my not

what days you what is hap-

son

tell

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. pening at home, in order not to sadden you

The

rest is

which begins: more. sight

draw

;

There

pray for you

a postscript

and then there

Alberto!"

nothing

curves traced by the son, which at

I see several

first

might be taken for islands but I fancy he intended to around the tears of his mother, and so these figures ;

lines

were the

Here

result.

a page entitled

I find

of June."

incomprehensible.

327

says

was a young her side

That which follows the 28th

mother was seated

" :

at the dining-table

fellow, the son of our

old papa.

;

in front of her

Neapolitan friend, and by

the centre of the table was a topo-

graphical map. "

Rest assured, dear madam,' said the young man,

Cugia division cannot have taken part in the battle

the

that

;

evident.' "

exclaimed my mother, shaking evident Oh, yes her head and passing one hand over her tear-stained eyes. Yes, I believe it; but what is the use of my saying it ? The .

map etc.

proves

look at

;

it.

the Cugia division passed by,'

hand be-

(she pressed and shook each finger of the left

tween the thumb and forefinger of the ble that

right),

should have been there at the

Oh,

this is the last,

this is true, it

and

it is

moment

impossiin

which

passed by another road, and in this case

not admissible that

ble, that

could have arrived in time.

passed behind the division on

beyond any

doubt, quite clear

passed beyond the battle-field.

it is

Finally,

its left,

and

and indisputa-

Do you

not think

so,

Engineer

The

old man, without having understood one word, re-

plied

Oh,

certainly.'

MILITARY

328 "

mother continued

cal

map, turning

LIFE.

to look attentively at the topographi-

round on

all

running over

sides,

roads with her finger, raising her eyes as

yes,

did not arrive in time

The map

What does

the

Who

map prove

says so

The map

' :

Who

the

collect her

thoughts, and then suddenly broke out weeping

all

Oh,

yes,

can

tell ?

not enough.

Meanwhile three days have passed, and he has not written me yet if something had not happened I should hear, and that means that the division did arrive in time, and that he was ;

and that

there,

my boy

Oh,

Alberto

poor Alberto " Then clasping her head in her hands she burst into a !

fit

weeping. " '

Madam

do calm

madam

the others exclaimed in one voice,

do control yourself

yourself, for mercy's sake,

ing has happened, nothing can have happened nal love " '

cried

maternal love

my mother in

But

friends, with officer

nothing it?' " '

My God

Then came a

n't written

But

have already had news '

sister

My God, two of my !

ran to her.

And

What

him

thing that will relieve

Here

Your mater-

a tone of anguish.

what has happened

Some misfortune

pears. " '

he has

sons,

Alberto

to the colonel; let

Oh, Erminia

Alberto

noth-

My God!

;

I feel

I shall die

ask, search,

my mind

and be able '

to tell

some-

ring at the door.

Quick, a telegram

Silence

a letter for you, madam.'

The

servant ap-

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. "

looks at

mother dashes

at the

woman,

utters a cry, looks at

it,

329

tears the letter it

again, presses

from

her,

convulsively

her heart, gasps, smiles, raises her eyes to heaven, and ex-

to-

claims

Thanks

thanks

' !

in a feeble voice

Alberto

then kisses and kisses again the

head

sheet, presses her daughter's

' !

to her breast,

and murmurs

then drops on to a chair.

The

two friends support her, and try to take the letter from her hands but it is quite in vain they are like pincers." ;

;

Here

some extracts from the

are

letter

CERLUNGO, I

have told you

that I

all

have seen, which

my memory, which, if I did me think I had lost all power

for certain lapses in

would make

little

;

2$t/i

June.

I cannot account

not recall

many

other

of retention, so strange and incredible are they. I have quite forgotten where and when my battalion stopped for the first time, and I remember clearly a.soldier of another things,

whom

"Where do stopped and asked while he was running and he pointed to a little house on the slope of the " " We have made a salad mountain, exclaiming of them which meant that in that house there had been a massacre of the Austrians, and this was regiment

you come from

quite true.

remember another who had a

ball in his finger

;

while he

stooped to touch a dead man, he uttered a cry, looked around astonished,

hand behind his back, and murmuring plaintively: " It hurts me ! I remember my major's harangue to the battalion a few moments before we started it was singularly simple and laconic. " Soldiers " drawing

his

;

he said coldly, without even turning his horse toward us, " shall have nothing to do to-day but in case we should

are Italians

actly these words.

;

the devil

;

" !

short time before, in

who did not appear " refreshes weak spirits

a small group of officers

" Take some

...

;

...

that

And

afraid

I believe

here he ended with ex-

handing his

flask full of

rum

very gay, he had said smilingly

I am thoroughly convinced that true courage comes from the heart and from culture of the mind and true courage consists less in not being afraid, than in showing one's self and working, while being so, as if this were ;

all of which is the effect of reasoning, or rather of an inof reasons, recollections, pictures, and examples, which pass through one's mind at such moments with the rapidity of lightning, and " Be firm " Even entire strophes of patriotic poetry pass through say

really not the case finite

number

;

MILITARY

330

LIFE.

mind too. Your image passed with outstretched arms, but the forefinger pointing to the enemy, your tearful eyes fastened on mine, and your lips " contracted with sobs, but which said in a free and vibratory voice Do " Oh, mother, how near you were to me at those moments your duty the

not believe

;

the dead

do not produce that horrible im-

pression which is supposed to be the case, at least as long as the danger lasts. battalion was in a column and went forward the platoons stopped

;

gradually on the edge of a ditch to look at the body of a soldier whose head had been destroyed by grape-shot. I had a tent stretched over it, and n<j It is painful to see those wounded soldiers who, in rolling on the ground and touching it here and there, reduce llicir linen shirts and trowscrs to such a state that not a bit of the white is left, everything being

one looked again.

and generally they are only slightly wounded. At first one ; so absorbed in the spectacle of the field that he pays no attention, and does not even think that there will be any wounded. And it is almost always a covered with blood is

surprise to see them come down in groups, with their heads bandaged, arms in slings, supported under the shoulders, each carried by I wo men, as white as

death

some pressing one hand o:\

;

their thighs,

some on their chests, and nearly

groaning aloud or uttering feeble moans the breathless surgeons running here and there, without knowing where to begin or with whom then the exall

;

amination, washing, cutting, hasty binding up of one after the other, then all away to the ambulance then other groups, cries, and laments. Great God !

;

have seen a group of soldiers around a surgeon who was " Oh oh " On attending to a wounded man, and I have heard the cry ap" Go to the ambuthe wounded man on his I feet. found already proaching The latter moved off with slow and tottering lance go !" said the doctor.

what scenes

" Is he "Cured! He may live a few already cured?" I asked. steps. I was astonished. hours," the doctor replied. "They are jokes of the bullets," he added. have witnessed beautiful examples of firmness and courage. came to have a ball removed from his leg, and returned

shooter

sharp-

to join his

on the battle-field. A soldier in the infantry, who was seriously wounded, was brought in the arms of two of his comrades. He was very a cigar stump in his teeth, and put out pale, his eyes half closed he still held lie passed near my bathis under lip in a nonchalant and indifferent way. battalion

;

talion

;

many

ran forward to see him.

turned his eyes slowly around,

he was watched, made a motion of the mouth as if to take firmer hold of the cigar, which was falling, solely in order to display more

and seeing

that

sang-froid. .

One

and dearest friends is dead, one of whom I have a young sub-lieutenant of the grenadiers, a Lorn-

my best

often spoken to you

;

DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

331

He was in my company at bardian, and very handsome fellow, Edoardo B. you have a photograph of us all taken together, hunt it up he is college I rethe first on the right, seated on the ground with a cigar in his mouth ;

;

it See how he died his regiment had stopped opposite perfectly. the enemy's cannon he was seated on a drum, with lowered head, and pokSuddenly he ing the clod between his feet with the point of his sword.

member

;

fell

back with a cry

;

a bit of grape-shot had

killed the horse of the adjutant who was hours of horrible suffering. Poor friend

wounded him

behind him.

Who

in the chest

and

died after five

could have foretold this

when we were studying for our last examinations at college, in the wretched little room on the fifth floor, by the light of a taper, with those copy-books and that can of water colored with smoke when you had so many bright ;

hopes and were so happy

The answer

to this letter is from the brother the mother " into her bed with a fever. From time to time," the " brother writes, she becomes delirious and calls yon." ;

had gone

The army

falls

back toward the Oglio. PIADENA,

s///

July.

very sad and painful to be continually crossing villages and cities between two rows of immovable, mute, cold people, who gaze at us .

It is

with staring eyes, as

enough

we were an unknown army.

countenance

Good

brave

Was

Who

seem

has courage

on every worth while to make so much

to raise his eyes to those people's faces " "

to read

noise to cut such a figure afterward ? The regiments file silently by with lowered heads, like a procession of monks. It is a sight that hurts me ;

Pardon me if thoughts run back to you, mother I need you sorely. I could at least have the consolation of returning home without one arm, I might say "I have won one arm less at least." But to return home un-

;

harmed, healthful, stout, and red enough to cause a pasha's envy, seems How much bile is stirred up by this little really shameful and unbearable. glass which, no matter how 'hard I work, will persist in showing below the other I hate this insolent, new-born creature, which !

one chin seems to

I am joking, but it is an indigestilaugh at the misfortunes of the country ble joke. We are marching under the mid-day sun on the right and left of the road are gardens, flowery fields, and villas through the garden gates !

;

see in the distance, at the end of the avenues, gentlemen in their shirt-

sleeves stretched out under the shade of the arbors,

young

ladies dressed

in,

MILITARY

332

LIFE.

white wandering about tli3 slopes among pines and myrtles. Oh, happy Not because they are in the shade and rest, but because they do beings !

not bear on their souls this terrible weight of discomfort and weariness.

understand

Courage,

thing.

The Cugia

son

division

it all

mothers understand every

;

" !

Parma

;

leaving for Ferrara.

PARMA, \oth July.

The

seem to love them better after these misfortunes. They are always the same always resigned and pood. On the march, when they begin to bend and limp, I look at and pity them. Sometimes when some one does any thing, I reason for some time with myself that " it is really a case for me to get angry, and then I raise Come my voice You can't get on in that way. You try the now, it 's time to stop that " You ." patience of a saint; now then impostor !" cries a voice " " within me, You arc not really angry." That 's quite true," I say, smiling, and I stop. Then I propose not to love them any more, or at least not to show it, if not, farewell to all discipline. " We will see," I say; "let us see if they will succeed in melting this stony heart." Then I march quietly on, with an. expression of face that ought to arouse any amount of fear, And here is an example " Lieutenant, shall I quite sure of my victory. for To which I reply brusquely "No." "You cloak ?" you carry your " No." "Yes " " How 's that ? You will see if I am tired are tired." Back to your place " Another comes with a canteen. because you v/ish it " " I won't "Lieutenant, this is fresh." "I don't wish any." Try it." " " Not a and a will it." see." Then he puts you "Only drop, try drop " You will see that it is fresh." " I chin. the canteen under blessed soldiers

;

know how

to drink myself."

I take the leather bottle,

wet

my lips, it?" "You

and hand

back

"Lieutenant!" "Well.what is have not drunk." "Yes I have." " But it is all there !" and he shakes the flask. "Come now, understand that I am tired and cross, and that I can bear nothing Go to your place this moment run, or I '11 have you put in the more " " Imguard-house ia the camp for fifteen days. What sort of way is this ? " " " It is true, I reply again, and I stop. the same voice repeats. postor " " " No no " the soldiers say. To-day the lieutenant is in bad humor to him.

;

I hastily say to myself

" :

' ' ;

no, you set of rascals

I often tell

your

sister

'' !

Erminia, Alberto has really

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. kept his childish heart. of mine

The

do not say that

but nevertheless

;

has

division

left

it is

333 from any merit

Ferrara in the direction of Padua. MONSELICE,

How

march

July.

The

night had already fallen, and \ve were still four miles from Rovigo, and it was beginning lo rain by the In a few moments I found myself reduced to such a state that I bucketful.

seemed lets

sad

is"

in the rain

have taken a bath with

down my back and

to carry; there

chest

were inches

the water ran in rivuall my clothes on my cloak was so soaked that it was too heavy of mud in the road; so you can picture our ;

;

we saw through the windows of the peasants' houses gleam of the evening lamp," and some shadows which appeared and then vanished. And I thought how you, when I was a child, used to push my small bed near the window, because I liked to hear the rain beat on the panes, and the slow, mournful whistling of the wind, put me condition

In passing,

'the

to sleep fancying frightful adventures of pilgrims lost in the forests, the mysterious little lights gleaming from afar, and enchanted, hospitable " " castles. Oh, poor boy, what a state you are in you would exclaim, !

Poor woman, clasping your hands, if I returned from school a trifle wet. It was a day of misfortunes. if you could see me now get near Rovigo, camp in a puddle, and away we start into the town. My friend and I find

room where we can dry ourselves and rest, in the house of we go to bed and sleep all dash up at nine o'clock the next morning in order to go to the camp and start Heavenly Powers I can't get into my boots I left them near the fire, they have shrunk and hardened so that a child's leg could not get into them. Help

a wretched

little

an excellent family

;

"That I will he exclaims. Up go and we both begin to pull, stop to take breath, and go on again with fresh force, stop again, and try with all the strength of despair. Oh, in vain The poor tormented legs relax, the exhausted arms hang down, and our heads fall back, with our eyes starting out of their sockets, our " " There is one more foreheads dripping with perspiration. thing to try shouts my friend; "rip the boots. Let 's rip them then!" We seize scissors and penknifes and fall to work. But we cannot see the stitches, and the more we try the less we see. Our fingers are trembling, the boots and time is slip from our hands, my friend has cut himself, so have I too " We are lost " The regiment Ah, there are the drums flying left without us, and we joined it in a carriage an hour after it had camped. " " What was the matter? my friends asked. I reply by showing them my me,

friend, for heaven's sake

his sleeves,

;

...

3 34 feet,

which

VILI TARY LIFE.

had stuck into the

first

pair of boots that the

first

shoemaker

Rovigo, whom we had sent for in haste, had put into my hands. They were A moment later, and a warrant for arrest was served upon my a spectacle !

friend and self.

As soon

as I entered the tent, I dashed those boots on to

the ground, shouting as I did so: "There, you hangmen !" "But why did n't " asked the colonel you, who had no trouble with your boots, come on ? " " I have of my friend later. Colonel," he replied with the utmost gravity,

never abandoned

friends in misery."

How many times have I preached to you, from Reply childhood your up, against that wretched practice of wearing :

tight shoes

What

at It

But your colonel have said of you with some head in that house

will

wasn't there at least a

woman

Rovigo who could have helped you out of your difficulty " seems impossible Not one with any common-sense !

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF MESTRE, 2otA July. .

have seen Venice

the distance.

I did not believe

possi-

ble that I could so love a city as to experience in seeing it the same sentiment produced upon one by the inamorata. In first seeing it so stupendous, " hurrah " came yet so lovely, that it seems floating on the sea, not even a " " to my lips, nor a beautiful as would have seemed most natural ; there !

came a more

and sweeter word, and I exclaimed Dear one A friend says that Venice, seen from such a distance at evening, produces upon him the effect of a pale, melancholy child leaning en a window-sill, with its head reclining on its hand, and looking fixedly at the horizon of the sea, like one who is thinking and waiting. And hardly had I seen " I love it when I shouted: thee!" Such is the sentiment which Venice within it may be grandiose and magnificent and proinspires at a distance duce an imposing effect but seen from here it softens and enamours one. Dear mother, you have a formidable rival. . These Venetian peasants arc capital people. I was on guard near a hut, was sleepy, and rapped at the door to ask shelter it was at two o'clock in the morning. A woman opens the door, shows me into the first room, brings me a straw mattress, a coverlid, a pillow, wishes me good-night, and In the morning, as soon as I lie down and sleep like a prince. goes away. I am awake, I go to the other room to thank my hostess, and see her asleep stretched on the ground, on a little straw, with two children, one in ' '

affectionate

;

her arms, the other at her side, without a sheet, pillow, or even a rag of

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. I was so she had given every thing to me. and shame, I called myself an unnatural brute,

covering anger,

...

335

filled

;

with remorse,

villain,

coward,

etc.

never think of that night without pain."

I shall

You certainly Reply (oh, you pious but pitiless person F) in the end you were tired were a trifle wrong but and were obliged to rise early, while that woman had slept up :

...

However, be more

and could sleep afterward.

to that time

careful another time."

IN THE VICINITY OF MESTRE, Listen to this which

quite new.

August.

before yesterday I was on the going off, perhaps a hundred paces

Day

On outposts of the Malghera side. from the guard, I saw three ladies coming toward

me one of them eltwo very young (they were her daughters), very beautiful, and vivacious. All three stopped in front of me and made a bow, asked after my health, said they had run off from Venice, were going to Mestre, wished to get to Padua to their relatives, and that meanwhile they were very glad to meet an Italian officer they had seen no one as yet, I being the first. They gave me a cordial greeting, walk around me, overwhelmed me with courtesy, laughed, clasped their hands in sign of admiration and surprise, and all this with an ingenuity and grace that were really charming. After I had thanked all three with the greatest effusion, the mamma turned to " Show him what " the girls and said Oh, you have under your skirts." " I thought. The girls hesitated. " Courage lift them " " Lift the devil " " them I thought again. I Courage what 's there to be ashamed of ? fell from the clouds. The girls hesitated a trifle longer, then, laughing and covering their faces with one hand, they both, while making me a graceful bow, -delicately drew up the skirts of their dresses and displayed beautiful petticoats made in three pieces, one green, one white, and one red, ;

derly, the other

;

with a great white cross in the middle.

" :

What was

that

lady doing with her daughters

Do be judicious. you men ? cause you have so little prudence. among

;

all

tell

you so be-

PADUA, $th September. I

was seized by the

of the Fate-bene-fratelli.

Padua, and am in the hospital They have taken care of me. I am well, and

fever,

came

33 6

MILITAR Y

to-morrow

when would

return to

was

LIF1-:.

That

regiment.

all.

wished

to write

you

over, so as to prevent you from coming here, as I knew you be sure to do. you can get angry, cry, write, protest it 's all

all

Now

;

same; it is over; and you must be resigned. Do as I wish, dear mother lhank God that it has only been the fever think of the poor young fellows whom I have around me some wounded by balls, some by bayonets, condemcd to stay in bed who knows how many more months, and fortunate are I have before me a lieutenant in they who will ever Le able to rise again. the grenadiers, a Lombardian, who had received a bayonet wound in his chest, at Custoza, from a sergeant of the Croats, yet despite his wound he did not wish to leave the field. lie showed me his coat, still stained with the

;

blood.

almost well, gets up, walks, but when he wakes, the motion up in bed causes him intense pain. He related the

he makes in

sitting

me "I remember very little," he said, "I remember as if in a dream having seen four or five horribly distorted faces running toward us, I shall always uttering a prolonged shout, and one of them looked at me. have before me those two staring eyes and the point of the bayonet he was affair to

;

tall,

black man, with a huge moustache.

do not

recollect

how he

suc-

ceeded in wounding me. I remember that a young, beardless Austrian officer, with an effeminate face, passed before me, waving his sword, and

He passed and Jesus Maria ! Jesus Maria ! Him I always see and should easily recognize. Several days (he hospital with the fever and delirium, my cars were filled '

shouting desperately disappeared. later,

being

by those shouts and the sound of the clashing muskets, and in the distance I saw a gleaming point come slowly forward in the direction of my heart, as Then I suddenly felt it, if it were looking at me in order to recognize me. cold and hard, entering my flesh, staying there for some time, and then goIt will seem odd to you but for many days, at every ing farther down. sudden noise I heard, the beating of the blinds or the falling of a chair. I ;

a shudder run through my* entire frame ." This poor fellow, despite wound, jumped out of his bed in his shirt the other night and came and asked me if I needed any thing, because he fancied that he heard me groan.

felt

his

The

tvas mortified.

idea of a simple fever patient being the cause of a

for him ! From that night forward, at every noise he made, if he were only snoring, I jumped up and went to him. The headquarters of the army are at Padua, you know. Yesterday, while I was dosing, I saw a breast covered with medals and crosses gleaming before

wounded man's putting himself out

;

I looked

about the war

;

executioner. He remained an hour. I began talking the conversation drop, and never smiled, for he was with several warm pressures of the hand, saying, as

was the

let

He left me very sad. he did so, most gravely

"Be

strong

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. The

a violent protest, which gradually diminishes in

strength from the

" is

You

337

the last word, although

first

begins

unworthy of the immense love I bear you. Heaven " Heaven be praised, me ." and ends

are

very cruel to

foi I see that it protects

you

;

and receive every

blessing,

good Alberto

MARTELLAGO, 2$tk

September.

are quartered for the first time at Martellago, a Finally I have a room, a bed, a table, and a lookingshort distance from Mestre. !

You cannot understand, my dear, Oh, more than human felicity glass what it means for us to possess a bit of house after so many months that we have been sleeping on the ground, and washing our faces in the running brooks. " It is mine " I exclaim, measuring the length and breadth of my room in " It is mine I pay for slow, grave steps, and turning to look at the 'walls. The first it, walk in it, enjoy it, and carry the key about in my pocket." evening, -in getting into bed, I experienced a certain embarrassment and re!

;

peasant who has secretly crept into the drawing-room and that at any moment I might receive a shower of blows. Then when I had placed my knee on the edge and felt it giving way, I thought I was falling, held back, smiled, and climbed up again, with a surpiise and pleasure which recalled that which I felt as a boy on opening the "box from which jumped the Sabine magician with the long beard. What a. delicious What a joyful awakening A room But I sleep I wish to amuse myself, to ?m a king pla'y the young lord, and enjoy life. I have begun already. I have had my coffee brought to my bed have bathed and dressed slowly, gaping in a luxurious manner, and asking at every moment about the weather and time. I have had the impertinence to send foi the barber of the place and receive him stretched out in an armof lighting a cigar, and opening a book chair It is truly a fine thing straint

;

I felt like a

of his master,

;

and luxury My dear, would you believe that I love my little room enough to look out for the symmetrical arrangement of the chairs ? You will laugh, yet. Now I begin to understand why you women so love your houses. I will never laugh again at your care that every How many things tent thing should be in its place bright and shining. to revel in ease

life

teaches

to understand

should not consider a tent necessary

some things

Sleep with your

window

order

closed

;

MILITARY

33* the

first

LIFE.

days of September are not ones in which

to take air

;

you have not enough blankets, ask the landlady for more. Is your landlady young ? Married ? Has she Apropos if

children

always

What kind

make me

inclined to

You

woman

of a

she

These landladies

are a blessed

affairs

which do not concern them.

boy

\bth September.

MARTELLAGO, .

much

anxious, because they are generally too

meddle

It is strange, that is to say,

most natural, but at first it a campaign, even those who

seemed strange to me, that among us, after seemed the coldest, most thoughtless, most sceptical, really feel a powerful need of affection, and speak at every moment and with every one of their family (many had even forgotten that they had any), and write here and there, preserve their letters religiously, and beg their distant friends to send them photographs, and hunt up some sort of a love affair on sea or on land. These changes generally foUow in the quickest and liveliest manner it understood. Some have gone to dig up diswhose name they do not know, and have begun a most desThese young lady cousins, surprised and perate correspondence with them. touched by the sudden and passionate expansion of those hearts, reply in a most ardent manner the irons, as the saying is, become heated, and I foreWars take many sons from the country but they prepare see marriages. If you could see them as I do, certain Don Juans of eighteen, many. regular debauchees, who some months since placed the bottle, cigar, and if you the blonde or brunette above all human affections and happiness could see them at evening, leaning on the window-sill, looking at the moon " She has not written me with melancholy eyes, and complaining to us Woman is always our most for two days." Yes, it is useless to deny it. revered sovereign and mistress ambition, glory, any other expected or hoped-

after

an unfortunate war, be

tant cousins,

;

for felicity,

may sometimes illude us sufficiently to make us

believe that

we can

hide her, so to speak, from our mind's eye and from the She does not stop us, as Manzoni but then desires of our heart

do without her

;

says, in the

superb journey

But marks us watches and waits, But catches us ;

Oh,

yes, she always catches us

...

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. "Whom have you been digging up Reply " do be careful do be judicious

339 For

pity sake,

;

17'th September.

Another strange phenomenon to be noted after a war, is the . . . passion for reading which awakes again in all, even in the most indifferent, either by nature or from lack of culture, to this kind of occupation and All read and hunt up books ; the parish priest is obliged to pleasure. put in circulation all the books in his library. With me, who always go to extremes, as you say, it has become a regular mania ; it is no longer a desire for books, but a genuine hunger. Yet I am always faithful to my old friend. During all the leisure hours of the day and evening I read and re-read, thinking over and analyzing that blessed, much-beloved

I Promessi

companion and friend, source of so and sweet tranquillity of heart and soul, in which every affection of mine is purified and strengthened, each thought elevated, and things, men, the world, and life are presented to my mind under their best aspect, all surrounded by love and hope. I do not novel

much

know how

it is,

friends, better

And

there

of our

Sposi."

sweetness, consolation,

first

listened,

but I

eternal

that even

feel that I love

and more nobly,

country,

regiment, you,

in thinking over that gospel of literature.

not one page with which there is not connected some souvenir when you held the book on your knee, I read and you

readings

and of

;

tears falling

book and kissed each

on your hands, and

other.

If I

read

hunt you up so as to cry in your arms.

at certain points

my room

I left it

closed the

and came

book before me I hold and say to it: " By all the tears

have

this

;

in my hands, pressing it to my heart, thou hast caused my mother and me to shed, by all the holy affections that thou hast roused and kept alive in my soul, by all the love that thou hast init

spired in men, life and noble and good things, I swear to thee, as thou wert the first book I read, so shall thou be the last, and as long as my hand can

hold thee,

my eye

of paradise

see thee, I will always seek thee, thee always, oh,

book

After this letter there

the announcement of the departure

from Martellago, and then, day by day, a notice of fresh departures and arrivals, from Padua to Rovigo, from Rovigo to Pontelagoscuro, from Pontelagoscuro to Ferrara, from Ferrara to

Modena, and from Modena

Parma.

MILITARY

340

LIFE. PARMA,

i6tA October.

Two Just hear what a trick that rascal of an orderly has played me. weeks ago, his saint's name-day coming around, I got a bottle of barb^ra from the sutler, fastened a piece of paper around the neck on which was written: "San Remigio," and seizing a moment when he was absent, I heard nothing of it he did not thank me put it into his tent. nor gave any sign, so I fancied some one must have stolen it from him. Last evening, on returning from a walk outside the camp, I enter the tent ;

and see so that

at it

my head,

;

place a great pile of fresh straw well gathered and scattered, if just taken out of a sack. In the place where I put

seemed as

hung from the tent-pole, with leaves and wax taper burning before it by the side, on the a wooden box, made with a knife, which might have

the image of a saint

flowers around

it,

little

cover of the trunk, passed for a cigar-holder

;

under the case a bundle of cigars tied with a red " " look at the image above it is written Santa Teresa I " Santa Teresa " I look at the ribbon the look at the box holding cigars " Santa Teresa." Imagine how touched I was. I did not think that this ribbon.

;

poor young fellow, besides being so good, could be so delicate too as to honor, and fete my mother's name instead of mine.

The

mother's reply

a regular box on the ear to the regula-

If Alberto's soldier

tion of discipline.

had suddenly become a

general, she could not have written in any other way.

And

would seem that Signer Remigio was not illy recompensed for his delicacy, as one day he presented himself before the officer with a letter from

thanked him

home

at length in

finished

;

and

a trembling voice.

Alberto to

when he had

himself

the two mothers have become friends."

From Parma in the rain.

Piacenza, from

Pavia to Bergamo

was

said

understand," "

in his hand, his eyes quite moist,

fifteen

;

days'

Piacenza to Pavia, from

more march,

which

thinking of the state of your poor

feet," says a letter from the mother,

but send you sighs of pain." ings," replies the son.

half of

and

can do nothing

Send me some cotton stock-

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. Bergamo was the

last station,

341

from which Alberto's narrative

begins again.

THE RETURN. was during the

Bergamo with

days of December

last

;

was

still

regiment, amusing myself with books during

the garrison duty, which always

monotonous and wearying enough

(but especially after a war)

one crazy.

to drive

did

not even think of returning home, because the time for long

had not

leaves

arrived,

and

had heard that the colonel did

not wish to grant short ones, else for them.

Nevertheless,

absolutely and

that,

all

my mother

of us would have asked

continued to write

any cost, she wished to see me, and

could not bear the separation any longer, to which I replied " Be patient wait a little longer," and she " It is impossible " :

;

and

;

wrote the same again in order to quiet her, and mean-

while days and weeks passed.

One open

morning I hear some one rapping and whom do I see, but the colonel

fine

salutes

says that he has

with the utmost gravity, will not

come

direct

from Venice,

Milan, and that he had good news of this point

he looked

tain air of pity

perfect "

" call

mania

that

;

firmly in the face, "

;

down,

sit

his

way

...

and said with a

cer-

family.

and reproof I understand that you have a home." :

for returning

After a campaign

I replied

humbly. " he repeated angrily don't you campaign there have been four bad marches and four badly

Campaign it

door

it,

;

fired shots." I

was

silent.

continued in the most serious

way

into the habit of considering the regiment your family."

" :

Get

MILITARY

34*

and he went on

I remained silent,

You

LIFE. :

ought to go through a campaign of at

really

years in India, in order to harden that small yours, and accustom yourself

you know nothing I still

kept

yet, allow

silent, so

least five

waxen heart

to the life of a soldier, of

which

to inform you."

he continued:

All this impatience, this great

need

to attach yourself again

to the apron-strings, in fact, to return home,

any thing but

soldier-like." I

was

added, "

still

perfectly mute.

his voice

and he

brief pause followed,

growing almost imperceptibly sweeter

have spoken to your colonel, and he has given you five days' leave you can go immediately." I fell from the clouds wished to express my gratitude, to I

;

tell

him

that I was indebted to

remember

I should always

to start instantly

door once more "

Be a

soldier

;

to say "

him

gave a jump that nearly broke " " Remigio came. Remigio

valise

instantly."

going he seemed happier than

mother

which

short in telling

through the floor, and shouted "

took his leave, and turned back at the

Then he went away. Pack

for a great happiness,

but he stopped

;

When " I.

he knew where

What "

can almost see her."

Put

was

a delight for your in

the

image of

Santa Teresa,' the dried flowers, the box, and the cigars."

looked at

where they are casket that

in astonishment.

"Ah, you don't know

Here they

And

are."

always kept closed, "

every thing.

Did you save them

soldier, clasping his

hands

took and handed him

" all ?

in surprise

;

opening a small

exclaimed that good

and he continued, look-

DEPARTURE AND RETURN. some

ing for

me and then at the things, " And the dried flowers affectionately

all

at the hills

whom

What

change

;

paid for

;

lous thing to the operator,

smoked, or rather and finally .

me my give my

when

And my

friends

orderly accompanied

and forgot

ticket

" !

the

take

mother, saying some

who was good enough

ridicu-

to laugh

;

two or three cigars in a few moments,

bit up, .

The

a dispatch to

I sent

met by the arm, not refraining " Look, what a sky Bergamo

a superb plain

shrugged their shoulders. the station

the colonel, I spun around the city like a

the friends

from magnifying the beauties of

Look

smiling "

too

remember nothing save

that I did before leaving I

that, after visiting

top, took

first

time,

and exclaiming

343

Mr. Lieutenant," said the orderly, hand"

be kind enough tell her that I have and compliments your mother, her kindness to me and mine, and that I have never forgotten ing to

valise

the bell began ringing, to

always "

That you have always been fond of her

good Remigio by." "

I will

;

pleasant journey, lieutenant

The

train

was already

window, and saw as soon as

kept I

not forget any thing.

;

yes, say revoir.

it,

Good-

" !

put my head out of the behind the station gate ; orderly standing

he perceived

motion

tie

;

raised his

hand

to his cap,

and

there until I disappeared.

was due

When we

Turin

at ten o'clock in the evening.

reached the station

at Milan, I

saw a battalion of

in-

fantry which was just getting into the same train. I recognized " an officer, one of my friends, and called him. We are going to

Turin," he said.

are waiting for

them

add other

car-

MILITAR Y

344 riages

we have

;

ters of the

there of

the colonel and staff with us

remain

will

regiment

Turin

the headquar-

;

they write us from

;

of ovations at the station.

all sorts

was lacking

LIFE.

Only

Applause produces a much worse

than hisses.

Oh, hopes

send

I shall

go and play communal counsellor

my own

effect

that

upon

resignation,

town, be

little

captain of the national guard, subscribe to the Official Gazette,

wear trowsers large

at the

That

die a chevalier.

bottom, take a wife and tobacco, and

my destiny.

His regiment, whose number

Good-by." have forgotten, behaved

superbly at the battle of Custoza.

That journey from Milan torment,"

I said,

There

What

to stay cooped up in this cage of a carriage one cannot breathe there ought to be some !

;

Well, meanwhile

let

us enjoy our arrival in fancy.

Let us suppose that we have already reached the station. too soon

it is

;

wish to enjoy

Here

are the

here

;

first

train

going too

the train stops

me am

enjoy

;

The

no,

some hindrance

How Ah,

us stop

this

;

let

cursed

;

slowly.

the people

all

who

heavens

looking

no longer fancy

here I

But how

at the other travellers.

this fever that I

Here are the

Turin, here the boundaries, here the

are waiting, here

with this heavy cloak

I said,

can you sleep with it

but no,

leisure

How warm

let

what a breath

oh,

Forward, we are entering the station, Let not yet What importunate haste

getting out, there are .

;

train

fast.

can you others sleep ?" "

slowly.

the enclosure

'is

No,

Let us suppose that

walls of the station

suppose that there

are outside the circuit of Turin, far outside.

goes slowly on

air,

place above.

Turin was unending.

fields,

" ?

beautiful hills of

houses, the

first

walls

DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

345

of the station, and the three palaces of the Via Nizza

window

that

papa

torches I

thing just as

is at

mother

It is

The music

on that evening is

The

the

raising

the

train stops,

crowd, here

seen me, and open their arms

my neck the firm pressure hear that music, and still see that

around

I still feel

who

the window,

ground, run out, here

the

They have

all are.

Ah,

who

arms by way of a salute What do I hear and see his

Every

spring

they

Heavens

and dropping

Here

of those two trembling arms, I light.

are at the house door,

arms of

my good

papa,

being able to utter one for each,

kiss

here

who

word

opens, I throw myself into the

;

laughing and crying, without

here are

and such a hearty one that

;

the Neapolitan lady and her son.

topographical map," I say, and they arrive

his grandchildren, a

all

Thanks

with see

able to hear the impetuous assault of

all

kinds of

and questions

;

mother catches hold of me, disputes the possession of me all, looks at me, touches my arms, hands, and shoulders to

all

has returned

come and

bracing me, and

jump around me Finally, little

;

for the

laugh. Other neighbors

greetings, congratulations, pressures of the hand,

mark

will leave a

and

it is

;

kiss

sisters take turns in

over again

;

the children

a regular fete.

the neighbors and friends go

little,

em-

away

;

eldest sister returns to her

with tears in her eyes

my mother

and

;

home, the other goes to bed, brother leaves the house, and only

remain.

Hardly are we alone, when we

sit

down

opposite each other,

drawing our chairs close together and seizing each other's hands, as

we were

lovers

when

left

without any lookers on, and

MILITARY

34 6

LIFE.

mother, giving a long sigh, in which one can hear the whole history of the war, begins to say, in a voice full of emotion

"What days

have passed,

did not write

son

what anxiety, what

;

terrible

saddening you but house seemed deserted after your departure. When I could no longer hear your hastening step on the stairs at the heart-beats

for fear of

;

this

usual hour, your gay voice, and that tug at the bell, which

made

who would

run to see

all

arrive

first

not being

the

;

obliged to keep near you so that you should not forget the

hour for the parade-ground. evenings

And

Poor Alberto,' I thought, rained, Poor Alberto will catch

to go to

bed

and said

when

the sun

in the

heat

If marching all !' I was almost ashamed !

thought of you as sleeping on

thundered,

impossible for

It is

when

at night,

the ground, and

fearfully long

then the days which followed

shone, it

What

waked, lighted the lamp,

to sleep in

Who knows

such weather

I had almost where that poor boy is now ? become superstitious from constantly tormenting myself about

you. '

If I

find

When find

went to look for any thing,

no misfortune

myself I

do not

happen women. I felt my heart-strings your clothes, books, and every thing

all

tightening in looking at

belonging to you.

I said to

to him,

will

was a perfect torment

the gay people in the neighborhood

;

to hear

see the

and see

young

fel-

lows of your age walking quietly and contentedly about the city.

went

who were peared, for I

to the

passing, it

windows and looked and watched them

seemed

read and re-read

and our history

all

there was a

your

the few soldiers

until they

little

had disap-

of you about them.

letters of past years, recalled

mind, beginning with the nights

your

when

DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

347

watched over you as a child, then when you went to school, and I wept if you returned with the 'I think,' and I did it for you, striving to imitate your writing

do any thing

able to

and

;

else),

looked (not being

and bathed with

tears the Latin

Anthology, when you did not succeed in translating, and grew discouraged over it. Then I remembered the years when you

were

here,

that

when you were

college, the time

evening when

so gay, so

happy

heard that music which nearly

my heart, and I curled myself in a corner of my room, stopping my ears with my hands. The fear of losing you from one moment to the other made my having a son named Alberto

broke

almost seem like a dream

seemed

only a few months

had elapsed since the first day I saw you At evening, when your sister had gone to sleep, and I remained alone in these !

I fell

rooms, to

God

as I

upon my knees, look, beside that bed, and prayed had never prayed before, and offered Him my life

hundred times over

for the preservation of yours, uttering

your name a hundred times aloud, as hear me, until

and

seemed

my as

strength failed

you are mine press this dear head safe,

;

seems impossible

berto ing.

;

I fell

tell .

should

that

can look

at,

breast.

Tell

die.

you are

you were present

a weight on

I felt

;

But you are here, you are speak to, embrace you, and .

that

like a

you are really and see

dream

here, Al-

weep-

knees before her. "

what are you doing ? Rise My " dear But, mother, what are you saying ? have suffered, was it not for you, because son,

seems

listening to me,

chest,

tired or thirsty

thought

how

that

me if I love you. Was woman would poor Listen to

MILITARY

348 suffer did she

imagine

But

it.

LIFE. intense affection for you

this

'Am

and courage. Oh, suffering ? I said. mother has suffered much more forme and with what cour-

gave

strength

;

age she concealed her pain and danger

And thinking

frighten me.'

esteem you have for

when

in order not to

ill

you and your love for me, what

heart and character, the idea, the sole

idea of a cowardly feeling on the battle-field

horror because

cause you shame history in

the tents

;

with

seemed an outrage to you, and rather than I too went over your I would have died.

my mind and

filled

during those long evenings passed under

as children fancy paradise after their fashion, I

dreamed of seeing you as a child and then as a girl when in your garden at Savona you read the books which you first ;

placed in

hands

then as bride and mother

;

when

was

do you remember ? ill, and you made paper hats to amuse me and put them on your head and played the drum with two bits of the chair brought my coffee to my bed, and I did not ;

wish you to do it, but you said

Then all

fort.'

the nursing of

long sleepless nights

returned from college the '

But who

is this

You

woman

first '

her world, and her happiness

Who am

and do not do

Let

me bring it

time,

woman

this is

my com-

Then when

and you kissed '

asked myself.

;

poor infirm father through those

dear, holy

does she love and adore

Why it ?

' :

Why

much is it

What a

jacket.

fool I

am her life, Do I deserve

that I

thus

There are many other mothers who are not

I ? like

her

;

why should God have

given

such

an angel, or why did he not give her a more worthy son ?' No, how can I be grateful enough to you, how no, let me finish !

can

reward you

of the world, could

If I

should place at your feet the crown

1 give

you back the thousandth part of the

DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

349

good that you have done me with your beautiful soul and I have always said it and I repeat your holy heart ? Listen :

it,

and

even

I shall ever say,

you mothers

;

but

mothers as

in the great

knew

all

it is

an angel like you

like you, to

you,

one knows

the world were interested

in the great citizens, to a

would

mother placed her hand on

my last moment

raise a

mother

monument.'

" .

mouth.

and "

souls,

'A golden monument, and all those who had hearts and I first of all, would kiss your footprints.' "

Alberto

Then both I

heavily, other's

Alberto

this is too

much

I will

of us with tightly clasped hands,

not listen

" !

and breathing

knees, she leaning over me, looked into each

weeping, smiling, and

eyes,

each

calling

other by

name. " .

And even now I

impulsively as she embraced breast,

and

When we came back "

your jacket

me and

pressed her head to

A few moments ard her room,

kiss

she exclaimed

placed her

lips

lights,

she going tow-

toward mine.

reached the door- way we both turned, laughed, and

into the middle of the room. who are you ? " she asked lovingly. . . .

Alberto

heart.

we both took our

later

And who are you ? "You are a mauvais sujefi" " And you are a saint " !

She looked

me, shook her head, and stood motionless in

that attitude for a

moment, lighted up by the candle, her eyes

glistening with tears, with a smile so really

seemed a

How many

full

of sweet quiet that she

saint.

times,

now

that I

living far

from

her,

re-

MILITARY

home

turning

night

quite

weight of some remorse upon

LIFE.

alone and ennuyt,

heart, I

the door-way, just in that attitude, as

seem

with

the

to see her in

saying to

" :

You

are a mauvais sujct" It is

a sweet but solemn reproof which resounds iu the

depths of

my soul, and makes me

tion of being

repent,

from that moment forward

and form the better,

and more worthy of her. And on going to sleep, the image of that face

still

dances before

eyes.

resolu-

more honest

smiling, luminous

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. THE To

on the

artillery,

gives rise at the

battle-field, presents

same time

a spectacle that

to a feeling of surprise

and

and wagons moving, and with a tremendous racket dashing roads, and vineyards, climbing and de-

see that long train of horses

from one end

to the other,

speed across

full

terror.

a sign,

fields,

scending, and turning with the greatest rapidity, crossing ditches,

banks, overthrowing and crushing hedges, plants, and furrows in their

impetuous course, and

finally

disappearing in a whirl-

wind of dust and stones among the distant trees. Then after a few moments to see it reappear on the top of a hill, break

and draw up all

in line, raise

an immense cloud, and

about with a loud booming

recede

and

at every discharge as

far

away

in the distance

;

fill

the valley

to see these formidable

mouths

own

shouts,

frightened by their

houses destroyed, trees

split,

and

dense crowds of the enemy broken up and scattered over the country,

From

really a sight that causes surprise

the knowledge of the terrible

and

terror.

and marvellous strength

of weapons, the artillery soldier draws his peculiar character for

pride and seriousness, that never leaves his soul or face even after a lost battle,

when

all

the others are prostrate from sad-

ness and despair.

Thus, serious and

thoughtful,

but

not

disheartened

dejected, did the carnoniers of a battery of the Piedmontese

MlLI TAR V

352

army enter Chivasso Novara.

LIFE.

at evening, fifteen

days after the battle of

wagons, horses, a cannon, two

Many

several soldiers were missing

and

officers,

The

from the battery.

captain

and one lieutenant accompanied it. The people witnessed their entrance in silence and sadness, as they would have done the passage of a funeral cortege.

They stopped officer to

The

square.

captain ordered his

park the battery, and, dismounting from his horse, he

looked about as

in the first

moment

in search of

some one

in the crowd.

two young men (one might have been

later,

twenty-five, the other eighteen) approached him, took off their " " ? Are you Captain hats, and asked timidly :

The

captain did not allow them to

both, calling

finish,

them kindly by name, and

said

shook hands with "

took the

erty of writing direct to you, without having the

knowing you, because

whom

could turn

;

knew

no one

else

even his friends," he added in a sad tone, thing

;

honor of

in this city to

should have written earlier

able to learn any thing about your family.

lib-

if I

had been

could

tell

But not

me any

and he had many dear ones, the poor, poor fellow." his hand again to the two young men, who

Then he put out pressed

affectionately.

Did you say any thing about my letter to your father ? They replied that they had said nothing, save that the captain of the battery to which their poor brother had belonged would come within a few days to pay him a visit they could not tell him any thing more because he was ill, and they were ;

afraid of exciting

him too much

;

yet

some

details of his son's

death had reached him two days after the battle, and he had

been perfectly inconsolable.

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. Meanwhile the lieutenant came up to them. " Here is the officer of whom I spoke in my

letter," said the

an undertone, as he presented the lieutenant

captain

353

to the

two brothers, who pressed his hand, and made many protestations of "affection and gratitude, to which he replied with much effusion. After saying a few words more, he returned to

The

the battery.

would go and see because

him the

tell

called the lieutenant

the battery

ing

morning,

;

The

it.

morning

seven o'clock,

and number of the house, he

street

and whispered

in his ear

" :

re-

To-morrow

not here at eight o'clock, you can leave with

but do not pass by such and such a street lieutenant understood the reason,

should be carried out

his orders

ihe brothers that he

he was obliged to leave for Turin, and mak-

at eight

ing them

captain arranged with

their father the next

;

nam-

and replied that

then the captain

moved

off

with the two brothers.

The

following morning at seven, the captain, followed by an

orderly with a bundle under his arm, rapped at the door of the two

new

seemed

which he

friends.

an hour.

felt at

was obliged

V/as

that instant

been able to say

;

but he

to wait a

moment, which

impatient desire, or timidity

Perhaps even he would not have

felt

painfully anxious.

The door

finally opened and the two brothers appeared. They did not him to their time give speak they placed fingers on their lips, ;

made him him

a sign to keep his sword from rattling, and greeting

silently they

orderly put "

down

made him

enter the house and

sit

down.

The

the bundle and went away. "

much

captain took a chair, and the two brothers sat

down

sleeping," said the older brother

;

but he

better."

The

354

MILITARY

too,

drawing their seats near enough to be able to

undertone. "

Do you

"Oh,

indeed," the brothers

yes,

talk in an

can talk to him without any danger ?" replied together;

no longer any danger." Very well, then. But if you thought

there "

think

LIFE.

"now

to the contrary, I

should beg you to tell me quite frankly I should not wish, in coming here to bring a little comfort, to be the cause of greater ;

Listen

evil. I

only a short distance from here to Turin

it is

;

few hours within two or three days." " You are too good " exclaimed the two young men, press-

could run

off for a

ing his hand.

thank you from our hearts, but really

not necessary for you to put yourself out again for

us.

it is

Our

he were any other man, perhaps, but beeven in seeing him better, we should hesitate lieve us, captain, he has a heart so capable of feeling the confather

really better.

you bring him, as not to leave any doubt about which your words will produce upon him. He is a

solation that

the effect

loving father, but a good citizen." " I believe it," said the captain.

that

moment

a door opened and a handsome blonde boy,

about ten years old, appeared. started back. " Come here," said

ward. "

This

our

How much

little

seeing the captain, he

one of the brothers.

The boy came

for-

brother."

he resembles that poor fellow

" !

exclaimed the

officer.

Quite true

" !

said the brothers.

After five minutes more conversation in a low tone, the cap-

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. tain

355

opened the bundle and spoke to the brothers of a surprise second one rose and passed into the

for their father, then the

other

room

The and

wake

the sick man.

oldest brother

said

and the "

"Courage

officer pressed

each other's hands,

to -one another.

The young fellow approached his father's bed on tiptoe. | The good old man was sleeping lightly with one arm stretched

The

outside the coverlid, and his face turned toward his son. latter stood

moment looking

for a

at that frank,

venerable

brow, which even in the quiet of sleep retained the imprint of a " Now I am going to wake you, deep sorrow, and he thought :

poor father, to wake you and call you back to grief I am taking from you these few moments of peace but it is neces" Father sary. ;

The

man opened

old

his eyes slowly

and pressed

his son's

hand with the one he had outside the counterpane. The latter placed his right hand on his forehead, bent and asked him how he

felt.

Much

Well then,

would "

better,"

like to see

Show him

The " "

It is

a person out there who

you."

it?" .

man looked

at his

officer."

son without speaking.

a captain."

A captain

" ?

silence followed.

not move.

is it ?

old

reply.

father, there

in."

The son did

"Who " Who

was the

listen

and he opened wide

The

his eyes.

son, taking courage,

It is a captain of the artillery."

A few moments'

added

hastily

MILITARY The

made

father

LIFE.

a sudden effort to

upright, but the son

sit

prevented him. "

No, father," he then said with much sweetness

move

;

might make you

ill

you know

;

" ;

do not

the doctor has for-

bidden you to get up lie down, father, and keep quiet." And he put the arm that was out under the coverlid. ;

The

man's eyes gleamed and he began to breathe heavily. Shortly after, without looking his son in the face, he murmured

old

in a trembling voice " And this captain . " He was his captain." :

" .

This reply had been expected. "

The

has

come here on purpose was

father

silent for a

to see you."

moment, then shook

his head,

pressed his lips together, and covered his eyes with one hand. "

Father," said the young fellow affectionately, as he kissed

him on the forehead, " be brave bring you some comfort, and he Don't do "

eyes) "

;

so,

come

(and he

be brave, father

;

the

captain has

will give it you, I

draw

tried to

his

come

sure.

hand from

his

" !

Call him."

" ?

Immediately

"Yes, instantly." "Well, then "

shall I

go?"

" !

"Yes,

'11

;

but be brave, father

you comfort you will see." So he left the room quickly.

;

the captain will bring

;

his

eyes and

fixed

per, the noise of a

The

them on the door. sword

father followed

..." Here

him with

heard a short whisis

the captain."

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. man

soon as he appeared, the old

357

stretched out his arms toward "

" him, and exclaimed sorrowfully Oh, captain captain The latter went forward, embraced him, and said affection:

" ately

The

Courage, dear

sir

" !

and the

boy placed themselves on one side of the bed, and the second one on the other. The father had laid his head on the captain's arm, and was weeping. For oldest son

little

a short time no one spoke.

Suddenly the old man moved, raised his eyes, said in a resolute tone

there that day

strong giving ceal

you have seen I want

... ... am

late

;

way

any thing

his head,

Captain

;

know

tell

will

without interrupting you

...

want

every thing

...

strong

know

all,

;

and wiping you were

... ;

re-

I will

listen

without

but do not con-

...

know how (and here he broke out weeping afresh) how my poor son died " Then he laid his head again on the captain's arm, and

must .

ing " "

disconsolately, said " was so young

But now he

so great

" !

replied the captain.

At these words the poor old man started, raised and looked fixedly at the officer and as he looked, ;

bathed in

shak-

tears,

gradually grew calm and

his head, his face,

proud, his

eyes

were animated, and he slowly drew his arm from the captain's shoulder, as if the new thought with which he was occupied were

sufficient to sustain

thought, which had

him without any other support. This and dormant in his sorrow, sud-

lain veiled

denly sprang up in his mind, giving him an unexpected feeling of comfort, and putting into his soul a strength of which he

MILITARY

3$8

LIFE.

" So great would never have supposed himself capable. he repeated to himself, and then in a low, but firm voice he "

said

Speak, captain."

The

captain sat

down

bed

as near the

^ng with the fringe of the counterpane,

to begin.

found

tried to find

some way

did not succeed immediately, nor would he have

easy to do

as possible, and, play-

so,

had not the elder brother come

to his

assistance.

Did your battery have much to do, captain ? " At the battle of Novara ? No, not much. That as firing goes, very as

if it

little,

really

had done a great deal

;

but

for

four hours without a moment's rest

' !

that

morning

as far

much

;

they shouted to

And away I went on a when a counter order ar-

first

three or four times without stopping.

they worked

is,

work

;

there,

our

was running for three or backward and forward

Captain

go and occupy that height

But hardly was gallop. rived, and down we went

had

almost always on the same road.

me,

They

place.

This happened

Poor horses, how hard really deserved a better

fate."

" "

Were they

A I

great part of them."

"And "

killed

where did you

cannot

not call

perfectly.

finally stop

that is, I could point you exactly by name but I remember the aspect of the place We were half way down the side of a hill between

the

tell

;

and the

ground caved in so deeply as to hide completely a couple of battalions from the eyes of any When I reached it, coming from the enemy's direction. that point

top, the

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. we could

now

turning to the right, direction

down on

in the distance

see, off

long Austrian columns which

were

to the

left,

the plain, three

now

advancing,

slowly

but always keeping in our

we could

they were so far away that

;

359

scarcely distin-

and bayonets gleaming in the distance. was instantly sent with two cannon to the

guish their white uniforms

One

officers

right side of the

hill.

with

lieutenant

non, remained where we were.

and four can-

At the cannon on the

(here the captain turned to the oldest brother)

right

was

your brother."

The

man made no movement The captain continued

old

sible.

;

he was intent and impas-

was

at the

cannon on the

right. They instantly began Hardly was the cannon loaded, when your brother, as 'At the middle column!' I sergeant, had to 'point it.' firing.

he replied, leaning down to carry out Let us do ourselves honor I added. He

shouted.

Yes, '

the order.

sir

smiled, took aim, stepped back, ordered

same moment

at the

Fire

and almost

saw the trunk of a tree which was in

column dash

the middle of the centre

into the air

;

the latter

began moving confusedly, spreading out and getting into disorder

wounded

the

;

by Bravo

little

little '

old

shouted to him.

aim again, and once more

The

galloped here and there

officers

then

;

the lines formed again, and continued marching.

man clapped

hit the

mark

ordered than before

hit the

his

' !

;

the column

became more

the officers galloped around again

column re-formed, but

took

mark."

hand on the bed.

perfectly ;

Now, another

stopped.

that

;

dis-

the

moment we saw

four cannon appear in the distance, reach the line of the col-

MILITARY

360

umns on

LIFE.

two of them stop between the centre and one, the other two between the centre and right, and then

left

a full trot

;

begin to

fire '

soldiers

against us.

are.'

umns receded a

a good deal.

Sergeant

let

number

sir

see

who

The

col-

them

in the centre

shouted to your son,

Yes,

resolute tone.

that house for me.'

and

The one

seemed

entered.

shouted, turning to

enemy's cannon.

to fire at the

began

house, and

little

an excellent opportunity to

this is

;

Courage

approached

of the soldiers '

put a ball into

replied in his usual firm

that point a colonel of the staff passed

behind us on a gallop, heard my words, stopped, and turning Let us see toward the cannon on the right, said aloud '

Fire

shouted the brave young fellow at the same moment.

And from

the roof of the house

middle of the column, boards, soldiers dash out

The

and

we saw

tiles,

rise

and

fall

into the

and beams, and a crowd of

scatter in every direction."

father picked nervously at the counterpane with both

hands. "

Well done

' !

exclaimed the colonel, and

off

he went on a

But the Austrian cannons were marvellously fired. gallop. The balls fell at eight or ten feet around us, buried themselves in the ally

ground, raising clouds of dust and stones which gradu-

enveloped cannon and cannoniers, hiding them entirely

from

eyes.

When

the cloud disappeared,

see your brave son smiling,

tween his collar and cravat,

were

no danger.

But we were unfortunate.

into the middle of the

escort at our backs,

we could always

and taking the dirt out from beas quietly and impassibly as if he

company

and

one of our horses was

killed three soldiers. killed,

ball fell

of infantry which stood as an

After a

moment

and two badly wounded.

This

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. was, however, a lesser

when

The

man breathed

old

stiil

in a

was not your son's cannon." some hope remained that his son It

remember your son struck

a desperate condition

pain.

we might have

;

his

head with

his

were not yet reduced to still

kept our post for

two new cannon joined the other four of the enethe Austrian columns began to advance again, and we

some time ;

a ball had

living.

that sight, I

hand, and uttered a cry of

;

and stretched two cannoniers

shapeless mass on the ground.

minutes had not passed

a terrible explosion and loud cry were heard

split the wheel of a cannon,

were

Two

evil.

361

;

Suddenly we heard a confused and arms behind us, and saw two battal-

could no longer remain there.

sound of

steps, voices,

draw up in line on the crest of the hill Between us and the crest, the ground, as

ions hastily

to repel

assault.

I said,

sunken vance

for this reason

;

our

line,

would not do for the infantry

and we were obliged

to recede.

The

the

word

fire

to ad-

centre

I waited for it to column was coming rapidly forward. within reach, and then ordered Fire with grape-shot :

was

arrive '

we heard something

like a clap of thunder,

and a sharp whistle a cloud of dust rose and hid the column, and when it thinned, we saw such a confusion and complete ;

rout in the enemy's lines tered and disordered as there was

no time

There were not enough shouted.

But

was

late.

The enemy,

scat-

was, continued to climb boldly

lost,

horses.

;

and we must save the cannon. '

Back

with your arms

Thirty vigorous arms instantly seized the wheels,

orillons,

mouths, and began to push the cannon back.

was one

artillery

man

lacking at the cannon on the right.

son took his place, and seized the

left

wheel.

There

Your

Courage

MILITARY

362 '

LIFE.

But the ground that he had to get over with his piece was broken up the wheels sank, and the force they were obliged to use was tremendous those five shouted

strength

;

strength

;

made

brave soldiers

the effort of twenty

muscles of their hands and necks

seemed

one could see the

;

and tremble so

rise

that

they would burst through the skin they were flame-colored, dripping with perspiration, and utterly transas

Courage,' said the soldiers and officers on the crest

figured.

of the

;

The

hill.

column

men, panting and groaning, redoubled

artillery

their strength.

already

the heavy step of the Austrian

felt

our backs, and the voices of the

officers

the pursuers pressed forward by the enemy's

we were almost on

ered us with balls,

Where

man

anxiously

column show-

left

...

the crest.

where was he wounded as

a chain of

that moment he was wounded

;

asked the poor old

he were hearing the news for the

first

time.

" " "

In the leg."

At what point

" ?

Here," replied the captain hurriedly, pointing to the calf "

of the right leg. to look at the leg

Hardly was he wounded, when he turned

and shouted

nothing

cour-

age strength! and he went on pushing the cannon." " " Bravo interrupted the firm and sonorous voice of the !

sick "

man. Oh,

yes,

was brave indeed

were near by shouted

making

Bravo

and

' !

in fact the soldiers

The

five

who

courageous men,

a final effort, pushed the cannon on to the crest, and

uttering a loud shout the ground.

They

' :

It is

saved

rose immediately,

' !

they

fell

however

exhausted .

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BA TTLE. "

But they did not

all rise

his face with his hands.

"He

was wounded

moment

" !

363

exclaimed the old man, covering

knew

Oh,

in the side."

of silence followed.

Hardly had the cannon passed the crest, when the two battalions of infantry broke out into a heavy fire on the assault-

The cannon

ing column.

was dragged

at the right

While they were dragging

forward.

thirty paces

(at this point the

rose to his feet), your brave son, stretched on the

hand against the wound, shouted two or three

pressing one

times

Courage

made another "

Oh, that

captain

ground,

courage

sign with his

Then

hand

" 's

enough, captain

voice failed him, he

his ."

cried the old

man

in a tear-

ful voice.

Listen. Hardly had our cannon stopped, when the horses from some other pieces that had fallen into the enemy's hands came up I ordered them to be attached immediately. ;

The

lieutenant got out of his saddle,

and superintended

orders, standing before the right piece with his back turned

toward the enemy

;

were already attached

the horses

;

was on the point of turning to say to me We are ready when suddenly he felt some one press his knee he turned and '

;

saw.

The

old

man

sprang up

in his bed, seized the captain's right

hand, and asked with a shout

"Your "

Whom

son."

son

Your

" :

" ?

son, who, exhausted

and dying, had dragged himself cannon and comrades. .

there to take a last farewell of his

All the cannoniers gathered around him

;

two seized him under

MILITARY

364

him

the shoulders and raised

LIFE.

He waved

to his knees.

arms and opened and shut his mouth, looking the time, as if he wished to say something.

at the lieutenant '

What do you

all

brave soldier

wish,

affection

and emotion

? ' ;

both

the lieutenant asked, in a tone full of

what do you want

Then he

raised

arms and clasped his hands, as if embracing some one. The lieutenant had a capital inspiration, clapped his hand on

his

mouth

the

of the cannon,

and asked

this

Yes

yes

he seemed to try to say, as he shook his head and gave yes a sign of the greatest joy. The two soldiers lifted him up to the cannon he encircled it with his arms, pressed it to his breast, !

;

uttered a cry, and

died."

The father, who had been listening to the captain with ever-increasing emotion, seizing him now convulsively by the hand, now by the sword or the ends of his jacket, feeling of his shoulders and arms, as a blind man would have done to recognize him, broke out at that

last

word

ure of laugh and cry

;

into a violent sob,

was lighted up with an expression of radient "

The

filled

The

us with enthusiasm.

still alive,

shouted

Hurrah '

old

man

broke out

Salute him

cap, and repeated together

The

joy.

lieutenant seized your son's

shouted, almost beside himself

lime soldier I

whole face

his

sight of that hero's death," continued the captain,

head with both his hands, and looking into

and

which was a mixt-

gleamed, and

his eyes

' :

all

his eyes as ' :

Hurrah

he were

Dear, brave, sub-

the soldiers at once,

All raised the

hand

to the

burst out into a flood of tears.

Yes, yes," continued the captain, growing more and more "

excited,

shed those sweet tears

the pride of our battery

;

will

;

they will do you good

never be forgotten

;

twenty

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE.

365

years our soldiers, in pronouncing his name, will feel their

we do now, a few days after his death they will was a valiant man, and will love and bless him as now you they would an absent brother. Yes, yes, weep now can weep weep here I wish you to bathe my uniform with

hearts beat as

;

say that he

;

your tears

Saying which he seized and pressed the white head of the old

man

to his breast,

and held

there for

some

The

time.

sons were weeping.

The invalid, exhausted after such long and deep emotion, was hardly released from that embrace when he let his head drop back on the pillow, and said, in a weak and broken voice : "

thank you from my heart Your words Thanks, captain have done me a great good. It seems as if an immense weight were lifted from my heart. I hardly suffer any more. You !

;

have given

you

great comfort,

good captain, and

thank

for it."

and remained thus for some time, so be sleeping. Meanwhile all three brothers

half-closed his eyes,

seemed

that he

had gone, one after the other, into the neighboring room, and had returned, each holding one arm behind his back. The captain, too, had assumed that attitude. The sick man noticed nothing. "

Captain

finally said,

rousing himself.

"Sir?" "

Then

was your sergeant ? " "Yes." you have some writing, some ." and he could go no farther. " Did you mean some report ? " .

perhaps

letter

MILITARY "

LIFE,

Just that, have you any, captain

them

send them to you.

Oh,

Yes, I have

I will

many

had not spoken of

" ?

and

;

as soon as I reach

Turin

had thought of this If you have mentioned it to

to me, I should

you." "

Oh, captain

How much all

iously

owe you

that

day, and always keep

send

But that

under

how good you

shall always preserve ;

read

I shall

eyes.

will

not be the only comfort

are

relig-

ten times a

will

those pa-

can give you." asked the good father quickly, and he

What other

most

Oh, you

a great comfort, captain, in sending

pers." "

poor son wrote

exclaimed the old man,

sat

again in bed.

This, for instance," replied the captain, and he

handed him

the cap of an artillery sergeant, which he had kept hidden behind his back.

The

old

man

uttered a short cry, seized the cap with both

hands, and kissed it passionately three or four times. " " I too have some comFather," then said the oldest son, fort to give

you

here

it is,"

and he handed him a pair

of sergeant's epaulettes.

The "

father seized

have one

he handed

He "

and kissed the

also," said the

epaulettes, too.

second brother immediately, as

his father the yellow full-dress cords.

took them and kissed them fondly.

And

I," said the "

"Oh, my

child

boy

finally.

exclaimed the father affectionately stretch-

ing out his arm to him. " I too have to give you something in

he stopped to think

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. for a

moment

Here

And its

...

367

"in anticipation, as the captain

said.

is."

he handed his father a medal for military valor with

ribbon attached.

The father had scarcely caught sight of and pressed

before he had seized

one fond embrace the boy's head, the

to his breast in

cords, the epaulettes,

it,

and the cap, saying

he did so

Oh, I feel him poor son Finally he released the boy and fell back exhausted upon his pil-

here

low,

still

son

holding tightly to his breast, with his clasped arms, those

precious objects.

From

time to time he repeated, with half-

closed eyes, just above his breath I

him

feel

him

feel

And

" :

Oh, here

son

he clasped his arms more

still.

tightly

All were silent for a short time, until the captain said in an

undertone to the brothers that he must leave.

and they could not beg him to stay. " Father said one of the young men aloud.

o'clock "

The

captain must go."

Go ?

go already

really

old

Dear

ously).

and

man

Can you not remain with us

and

sir,

regret

much, but

must leave immediately."

The "

Oh why

cannot indeed, dear

old

longer, captain ?"

little

The

his eyes.

opened

was eight

;

I will

man gave

sir

press

vent to an expression of sorrow.

my hand

shall return

write

you too

that I should ever forget of you before

;

(the old

shall

man squeezed

come sometimes

do not doubt

that.

vigor-

to see you,

It is

you or this beautiful day.

impossible I

was fond

knowing you, because one cannot help loving the

MILITARY

368

LIFE.

father of a brave soldier, even without having seen him.

now

Now

noble

known your generous heart and your admire and love you a thousand times

that I have

now

soul,

more than

ever.

Good-by

and think that

times,

;

be brave, remember

me some-

have shared your sorrow, so that

always be proud of your pride, and with the same joy

shall

with which you say '

say

But

That hero was

soldier

Good-by captain

The

it is

his

sign with his

I shall

Farewell, dear

...

too soon

mouth hand

to speak,

head and was motionless, as

his

son

cannot say good-by

Oh,

captain opened

made him a ped

always " !

dear

yet,

cannot

silence,

man

but the old

impose

sir

drop-

straining his ear to

catch some distant sound. " "

What

" !

listened too,

made

order."

All kept quiet.

repeated the father.

to himself

asked one of the brothers.

is it ?

Silence

movement

The

of surprise

and

The captain

regret,

and

said

lieutenant has forgotten or not understood

they heard a distant sound, dull and indis-

fact,

which was gradually increasing. " asked the son again. Father, what do you hear ? The father, without moving his head or eyes, stretched out

tinct,

his

hand

to the captain, seized

ard him, and asked tain "

him by the arm, drew him tow-

an undertone

" :

you hear, cap-

" ?

I ?

no, nothing

that point they heard a distant

military "

command

Captain

" !

shouted the old "

sitting posture,

;

the noise grew

man

those are cannon

" !

sound that seemed

like a

audible.

impetuously, rising to a

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. The "It "

captain trembled. is

your battery." It cannot be Nonsense !

battery, I assure

369

It is

you are mistaken

;

that

not

you."

your -battery,

I see it Tell I hear it you His voice and his face had something

I tell

the truth, captain."

imperious in them. "

But no

repeated the captain, raising his voice to drown

the noise, and they

you Turin ;

lieve "

did the same.

came here alone

It is

not possible, I

tell

battery has been two days at

;

what you hear is a train of military supplies me what reason could I have for deceiving you ;

;

as "

all

do be-

;

" ?

shouted the old man imperiously you he released himself from his sons, who were holding him.

be quiet

Will you It

all

be quiet

was impossible

" !

to disobey

were

all

;

silent,

and they could

distinctly hear the noise of the wagons, the tread of the horses,

and the "

different voices of the commanders. " I told you so shouted the old !

triumph, almost beside himself with joy felt in

heart that they were cannon

me my

Here, quick, give

go down.

clothes, I

But no, father, no no you cannot get up, you are !

ill, it

vigorously and pushing them

Leave me,

Here, give

tone of

you so

saw them.

wish to get up,

I .

wish to

broke out the sons together

they tried to keep him in bed. "

;

in a

I told

man "

heaven's

me my

name

all !

away from him, shouted

Do you

wish to

clothes immediately, I wish

started to throw himself

;

might do you harm," and But he, opening his arms

from the bed.

them

kill

" !

and he

They prevented him

MILITARY

370

LIFE.

from doing this, but it was not possible to hold him in check they were obliged to obey so they handed him his clothes ;

;

and helped him to dress in haste, not desisting, however, from " he kept begging him to stay where he was. "No no no! " I will get up. I repeating with a stifled and gasping voice ;

wish to see."

Dressed as well as possible under the circumstances, and supported by his sons, he started with unequal steps out of the

But meanwhile the captain had gone to the window, and calling to the lieutenant, who was passing at that moment, ordered him to put the battery on a trot. The order was in-

room.

stantly executed.

moving rapidly

battery

throw himself

The the

The

old off,

reached the

street,

saw the

uttered a cry of despair, and tried to

at the captain's feet.

captain could not

first

man

corporal

resist.

who passed

Corporal "

tell

;

he shouted to

the lieutenant to stop the

column immediately The column stopped. !

The

old man,

moved

sons, preceded by the captain,

battery,

When

which was quite

far

still

supported by his

totteringly

away.

the reached the last cannon, the old

the captain,

toward the

and not being able

man

turned to

articulate one word, made a

sign to him.

No, not

that

this one," the captain replied

moment

the lieutenant

came

" ;

up.

forward."

They reached

the

second cannon. "

Nor

this

one either

;

go on

still."

They reached the third. The captain had no need to speak. The old man dashed forward, with inexpressible affection, on to the

cannon, and threw his arms around the middle of

it.

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. The dying

son had kissed

on the mouth.

3/1

Here

here

The

shouted the captain, striking the mouth with his hand. father stretched his arms toward the mouth, pressed breast,

did

and

his face fall affectionately " son son oh,

let

so.

Oh,

it,

" !

to his

sobbing as he

Meanwhile, at a sign from the captain, the lieutenant had. dismounted, and the two cannoniers who had held the dying sergeant had got down from their seat, and all three placed themselves behind the old man, the officer in the middle and the two soldiers at his side. " " Sir exclaimed the lieutenant. !

The

father, without taking his

caught a glimpse of the three narrated flashed through his his

;

arms from the cannon, turned,

the scene which the captain

mind he sprang ;

on the

The

lieutenant's breast.

latter,

"All

The

kiss

which he had given

sons

captain

" !

The good into the

made

A few

old

a sign

man

arms of

moments at

appearing

to his son

him on

on the

his fore-

battle-field.

cried the poor father.

and gave him a military

fell

;

all

the soldiers rose to their feet

salute.

felt his

knees giving away under him, and

his sons.

cannon of the battery was disthe end of the street, and the father, leaning on after, the last

arms and standing at the house door, saluted his hand as if his dead son were really leaving with it. his sons'

Oh, father

not dead

And die

" !

head

laid his

deeply moved, pressed

the old man's head between his hands, and gave

head the

threw

to his feet,

arms around the two cannoniers' necks and

had

" !

said one of the

young men,

with

our brother

" !

he, raising his

head proudly, replied

" :

And

will

never

THE ITALIAN ARMY DURING THE CHOLERA OF 1867.

EVERY

time

how much

think

the

for the country during the cholera of

army did and suffered 1867, and feel again that

and gratitude which was aroused in me during those days by the news of every fresh act of charity and courage, I am seized by the doubt that the greater part of lively sense of admiration

those actions has been forgotten by the majority, that

them have never been known,

that

all,

or nearly

all,

many

have been

too vaguely mentioned to be as thoroughly appreciated and praised as they deserve.

Perhaps the recollection of

all

those

grand actions has been fused by the nation into one single

army did much good just as after a victorious battle the movements and glory of one hundred thousand soldiers is idea

the

;

And

expressed and exalted in the name of some general.

when

strengthened in this belief

country, which does, notice

many

cholera, both actor

consider

that

the

only a spectator, and can, and generally things,

having been, in the case of the

and victim

the

same time

in the

terrible

attention to the

drama, quite naturally paid many passing deeds (although the army was generous), the effects of which were trivial and almost unnoticeable in comparison to the little

vastness of the evils by which there

was so greatly

tried.

no one who does not understand how the 372

Now

feeling of

THE CHOLERA OF

373

1867.

admiration and gratitude which arises from the vague mention

work done by the army for the benefit of the country on that occasion, must be much less deep and lasting, and the example less efficacious, than it would be when knowing the of the

manner

sacrifices

which the work was individually accomplished, the it cost and the perils that accompanied it,

which

the relation of which would produce a deep impression

upon

the mind, and people thus be able to bestow their admiration

upon deeds

Some

who have

of any

induced to

this

dier,

justice

by giving

much by

light

to revive in the ;

and

citizen

and

sol-

writing a page so glorious for the

by the desire which to

mean

the thought of the sweet

satisfaction that

experience

Italian army, as

unite their gratitude with names.

forgotten or never heard them

not so

and proud sense of shall

and

and these names

of these facts

memory I

of daring,

many

scure sacrifices, and, besides

virtues,

this,

have to

many

fulfil

a duty of

forgotten or ob-

by the firm conviction that

be quite a useless task to set forth a splendid example of the way in which the man and citizen should behave in the

will not

face of national misfortunes.

Toward

the end of 1866,

was hoped

in Italy that

the

which had invaded many provinces that year, would But on the contrary, as not return the following season. every one knows, it returned with greater force than before, cholera,

and of was

all

the Italian provinces, that which suffered the most

Sicily, of

to carry out

which

I shall write

almost exclusively, in order

design in the clearest and most concise man-

ner.

In the months of January and February of '67 the cholera carried off a few victims in the neighborhood of Girgenti and

MILITARY

3/4 in

especially

March,

Porto

LIFE.

Empedocle, whence,

month of

the

spread through the entire province, and from

April, into that of Caltanisetta,

and increased most

this, in

terribly in

both during the month of May, favored by the summer heat, that

made

itself felt

of the long drought.

month

month It

earlier than usual in

did not decrease at

consequence during the

all

of June, save in the city of Caltanisetta, where

ished perceptibly.

fact,

during the

first

dimin-

part of that month,

invaded the provinces of Trapani, Catania, and Syracuse, and at the beginning of July, Palermo, and at the beginning of it

Meanwhile

August, Messina.

had spread through almost

all

the other provinces of Italy, and particularly in the southern

ones

;

more than

its last

and most

From

the

first

all

others, in Reggio,

frightful ravages

at the

where

committed

end of the

year.

indications that manifested themselves in the

provinces of Girgenti and Caltanisetta, General Medici, com-

manding

the division of Palermo, almost foreseeing the terrible

course of the epidemic, put in force prescribed by

the Minister of

corps into a greater village should

number

all

War

the hygienic precautions

in 1865.

divided the

of detachments, so that

be without them.

city or

ordered that military hos-

pitals for cholera patients, infirmaries for those suspected of

the disease, and houses for the convalescent, should be opened

everywhere in the most remote and healthful localities. stituted a commission for sanitary surveillance in every

in-

district,

prescribed most thorough and rigorous cleanliness, together

with frequent disinfections of the barracks

movement

give

he suspended every

of the troops from the infected localities to those

that were healthful its

;

obliged every corps and detachment to

assistance in case of any call from the civil authorities

THE CHOLERA OF

375

1867.

for the service of sanitary cordons, or to re-inforce the national

guard in the maintenance of public security

them

to look for

and prepare

in the

enjoined upon

;

neighborhood of the prin-

cipal cities the best adapted place for the

encampment

of the

he improved the soldiers' rations by the daily distribution of wine and coffee exhorted the officers to prepare the minds of the soldiers for that life of troops in case of necessity

;

danger, and hardships which every one foresaw in his

sacrifice,

heart,

and expected with

his soul resigned

experience of the preceding year.

and

equal

fortified

number

by the of pre-

cautions were taken at the same time by the majority of the divisional

commandants

in the other provinces of Italy,

and

everywhere they put up hospitals, disinfected barracks, and there was an unceasing bustle of physicians and officers, a continual giving and receiving of orders, an unusual confusion

opening of a war in a word, minds which precedes great events, and We are so well expressed by each one in the words

of people

and

things, just as at the

;

that great agitation of

which ready

But no matter how well disposed the army and brave, honest citizens were to work for the good of the country, three great inimical

were bound

forces

to render the majority of their

labors quite inefficient for a long time

superstition, fear,

poverty, the assiduous companions of contagion in

and

all

and

people

in all ages.

In most of the places, and particularly in the smaller towns, other public officers abandoned their

the syndics and

many

posts at the

appearance of the cholera, and some places

first

were deserted entirely by families with sessions.

The

rich

all

their worldly pos-

and well-to-do people, and

all

those, in

MILITARY

376

who might have succored the people most efficaciously, from the city and took refuge in their villas. In a few

fact,

fled

the country-houses were crowded with the fugitive

all

days

citizens,

and not only those of the to

enough

ing

LIFE.

live

but of any one possess-

rich,

days without work, and hire a

several

dwelling, hut, or any hole, even at a great sacrifice, provided that

was distant from the

city,

and

from

as far as possible

any other habitation.

Abandoned and which they were

frightened by others' fear and the solitude in

left,

the poor people fled too, and wandered in

troops through the country, dragging their

amid the

The

sufferings of hunger.

lives miserably out

general terror was in-

creased by the recollection of the great sufferings of past years worse misfortunes were predicted as is always the case they

;

foresaw such an end from the beginning

each province they

exaggerated most marvellously the ravages of the disease in the others

;

tality in

in the country they narrated horrible things of the

the cities

;

in the cities just as

much

mor-

again of that in

the country-places. It is quite

easy to imagine

became reduced.

tricts

the

communal

left

in a state

their

the population of the discities,

been abandoned, or of disorder, they neglected the most necessary administrations

hygienic precautions. that

how

With the exception of a few

Then

having

the population, declaring firmly

such precautions were unnecessary, refused to render assistance, without which they were quite useless, no

how much good-will the authorities, or how much zeal few citizens who thought and worked with a fixed purpose,

matter the

displayed.

Then

let

me add

that there were

many

places with-

out any physicians or chemists, and then, even the largest were

THE CHOLERA OF

377

1867.

desolated by the poverty which the famine of the previous

year had produced, and increased by the scanty harvest of

and the enormous mortality in the herds. Most of the merchants had failed the construction of railways had that season

;

been interrupted

been

left half

many

;

completed

provincial and

men were

the

;

had been closed

shops for luxuries

for the necessities of life

;

also,

hundreds of familes reduced

communal works had

first

without work

of late

many

the work-shops

to living

;

the

of those

abandoned

on herbs and India

figs

;

on every side famine, discouragement, and squalor.

culminate the general misfortune there spread and took

root in the

minds of the people the old superstition that the

cholera was the effect of poisons scattered about by the order of the government,

common

which the

people in most of the

the southern districts (in consequence of the oppression of a

enemy who is secretly and conharm them for its own preservation. In

past government) regard as an tinually trying to

Sicily this superstition

that the

had been accepted from the conviction

government wished

to inflict

punishment for the

rebell-

ion of September, and for this reason a great part of the sanitary precautions taken resistance in the

outrage

;

from the

by the government met with a stubborn

common

people

;

every action appeared an

every order they suspected some rascally design

slightest indication

firmatory of the poisoning, and they saw

The

trifle.

were

all

;

they drew some argument con-

hospitals, disinfections,

some attempt

in every

of public officers,

visits

the objects of diffidence, fear, and abhorrence.

The

populace could not be induced to allow themselves to be taken

moment, when every case them died and just for this

to the hospitals, except at the last

was

useless.

The

majority of

;

37 8

MILITARY

reason they believed

all

the

LIFE.

were poisons, and the physicians

firmly that the medicines

assassins.

They

preferred to

die quite abandoned, without any assistance or comforts.

They

did not believe in contagion, and so they lived together in any

way, the sick and the well dwellings,

which were the

They concealed

lence.

;

many

families in dark, horrible

terrible hearthstones of the pesti-

the bodies to prevent themselves from

being isolated, or because they disliked the idea of seeing them buried

tom

cemeteries, instead of in the churches, as

many

places

;

or,

those attacked by cholera often appear to be dead are not,

and come back

the cus-

from the obstinate conviction that

to life after a time.

when they

They

resorted to

every device to elude the researches of the authorities. often resisted with force the public agents

the decayed bodies from the houses. into wells, or buried

them

who came

They threw

They to drag

these bodies

In some

secretly inside the houses.

from carelessness on the part of the authorities, from or neglect on the part of the people who wished to assist

places, either

at these pious offices, the bodies,

were

relatives, left

uncovered

left several

days

in the cemeteries, or

fuls of earth, so that the air all

could be found

making

common and

ment

covered with a few shovel-

about was poisoned, and no one

willing to

approach the place, thus

The

superstitions were secretly fermented by the Bourbons

All the agents of the public force, the carabi-

soldiers, inspectors officials

and posted up the

who was

were thrown and

necessary to select other spots for interment.

clergy.

neers,

although not refused by the

in the houses,

people

of the custom-house,

were suspected as poisoners.

and govern-

They

scattered,

in the streets seditious proclamations

revenge and bloodshed.

Little

exciting little

the

" Little by

little

the people,

armed with

scythes, picks, guns, assembled," etc.

(Page 378.)

THE CHOLERA OF people,

armed with

379

1867.

scythes, picks, guns, assembled, ran tumult-

uously about the country roads trying to put the poisoners to death. They menaced or assaulted the barracks of the carabi-

broke into the physicians' houses and burst into the pharmacies, and destroyed and

neers and soldiers

sacked them

;

displaced every thing

invaded the

;

offices

of the

Commune,

burned the papers and registers forced the national guards to hunt the country with them in looked for them in the houses thought search of poisoners

tore the national banner

;

they had found them

;

obliged them with daggers

throats to imagine and confess their accomplices

them, lacerated their bodies,

and squares.

Entire

suddenly beseiged

and burned them

families,

each other's

feet,

fell

their

murdered

in the streets

accused of poisoning,

common

night by a crowd of

and old men, women, and children at

;

were

people

;

with their throats cut

without having time to exculpate them-

selves or plead for mercy.

They burned houses and

scattered

At Via Grande, Belpasso, Gangi, Menfi, Monreale, Morano, Frassineto, Porcile, in the Potentino, and Rossano, in a hundred other places there were continuous Avellinese,

the ruins.

gatherings,

and

rebellions,

and horrible deeds

of bloodshed.

Every day the populace found a stone, a rag, or

some object

which they fancied was saturated with poison. They gathered in crowds at the syndics, carrying the poisoned object with them they had physicians and chemists come to experiment ;

with

it,

and desired that the

results of the

experiment should

be as they declared that they ought to be, or else they threatened them with violence. In some places the madness of the people reached such a point, that the majority of the citizens were "obliged to barricade themselves in their houses with

MILITARY

380

some

provisions, living shut

LIFE.

like prisoners,

from the con-

tinual danger of being accused of being poisoners

This course

and

aroused their suspicions more strongly

killed. ;

they

and a veritable struggle ensued. In the places and during the days in which, on account of the mildness of the disease the people were less brutal, those acassaulted

the

houses,

cused of poisoning were only vituperated, beaten, and then Sometimes dragged, covered with blood, before the syndic. the municipal functionaries,

frightened

by the exasperation

of the crowd, did not dare try to dissuade them from their

bloody designs, and exhort them to spare their poor unfortunate victims, so replied, as they did in the village of San Nicola

And

that,

"they had better do what they thought best." made before the wretched creat-

the reply had not been

ures lay on the ground

immersed

blood and no longer

The municipaliretaining any semblance to human beings. ties, unless one makes an exception of those in the principal cities,

menaced and abused every day as they were, had lost authority and become quite powerless to put in force

all their

the most necessary provisions for the public health, because in fact they

were obliged to

desire of the people in order to

quences.

and grant every wish or avoid more deplorable conse-

forestall

the people insisted that no living soul should

first

be allowed to enter the place, and the municipality established a rigorous cordon around the district, and so all communicabut hardly did they begin to feel the bad tion was cut off ;

effects of this cessation of intercourse,

have the cordon removed

;

and once more were obliged same thing happened with

when they wished

they thus increased the epidemic, to replace the all

cordon.

And

the other precautions,

the

now

THE CHOLERA OF desired,

now

not wished

for,

38 1

1867.

according as the malady

in-

creased or decreased, according to the distorted fancy of the populace, or by the different manifestations of some supposed

symptoms which they thought healthful or otherwise. In fact every thing was in a state of confusion

;

in every

the place was the saddening sight of poverty and fright with a of scattered was overrun and beggars, country by troop ;

sick people

and bodies

were half depopulated,

that all

had been abandoned.

intercourse

The

among people

villages

in the cities

had ceased, every public place was deserted, every particle of gaiety subdued in the life of the working people, the streets almost deserted, the doors and windows barred for long distances, the air impregnated with the nauseating

disinfectants with

which the

odor of the

were sprinkled,

streets

on every

side a dead silence which was either interrupted by the complaints of the

poor and

suffering, the laments of the dying, or

the shouts of the seditious populace.

Such was the condition

which the people of many provinces of Sicily and the lower portion of the Napoletano were reduced, and perhaps the pictto

ure which I have drawn only depicts in pallid colors the

terri-

ble truth.

But the painful the that

memory

which

of those dark days,

most of the

rance of the

feeling

evils

common

produced.

comes more from the thought

people, and all

almost savage igno-

in general

classes

of the terrible ravages

The most

aroused in our hearts by

arose from the

courage in the citizens of

knowledge

from the lack of

there, than

from the

which the cholera

in itself

disheartening effect (although perhaps

not the most useless one) of the misfortune of the cholera, was

perhaps that of showing us that we are more backward in the

MILITARY

382

LIFE.

road of civilization than we are in the habit of supposing, that the way lying before is much longer than it seemed at first, and that

we must

difficult

strike out

seriously

indeed to prove that on similar occasions than ours, the folly of the

less civilized

carried further, or produced

the generality of people, to-day of misfortunes

and common

stinct, charity selfishness,

peril

common

terrible effects,

more than

and duty

But what did the army do

The

and boldly.

would times

people was

and

that, in

then, in the presence

reason has conquered

in-

fear.

disorder of the administrations, the confusion, and gen-

eral fear

had inspired audacity

in the

highwaymen and ban-

so that dits, and given them an opportunity to spring up again both scoured the country and cities, committing every kind The troops, who could not give of depredations and violence. ;

their chase

no matter how indispensable their asfound themselves surrounded by more dangerous and fatiguing some duties,

of them,

sistance might be elsewhere,

a thousand different

The numerical

than others.

force of the corps, which was

small in comparison with the needs of ordinary times, proved for

quite insufficient

the

service

the hospitals,

sanitary

All these sercordons, and public security, at the same time. vices were performed, however, by dividing the forces as

much

as possible

;

so that

happened almost everywhere that same bar-

the soldiers never slept two successive nights in the racks,

and no longer

ate at prescribed hours, but just as

pened, when, where, and as they could. motion, continual fatigue. pose, quiet, essary,

Just during those days

and every kind of precaution was

.impossible

;

to tell

hap-

There was continual

how much

really

when

re-

most nec-

the health of the

THE CHOLERA OF soldiers suffered,

and how

383-

1867.

that kind of life rendered almost

which was imposed upon all in the cleanof the barracks, choice of food, and many other precau-

useless the great care liness

tions

imposed upon them by their superiors, and diligently carunder their surveillance.

ried out

But these services were certainly the because,

not always,

formed by each soldier lished

intervals,

tigues and

at certain brief,

that they

perils with

The harder

their

burdensome,

least

ordinarily, they were per-

least

but regularly estab-

went forward

minds

meet

all fa-

fully prepared for them.

those imposed upon them from

services were

time to time by the unexpected outbreaks of the people, in the dead of the night, sometimes simultaneously at different points in the to

same

sally forth

A handful of soldiers were obliged an armed multitude a hundred times

place.

against

greater than they, flung stones at

who

beat furiously on the barrack-doors,

the windows, and threatened to set

house, while shouting

" ;

assassins cf the people

vituperation.

dressed

" !

;

to the poisoners

fire to

the

death to the

together with every other kind of

These furious

the silent dormitories beds,

Death

cries

resounded suddenly through

the soldiers sprang startled from their

in haste

;

the officers

gathered,

seized their

weapons, and dashed furiously down the stairs to charge the crowd. The crowd opened, scattered, turned, and formed again, shouting, whistling, throwing stones, and the soldiers

charged them again once more they dispersed and this went on for hours, all through the night, sometimes throughout ;

;

the following morning. people, the soldiers

by kind words, and

When

the

mobs

came out unarmed, all

their

consisted of a few

tried to pacify

powers of PSjaj^askm fc-t

fa '

tititftfttt.

;

them some-

MILI TAR Y LIFE.

3 84

times they succeeded, at others they were attacked, beaten,

and then they returned on a run

came out again

the rioters shut themselves up in their from their windows, so that they were obliged break down the doors, penetrate into the houses, and attack

selves,

houses, and to

armed them-

to the barracks,

them

During the daytime there were continual and interrupted slumbers and danger

regularly.

fatigue

;

fired

at night short

;

and anxiety always. Besides

most of the

this,

districts

the

soldiers

were

obliged to go and take the bodies from the houses, carry them to the cemeteries

which

on the regiment wagons, and dig ditches in At such times the populace offered every

bury them.

possible resistance

they were obliged to penetrate into their

;

and take possession of the These bodies they sometimes had to go

lurid dwellings, bayonet in hand,

bodies by main force

and hunt for

in the country,

and when the arms of the

soldiers

did not suffice for the work, they had to force the peasants to

render their assistance by threatening and dragging them to the spot.

They were

from the

districts,

obliged to prevent the people from flying

by following and leading them back by by the arm entire families, beggars,

force to their houses, taking

and troops of women and children who burst out and cries of despair.

Throughout

all

the

and

corps

detachments

were taken up for the poorest families certain quantity of bread was distributed ;

others meat and soup

;

they gave the remains

when nothing of

the

rations,

else

into tears

collections

some places a every day

was

straw,

;

be had,

old clothes,

many corps they formed committees for permanent succor the officers went every day in and something

at least.

;

THE CHOLERA OF

385

1867.

turn through the houses of the poor to carry them aid, give

and watch over them

advice,

mattresses to the hospitals

;

the soldiers gave up their straw

;

offered spontaneously to go

and

nurse the sick in the lazzarettos and private houses, and went there

and performed

their duties courageously

and cheerfully

In the places where there were no druggists, they went

the end.

and distributed the medicines

in the shops, superintended by and they even carried them to the houses was necessary. In other places where even the shops

military doctors,

when

for the necessaries of life

were closed, they had them opened

and they themselves provided

force,

for

and superintended

Often they were obliged to keep the market open them watching over the sale of the articles, and the others maintaining the order and peace which were continually the sales.

;

a part of

threatened.

Very frequently, either in the villages or cities, make and bake bread, a labor which no one

they had

wished

perform from fear

lest in

perspiring they should con-

and not infrequently they were reduced to the carabineers and policemen sweep the streets and helping houses of the poor, because there was no one else who would

tract the cholera

make

;

that dangerous exertion.

unusual and

but not

less

officers,

who were obliged

There were the

difficult duties

less

which often

fell

to the

to act as syndics in the villages de-

serted by the authorities, sometimes as physicians as almoners

humble

and missionaries of

and always

civilization in the midst of

a people stupefied and exasperated by fear and sufferings,

and

fits

of fearful passion.

This was the case,

too, with the

upon whom was imposed, in addition to the the soldiers, that of the people, whose prejudices they

military doctors,

care of

were

first

obliged to destroy, and then overcome their repug-

MILITARY

LIFE.

nance and hatred by reasoning and arguing with them. This was the case with the commandants of the corps also, who

were overwhelmed by a thousand needs, encompassed with as many difficulties and cares, always in apprehension for their troops divided and scattered here and there, and continually in

motion and

danger.

having

good comrades, and dear old

But

day

to so

all

many

was that of

brave soldiers,

friends.

these services, sacrifices,

all

sorrow for

terrible

to say farewell every

and works of

charity, which,

though barely mentioned, are sufficient to arouse in every good citizen an outburst of grateful recognition, cannot however, as I

have already

way

they were performed.

what matters who,

be thoroughly appreciated and praised intimately with how much zeal and in what

said,

knew

unless one

what

intend to do, and

be not particularly understood by those

the generous actions of the soldiers, are only accus-

tomed

This

to see

and appreciate the immediate and natural effects which commands and castigates, but never

of the discipline

the natural and spontaneous effects of the heart, which that

same

discipline educates

that in ordinary times,

hend or

see,

and

when

sity of

him

sacrifice,

or ought to

true,

fact,

make

some public mis-

the absolute neces-

and fancies there it

and therefore the

some one

else

in his stead, the desires or sug-

gestions of the superiors generally assume, intention,

does not compre-

aid of

when he does not understand

some other

who can

or sees too far away in the distance the fruit of

the mite which was asked of fortune, or

softens.

the soldier

effect of direct

first,

the form, the

and absolute com-

mands, so that the merit of spontaneity cannot be attributed to the acts which follow

;

but

this, for different

reasons, could not

THE CHOLERA OF

387

1867.

have happened on the occasion of the cholera, because at that time, in the majority of the cases, the soldiers understood and

saw clearly that the health of the

was intrusted

to their care

districts in

that in certain

;

tremity there .was no one but them

misfortunes ate

and

;

their every act

visible

effect,

and

there

which they were,

moments

of ex-

who could prevent

sacrifice

was the

great

its

produced immedi-j hand of some

fleshless

starving person outstretched to grasp every bit of

money

Pity was kept alive by the continual spectacle of misfortune, and there was no room for any doubt or diffidence by which the sentiment of that pity could

piece of bread that they offered.

grow lukewarm or make them

Neither can one rea-

hesitate.

sonably suppose that the influence of their superiors had any part in the charitable works, that were not performed obligation of duty or from

by the

any other absolute necessity, for

these needs and obligations were so frequent and so grave in

themselves that no superior could have tence without a sting of conscience.

made any such

pre-

Besides which, as the

corps were for the greater part divided into very small detachments, and these same detachments performed their labors after another subdivision, officers

the influence

which the superior

could exercise over their subordinates, in order to ob-

any thing beyond their duty, was very trifling it would have been insufficient also in making them do their duty, if

tain

there

;

had been

in reality

any need of such influence.

the

other hand, the orders of the superiors never reached the point

which the

soldier's

work

did, because certain sacrifices are of

such a nature, that they cannot be imposed in any way or for

any end

;

and

readers will see what these were, and

the officers and soldiers of every corps performed them.

how But

MILITARY

388 if

all

LIFE.

these reasons should not be sufficient to convince the in-

credulous, or should the colors of the picture which

before

place

readers' eyes appear too vivid or too fanciful, there

would always be in confirmation of what I have asserted, the unanimous testimony of the populations, or that, not valid for all,

but quite certain and sacred for me, of

panions

my many com-

arms and the friends who saw and narrated what the

soldiers did or

how

they did

it,

with their hearts

filled

with

From the light of their eyes and the gratitude and pride. sound of their voices I attained the deep conviction which moves my heart and pen. Generally the companies were only united dormitory, at the the

drum

hour of

at evening, in the

While waiting the signal of the soldiers related to one another

retreat.

for the roll-call,

what they had seen and done during the day some of them seated on their beds, others leaning against the windows, the ;

remainder in groups in the middle of the dormitories. There were none of those movements, songs, laughs, or deafening shouts of joy, which in ordinary times are so pleasant in the

Most

barracks at evening.

of the soldiers

were motionless,

and nothing was to be heard but a subdued whispering, interrupted here and there by some exclamation of surprise, anger, or

pity,

and long

would have said that

all

intervals

of silence, in

were sleeping.

The

which you

soldiers

gradually arrived went quietly to their beds, and laying their fatigue caps

one quoting the

last

one of misfortune. have been able to

and

who down

belts, joined the different groups, each

rumor

in the district,

which was always

Any one not knowing it otherwise, would understand what was being thought and said

THE CHOLERA OF in those groups,

faces lighted

"Do

by simply looking

;

in every

room

at the

few

up by the small lantern placed over the door.

you know," one

bineer at Grammichele ditch

389

1867.

"that they have killed a cara-

said,

The

they say that his face

found him dead in a

soldiers

was

beaten out of shape, so

all

was irrecognizable, and the arms and legs half gnawed " the Some one asked why he had been killed. dogs ? by " Because he poisoned people," replied the first, and a bitter that

" smile passed over the lips of the listeners. Have you heard " " the news ? At Belpasso they have killed the said others,

delegate of public safety the sharp-shooters

;

Monreale they have fired upon killed and beaten to

Ardore they have

pieces the captain of the national guard, and

Gazzone

ant

Second Lieuten-

In some other place they have fastened to the

which says that they must burn and cut the throats of the soldiers and destroy all the barracks. ...

walls a proclamation,

we poison the people." sound of the drum was heard, the companies drew up in answered the roll-call; half the soldiers were absent. The

All this because

A line,

quartermaster-sergeant read their names, and

when any one

was lacking, the corporal of the week, erect beside him, note" He is ill at the lazzaretto book in hand, said in a low voice :

;

on the patrol in the country he district ; he is on duty at the cemetery he

last

;

words were followed by a

murmur

;

on the round he

in the

dead," and these

movement of

surprise

and a

of compassion. shouted the quarterSilence " for to-morrow." And to the duties attention master-sergeant ; !

he read the names of those who were detailed for various

ser-

on the following day, and generally all present were apNo one breathed. Some on hearpointed for the same duty.

vices

MILITARY

39 ing their

names among those detailed

at the hospital,

displeasure "

What

noticed

And

;

raised

the matter

" ?

their

made by

eyes

and shook

heads.

their

suddenly asked the sergeant, who had

the movement.

est protest

for the service of nurse

could not restrain a feeling of repugnance and

Nothing."

the poor fellows did not

LIFE.

move

Then keep

quiet."

again, this being the grav-

the boldest and least docile.

the evenings of the days in which the cholera

had com-

mitted the greatest ravages throughout the country and the troops, one could see call,

all

among

the soldiers quite intent at

roll-

motionless as statues, and their faces wearing an expres-

sion

rather

of astonishment

than sorrow, their souls being

more stunned than saddened by such great misfortunes. "Such and such a one?" asked the quartermaster-sergeant. "He

moment

and they have car" Such and ried him to the lazzaretto," replied the corporal. such another one ?" The man called replied from the lines

was seized by the cholera

ago,

Present," but in a forced and weak voice, in which one could

hear the effect of the sad news.

Then

a deeper silence than

usual followed.

On of

such evenings the officer usually gave them some words

encouragement and comfort.

placed himself in front of

the company, glanced at the faces in the

first line,

and then

what he had

to say, always ending with a Keep up your which was a followed movement courage," along the by slight " Thanks." A sign to the quartermaster-serline, which meant " a word to the Goodgeant, sergeant of the week, and then,

said

night," he

would add, almost

involuntarily, as

responding to

an imperious movement of his heart, and then go away. the soldiers followed

him with

their eyes,

And

which was worth

THE CHOLERA OF

How many

more than a mere good-by.

391

1867.

times,

on going out of

that dormitory, the officer said sadly to himself

morrow

many

all

be there

soldiers will not

good

Perhaps

to-

And how

times the soldiers, in seeing the officer go out, pale and

worn, and behind him the orderly with an expression of sad suspicion on his face, have said

never see our

shall

When

among themselves

officer again

Perhaps

" !

the officer had gone, the quartermaster-sergeant dis-

Oh, a

tributed the letters.

those places

The

from home

letter

fortunate ones

days and

in those

who heard

their

called could hardly restrain an expression of joy

;

names

the others

impatiently tapped their feet and stretched out their hands.

"Mine." "

Give

mine."

Are you not going

to all

your place

were

silent

"You have not me one ? "

given

me mine

yet."

Silence,

and back

shouted the quartermaster-sergeant.

Instantly

to give

and motionless

and fancy what

as marble,

self-

control they had to exercise in order to conquer that fever

The

quartermaster-sergeant stood looking at them for a mo-

ment with a frown, then distributed the separated in silence, and every one went Late

at night those

who could

letters

;

the

company

to bed.

not sleep heard a sound of

slow steps and subdued voices through the dormitories, and raising their

heads saw the

geant of the

week passing along the rows

officer of the

fore those that were empty, the plying, then both pausing for a tionless in the door-way, as

guard and the

one questioning, the other

moment

ser-

of beds, stopping be-

in going out, quite

absorbed in a

common

re-

mo-

thought,

If any thing happens," the officer was easy to divine. would say in an undertone, "come and tell me instantly."

which

"Let us hope there

will

be nothing."

Let us hope so indeed."

MILITARY

392

And

LIFE.

these words were always accompanied by a sigh, which re-

vealed

a sentiment

quite

and one, unfortunately,

different,

An hour after the which was generally much better founded. expression of that hope the soldiers were suddenly aroused by an outburst of sharp cries, languid moans, and saw their companions spring to their

feet,

crowd around a bed, heard the

guard come hurriedly in with the doctor and soldiers of the guard, and then in a few moments all make way,

officer of the

and four of the with a dying finally to

soldiers

man

moving

stretched on

off,

carrying a straw ticking

then a

it,

little

whispering, and

bed once more, and a return of the former

In the morning, as soon as they are awake,

"...

week," the soldiers ask anxiously, dead," the latter replies.

Dead

" !

silence.

Corporal of the "

well

and they look one another

in the face.

many

corps,

that an officer

and

And

one time.

and

some more than once, did

his orderly

it happen were seized with the cholera at

in all these corps I

scene was repeated.

have heard

said the

In the evening, after the

roll-call,

quartermaster-sergeant announced the misfortune "

pany. "

I."

Who "

I."

same

to the

the

com-

will take care of the officer?"

too." "

But

I said so first,

and

it is

useless

Oh ! come now ! I am at liberty to you to speak." " But I was the first." "But I tell you. to6." ." " for

speak

Will you stop or not ?" shouted the quartermaster-sergeant. " You shall take care of him," he said, point-

All were silent.

ing to the soldier

who

offered

first.

triumph, and the others were obliged

The to

latter

gave a smile of

be resigned.

The

fol-

lowing morning, before dawn, the generous nurse was beside the sick officer's bed,

and there he passed long days, alone,

THE CHOLERA OF

393

1867.

and watchful, watching every night by the light of a on a chair in one corner of the room.

silent,

tern, while seated

lanIf

any one could have been present when the invalid, coming to himself and looking around, and not recognizing him, asked :

"Who sent

and then, hearing the name, asked To which the good soldier replied "

are you ?" "

you

because

wanted

be expressed

words what the

"And why?"

so."

"Who

soldier's eyes replied,

came cannot

and what

passed in his heart as he pressed the thin hand that was put out in

search of

At other

his.

times, instead, the

soldier

returned to the barracks after a few days, and as soon as he entered went and seated himself on his bed and began poking the

ramrod of

tion in

his

which a

musket into the

man

being an occupa-

barrel, this

obliged to keep his head

down and can

thus hide his eyes.

The

officers visited assiduously the sick in the hospitals,

generally went in

numbers

to visit

all,

so that

and

no one would

have a chance of growing sad or dispirited in seeing his comrades and not himself comforted. Those visits had become an absolute necessity for the poor sick men.

At the usual hour

they heard the clanking of the swords on the

stairs,

of the voices, glanced at the door in expectation,

the

sound

and when

they appeared and scattered through the wards of the hospital, every face became quieter, and even in the motionless eyes of those most dangerously

ill, there lay a slight ray of hope and Poor young fellows There were days when the sound of the swords was heard an hour later than usual, and

comfort.

during that time they were slightest noise or

steps

and voices

movement.

all

ears

They

and eyes waiting

for the

fancied they heard those

e^ery moment, and they went on imagining

MILITARY

394

LIFE.

what could have prevented them from coming, what misfortune could have happened, and in that state of anxiety the sense of their sufferings

come, and not

they won't

here they are

The course

They

don't

shall

ill,

shall die all alone

This moment was too sweet for words.

nurses in the military hospitals were

all

soldiers,

many places they were nurses in the other and for the entire time during which no one

but in

;

hospitals too,

was

intense.

come now, and

to-morrow, and

last until !

became more

be found among the populace who would render

this

even with the promise of large payments, be-

service, not

cause the fear of death outweighed any cupidity for money, as well

any feeling of

The

pity.

The

soldiers offered their

the

week asked

services

spontaneously.

And half companies took a step forward go When the question was put to an entheir hands.

Who

or raised

officer

will

tire battalion,

on the parade ground,

in the

presence of

many One day,

people, the reply was a solemn and touching sight.

on the slopes of Mount Pellegrino, near Palermo, six or seven companies of the 53d infantry were standing drawn up in line of battle, after the drill was over, when the colonel and major, both on horseback, stopped in

company, and the former made a sign

The

ordered silence.

officers

The

voice of the sad state of the city of the hospitals in

there for days,

of the duty involving

still

sacrifice

;

all

the

he wished

colonel told the cholera

them

middle

to speak. in a

loud

had been raging

which nurses were lacking

upon every good

;

citizen to lend his as-

sistance in the time of public misfortune, "

louder

front

that

and ended by

impose no duty upon you

;

saying,

exhort you to

are at liberty to reply yes or no, according as

THE CHOLERA OF

395

1867.

But before consenting each man must his soul, and reflect that the office of

their hearts dictate.

measure the strength of nurse

a very noble but a grave one, and one not without

and

danger

that he

age and great

must lend

to offer their services, kneel

Almost shout of straight

his assistance with great cour-

or refuse

affection

it.

Those who are ready

" !

one instant the whole battalion

knelt, as

But the place where the soldiers exercised most admirably was in the help of the poor. "

When I went in

to the barracks," said

who had been commanding "

Cataldo,

people

command, and above all those heads appeared, and distinct, their four hundred muskets.

the

for

their charity

officer of the 54th,

some time a detachment

at St.

was accompanied every day by a troop of poor women behind with children hanging to their

before and at

side boys with outstretched hands, Another body of beggars was waiting for me at the door, and all surrounded, pressed about, and seized me by my jacket, and deafened me with groans and I had all I could do to free myself, supplicating cries.

necks

;

complaining and crying.

and of

should not have succeeded

generally, I

the guard

had not come

assistance,

through the crowd by blows and threats.

the

soldiers

by breaking

Many

times the

mere empty threats did not suffice, they had to seize their bayonets and pretend to charge, and then only did the crowd begin to

move away from me, but only

for a little while, for

if I

had

not been quick in getting through the door, they would have returned again. the doorstep

was lacking

all

Many

of those unfortunates were seated on

day long some slept there at night no one hour of the rations, when the soldiers carried

at the

;

MILITAR Y

39^

LIFE.

out the kettles with the remains of the soup.

a bustle, and such a shouting that

force.

They were

all

first

to put his

sprang together at the

tens,

kettles,

spoon

women,

faces,

wearing expressions that were half

were

men, children, altogether

which aroused

at that

dirty, ragged, half

them their

and ;

moment both

;

fear

and

mad-

with thin

all

bitter, half

pity

insen;

they

nude, and in a state which excited the

At such moments the

greatest repugnance.

was

into the broth

pushing and repelling each other, shrieking old

there

dashed their soup plates

men,

sate,

Then

could not be quieted even

so hungry that they could not stand,

each one wished to be they

soldiers allowed

do as they chose, nor could I pretend to hold them to duty, save in cases where they were inclined to hurt

some one called the

;

but hardly had the confusion ceased, when we

women and

children (who generally got nothing) apart, one by one, and gave them something to eat, keeping back the others who crowded around and began to beg again. This

was an every-day occurrence.

who were stopped

at every

families of beggars, surrounded

were obliged

remain

say nothing of the soldiers

moment

the streets

entire

and persecuted, so that they and content themselves

in the barracks,

by walking in the court-yard. Yet they preferred remaining that place where the poor left them no peace, rather than the others where they fled from

them

for fear of being poisoned

in fact, they took a sort of satisfaction in being

;

implored and

persecuted, in seeing themselves made, in a measure, the slaves of those poor people

when one

those good

a satisfaction which arises from pity

able to express soldiers

and exercise

did feel

pity,

benevolence with the best heart in

with benefit.

And

and they exercised their Not only did the world.

THE CHOLERA OF they bestow charity on their so,

own

and the occasion offered

;

397

1867.

account,

when they could do

but every time that

being

obliged by some overwhelming need of the country, had re-

course to their pocket-books after having exhausted

found them

own,

without one exception, generously disposed to

all,

give every thing, even to the

little

wine which they drank on

Sundays bought with the few sous saved during the week. I shall never forget

how

the last collection was taken up for a poor

family of the place, whose father and mother had died of the

whom

cholera, an entire family of girls, the oldest of '

twelve. '

See

they are almost

stand little

we can '

he replied,

I will,'

that,' I

little

added,

here.'

but try in every way

little will

or nothing, for '

more needy than the people

get, that

you

get any thing,' I said to the sergeant.

but you must expect '

was only

;

no matter how

be better than nothing.'

to the dormitory, the soldiers

under-

were seated on the

went

floor in

around a great table, eating and chatting, with the gaiety that was possible in those days and in those localiThe sergeant approached them. Give me your atten-

circle, as if little

ties.

tion for a

moment

They were

all silent.

ing, here in this place, six children

Who

father.

will give

were

left

Yesterday mornwithout mother or

something so that they will not be left

to die of starvation ? " The soldiers looked at

can we give boiled '

now ?

each other as

as to say

' :

What

the cover of the account-book to have

Courage,' went on the sergeant

answer.' "

;

One soldier rose, and showing a sou

asked

much

' :

you want that

give

me some

in the

palm of

sort of

his hand,

MILITARY

39^ "

Even '

sou. 41

'If

that

something,' replied the sergeant, taking the

Are there any more it is

LIFE.

only the question of a sou,

another, throwing him the

have one

"'Is a sou enough?' asked a third. 4

him

And

have one

too.'

too,' replied

sou.

too.'

'Yes, quite enough.'

all

handed

the soldiers

one after another, and the sergeant, as he took Bravo Well done them, said to each Ah, Capital he exclaimed when he had all the sous in what good fellows their sou

his Ifand, but " '

What

one thing more.' asked

all

the soldiers.

Bread.'

'"Bread?

If that

than enough."

And

first

from "

al!,'

several replied, 'there

one and then another cut a

slice

his loaf of black bread.

Where

shall

we put

it ?

asked one.

corporal took a ramrod and stuck on to

as fast as they were " '

Now who

The

handed him.

will carry the

it all

the slices

soldiers laughed.

money and bread

to the children

asked the sergeant. "

The handsomest

man,' replied some voice.

and approved the proposition. " Oh, yes, the handsomest man '

can this beauty be "

I,'

;

let

All laughed,

search for him

Who

exclaimed a Neapolitan

soldier,

of being the ugliest in the regiment,

who had

the reputation

and among the laughs of

he stepped forward, put the money in his pocket, took the ramrod with the bread, and prepared to go out with

his comrades,

the

sergeant.

All

come now,' shouted

the others clapped the Neapolitan,

their hands.

turning and facing

Oh, his

THE CHOLERA OF '

Will

comrades.

you stop

man who

hind the back of a

And

of charity.'

What

399

1867.

shame

laugh be-

going to perform a work

then he departed while a prolonged laugh

The

broke out in the room.

sergeant met

me on

the stairs,

and fancying that I was going up, said in a voice full of emotion Oh, Mr. Lieutenant what a good set of fellows we '

have

our company

This narrative,

what the

heard from an

officer

And

of the 54th.

soldiers did in that district, the others belonging to the

54th did in the city of Caltanisetta, so that this regiment was a

This was done by the iSth infantry

real providence. sini, for

who took

the two families

Terra-

care of the poor sub-lieu-

and the sergeant, Imberti the 6th battalion sharp-shooters and the loth regiment of infantry worked tenant, Viale,

the

same way

tana

;

Messina

;

of in

as did also the 58th at Petralia Sot-

the 38th battalion of sharp-shooters at Monreale

;

the

6;th infantry and the i5th battalion of sharp-shooters at Longo-

bucco

;

the 68th infantry at Reggiodi Calabria

Foggia

Rocca

Misilmeri

Anfo

the lancers of

the 25th battalion of sharp-shooters at

;

Mantua, together with and

the 7th infantry at

;

those at the fort in Bard, and the free lancers of Aosta

who knows how many notice being taken of

;

other corps did as much, without any

it,

simply because none of the benefactors

to speaker write of it. Yet just at that time there were some people who asked severely of the government for what

wished

reason "

maintained such a

civilize the

colossal

country with bayonets," "

army, if it

expected to

would not be better

many lazy barracks iiito as many hospitals, and if the money spent in such high pay would not be better employed in alleviating so much misery, etc. These things were to turn so

MILITARY

4OO

LIFE.

being said while the soldier was dividing his bread with the poor, and fighting, suffering, and dying for the health of the

country.

Sometimes the municipalities to whom the soldiers rendered great service, offered them in compensation the little money which they had at their disposal and these municipalities were not a few in numbers. But the money was always refused, and facts and names can be cited to prove it. The municipality of ;

end

Licata, toward the

the pth

of the 57th regiment.

company

i4th, Captain

retreat to

of August, offered

Pompeo

announce

one hundred

lire to

The evening

of the

Praga returned to the barracks at the

to his

soldiers the municipality's

offer.

drawn up in the dormitory, and the quarterThe captain interrupted master-sergeant was calling the roll.

They were

all

him and gave

his news,

Quartermaster,

adding

let this

sum be divided among

all

to-mor-

row morning before rations." " Yes, sir."

A moment

of silence followed.

Mr. Captain," murmured an uncertain voice

Who "

spoke " " "

spoke

asked the captain.

in the lines.

one replied.

Who

he repeated.

I," replied a soldier.

What

did you wish to say

" ?

I am concerned (and he if an expression of assent as to seek around glanced bashfully in his comrades' faces), it seems to me that a sou more or

wished

less, is

me " Go

say that, as far as

the same thing for us, and .

on," said the captain.

would be

better,

seems

THE CHOLERA OF "

There are so many poor in His comrades understood "

Certainly, a capital idea

better to give the

The "

want you

do not wish

and whispered would be better to do so. It is his

thought,

murmur

all to tell

to subside,

and then

said

frankly what you think

;

any of you should refuse the municipality's please me, for that would cause me great displeasure.

offer to

Nor do

this place."

to the poor."

captain allowed the

Listen.

You

money

4OI

1867.

that

wish the majority to impose their wish upon the few.

money you have worked, suffered, done no more than just that you should have this

deserve this

good, and

compensation.

;

advise you to deprive yourselves of

would

In fact, I tell be unjust, and I refrain from doing so. do well to it. that would Courage, be quite accept you you frank if any among you have need of his portion of the money, ;

tell

without fear or shame, as you would a friend

;

should

man who accepted it less than one who refused wish that any 6ne who needs the money should say

not admire a

so.

simply

Courage Is there no one " No one " !

;

" ?

" "

Not even one

one," they

all

and he watched every face. repeated, and the tone of voice and ex-

pression of their eyes attested to the spontaneity of the act. " " " To-morrow Bravo exclaimed the captain quickly. !

I shall

men

go to the municipality, and

that the pth

in charity to the

company

I shall

say to those gentle-

of the 57th regiment offers 100 lire

poor of Licata."

What they did in Licata they did in Aosta, Scansano, Genoa, and many other places, whose names would fill these pages. But I cannot be silent about you, brave Zamela a sapper in

MILITARY

402

LIFE.

engineers, who, having heard of the misfortunes with which your poor Messina was afflicted, sent thirty lire to the " They gave me this money because I syndic, writing him nursed the cholera patients in my regiment and I have nothing

the

;

but this

;

little I

give with

all

heart to the poor of

native place."

Works even

the impulse which prompts us to

and very estimable, perform them is noth-

of charity are always praiseworthy

ing but the desire for the gratitude and affection of those bene-

But when not even gratitude accrues from the work, and those who ought to love and bless us, return our charity fited.

with hatred, and suspect snare in the offer and crime in the benefit

;

and

yet, despite this

persist in

doing good, loving

and pardoning with no other motive power than any other comfort than our conscience, then

and praise than

right to esteem

common

in those places

where

usually bestowed

the generous

I refer to

virtues.

pity,

we have a

work

without greater

upon the

of the soldiers

was supposed they were scattering

poison by order of the government, and the people hated and Unfortunately, these places were not a few in

cursed them.

number.

At those

last,

when they saw

whom

that the soldiers died also, that

all

they carried to the hospitals were not poisoned,

that in fact the survivors never ceased praising the care

and

which they had been nursed and watched over, the senseless superstition disappeared. But that the soldiers affection with

poisoned the people was at conviction, a fact

doubt.

which

first

a universal

belief,

a profound

would not have been proper to

There was no one who would not have sworn

perfect faith

the

occasion had offered.

Every one held,

THE CHOLERA OF

403

1867.

though they had seen nothing, that there were a thousand undeniable indications and proofs of that horrible conspiracy.

And one

of these proofs, one of the most telling, the

common

people saw in that very solicitude of the soldiers, in their wishing to go everywhere, meddle in every thing uncalled for and

unforced, under the pretence of exercising a charity which they,

could not believe was really

felt

by persons

them,

who were

paid by the government, upholders of the government, therefore,

necessarily,

could only be a mask a pretext, a

why

means

;

That charity

enemies of the people.

those works of beneficence nothing but

to a

hidden aim

they could not explain

;

the soldier, the instrument of an

inimical government,

should extend one pitying hand to the poor and not to prepare them for death by the other. of this conviction

and

fear

it is

were

In consequence

easy to imagine

mon people treated the soldiers. One of the cities in which there was

sick, if

how

the com-

the strongest belief in

the poisoning was Catania, where the pth regiment of infantry

was

in garrison.

The

soldiers,

into the city ber, in

;

their hours

of liberty, never went alone

but always in threes, fours, or a larger num-

order to be quite secure from violence, or hold in

check any who wished to

insult or

harm them

an under-

hand way. They almost always went through the principal streets and not very far from the barracks sometimes, and ;

only in case of necessity, in the quieter streets

;

never outside

the city, where they certainly would have been provoked

and

But wherever they went, whether in small or greater numbers, they were always regarded with suspicion. assaulted.

If there

was a group

the street, those

whose backs were

MILITAR Y LIFE.

404

toward them turned quickly around, all took a step backward " Here they and whispered something in each other's ears. "

Take care " some one would say aloud. And another The soldiers passed, and the group formed again. Many, on seeing them coming in the distance toward them, would turn are,"

Others, in meeting them, stood aside, and

a street corner.

when they had passed with

then stopped to look at them curiosity

the

mixed with horror and

poor people,

ance,

and went

many

to the

fear.

In the quarters of

closed their doors at their appear-

windows

others half-opened the blinds

;

and peeped through the cracks the women called in a loud voice to the children who were playing in the middle of ;

the

street,

caught them by the arms and carried them

hastily into the

turning back to

house

make

;

the children rushed here and there,

faces

;

and as the

soldiers

went on, the

doors and windows were reopened, and the people appeared,

once more looking suspicious, interrogating and reassuring each Not infrequently the soldiers heard

other in turns by signs.

shouts and words from within which they could not understand, but which, judging

by angry and mocking tones, seemed and raising their eyes to the

undoubtedly intended for them

;

windows they saw a face slowly appear, which, however, was withdrawn as soon as perceived, or perhaps only a hand put outside the in passing,

sill

in a

menacing way. At other times,

they heard an open insult or a curse muttered

their backs, or

saw a face

and shaken

some incomprehensible word

raised, looking at the clouds in

;

they turned and

an abstracted manner.

them to account for any insult would be to gather the and people provoke a perfect tumult, so they kept silence and went on. Sometimes instead of a word, they whirled a stone call

THE CHOLERA OF at their ears

;

they turned back to see

405

1867.

who

was, questioning

those present about it, no one had heard or seen any thing. In going for provisions, the regiment's carts were only streets, as

allowed to pass through certain

was said that

they contained poisonous materials which infected the

air.

order to carry rations to those on guard, the soldiers

were obliged evil to

them

make

a detour

around

certain

they dared pass through them

;

of the kettles aroused the people's suspicions

quarters

the in

;

mere

sight

less

than

an instant a crowd gathered, they stopped the soldiers, they wanted to see what they were carrying, forced the carriers to

and then leave a portion for and analyze afterward. Any indication, no matter a word, a any assertion, no matter how absurd

taste the broth in their presence,

them

how

to try slight

;

gesture from one of the crowd, was sufficient to change the

doubt into a certainty, and time nor

way

this

of committing

into madness.

There was no

a crime, because the fury

common

people, always foreseen, was frustrated by a and ready aid but they were not always in time to quick prevent violence, nor could the soldiers be cautious enough the

;

'to

succeed in avoiding, or

One

day, in a by-street,

with a bundle under his

help provoking,

every time.

some common women saw a

arm hurry

into a

soldier

house where a short

They begirl had been seized by the cholera. wonder among themselves why that soldier had entered

time before a

gan to

the door.

Did you

see

what he had under

his

arm

Did

you observe what a surly face he had, and that he looked around "

suspiciously

and ill-omened. front of the door.

Every one had noticed something strange They went toward the house and stopped in It

was closed

;

their suspicions increased.

MILITARY

406

They knocked

;

no one came

LIFE.

to open.

called aloud to

They

There was no longer any doubt those inside replied. that some crime was being committed in that house. They no one

;

raised a loud cry, beat furiously at the door, flung stones at

windows

the

;

moment

in less than a

the street was full of

people armed with sticks, and hatchets, and knives was broken in and the crowd rushed into the house. a

window

the

sill,

"It

opened, a

man

jumps down into the who has been poisoning " !

the door

Suddenly on to the

in shirt-sleeves springs

gives a shout,

the soldier

;

street, falls, rises

shout the startled

crowd who throng around him he breaks away from them, dashes through the street, and disappears. It was the soldier who had entered the house a short time before to give a bun;

dle of linen from his sergeant to the laundress.

few days

after,

something similar happened

while he was carrying the dinner to his

home.

an orderly,

who was

ill

In one hand he held a bottle from the pharmacy,

officer,

He the other the four corners of a napkin with the dishes. one was crossing an alley inhabited by the poor. Every watched him attentively some one followed him at a certain ;

distance

;

what was

four or five

women stopped and

in those dishes.

asked him boldly

was unfortunate enough

to give

them an impertinent reply. In less time than it takes to tell it the dishes, bottle, and napkin were under the feet of a crowd of people in the

who had appeared

houses round about.

by magic from

The poor

all

the holes

soldier hardly

had time

to open a path for himself with his bayonet, and was thankful to escape with only a scratch

his face

and a stone on

his

back.

Another time, three

soldiers

were passing before a group of

THE CHOLERA OF

407

1867.

one of them stopped to look who was digging a ditch with its hands he said houses outside the city

at a child

;

"What

;

stooped and gave it a caress. A woman near by saw the action, dashed to the door of one of the houses, " and shouted .in the loudest possible voice Quick quick

beautiful child

sharp cry was heard from within at the same moment, and a woman appeared at the door, saw the soldiers, rushed forward, and caught- the the soldiers are killing the child."

child,

with a fearful shriek, in her arms, returned like a flash to

the house, closed the door, dashed to the

window

breathless,

trembling, her eyes starting out of their sockets, and her face pale

and distorted

;

she stared at the soldiers, and then, ac-

companying her words with a vigorous gesture, as throwing a stone, shouted in a stifled voice

and withdrew. astonishment.

had run

to call

" :

she were

Curse you

" !

The soldiers stood still, open-mouthed with But the woman who had given the first cry some other people, so that the three poor fel-

lows soon had to think of saving themselves, as there was no time to be

lost.

They had not gone

mob

forerunners of the

fifty

paces

when

the

armed

appeared in front of the mother's

house.

One

evening, at

of peasants

across a soldier.

toward

him.

some distance from any

who were on

habitation, a

look-out for poisoners,

the

band

came

Hardly had they seen him, when they ran

The

soldier,

stupidly,

turned

flee.

was caught up with, seized by ten hands, dragged behind a lonely house, placed with his back against the wall, and threatened with death.

"Where do you keep

ten voices asked in one breath.

the soldier, white as a ghost.

the poison?" have no poison," stammered

Where do you keep

the poi-

MILITAR Y

408 son

LIFE.

One

insisted the others threateningly.

examined

his fatigue cap,

and threw

other pulled off his cravat.

off

;

one who had seized him by the collar knocked "

them took

on the ground an" " Out with the poison and the it

his

head against

have nothing," replied the weak and supplicating " voice of the soldier. Oh, you have n't any thing, eh ? Now,

the wall.

we "

see for ourselves

will

ancj,

snarled the ferocious creatures,

opening his coat and

Take

him here and there

pulled

shirt

off his belt," said one.

to get

the poor soldier

threw

;

"let

everywhere.

They

instantly seized his belt,

it off,

but they did not succeed,

and they shouted and cursed.

they searched

away, and forced him to take

let

alone," implored

They loosened

belt alone."

off his coat,

tormenting and

beating him, almost sticking the points of their him, shouting

his

and

it,

knives into

every kind of vituperation and

ears

who had barely enough strength them do whatsoever stand, they chose without making further resistance, almost out of his senses, with his head and arms hanging like those of a dead person he murmured The

curse.

left to

unfortunate man, let

;

from time to time

in a

not poisoning any one

me my

things,

killed him, but as

weak voice

... "

bayonet

" :

let

They

good fortune willed

bayonet

alone

certainly it,

was on

which

more than can be

the soldiers have their

give

would have

mob

affairs

and

just

which took place,

Catania at least the soldiers' blood was not is

the point of shedding the unlucky fellow's blood.

This was one of the least painful for in

;

a patrol passed,

dashing precipitately forward they dispersed the it

felt

said of other places.

in those

days

thoughts and conversations, in

spilled,

What must

What must have been seeing

themselves so

THE CHOLERA OF

by the very people rest, health, and life

brutally execrated sacrificing their

409

1867.

whom

they were

But for them, the continual risk of their lives, and the being obliged to defend them so frequently from the violence of an

and a

insensate mob, was perhaps a less painful thought

less

grave care than the duty of protecting the lives of other citizens

from the same violence, and threatened for the same cause.

Every day they were obliged to disarm and quell a mob blinded with fury and thirsting for blood, and to drag from its hands the victims, who were almost always beaten, covered with blood, often half dead, and sometimes already killed.

Sometimes when they could not do any thing

were forced to

else,

they

fight for the posssession of the bodies, so that

they should not be mutilated and dragged through the streets,

They were

or given a prey to the beasts or flames.

obliged to

dash one by one into a crowd of armed people, who, pressing

and undulating here and

there, separated

and squeezed them

weapons had it been one of them to do and could have been so, any necessary stabbed without the others knowing any thing about it. Yet so that they could not have used their

they were obliged to trust themselves to that

and coax and beseech them have been

have been

likely to

vain,

maddened crowd,

be quiet, as every threat would anger,

they would

and cause

fresh blood-

rousing their

provoke a tumult,

shed, which, unfortunately, not unfrequently occurred.

despite this,

many

and many acts places where the those days

when

One example

lives

brutality

soldiers

Yet,

were spared, much bloodshed saved prevented,

especially

those

were not suspected of poisoning, or in

this suspicion

no longer

will suffice for all.

existed.

MILITARY

410 At Bocca

di Falco, a small village near Palermo, there

the cholera.

suspicion

LIFE.

fell

The names

ran from mouth to

the opportunity of destroying them.

for

a poor peddler,

who passed through

three days, on his

way

was

upon whom the terrible mouth, and the people waited

of those

He had

Palermo.

Among

these

was

the place every two or hair, a curi-

long

ous way of dressing, a proud face, brusque manners, and was

man

him

of few words

;

fact, there

was quite enough about

believe him a poisoner. One day when had been raging more fiercely than usual in the troops of beggars, armed with picks and sticks, went

make people

the cholera place,

round about the

indulging in threatening shouts, and

district,

firmly resolved to put an end to

all

One

the poisoners.

these troops met the peddler, surrounded him before he was "

and crowding close about him, asked Well, how many have you disposed of to-day?" The unfortunate

aware of

man

it,

understood their meaning, but thinking to save himself by

a joke, answered

One

ficient.

" :

of the

Ten

without smiling.

crowd gave a

That was

great kick to the

and cravats which he carried suspended from sent every thing into the

with."

I ?

box of pins and

his neck, "

saying as he did so

air,

Now show

for the present. " "

suf-

This

will

us what you poison people

replied the former, to his misfortune, not being

able to restrain a gesture of indignation. "You are the ones who are killing me " " Ah we are the ones " broke from !

the furious crowd.

And

at the

same moment a vigorous blow

mouth with blood, one hand seized him by the throat, another took him by the hair, a shower of blows and kicks fell filled his

upon

his unfortunate person,

and he was dashed so

violently

against the wall that the nape of his neck left a bloody imprint.

THE CHOLERA OF "

Confess your accomplices, assassin

digging their nails into their knees,

and

his cheeks

" !

411

1867.

shouted the foremost,

and

throat,

sticks against his stomach.

and pressing

Confess

" !

And

those behind stretched out their hands to seize him, threw

make an opening in the wound also. The luckless

themselves here and there, in order to

crowd, reach him, and give him a

man was

dripping with blood from his mouth and ears, his

eyes seemed starting out of his head, a rattling sound was " in his chest, and he was a horrible sight. Confess

heard

confess

the street

these

Suddenly a loud shout

;

came from the other

side of

was another poisoner whom another band of assaulted and beaten all turned in that

madmen had

;

moment, threw back with one vigorous push the two who stood at his side, dashed into an open door, and closed it behind him. The crowd, perdirection

;

the peddler, being free for a

ceiving this, sprang toward the door, and began beating

with

furiously

stones

refuge in a small

woman who had

and

room on

picks.

The peddler had

the ground-floor, where there

taken

was a

witnessed the whole scene from a window.

At the appearance of the poisoner she thought she was doomed courage and the frenzy of despair took possession of ;

her, she

dashed

and began a ing,

him

like a fury, seized

terrible battle with teeth

they rolled like wild beasts on the

and

him by the neck, Both fallnails.

floor,

holding tightly to

each other, one on top of the other as the case might be, their breath and blood mingling

;

the crowd stretched

out their

arms through the window gratings, extended their trembling hands to seize their victim, shouting horrid words as they did so.

The door began to creak and give way, when, just at number of voices shouted " The soldiers the

that point, a

MILITARY

412 soldiers

A moment

later the

LIFE. poor peddler heard the ap-

proach of hastening steps, saw the gleam of bayonets outside the windows, caught the sound of a powerful voice above the " " Bread for all tumult which said and instantly thereafter :

the blows on the door ceased, the arms of his assaulters retired

from the grating, and the raging shouts of the crowd were followed by a low murmur. The woman lay exhausted on the ground, and he was saved. The commander of the detach-

ment had been informed gathered his soldiers in

what was taking place, had an instant, made each one take his

in time of

portion of bread, and had thus

come

to quell the riot with the

double weapons of menace and charity. Not one of the soldiers was suspected in the place, in fact they were always looked upon kindly, and perhaps even loved for their almsgiving and help, which they bestowed so generously in every

way, so that lence, and,

at their

little

appearance the

little,

became

mob

desisted from vio-

perfectly quiet.

Part of the

and stood guard there the others remained to watch those poor famished creatures who devoured soldiers entered the house

their bread in silence.

;

How many

of these occurrences took

place, and how often they were repeated in the same places Yet the hardest labor and the most repulsive duty which fell !

was that of burying the dead, for which they were obliged to arm themselves with all the strength Sometimes in the middle of the night and courage possible. to the lot of the soldiers

a messenger from the municipality would arrive at the barracks to say that

some bodies had

just

been discovered

such and

such a house, that no one would bury them, and that some steps

must be taken

in the matter instantly, before putrefaction

rendered burial out of the question.

loud beating of the

THE CHOLERA OF drum waked

413

1867.

moment, and a band

the whole corps ia a

of sol-

was gathered. They lighted their lanterns, drew out their carts, took picks and spades, the officer of the guard placed diers

himself at the head of the escort, and they started. arrived in silence at the place indicated, the streets the houses closed and abandoned.

After

much

They

empty and

difficulty they

broke down the doors and an unendurable odor of decay re" " One goes forward with a lanCourage pelled the soldiers. !

hands over

tern; the others follow slowly with their

casting

their

eyes timidly around the sepulchral

their

mouths,

chamber.

Stretched out on the ground on sacks of straw or rags, nude or

illy

wrapped, in horrible

filth,

lay the bodies, side

one on top of the other, carelessly thrown together swollen, specked with black

stained saliva spots

;

the

;

crushed

;

all

side, or

the faces

mouth discolored by blood-

the bodies swollen, covered with large venous

and a net-work of green

and veins

the

members

stripes

from the

resting on the

intestines

ground,

every semblance of humanity distorted or lost

quite ;

and

here and there, in those portions which were most decayed, the first

manifestations of animal

life.

Yet they were obliged to

approach those horrible couches, and seize and separate the one by one, and different members, raise those bodies carry

them

to the carts

seeing

pose more horribly at every step, fetid rag, or

some other more

them change and decomand drop here arid there a

filthy trace of itself.

Oh,

was

quite another thing from seeing the dead on the battle-field

stretched out in a pool of blood, torn by shot, or lacerated and

mutilated by the cannon-balls

sand comrades resound about

Then, the shouts of a thou-

us,

see battalions, gleaming

with bayonets, moving here and there through the fields and on

MILITARY

414 the hillside

;

LIFE.

the flag of the regiment waving near

;

hear

the distant noise of the batteries which are hastening forward

our blood

boils,

;

our souls are exalted, and the bodies we meet

on the road do not count, indeed are not seen or looked

do not even think that there must be some, or

at,

the eye falls "

" and upon them, our hearts exclaim Farewell, brother as on we and But them. in those nothing else, forget there, go :

dwellings, at night, in the midst of that silence, in that quiet,

by the

light of those lanterns,

must be

How many

how

horrible the image of death

cf those soldiers, even the strongest of

them, must have had the image of these misshapen bodies before

him

for

some

time, have felt the contact of those icy

and

flaccid

members, and the noise of those heads as they fell heavily on to the cart Often some one started back horrified at the sight !

of the dead, or his arms trembled and his eyes became veiled " in the act of touching them. Oh, friend," he may have said " " I cannot do it But the voice of the everto his neighbor, !

ready officer would be heard

'* :

Courage, boys

pends upon taking hold of the

customed

to it."

the body,

he did

so.

Then

first.

every thing de-

must become ac-

the soldier put his

hand timidly on

turning away his head and holding his breath as

The band moved toward

the

cemetery.

reaching it the soldiers placed their lanterns on the ground and part of them dug the graves, while the otheis stood beside the carts, waiting for a sign to bury the dead.

The

edge of a grave, superintendAll the soldiers' work. were silent. ing Nothing was to be heard but the stroke of the picks as they were struck into officer stood motionless at the

the ground, and the falling of the earth thrown into the air From time to time came a voice " Courby the shovels. ;

THE CHOLERA OF " age, boys carts, a

Then they dragged

415

1867.

down from

the bodies

the

held the light so that the others could see

soldier

where to put their hands, another stood up in the cart to help those who were lifting the bodies one by one from the "

heap, and said

Take

of this one, because

That one.

this one.

decayed

Ten

careful

steps fur-

away nought but the slightest whisper was to be heard, " "' " and now and then a louder voice or Look Courage " out for your hands All about was darkness and silence. ther

But why do we have to bury the dead ? asked a soldier <{ once in reenteriag the barrack. Oh that 's a fine question," !

replied a corporal in a tone of profound conviction

There was no objection such a reason, and so all were silent. What has been told up to the present time others will not

comparison to that

and more

which remains to be

terrible cases followed,

from the end of I

it.'*

said.

because

;

to be

made

but

little

How many sadder

and how far

I should

narrative were I to attempt to

tell

still

the half

know, and yet I know only so small a portion of them At Sutera, a small place in the province of Caltanisetta, !

there

was a squad of the 54th regiment of infantry com-

manded by

Sub-lieutenant Edoardo Cangiano.

the

morning June a peasant arrives at the barrack in a breathless condition, and presents himself before the officer. of

the 22d

Oh, Mr. Officer

for pity's sake,

he exclaims

and help

us.

in a supplicating voice,

...

out near here, at Campofranco

;

it 's

;

there

a perfect desolation

is ;

there are

who do not

;

no physicians,

not even any thing to those

come,

cholera has broken

half the people have fled

the streets are filled with the dead

nor undertakers

The

eat.

die of cholera will

MILITARY

416 die

hunger.

The squad was

come immediately "

Oh, come

LIFE.

instantly armed, a

command

a despatch to the military

message sent to the syndic, at Caltanisetta,

a notice to

the sergeant to stop there with a few soldiers, and rest

They had

go toward Campofranco.

more through a winding path across shining brightly.

The

fore leaving the town,

long

file,

away the walk a mile or

The sun was

the fields.

soldiers, dripping with perspiration, be-

proceeded one behind the other

half walking, half running,

in a

listening attentively to

the peasant, who, in broken words, described to Cangiano the " " the latter replied sad state of the place. Courage courage !

from time

to time

time for deeds."

done by complaining this "nothing He kept quickening his pace, and the is

;

diers with him, until they tain point they

began

ended by actually running. At a

to see in the distance

children wandering uncertainly through the

calling loudly to

persing, like people

fields,

sol-

cer-

pointing the

backward

each other, gathering and dis-

who were being pursued and As

men, women, and

soldiers out to each other, stopping, fleeing, running

and forward,

;

quite out of

their senses

from

the fugitives

became more numerous, the agitation and shoutentire families roamed about the country car-

ing increased

fear.

the soldiers approached the village

;

them

rying or dragging behind

some had put

all their

worldly possessions

;

on the ground in order to rest at the sight of the soldiers they took them hastily up and moved Others fell down, off, turning timidly back as they did so. quite

their things

worn out others rose ;

the soldiers, shouted and

Mr. Officer

" !

;

many farther away,

;

waved

replied

Cangiano

;

are

turning toward "

arms cursing.

exclaimed the peasant, "this "

matter,"

their

nothing

Ah No !

" !

prepared for

every

THE CHOLERA OF The

thing,"

first

house and the beginning of the

The

in sight.

appeared

417

1867.

people,

who were

tion of the soldiers, turned in part at the sight of

ran back to the town, shouting as assault of the

fields.

enemy

first

entering the

street

them and

they were announcing an

the rest dashed right

;

first

fleeing in the direc-

and

left

they saw two

street

into the

bodies

stretched on the ground before the door of an uninhabited

Hardly had they entered, when there was a speedy

house.

disappearance of the people in the houses, a hasty closing of

doors and windows, the sharp cries of women, the weeping of children,

and

end of the

at the

street a rapid gathering

noisy mingling of people, then a general

shouted Cangiano

" ;

stop these people."

and

"Quick!"

go around the place and Ten soldiers detached themselves from ten soldiers

the squad and ran through a side street.

The

flight.

frightened people continued

The

others went on.

to shut themselves

in their

houses.

harm any one " shouted Cangiano, in " We have come to help you we are your a loud voice. come out, good people come out of your houses " friends "

do not wish

;

few doors and windows began

hind the soldiers began to appear the

weak

;

voices of complaint

doors, lay

many

;

to ;

open

in the

;

a few people be-

houses they heard

the street, in front of the

unfortunate creatures weak and exhausted

from hunger, or seized by the epidemic, motionless and torpid if dead. Here and there were household goods abandoned

in the door-ways, or in

the middle of the road, and at every

and heaps of rags. In every side alley the fields were one or more bodies, some cov-

step, scattered straw

which lead

ered with straw, some with earth, some with a few rags, among

MILITARY

41 8

LIFE.

which appeared the blackened and swollen members others thrown across the door-sills, half in and half out of the ;

houses. "

Look, Mr. Officer

" !

provide for

will

exclaimed the peasant, sadly. "

all,"

replied Cangiario

keep up your

;

courage

that point, the

back by those ten cer.

Draw up

crowd of

soldiers,

in line

fugitives,

who had been

came tumultuously toward

driven

the

offi-

he shouted, turning to the soldiers

;

and they stopped and drew up across the street. Cangiano waited quietly and firmly for the crowd. The latter stopped within ten paces, ceased shouting, and stood looking angrily at

They were

the soldiers.

and

all

poor, ragged people, with pale

thin faces, staring eyes, physiognomies to

sufferings

had given an expression "

age pride.

wish to go away

which their long and sav-

of deadly weariness "

shouted a voice from the

and the crowd swayed backward " wish do to go ? asked Cangiano in Why you " a resolute voice which was tempered with sweetness. You

crowd.

All repeated the cry, "

and forward.

must remain where you are and help each other. All must help in a general misfortune. It is a bad thing for each to think of himself and not for all We have come to

...

"We

help you." threateningly

;

wish to

and those

go away!"

at the

shouted the crowd,

back pressing hard, the

fore-

Stand back most were thrown two or three steps forward. " Listen said Cangiano calmly, then added in a loud voice :

advice

the

men remain

the

women and

shouting louder

still,

replied

children shall go into the houses

to help the soldiers "

not wish to die

" !

the

bury the dead."

;

multitude imperiously, and

they moved and swayed

again a$

THE CHOLERA OF make

a dash at the soldiers.

419

1867.

You

wish

well then,"

it ?

" and turning back he shouted Ready The squad raised and aimed their muskets, and the crowd,

shouted the

officer

;

uttering a cry of fright, disappeared in an instant

The

streets.

other ten soldiers joined the

Here, firmness and courage are needed "

by the side

first.

exclaimed Can-j

dead must be buried immediately half of you into the go country and bring back, by force, as many men as you can. You others come with me." Half of the squad giano

;

the

;

started on a quick step out of the town. The others began to run here and there, to enter the houses, and hunt all around for

picks, shovels, carts, boards,

dead out of the

place.

and benches on which

to carry the

In a few moments they found every

thing they needed, and part of them began to gather the bodies

when they reached

the neighboring

graves as hastily as possible

;

cemetery they dug

others went to

streets of the worst obstructions

work

and disgusting

Meanwhile Cangiano, followed by a

to clear the

filth.

soldier,

went

in search

of a house adapted for the use of a hospital, stopping

people

whom

;

the

all

the

he met on the way, advising, exhorting, and be-

seeching them to do as he wished

;

and

in passing

he hurried

the soldiers, gave orders and suggestions, and comforted

them

found a house, had it cleared, had beds from the deserted houses carried there, went himself with four

with kind words.

soldiers to

knock

at the

doors of

the other dwellings,

all

and

asked to be allowed to carry away the sick, whom he would nurse and take care of, saying that their families should be assisted.

They

replied in the negative

begged, threatened tered the houses

;

all

was

by force

;

in vain.

he offered them money,

Then

the soldiers en-

two of them seized the

invalid,

and

MILITAR Y LIFE.

42O

two others kept back with their arms the relatives and neighVery often they were obliged to lift away the women

bors.

from the doorways where they blocked up the entrance with their

and

own bodies

finally

After

lodged

had

;

drag them

much

in the

labor, a large

new

them

to struggle with, repulse

forcibly,

off.

hospital,

number

of the sick were already

and two or three of the

soldiers

had

provided for their needs while waiting the arrival of assistance

from Caltanisetta, when the other half of the squad returned to the

town dragging by force a band of peasants

whom

they

Cangiano ran to meet them, divided them into various groups, and had them led to their

had arrested

in the

The newly

different works.

too

;

country.

arrived

began to work

soldiers

a short time the bodies which were in the streets had

been buried, the

and cleaned

streets cleared

go in turn to fetch the

sick,

and

little

;

they began to

now by

little,

persua-

now by

force, they succeeded in getting the greater part sion, On every side there was a continual coming into the hospital.

and going, a of soldiers.

calling to

The

one another, and a continuous hurry

people,

who began

to gather, stood look-

ing at them from a distance, half suspiciously, half

those scattered throughout the country the town to see what was going on.

amazed

;

came gradually nearer

The

first

arrivals,

longer seeing the bodies before the houses, took courage and

entered

;

many began spontaneously

remaining

filth

others entered

;

to clear the streets of the

the

houses

;

some crowded

around Cangiano, watching him with astonishment, not ing a word,

still

trifle diffident,

utter-

but quite prepared to tender

thanks for what had been done and to pray

though never ceasing to run here and

also.

Cangiano,

there in order to encour-

THE CHOLERA OF

421

1867.

age the soldiers, turned from time to time to the people

were following them, and said

"Come now,

who

go and help those

poor fellows who have been working so long for you go and who have fled into the country we can all do some;

call those

thing

;

let

;

us get the town in order

the gentlemen will

and physicians

;

age come now, trouble, and we !

your good,

the syndic will return

;

come back and help you

help will soon arrive from Caltanisetta. let

all

work

;

there

remedy even

will

rest assured of that,

Cour-

a remedy for every

.this.

;

so will the bakers

;

came here

good people

;

for

what have

you to fear from the soldiers ? Don't we all belong to the same country are we not all your brothers and defenders ? " ;

These words were followed by a murmur of approbation in the crowd some instantly detached themselves therefrom and ran ;

to the assistance of the soldiers

try

;

many

others went toward the coun-

;

scattered through the streets

;

ered around the officer with laments and are without bread.

people will

have a

;

all

little

are hungry."

the remainder gath" supplications :

know

it,

patience and the bread will

that I can for

you

something to eat at Sutera

;

I will

send

will give

you

my good come

;

soldiers to get

all

that

we have.

But meanwhile you must work, carry away the dead, nurse the Then the people thanked him, sick, and help each other." began to beg again, complain, and ask for bread. Suddenly a soldier ran up and whispered in Cangiano's

ear.

and strength was now to be given Cangiano saw, very wisely, that every thing must be done secretly, so ordered those present to go and wait for the difficult

test

of their charity

expected succor on the road leading to Caltanisetta, called fifteen soldiers with their

muskets,

made twenty

peasants with

MILITARY

422 pistols step forward,

where there was a

village,

doned.

They

and went

down, and

church which had been aban-

at the door, tried

They stopped

pulled

with them to one end of the

off

little

LIFE.

all

started

it,

and found

closed.

back together with a cry

In the middle of the church, which was only a trifle than an ordinary room, was a heap of twenty decayed larger of horror.

bodies.

Fonvard

shouted the

officer.

The

soldiers "

into the church, but the peasants started back.

shouted Cangiano again.

one moved.

dashed

Fonvard

" !

stepped for-

flight, the soldiers sprang after them, and " had reached and seized them. Drag those

ward, they took to in

moment

cowards here

The

shouted Cangiano from

church door.

the

dragged them by the arms with the utmost pushing them by blows, and threatening them But as they were about to enter they muskets.

soldiers

difficulty,

with their

began a more obstinate resistance, planting their feet firmly on the ground just as restive horses do, struggling and shouting desperately, almost as if they were being dragged to "

torture.

Out with your bayonets

" !

shouted the

officer,

one by the waist and flung him into the soldiers set their bayonets and raised them as

scornfully, as he seized

the church

;

to charge. " into you

Forward, you cosvards, or we

will all die

enter

" !

"You want "

replied

With a

to kill us

" !

will stick

them

the peasants cried. "

"We

the soldiers proudly,

pushed them The bodies were

final effort, they

a terrible piece of work began.

but you must all

in a

in.

Here

complete

decomposition and were a shapeless mass, so that they not even be lifted from the ground. The men were could state of

obliged to break up the benches of the church, place two

boards under each body, and seizing them by the ends, raise

THE CHOLERA OF

423

1867.

the putrid weight with their arms outstretched, and their faces

turned away, as the appearance of those bodies was something

At every jar they received, a green matter ran mouth and ears and spread over the faces, and the

too terrible.

from the

black skin of the dangling arms and legs seemed ready to

detach

itself

from the bones and dissolve

wood from

sent four soldiers to gather

The

near by. chairs,

latter,

in the

church.

not finding any thing

The bodies were

heap fire was was not one body left

to the

else,

took tables,

any thing that would burn, and piled every middle of a field, a short distance from the

blinds,

thing up

Cangiano

entirely.

the few deserted houses

;

carried out one

and

by one, and thrown There

were burned.

set to

it,

Campofranco.

all

Between those

buried and burned they had disposed of more than sixty.

When Cangiano saw to

the

first

flames starting, he returned

fhe town, where he continued,

an indefatigable man-

the good work he had begun, until a captain arrived from Caltanisetta, with a good supply of food, medicine, and money, and with these he went from house to house, through

ner,

all

Campofranco, helping the poor and sick, reassuring those frightened, and filling all hearts with hope and peace.

who were

In a short time

all

the fugitives returned, the municipality was

reorganized, every one resumed

town changed

its

aspect,

his

former occupation, the

and Cangiano and

his soldiers

turned to Sutera, accompanied by the benedictions of

all.

re-

Sutera, too, the epidemic was raging, and there also Cangiano

performed miracles

in the

way

of charity

the eleventh of August, the municipal

and courage.

of the city unani-

body mously acclaimed him the benefactor of the

place,

pressed the gratitude of the citizens in a letter

full of enthusi-

and ex-

MILITARY

424 asm and

his

making as

it is

May

affection.

these poor pages have the

name beloved and revered

mine

LIFE.

in the hearts of

ant, Livio Vivaldi, at

many,

The

Let us recall some other facts and names.

ment

power of

commanded

Palazzo Adriano.

sub-lieuten-

a detachment of the 54th regi-

The

syndic, physicians, chemists, and

cholera spread there. priests

all

fled

;

The

no one but

Vivaldi kept every thing in order, and

the poor remained.

During the day, he visited the sick, hastened had the place cleaned and disinfected, and at the burials, night gave chase to the highwaymen who were scourging the

provided for

all.

Once, on the evening of the tenth of July, while he

country.

was distributing bread in the houses of the poor, he was informed that a band of malefactors had gathered at a short distance from the place. diers with him,

attacked

it,

killed the

ran to the barracks, took ten sol-

went out into the country, surprised the band,

was wounded, continued

head of

it,

to fight, put

to flight,

arrested the others, returned to the town,

and the following morning took up again his office of physician and almoner. And this was one instance among many. At Gangi, in the province of Termini, the cholera broke out toward the middle of June. Half the population fled. Those

who remained

hid the dead, and shut themselves up in their

During the night of the and armed themselves 26th the boldest began rushing about the country, firing blindly into the windows and doors, and

houses for fear of being poisoned.

against any

whom

they happened to meet.

The

sharp-shooters

from Petralia Sottana gathered, and gave chase throughout the

night

the

rioters,

dispersed

them with

great

diffi-

THE CHOLERA OF cully,

and when the

riot

found thirteen

force,

with their

own

425

1867.

was quelled, entered the houses unburied bodies, interred them

hands, though their lives were threatened by

the infuriated multitude.

The

The people were

cholera had broken out at Menfi.

without physicians, medicine, money, or bread.

General Medici was informed of the

minent.

by telegraph.

The detachment

ders to proceed to Menfi.

Twenty-four hours afterward, the " :

The detachment Medicines and

Order restored.

Buried the dead.

provisions distributed.

state of affairs

of Sciacca received instant or-

general received the following despatch arrived.

Twenty-four was im-

A rebellion

bodies lay unburied for forty-eight hours.

The communal

administration provided

for."

At Grammichele, two deaths having taken place from cholera, armed themselves, attacked

the populace, suspecting poison,

the carabineers, killed one of them,

wounded another

mortally,

so that the rest were forced to shut themselves up in the bar-

where they were besieged all night, an attempt being made at every moment to break down the doors and rush in racks,

and

kill

them.

commanded

Forty soldiers of the 9th regiment of infantry,

by Sub-lieutenant Goi,

came from

Caltagirone.

appearance the armed bands dispersed but, becoming aware of the small number of soldiers, they gathered again,

their

moved

;

against them, insulted

and threatened them, shouting

wished to search their knapsacks, and take possession The number of rioters was ten times of the poison therein. that they

greater than that of the soldiers

reinforcements were

;

a massacre was imminent

demanded from Caltagirone

diers arrived in great haste

;

and

all

;

fresh

together, after

;

sol-

a long

MILITARY

426 succeeded

struggle,

guards,

with

LIFE.

in getting together fifteen of the national

whom

they scoured the country and town

all

night long, though threatened and assaulted at every moment. Finally, they succeed in

The

establishing quiet.

rioters

had

attached to one house in the place a proclamation which ran "

Do not desist Up courage, companions Courage do not from what you propose doing be cowards, but vindicators of the country's honor. Are you afraid of a handful of thus

;

soldiers

the vile

them and put them to flight. Down with and opprobrious bands of the government break the Get

rid of

;

murderous pots of poison which your superiors, infamous executors of the royal decrees, kindly place at your lips is

" !

This

an exact quotation.

At Longobucco, a province of Rossano, a certain Guiseppe The common Citini died of cholera toward the end of July. people believed that he had died of poison into the syndic's house

;

invaded

Citini's

robbed the house of the chemist,

pharmacy

;

Felicetti,

and destroyed the

rang the bells violently, ran furiously through the

streets during the

put

they broke, armed, house and sacked it

to death

all

whole night, shouting that they wished to property-owners and public officers. The

following morning they tried to break into the sharp-shooters' barracks,

And

and hunted again for the syndic in order to kill him. they would have done, if the marshal of the carathe quartermaster-sergeant, Allisio, and the sergeant,

this

bineers,

Cenderini, of the sharp-shooters, had not courageously dashed into the middle of the

from

crowd and succeeded

their iniquitous design,

various houses and the murder of

tained a

little

dissuading them

and prevented the burning of

many

citizens.

They main-

quiet in the place until the following morning,

THE CHOLERA OF when a company of manded by Captain

427

1867.

com-

the 451)1 battalion of sharp-shooters>

Ippolito Viola, arrived, and dispersed the which had crowd, begun to grow riotous. But the most furious instantly shut themselves up in the houses, and fired upon the

sharp-shooters, two of

whom

fell

wounded, and the marshal was

Then

nearly killed.

stinate resistance,

the sharp-shooters, enraged at this obbroke in the doors of the houses, rushed in,

surprised the rebels with their weapons in their hands

and spared

Thus ended

their lives.

bucco. in which, be

the sedition of Longo-

noted, the most wicked deeds were

com-

mitted by the women. In Ardore, a

and

neers

commune

twenty-four

commanded by

infantry,

of the 4th of

Geraci, there were six carabiof

soldiers

the

68th

regiment of

Sub-lieutenant Gazzone.

September the people

the

armed them-

morning " selves and gathered outside the town to the shout of Death " When they were sufficient in number, to the "poisoners !

Gazzone, trusting to the sympathy they broke into the place. which the people had shown for him on more than one occasion,

moved

quietly against the multitude, and tried to quiet

with a few kind words chest,

which

killed

him

you what was done to horror.

The

;

he was answered by two balls

in his

from

telling

instantly. his

will

refrain

body, in order not to add horror to

soldiers, attacked

so hastily, powerless to

resist,

had barely time to take refuge in the carabineers' barracks, into which three families by the name of Lo Schiavo, whom the populace thought guilty of poisoning,

burned, had ered in

fled

the morning.

and whose house had been

An immense crowd

front of the barracks, and demanded

should be given irto their hands.

gath-

that the poisoners

The head

of the families.

MILITARY

428

the elder

LIFE.

Schiavo, was courageous enough to go to the win-

dow, and from

there, with clasped hands,

weeping and sobbing

in a heart-breaking way, beg the crowd to spare at least the

women and be torn to

children. bits.

father,

fit

all

of desperation,

This was the signal for

into the street.

fired

was answered that they would

The poor

assault.

The

multitude, uttering a loud cry of fury, dashed with axes against

and began

the doors

to launch a

The

against the windows.

within by shots.

The

shower of

soldiers

and stones

balls

defended themselves from

struggle lasted

more than an hour.

Finally, seeing that all their efforts were in vain, the people set

the barracks.

fire to

The

horrible scene followed.

flames,

which were already enveloping the entire building, and the walls beginning to crack, played through the rooms the air was ;

from outside burning, and the beams of the roof bursting came hisses and shouts of joy, inside were heard the despairing ;

cries of

women and

children

lay stretched in their blood.

;

Lo Schiavo

seven soldiers and

Reduced

to this extremity, the

corporal, Albani, decided to attempt the only means of escape that remained he gathered the three families into one group ;

;

ordered his few soldiers to take the wounded on their shoulders

;

then he, and the others after him, hastily opened a door,

and, with lowered bayonets, dashed head

crowd.

The

gave way

;

latter,

astonished at

downward

but hardly had they passed, when the

killed several

members

into the

such incredible audacity,

mob

of the unfortunate family

;

fired

and

the others

saved themselves, partly in the houses, partly in the country the soldiers were not overtaken.

Two

days after

;

this three

companies of infantry from Gerace, Monteleone, and Reggio arrived in Ardore and restored quiet. Captain Onesti, of the

THE CHOLERA OF staff,

for

who took upon

some time

military forces

429

1867.

management of the commune Major Gastaldini, who was commanding the of Ardore and the neighborhood and Broglia, himself the

;

doctor of the battalion, behaved in such a way that I cannot find

words with which to praise them

ing of the soldiers,

who

town with indefatigable zeal and earnest It is

not necessary to say

how

the

sufficiently.

there, as elsewhere,

say noth-

worked

for the

pity.

commanders

of the corps

and divisions behaved during the time the cholera

lasted,

because the population, municipalities, and the press awarded

them the highest praise and gave full testimony of their deeds. But among the many names dear to the army and country, there

reader

cannot withhold, no matter how easily every guess it, and have already divined, pernaps with a

one

may

spontaneous heart-throb,

all

that I wish to say of

him

General Medici.

What he

did from the beginning to prevent the spread-

ing of the cholera

already told.

and

It is

to preserve the troops

from

it,

has been

easy to imagine what he did afterward.

At work night and day with mind and body, each moment brought the announcement of some fresh disaster, or of new tumults, which there

seemed

be no end to the consultations,

orders, and precautions that were necessary. He betook himself now to one place, now to another, in order to assure himself

that the

military authorities were fulfilling

visited barracks, prisons, hospitals,

their

Noteworthy, among others, was the visit where he lost a very distinguished officer of his

valescent. sina,

duties

;

and the homes for the con-

good and brave Captain Tito Tabacchi

;

and that

Mes-

staff,

the

other, in the

MILITARY

LIFE.

days when the cholera was raging most fiercely at Terrasini,

where he entered the houses of the poor to offer them assistance and comfort, and improvised hospitals, gathered nurses

and inspired so much confidence by word, deed, and perfect serenity, that he left the place entirely changed.

together, his

He was

always diligent, provident, and charitable, but at the

pillow of the sick, full of divine compassion

went every

two military hospitals of Palermo, Sesta Casa, and Sant 'Agata, visited them thoroughly, asking about and ex-

week

to the

amining every thing, advising and encouraging the physicians, nurses, and sick, with the solicitude of a father. The visit of the fifteenth of August, at the height of the epidemic,

ble one. staff.

went

was waited

physicians.

Some

first

bed

at his side

his face

all

first ward by the formed two lines

The

director.

his eyes

The

ill,

general approached

the others formed a semicircle around

was the medical

was cadaverous,

black, and sobs.

;

memora-

of the sick, the majority dangerously

turned their face toward the door. the

door of the

for at the

his appearance, the nurses

along the beds.

to the hospital with several officers of his

him

patient was very

sunken and bloodshot,

;

ill,

his lips

and interrupted by heavy At the approach of all head.

his breathing labored

was quite out of

his

these people, he raised his eyes to the general's face, and kept

them there fixed and motionless without any expression. The doctor went up to him and asked, as he pointed out Medici :

Do you know

The "

this

gentleman

soldier looked at the doctor without

you know him'?"

Then he seemed said in loud tones

to :

making any

sign.

the latter repeated.

understand the question.

The

physician

THE CHOLERA OF " "

431

1867.

General Medici."

It is

Medici

confusedly

Medici

he looked

;

at him,

murmured

moved

the sick man,

his lips as

to smile or

say a word, bent his head as a sign of assent, then came a violent sob, his eyes

become motionless and

no other sign of understanding. "

at the doctor.

Not

The

senseless,

and he gave

general looked anxiously

yet," the latter replied,

and on they moved.

In one of the neighboring beds was a corporal

who died

the

following day.

was conscious, but much depressed.

The

When

with a cold perspiration. bed, he looked at him,

now

skin of his

and

face was shrivelled, covered with livid spots

glistening

the general approached his

now

half closing,

dilating his eyes,

and uttering an exhausted groan. "How do you feel ? " said the general.

The man shook ward

in sign of utter

head

his

and turned

slightly

discouragement.

Courage my you must keep up your must think of getting well." The sick man, making an effort, murmured " son

;

Die

will

what are you talking about

fellow

recover

spirits

;

you

should not

die."

s,prry to "

my good

his eyes up-

;

you

is n't it

You must

not despair,

the physician says that you " he is going to get well ? so, doctor,

will get well

;

The soldier gave a quick glance at the doctor, made a motion with his head as if to say no, then looked fixedly at Medici, and said in a weak voice

The

latter

bowed

and then passed

his

" :

Thank

you, general."

head, stood thinking for a moment,

to another bed.

Here

lay a soldier

on the

road to recovery, who would not take a certain medicine.

MILITARY

43 2

won't you take

"Why "

does not hurt you,

I taste it ?

it ?

LIFE.

asked the general.

me," the former replied timidly.

It hurts

No,

my dear

Will you believe

fellow.

and taking a cup which the doctor handed it and gave it to the soldier who

him, he swallowed some

was looking

soldier drank,

The home "

him

made

in surprise.

Courage, drink

" it

The

a wry face, and then laughed.

general asked another who was to be removed to the " "

for the convalescents

How

feel

How

do you

now

feel

?" replied the soldier.

Ah, Mr. General,

very hungry."

So he moved gradually on through the wards the sick, who were able to do so, rose to a sitting position, or raised them;

selves slightly

their elbows, listening attentively

and

stretch-

ing out their necks to hear what he was saying, and to look him in the face.

The

last

one visited was a dying man.

His face was

beyond recognition, with that imprint of old expression of great fear, which is peculiar to cholera torted

and which, once

murmuring picking

raising his

seen,

his

counterpane

hands as

moving as

to seize

his

age, that

patients,

was raving, arms incessantly, and

never forgotten.

indistinct words,

dis-

looking for something, or

something that was floating be-

was a young sergeant who, in those sad days had of the cholera, given eVery possible proof of courage, con" He has only a few more hours to live," stancy, and charity. fore his eyes.

said the doctor in an undertone.

The

general looked a long

time at him with a sad and thoughtful face. thinking that that brave

young

fellow

was certainly far from his

was dying

own, without any comfort or any tears

;

he thought of

his

THE CHOLERA OF of so

family,

others

many

families like his own,

members.

off,

all

The

saying

followed him

last

dying like him, so

who would be deprived

Suddenly he

moved others

433

1867.

gave a

started,

has spent his

life

other

many

of their dearest sigh,

nobly."

And

and the

silently.

province in which the cholera raged at the end of

had already ceased in Sicily. During the first days of September, the long and frerains having produced a marked depression in the atquent '67

was that of Reggio

di Calabria.

mosphere, the cholera had begun to decrease slowly in the provinces of Palermo and Messina, and rapidly in those of It Syracuse, Catania, and Caltanisetta^ broke out again in these two cities toward the middle of Sep-

Trapani,

tember

;

Girgenti,

but only for a few days. After which the general health

improved in all parts of the island, so that in the month of October the army only lost twenty men, and November seven, in December none, or one or two at most. From the beginning of the decrease of the epidemic, the cities, villages,

changed

their

entire

aspect.

The

first

terror,

and country which had

crushed every feeling of love of country or charity in the hearts of the majority of the citizens, having subsided, the fugitives, the greater

number

whom

were rich or well-to-do

people, began to return to their homes, and to scatter

among

money,

the indigent population that assistance, in the

way

work, and advice, which they had denied at

first.

people took courage instantly, and, as

And

the

waking from a pro-

found and painful lethargy, returned little by little to the ordinary duties of life, which had been laid aside or performed at intervals, with

an inertia and a species of timid bewilderment

MILITARY

434

LIFE.

under that continuous clanger and before that continual spectacle of death. The streets, squares, shops, were filled, the

workshops opened once more, commerce began to revive, and the joyful sound of labor sprang up where solitude and silence had reigned before, or only the lament of the dying or beggars had been heard. The public administrations, deserted by dead, fugitive, or expelled

again

officials,

were put

working order

were reorganized, and upheld by those citizens who had

;

abandoned them

at first

;

they began to dedicate themselves to

the needs of the country in an active, intelligent,

The highwaymen, rendered audacious by

way.

and quiet

the general

fright, and scarcity of the troops, who were interested for .the most part in graver duties, had committed

confusion and

every kind of depredation in city and country.

perceiving

now, that, with the cessation of the cholera, the military forces

would

turn against them with renewed vigor, they began to

all

restrain

themselves,

curity suddenly at last,

and the

improved.

condition

The

soldiers

the

had a

se-

public little

rest

could indulge in unbroken and quiet slumber at night,

and during the day they could eat, in peace, their black bread, which had been earned by such long and wearisome labors. Like the convalescent, who, when returning to the usages of every-day

life,

amused by every

thing, glad

person, and attends with the greatest solicitude

see every

and joy

to all

those duties which he formerly neglected or disliked, so the soldiers,

on abandoning that

life

so full of labor

and sadness,

took up their ordinary occupations, even those that had seemed

most irksome

them

felt

at first, as a sort of

amusement

;

almost

all

a freshness of affection and hope, a great joyfulness, a

powerful desire to open their hearts to one another, to become

THE CHOLERA OF

435

1867.

expansive, and

to fraternize. Throughout the barracks re r sounded once more the songs, shouts, and that noisy bustle of life which had entirely ceased for so long a time every thing ;

was changed and revivified. But in order to form a just idea of the feelings of the soldiers in those days, it was necessary to enter the hospitals of the conwhere the

valescents,

minds

rest

and

silence left their thoughts

and

at perfect liberty.

Let us enter a moment to give a

and brave

Toward

the

end of September,

that

the pth regiment of infantry wrote

begging

last greeting to

some

to tell in

same

year, a soldier of

a letter from Catania,

military journal

comrades and himself by the

for his

our good

soldiers.

what had been done

officers of his regiment.

He had been ill with the cholera, and was almost well, so wrote me from a convent where his colonel had established a hospital and where he had been

for convalescents,

"Here we

month.

and misfortunes,

for

more than a

are," says the letter, "after so

still alive,

for a

Then

wonder."

description of the convent, situated on a

many

perils

follows a long

little hill

and

entirely

surrounded by beautiful gardens, where the convalescents could go for recreation trees,

;

with a spacious court-yard,

under the shade of which they used

filled

with large

walk a great

part of the day, chatting, reading, or playing at draughts with stones

told

himself with a

then that each one of them had a

window on

the garden

;

cell to

that in his, the ivy

had

grown about the grating, and that the branches of trees came in through the bars.

have a good bed, two

have become as fond of the homes.

little

rooms

chairs,

and

they were our

keep every thing clean and in order in mine, just like

MILITARY

436

woman who

Then he in

pital.

to the directors of

must be confessed that we

and indulged

live

the hos-

very well.

Just

meat morning and night, and good wine and soup. In case you desire to publish what are more than content.

fancy

of the food, which was excellent,

encomiums upon and thanks "

thinks of nothing but her family and her house."

told

LIFE.

have written, pray be kind enough to give the names of those

whom we

are indebted for all this kind care.

They

are

Lieutenant-Colonel Croce and Captain Mirto, the two directors of the hospital

;

for the soldiers,

and Dr. Longhi, who has done all that he could and to whom we are deeply attached." Then

he described the groups of convalescents, seated under the shade of the trees eyes

who

;

in the court, pale, exhausted, with

sunken

talked of past events, dangers which they had en-

countered, and the sufferings endured, and comforted themselves with the thought of their distant families, to

or later they should return.

Oh, how

whom

sooner

gladly," he added,

you can imagine, after so long a time, so many experiences, and " an illness of this kind From that letter, written so simply and !

with so

much

ingenuousness, I

felt in

a measure

imbued with the

calm, weary quiet that must have reigned in that silent enclosure

the

;

worn

first

faces,

hour the It

time that

and

officers

read

caps,

and

show

their gratitude

The

seemed

to see those poor, thin,

At a

certain

to visit the soldiers of their companies.

sight

with difficulty to their

mingled

it I

to hear the weak, slow voices.

came

was a delightful

rise

One could feet,

see those

good fellows

carry their thin hands to their

in replying to the anxious questions of their officers,

by a smile in which affection and respect and gentlest way.

in the loveliest

letter of

soldier ends at this point,

and

stop with

THE CHOLERA OF

stop with the picture before

him,

437

1867.

eyes of that smile of

gratitude which moves and affects me deeply. The cholera of 1867 was a great misfortune for the army not less than for the country, but one not without its good results.

The army gained advantage in discipline, and it understand in what way. Even for those soldiers to seemed hardest, on account of

discipline

easy to

whom

the

their obstinacy, lack

of docility, or because they were quite wanting in any idea of

country or nationality and unable to comprehend either the in

necessity

for

military

even

rigor,

for

these

it,

soldiers,

the midst of the misfortunes caused

had

discipline lost all that

portable,

by .the cholera, the seemed odious and insup-

at first

and assumed quite a

different

even the roughest minds, understanding that

was noble and generous

public health, saw,

that

too,

in if

Naturally,

aspect.

how much

there was

doing and suffering for the instead of

being soldiers,

united and subject to discipline, they had been peasants or operatives,

ably

all

for his

who were

have

own

fled

free

and independent, they would probperil, and each provided

from every duty or

individual safety.

They

felt,

therefore, that a part

of the merit of their noble

work did not belong

they ascribed

consequences saw and experienced every day in

of the lack of which, they

the other classes of the population.

the good intention of

which they had

to them,

and

tacitly to that discipline, the sad

all

at first

The more they admitted

those laws and of

all

those measures

considered as unreasonable and useless

more they saw the effects which issued from their own hands, and which they could not help admiring and being proud of, they gradually formed a just idea of discipline, aggravations, the

MILITARY

43**

and resigned themselves

LIFE.

as a salutary necessity.

this, that domesticity, that fraternizing

Besides

which springs up and and soldiers in the

increases so rapidly between the officers

occasion of great perils or

common

most obtuse and malevolent understand that tions of ordinary

life,

there

made

misfortunes, had

a rigorous

if,

in the

connec-

and unalterable

sion, that does not arise from a spontaneous desire

the

divi-

on the part

of the officer, but from custom, from a general rule dictated

by the need of discipline and recognized by all as necessary, either from intuition or experience. This being fully unthere all those grudges and derstood, naturally disappeared rancors austere the

most

part,

which diffidence appear

felt

generally

by quarrelsome

and inexorable

fact.

officers,

ill

soldiers

feeling

against

the

which,

for

amour propre, and produced and timidity only increase and they did disby a

false

;

In the face of that continual spectacle of

misfortune, in the midst of that solemn unanimity of affection

and good-will, every one understood quite clearly how petty and selfish his personal hates and resentments were, and felt them disappear from his

being obliged

his

heart of their

to fight them.

own accord without

Besides

this,

the opera-

and soldiers had been for a long time of such a nature, that the orders of the superiors mingled, not only in substance, but also in form, with the most simple pretions of the officers

cepts of religion, taught by mothers to their

young

children.

Certain talks which the officers had with the soldiers might be

repeated word for word by a sacred orator on parchment, and

day by the colonels were taken purely from the Gospel. Therefore, it was not possible that even the most ignorant and stupid soldiers could rebel at the

certain orders for the

THE CHOLERA OF

439

1867.

orders of their superiors, or could doubt the rectitude, discuss the fitness, or deny the duty of obedience. little,

Thus,

little

the sentiment of religion took the place of that of dis-

cipline,

and

that

which would have been done unwillingly from

On force, was done most gladly from an impulse of charity. the other hand, that affectionate solicitude which the officers on every occasion, in visiting assisting them with their own money, comforting, counselling, and protecting them, had produced such an effect, that in the hearts of the latter the senti-

had displayed for the them in the hospitals,

soldiers

ments of gratitude and duty intermingled in such a way as to take away even the idea that they could be separated or Understanding discipline as it understanding the principles upon which it

opposed.

the aims to which intellect of the

army

;

mony

tends,

and the

effects

humblest soldier takes

and ought to be, based and moves, obtains, even the

in this great edifice, the

comprehends the praiseworthy combination and har-

by which the warmest

of the forces

foundations for

rise

ruled

;

feels

that they are

affections of the family,

and

the

on contemplating and become illumined on a height

most sacred laws of religion the whole, he sees

as he goes

which neither the declamations of philosophers nor the comThis was the effect plaints of the common people can reach.

produced upon the soldiers

;

in this

way

discipline

was en-

forced.

And

the country

The most

splendid proof of the effect produced upon the

country by the magnificent conduct of the army was given by the Sicilian people at the cently,

end of

'67,

and has been repeated

the dearest proof that could be

given

to the

re-

army

MILITARY

44 and

to Italy,

LIFE.

the admirable result of the conscription.

that people, so full of pride, daring,

us brave soldiers

and

fire,

cannot help giving

And what was the soldier's reward ? One evening, after the roll-call at retreat,

the quartermaster-

sergeant read the colonel's order for the day, in which he said " " You have done your duty!

RECENT VOLUMES OF TRAVEL. Spain and the Spaniards.

" Studies of " Paris," Holland,"

By EDMONDO DE AMICIS, author etc.

Octavo, with full-page illustrations,

$2.00.

He tells us that the Rarely do we meet with a more generous writer. a feeling that inspires him in visiting a foreign country is sympathy, desire not to find any thing to censure, but to pardon what seem to be deIf there were more of this spirit abroad among us the literature of fects. travel would be oftener enriched by such books as this, where the truth is never sacrificed or exaggerated for effect, and where there is such excellent evidence of honest judgment and acute observation set forth amid picturesque first

effects."

IV.

y. Critic.

in Japan. By ISABELLA BIRD, author of "A Rocky Mountains," etc. 2 vols., octavo, bevelled boards, Also " The Popular Edition," 2 vols. in I, illustrated,

Unbeaten Tracks Lady's Life

in the

illustrated, $5.00.

$3.00. '' Beyond question the most valuable and the most interesting of recent books concerning Japanese travel. * * * One of the most profitable of

recent travel records."

Evening Post. Six Months Among the Palm Groves, Coral Reefs, and Volcanoes of the Sandwich Islands. By ISABELLA BIRD, author of " Unbeaten Tracks in Japan," etc. A new and cheaper edition. Octavo, cloth, illustrated, $2.50.

Norsk, Lapp, and Finn. By FRANK VINCENT, Jr. author of "The Land of the White Elephant," " Through and Through the Tropics," etc. ,

Octavo, cloth, with frontispiece and map, $1.50. " Under the above title Frank Vincent, Jr., has produced a book which is full of interesting and instructive matter, and which, we have no doubt, will find a large number of appreciative readers." N. Y. Herald. '

most interesting book of travel."

Scandinavian Summer Up E.TYLER. Octavo, cloth, $1.75.

fresh

a writer

Denver Republican.

to the

Midnight Sun.

By KATHARINE

and picturesque narrative of a summer ramble in the far North by evidently knows what to observe and how to describe.

who

Cuban Sketches. By JAMES W. STEELE. Octavo, cloth extra, $1.50. CONTENTS. Going There First Impressions In General The Cuban at Home The Spaniard in Cuba La Senorita Spanish Rule War Times Toilers The Town Rural Cuba Tropical Weather Domestic Institutions Municipal Conveniences Passions and Amusements Mother Church What We Eat Island Ideas The American in Cuba. Graphic studies of life and character by an old resident, who has a keen sense of humor and an exceptionally picturesque style. *,,.*

G. P.

For

sale

all

Booksellers.

PUTNAM'S SONS,

West

23d

St.,

New

York.

PUBLICATIONS OF

G. P.

PUTNAM'S

SONS.

BAYARD TAYLOR'S TRAVELS. OR, ADVENTURES IN THE PATH OF EMPIRE (Mexico and California). iamo. Houshold edition, $1.50 " To those who have more recently pitched their tents in California, the

Eldorado

;

narrative of Taylor will have interest as assisting them to appreciate the tl.at have been affected in this region since the days of turmoil, excitement, and daring speculation of which the tourist speaks."

wondrous changes

Sacramento Union.

Central Africa.

LIFE

AND LANDSCAPE FROM CAIRO TO

Two plates

THE WHITE NILE.

and

cuts.

House$ l -5

i2mo.

hold edition, " We have read many

of Bayard Taylor's readable books and he never wrote one that was not extremely interesting but we have never been so well pleased with any of his writings as we arc with the volume now before A Journey to Central Africa.' " Binghamton Republican. us, '

Greece and Russia.

Two

WITH AN EXCURSION TO CRETB.

Household edition, . $1.50 " In point of flowing narrative and graphic description, this volume is fully equal to the previous works which have given Mr. Bavaid Taylor such an eminent place among modern travellers." Harper's Montniy. plates,

izmo.

Home

and Abroad. A SKETCH-BOOK OF LIFE, SCENERY, AND MEN. Two plates. i2rao. Household edition, $1.50

(Second Series.) With two plates, izmo. Household edition, $1.50 " This is one of the most interesting books that Bayard Taylor has ever made. It is in a large measure autobiographical. Whatever has most impressed him in any part of the earth is noted in some one of these letters." .

Taunton Gazette. " A volume from Bayard Taylor is always a pleasure. He not only knows how to travel and how to enjoy it, but he excels in giving entertainjaent by his narration to others." Bangor Whig.

i2mo. HouseIndia, China, and Japan. Two plates, hold edition, $1.50 " Of all He sees travellers, no one pleases us more than Bayard Taylor. w"nat we most desire that he should see, and he tells us that which we most desire to know." New Bedford Met cury. .

Land

of the Saracen OR, PICTURES OF PALESTINE, ASIA MINOR, SICILY, AND SPAIN. With two plates. i2mo. Household edition $1.50 ;

PUBLICATIONS OF

G. P.

PUTNAM'S

SONS.

BAYARD TAYLOR'S TRAVELS. (CONTINUED.)

Northern Travel. SUMMER AND WINTER PICTURES OF SWEDEN, DENMARK, AND LAPLAND. With two plates. Household

ismo. " There jf

travel."

Views Afoot STAFF. "

$ r .5

edition,

no romance to us quite equal Hartford Republican.

;

OR,

i2mo.

one of Bayard Taylor's books

EUROPE SEEN WITH Household edition,

KNAPSACK AND $i 50

need say nothing in praise of Bayard Taylor's writings. He travels in every direction, and sees and hears pretty much all that is worth seeing and hearing. His descriptions are accurate, and always reliable and inSyracuse Joutnal.

teresting."

By- Ways of Europe.

Household

i2mo.

edition,

$i 50

CONTENTS

Familiar Letter to the Reader. A Cruise on Lake Lagoda. Between The Little Land of Winter-Life in St. Petersburgh. From Perpignan to Montserrat. Balearic Days. Catalonian Appenzell. Bridle-Roads. The Republic of the Pyrenees. The Grand Chartreuse.

Europe and Asia.

The Kyffhauser and its Legends. A Week at Capri. A Trip to Ischia. The Land of Paoli. The Island of Maddalena. In the Teutoberger The Suabian Alps. Forest.

Egypt and Iceland

the

Year

1874.

i6mo, cloth

S^S

extra,

i2mo, uniform with Household edition of the Works, $1.50

Bayard Taylor's Latest Work. Edited by MARIE German Literature. With an introduction by Hon. GEO. H. BOKER. $2 co 8vo, cloth extra,

Studies in TAYLOR.

CONTENTS

The Minnesingers. The Mediaeval Epics. The Literature of the Reformation. The LiteraNibelungenlied. ture of the Seventeenth Century. Lessing. Klopstock, Wieland and Richter. Herder. Schiller. Goethe. Goethe's Faust. Earliest

The

German

Literature.

PUBLICATIONS OF A

G. P.

extra,

SONS.

NEW VOLUME BY "JOHN LATOUCHE."

PORTUGAL, OLD AND NEW. Consul

PUTNAM'S

Octavo,

Oporto. .

By OSWALD CRAWFURD, and

with maps .

British

illustrations,

cloth

$3 50

Mr. Crawfurd, who is better known in literature under his notn de flume of John Latouche, has resided for many years in Portugal and has had exceptional opbecoming thoroughly acquainted with the country and its people. " The whole book, indeed, is excellent, giving the reader not information but only, appreciation of Portugal, its climate, its people and its ways. It is not a book of travel, but a book of residences, if we may say so." New York Evening Post. " Mr. Crawfurd's admirable book is most opportune, and his long residence in the country, his intimate and critical knowledge of the language, history, poetry, and the inner life of the people, render him an authority as safe to follow as he is pleasant. * * * The book is excellent in every way. XMf<**. " A more agreeable account of Portugal and the Portuguese could scarcely have been written, and it will surprise us if the book does not live as one of the best descriptions we possess of a foreign nation." St. James Gazette. oortunities for

A FORBIDDEN LAND With

;

OR,

VOYAGES TO THE COREA.

the manners, customs, history, etc., of a com16,000,000 people hitherto almost entirely unknown.

full description of

munity of some By ERNST OPPERT.

Octavo, with maps and illustrations, $3 oo " The author combines a story of his personal adventures, with a most intelligible description of the country, its inhabitants, their customs, and of everything which would help his readers to form a correct idea of what he himself saw and The Churchman. learned." " Sure to be * contains almost the eagerly and widely read * * only authentic description of Corea and its people with which the public are familiar." San Francisco Bulletin. " Full of data of the highest value on the geography and history of Corea, its New York Times. commercial value and products. " Mr. has made a book of rare interest." New York Evening Post. Oppert " His * * * he is rewarded for personal narrative is one of great interest his enterprise in being able to communicate so much novel and valuable information which has so remained to a the in regard long country beyond scope of geographical research." New York Tribune. '

ROMAN DAYS.

Translated by ALFRED By VIKTOR RYDBERG. CORNING CLARK, with Memoir of the author by H. A. W. LINDEHN. Octavo, cloth.

Illustrated

The volume embodies

$2 oo

the results of careful historical studies, and gives some legendary matters not heretofore brought forward. The art criticisms are the work ofa poet and scholar ; the brief historical and topographical sketches, those of a clearheaded philosopher and eager traveller, a quick observer, a man of general and thorough culture. The book is a picturesque mosaic of the many brilliant, sober, gay, comic, dramatic, tragic, poetic, vulgar elements that make up the past history of that wonderful city and the physiognomy it bears to-day. " welcome this work from the hardy North for its broad scholarship, its The articles betray an artistic discrimination rare in one not freshness and ripeness. a sculptor by profession and experienced and enthusiastic in that art. Rydberg possesses the pure plastic spirit." N. Y. Herald.

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET UNIVERSITY OF

PQ 4683 A3V513

TORONTO LIBRARY

Amicis, Edmondo de Military life in Italy