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

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. 367
for a moment ... "in anticipation, as the captain said.
Here it
is."
And he handed his father a medal for military valor with
its ribbon attached.
The father had scarcely caught sight of it, before he had seized
and pressed to his breast in one fond embrace the boy's head, the
cords, the epaulettes, and the cap, saying as he did so " : Oh,
here is
my son my poor son I feel him "
! ! !
Finally he released the boy and fell back exhausted upon his pillow,
still holding tightly to his breast, with his clasped arms, those
precious objects. From time to time he repeated, with halfclosed
eyes, just above his breath : Oh, here is
"
my son !
I feel him ! I feel him !
tightly still.
"
And he clasped his arms more
All were silent for a short time, until the captain said in an
undertone to the brothers that he must leave. It was eight
o'clock ;
and they could not beg him to stay.
" " Father ! said one of the young men aloud. The old man
opened his eyes.
" The captain must go."
" Go ?
go already Oh ? !
why Can ? you not remain with us
a little longer, captain ?"
" I cannot indeed, dear sir, and I regret it much, but I
really must leave immediately."
The old man gave vent to an expression of sorrow.
" Dear sir !
press my hand (the old man squeezed it vigorously).
I shall return ;
I shall come sometimes to see you,
and I will write you too ;
do not doubt that. It is impossible
that I should ever forget you or this beautiful day.
I was fond
of you before knowing you, because one cannot help loving the