Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

THE CONSCRIPT. 12$
in the court to-day, and we talked together for more than an hour. We
don't have the best food, you know ;
but it is so hard to cook for so many ;
and then the appetite is never lacking, if a man does his duty. The superiors
scold ;
but they are not so overbearing as many say ; for there are soldiers
who have died to save them, and would not leave them dead in the
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,
then the 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.
Your most affectionate son.
" Bravo !
" said the officer. " And now do me the favor to
go and drink a half glass of wine to the health of all conscripts.
Take this," handing him a ticket.
" Mr. Officer !
" exclaimed the soldier, quite embarrassed,
trying to refuse it.
" "
Eh ! shouted the officer, in a menacing tone.
The conscript took the ticket, and preparing to go out, stammered
some words of thanks :
" Mr. Officer, ... I don't
know really
. . ."
" Silence !
"
He left hastily, went down the staircase three steps at a
time ;
gave two or three jumps in the court, rubbing his hands,
laughing and muttering to himself as he did so ;
entered the
wine cellar ;
the vivandiere gave him his glass with a lovely
smile and manner that made him forget the scene of a short
time before ;
he drank, went 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.