Frederick the Great and His Family [115]
I have it not, and cannot therefore be a soldier."
"Nor shall you become one," said Anna, with determination.
"What can you do?"
"I will join the army in your stead!"
Charles Henry stared at her. He was on the point of laughing, but the sight of her inspired, earnest countenance, in which a world of determination was expressed, sobered him completely.
"I will do as I said, for I have great courage, and when I think of a battle my heart beats loudly, not with fear but with rapturous joy. To me, nothing would be more glorious than to die, banner in hand, surrounded by the thunder of cannon, and to cry out exultingly, as the blood flows from my wounds, 'Vive le roi! vive la patrie!'" Her form was raised majestically, her countenance beamed with inspiration, a daring fire sparkled in her eyes--she was so changed in form and expression, that Charles Henry drew back from her in terror.
"I am afraid of you, Anna Sophia," said he, shuddering. "You are changed--you are not like yourself."
"No," said she; "nor am I the same. Yesterday I was Anna Sophia Detzloff--from to-day I am Charles Henry Buschman. Do not interrupt me--it must be! You shall not break your father's heart--you shall not bring disgrace upon the village. The king has called you--you must obey the call. But I will go in your place; you shall remain quietly at home, thrashing your corn, cutting your hay, and taking care of your kind old father, while I shall be upon the battle- field, fighting in your place."
"Do you then love me well enough to give your life for me?" cried Charles Henry, with streaming eyes.
She shook her head slowly, thoughtfully. "I do not know if it be love," said she. "I only feel that it must be done--there is no other outlet but this to help us all. Let us speak no more about it- -only tell me that you accept it."
"It is impossible, Anna Sophia."
"Only accept it, and all will be right."
"I cannot. It would be an everlasting shame to me."
She pressed her teeth tightly together--her eyes gleamed with anger. "Hear me out," said she. "Go, or stay--whichever you do--I do not remain here! I must away and seek my fortune. I have never been happy, as yet--upon the battle-field I may be. I have nothing to lose, and can therefore win all. Well, say! Am I to be a soldier in your stead?"
"If you really wish it, I must yield," said he, sadly. "You say you have nothing to lose, but I, I have you, and I cannot, will not lose you. And as you would be angry with and leave me if I said 'No,' I prefer saying 'Yes.'"
Anna Sophia gave a cry of delight, and, for the first time, gave Charles Henry a willing kiss. "Many, many thanks, Charles Henry," said she. "Now we will all be happy."
Charles Henry sighed. He could not bring himself to trust in Anna's prophecy.
"And now," said she, eagerly, "how shall we go about it?"
CHAPTER IV.
FAREWELL TO THE VILLAGE.
In the course of the day, Charles Henry accompanied the other boys to the village, where an officer was to call out the names of those who were drafted. As his name was called out, he did not change countenance--he remained as gay and cheerful as before, while the other boys were gazing sadly, thoughtfully before them. Then the officer handed each of them a ticket upon which their names were printed, and ordered them to go immediately to the nearest city, Cleve, and receive their uniforms. Charles Henry requested a day's leave, as he had various preparations to make for his father, to whom he wished to will the little property he had inherited from his mother. The officer granted him one day. Charles Henry left the house gayly, but instead of turning his steps toward the little hut inhabited by his father, he took the path leading to the old school- house, where his bride lived.
She stood at her door waiting for him. "Well," said she, hastily, "is all right?"
"Yes," said he, sadly, "I am drafted."
She grasped the printed ticket from his hand and hid it in her bosom. "Now," said she, "you have but to bring me a decent suit of clothes."
"Nor shall you become one," said Anna, with determination.
"What can you do?"
"I will join the army in your stead!"
Charles Henry stared at her. He was on the point of laughing, but the sight of her inspired, earnest countenance, in which a world of determination was expressed, sobered him completely.
"I will do as I said, for I have great courage, and when I think of a battle my heart beats loudly, not with fear but with rapturous joy. To me, nothing would be more glorious than to die, banner in hand, surrounded by the thunder of cannon, and to cry out exultingly, as the blood flows from my wounds, 'Vive le roi! vive la patrie!'" Her form was raised majestically, her countenance beamed with inspiration, a daring fire sparkled in her eyes--she was so changed in form and expression, that Charles Henry drew back from her in terror.
"I am afraid of you, Anna Sophia," said he, shuddering. "You are changed--you are not like yourself."
"No," said she; "nor am I the same. Yesterday I was Anna Sophia Detzloff--from to-day I am Charles Henry Buschman. Do not interrupt me--it must be! You shall not break your father's heart--you shall not bring disgrace upon the village. The king has called you--you must obey the call. But I will go in your place; you shall remain quietly at home, thrashing your corn, cutting your hay, and taking care of your kind old father, while I shall be upon the battle- field, fighting in your place."
"Do you then love me well enough to give your life for me?" cried Charles Henry, with streaming eyes.
She shook her head slowly, thoughtfully. "I do not know if it be love," said she. "I only feel that it must be done--there is no other outlet but this to help us all. Let us speak no more about it- -only tell me that you accept it."
"It is impossible, Anna Sophia."
"Only accept it, and all will be right."
"I cannot. It would be an everlasting shame to me."
She pressed her teeth tightly together--her eyes gleamed with anger. "Hear me out," said she. "Go, or stay--whichever you do--I do not remain here! I must away and seek my fortune. I have never been happy, as yet--upon the battle-field I may be. I have nothing to lose, and can therefore win all. Well, say! Am I to be a soldier in your stead?"
"If you really wish it, I must yield," said he, sadly. "You say you have nothing to lose, but I, I have you, and I cannot, will not lose you. And as you would be angry with and leave me if I said 'No,' I prefer saying 'Yes.'"
Anna Sophia gave a cry of delight, and, for the first time, gave Charles Henry a willing kiss. "Many, many thanks, Charles Henry," said she. "Now we will all be happy."
Charles Henry sighed. He could not bring himself to trust in Anna's prophecy.
"And now," said she, eagerly, "how shall we go about it?"
CHAPTER IV.
FAREWELL TO THE VILLAGE.
In the course of the day, Charles Henry accompanied the other boys to the village, where an officer was to call out the names of those who were drafted. As his name was called out, he did not change countenance--he remained as gay and cheerful as before, while the other boys were gazing sadly, thoughtfully before them. Then the officer handed each of them a ticket upon which their names were printed, and ordered them to go immediately to the nearest city, Cleve, and receive their uniforms. Charles Henry requested a day's leave, as he had various preparations to make for his father, to whom he wished to will the little property he had inherited from his mother. The officer granted him one day. Charles Henry left the house gayly, but instead of turning his steps toward the little hut inhabited by his father, he took the path leading to the old school- house, where his bride lived.
She stood at her door waiting for him. "Well," said she, hastily, "is all right?"
"Yes," said he, sadly, "I am drafted."
She grasped the printed ticket from his hand and hid it in her bosom. "Now," said she, "you have but to bring me a decent suit of clothes."