frederick the great and his family-第87章

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　order　by　the　faithful　Phylax。

His　eye　was　not　clear　and　bright　as　then；　but　troubled　and　sorrowful；　and　his　countenance　bore　an　expression　of　the　deepest　grief。　He　had　no　one　to　whom　he　could　pour　forth　his　sorrowsno　one　to　comfort　himhe　was　quite　alone　Even　his　youngest　son；　Charles　Henry；　the　real　Charles　Henry；　had　been　compelled　to　leave　him。　The　recruiting　officers　of　the　king　had　come　a　short　time　before　the　French　troops　had　taken　possession　of　the　province；　and　had　conscripted　the　few　strong　men　who　were　still　left　in　the　village　of　Brunen。

But　this　time　the　men　of　Brunen　had　not　answered　joyfully　to　the　demand。　Even　old　Buschman　had　wished　to　keep　his　son　Charles　Henry　with　him。　Had　he　not　sent　six　sons　to　the　field　of　battle；　and　had　they　not　all　died　as　heroes？　Charles　Henry　was　his　last　treasure；　his　one　remaining　child；　his　grief…torn　heart　clung　to　him　with　the　deepest　devotion。　To　be　parted　from　him　seemed　more　bitter　than　death　itself。　When　the　recruiting　officer　came　into　the　hut　of　Buschman　and　summoned　Charles　Henry　to　follow　him　as　a　soldier；　the　eyes　of　the　old　man　filled　with　tears；　and　he　laid　his　hands　upon　the　arm　of　his　son　as　if　he　feared　to　see　him　instantly　torn　from　his　sight。

〃Captain〃　he　said；　with　a　trembling　voice；　〃I　have　sent　the　king　six　sons　already；　they　have　all　died　in　his　service。　Tell　me　truly；　is　the　king　in　great　need？　If　so；　take　me　as　well　as　my　sonif　not；　leave　me　my　son。〃

The　officer　smiled；　and　extended　his　hand　to　the　old　man。　〃Keep　your　son；〃　he　said。　〃If　you　have　lost　six　sons　in　the　war；　it　is　right　that　you　should　keep　the　seventh。〃

Buschman　uttered　a　cry　of　joy；　and　would　have　embraced　his　son；　but　Charles　Henry　pushed　him　gently　back；　and　his　father　read　in　his　countenance　a　determination　and　energy　that　he　had　rarely　seen　there。

〃No；　father；〃　he　said；　〃let　me　golet　me　be　a　soldier　as　my　brothers　were。　I　should　have　gone　four　years　ago；　when　I　was　prevented；　and　Anna　SophiaAh；　let　me　be　a　soldier；　father；〃　he　said；　interrupting　himself。　〃All　the　young　men　of　the　village　are　going；　and　I　am　ashamed　to　remain　at　home。〃

The　old　man　bent　his　head　sadly。　〃Go　then；　my　son；〃　he　said；　〃God's　blessing　rest　upon　you！〃

Thus　Charles　Henry　went；　not　from　a　feeling　of　enthusiasm　for　the　life　of　a　soldiernot　from　love　to　his　kingbut　merely　because　he　was　ashamed　to　remain　at　home。

He　had　now　been　absent　several　months；　and　his　father　had　not　heard　from　him。　But　the　news　of　the　lately　lost　battle　had　reached　the　village；　and　it　was　said　that　the　Prince　Royal　of　Brunswick；　in　whose　corps　Charles　Henry　was；　had　been　defeated。　The　old　shepherd　remembered　this　as　he　sat　in　the　meadow　this　bright　summer　morning。　His　thoughts　were　with　his　distant　son；　and　when　he　raised　his　eyes　to　heaven　it　was　not　to　admire　its　dazzling　blue；　or　its　immeasurable　depth；　but　to　pray　to　the　Almighty　to　spare　his　son。　The　peaceful　tranquillity　of　Nature　alarmed　the　old　manshe　speaks　alone　to　those　who　have　an　ear　attuned　to　her　voiceshe　says　nothing　to　those　who　listen　with　a　divided　heart。　Buschman　could　endure　it　no　longer；　he　arose　and　started　toward　the　village。　He　longed　to　see　some　human　beingto　encounter　some　look　of　loveto　receive　sympathy　from　some　one　who　understood　his　grief；　who　suffered　as　he　did；　and　who　did　not　wear　the　eternal　smile　that　Nature　wore。

He　went　to　the　village；　therefore；　and　left　the　care　of　his　flock　to　Phylax。　It　comforted　his　heart　as　he　passed　through　the　principal　street　of　Brunen　and　received　kind　greetings　from　every　hut　he　passed。　He　felt　consoled　and　almost　happy　when　here　and　there　the　peasants　hurried　toward　him　as　he　passed　their　huts；　and　begged　him　to　come　in　and　join　them　at　their　simple　mid…day　meal；　and　were　quite　hurt　when　he　refused　because　his　own　dinner　was　prepared　for　him　at　home。　These　men　loved　himthey　pitied　his　lonelinessthey　told　him　of　their　own　cares；　their　own　fearsand　as　he　endeavored　to　console　and　encourage　them；　he　felt　his　strength　increasehe　was　more　hopeful；　more　able　to　bear　whatever　God　might　send。

　〃We　must　be　united　in　love；〃　said　Buschman；　〃we　will　help　each　other　to　bear　the　sorrows　that　may　come　upon　us。　To…morrow　is　Sunday；　in　the　morning　we　will　go　to　the　house　of　God；　and　after　we　have　whispered　to　Him　the　prayers　which　He　alone　must　hear；　we　will　assemble　together　under　the　linden…tree　in　the　square　and　talk　of　the　old　times　and　those　who　have　left　us。　Do　you　not　remember　that　it　was　under　the　linden…tree　we　heard　of　the　first　victory　that　our　king　gained　in　this　fearful　war？　It　was　there　that　Anna　Sophia　Detzloff　read　the　news　to　us；　and　we　rejoiced　over　the　battle　of　Losovitz；　And　I　also　rejoiced　and　thanked　God；　although　the　victory　had　cost　me　the　lives　of　two　of　my　sons。　But　they　perished　as　heroes。　I　could　glory　in　such　a　death；　and　Anna　Sophia　read　their　praises　from　the　paper。　Ah；　if　Anna　lived；　I　would　at　least　have　a　daughter。〃

He　could　speak　no　more；　emotion　arrested　the　words　on　his　lips；　he　bowed　to　his　friends　and　passed　on　to　his　lonely　hut。　His　little　table　was　spread；　and　the　young　girl　who　served　him；　and　who　slept　in　his　hut　at　night；　was　just　placing　a　dish　of　steaming　potatoes　before　his　plate。　The　old　man　sat　down　to　his　solitary　meal；　he　ate　only　to　sustain　his　body；　his　thoughts　were　far　away；　he　took　no　pleasure　in　his　food。　In　the　middle　of　his　meal　he　started　up；　a　shadow　had　fallen　across　the　window；　and　two　loving；　well…known　eyes　had　seemed　to　look　in　on　him。　Buschman；　as　if　paralyzed　with　delight；　let　fall　his　spoon　and　looked　toward　the　door。　Yes；　the　bolt　moved；　the　door　opened；　and　there　stood　the　tall　figure　of　a　Prussian　soldier。

The　old　man　uttered　a　cry　and　extended　his　arms。　〃Oh；　my　son；　my　beloved　son；　do　I　indeed　see　you　once　more？〃

〃Yes；　father；　I　am　here；　and　God　willing；　we　will　never　again　be　parted。〃　And　Charles　Henry　hastened　to　the　outstretched　arms　of　his　father；　and　kissing　him　tenderly；　pressed　him　to　his　heart。

〃The　thought　of　you；　dear　father；　has　led　me　here；〃　he　said；　〃but　for　you　I　would　not　have　returned　to　Brunen；　I　should　have　wandered　forth　into　the　worldthe　world　which　is　so　much　greater　and　more　beautiful　than　I　ever　dreamed。　But　your　dear　old　eyes　were　before　me；　I　heard　your　loved　voice；　which　called　to　me；　and　I　returned　to　you。〃

〃God　be　praised！〃　said　his　father；　folding　his　hands；　and　raising　his　eyes　gratefully　toward　heaven。　〃Oh　how　kind　and　merciful　is　God；　to　give　me　back　my　last；　my　only　son；　the　support　of　my　old　age；　the　delight　of　my　eyes！　You　will　not　leave　me　again。　This　is　not　merely　a　leave　of　absence；　you　have　obtained　your　release；　the　war　is　ended；　the　king　has　declared　peace。〃

The　eyes　of　the　old　man　were　dimmed　with　tears；　he　did　not　perceive　how　Charles　Henry　trembled；　and　that　a　deep　flush　mounted　to　his　brow。

〃No；　father；〃　he　said；　with　downcast　eyes；　〃I　will　never　leave　you　again。　We　have　all　returned　home。　It　will　be　bright　and　gay　once　more　in　the　village；　and　the　work　will　go　forward；　for　there　is　a　great　difference　between　a　dozen　old　men　and　as　many　young　ones。　It　was　most　needful　for　us　to　return。　The　corn　is　ripe；　and　should　have　been　already　gathered。　We　must　go　to　work。　To…morrow　shall　be　a　happy　day　for　the　village；　the　whole　neighborhood　shall　perceive　that　the　twelve　young　men　of　Brunen　have　returned。　We　met　a　violinist　on　the　way；　and　we　engaged　him　for　to…morrow。　He　must　play　for　us　under　the　linden　tree；　and　our　fathers　and　mothers；　and　sisters　and　sweethearts　must　join　us；　and　we　will　dance　and　sing　and　make　merry。〃

〃What　a　coincidence！〃　said　the　old　shepherd；　with　a　bright　smile。　〃We　had　already　decided　that　we　would　meet　together　tomorrow　under　the　linden。　We　wished　to　sit　there　and　mourn　together　over　our　lost　sons。　To　sing　and　dance　is　much　better；　and　perhaps　the　old　grayheads　will　join　you。〃

〃You　must　dance　with　me；　father；〃　said　Charles　Henry；　laughing。　〃I　will　take　no　refusal。〃

〃I　will；　my　son；　I　will；　joy　has　made　me　young　again；　and　if　Phylax；　the　old　graybeard；　does　not　mind；　and　will　allow　me；　I　will　dance　with　you；　but　you　know　he　is　always　jealous　of　you。　I　am　sure　the　whole　village　will　envy　you　your　gay　young　partner。　But　now；　my　son；〃　he　continued　gravely；　〃tell　me　of　our　king；　and　how　is　it　that　he　has　declared　peace　so　suddenly；　and　whether　he　has　been　victorious　or　the　reverse。〃

〃I　know　nothing　of　the　king〃　said　Charles　Henry；　〃I　was　not　near　him；　but　in　the　division　of　the　Duke　of　Brunswick。〃

〃I　know　that；　my　son；　but　the　duke　would　not　proclaim　peace　without　the　knowledge　and　consent　of　the　king。〃

〃Oh；　father；　they　will　compel　the　king　to　make　peace；〃　cried　Charles　Henry。　〃And　as　for　the　Duke　of　Brunswick；　he　has　given　up　the　attack　against　Wesel　and　has　withdrawn　to　Westphalia；　and　the　French　are　in　possession　of　the　entire　lowlands；　which；　it　is　to　be　hoped；　they　will　retain。〃

〃You　hope　that？〃　asked　his　father；　with　astonishment。

〃Well；　yes；　father。　The　French　king　is　now；　and　perhaps　will　always　be；　the　lord　of　Cleve；　and；　as　his　subjects；　we　must　wish　him　success；　and　hope　that　he　will　always　conquer　the　King　of　Prussia。〃

〃What　do　you　say；　my　son？〃　asked　the　old　man；　with　a　bewildered　expression。　〃I　fear　you　are　right。　The　French　are　our　masters　now；　and；　as　our　king　has　declared　peace　with　France；　we　have　the　unhappiness　of　being　French　subjects。　May　God　protect　us　from　such　a　fate！　It　would　be　fearful　if　we　dared　not　call　the　great　heroking　our　king；　and；　if　we　should　live　to　see　the　day　when　our　sons　should　be　compelled；　as　French　soldiers；　to　go　to　battle　against　their　king。　Only　think；　Charles　Henry；　you　would　not　be　allowed　to　wear　your　fine　Prussian　uniform　on　Sundays；　and　it　is　so　becoming　to　you；　and　is　as　good　as　new。　But　how　is　it；　my　son；　that　they　have　left　you　the　uniform？　They　are　usually　taken　from　the　released　soldiers　and　put　amongst　the　army　stores。〃

〃We　all　came　home　in　our　Prussian　uniforms；〃　said　Charles　Henry；　〃but　of　course　we　will　lay　them　aside　to…day。〃

〃Why　to…day？〃

〃Because　we　are　French　subjects；　and　therefore　it　is　not　proper　for　us　to　wear　the　uniform　of　the　enemy；　the　King　of　Prussia。　That　is　also　the　reason　why　we　have　returned　home。　When　we　learned　that　Cleve　had　fallen　into　the　possession　of　the　French；　we　knew　that　we　were　no　longer　the　subjects　of　the　King　of　Prussia；　and　we　dared　not　fight　under　his　flag　against　the　French；　whose　subjects　we　had　become。　We　considered　that；　and　we　thought　how　much　it　would　injure　you　all　here　in　Brunen　if　it　were　known　that　your　sons　were　in　the　army　of　the　Prussian　king。　Principally　on　that　account　we　determined　to　return　home；　and　we　left　our　regiment　yesterday　morning；　which　was　on　the　point　of　marching　off　to　Minden；　and　we　walked　the　entire　day　and　half　the　night。　We　slept　a　few　hours　in　a　forest；　and　at　the　break　of　day　we　recommenced　our　journey。　And　now；　father；　that　I　have　seen　you；　and　you　know　every　thing；　I　will　go　to　my　room　and　take　off　this　uniform；　and　become　a　peasant　once　more。〃　He　sought　to　leave　the　room　hastily；　for　the　amazed；　horror…struck　expression　of　his　father　was　most　disagreeable　to　him。

But　Buschman　placed　his　hand　so　heavily　upon　his　son's　arm　that　he　was　compelled　to　remain。　〃Say　it　is　a　jest；　Charles；〃　he　cried；　in　an　excited　voic