A SOLDIER OF FIFTEEN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 255, 11 December 1914, Page 3 (Supplement)

A SOLDIER OF FIFTEEN.

Gustave Chatain, a boy of 10, is already a military personage. He is lying wounded in a private Hospital the Uue bizat Pans, his ardent wish being to rejoin his comrades at the fiont. In two or three daj-s," he says triumphan - ly to visitors, " I shall be theie. 1 -cy want me.'' , rrl ■ Chatain is a farmers hid., ilie 110 of battle attracted him to beidis. Alpine Chasseurs were passing in tho street ; lie joined himself to them, and suddenly they came upon the enemy, in tho h©at of the skirmish the lad caught up a ritie and joined the fray. Ho found himself m the midst ot the battle oi to Marne. and fought with such aidoui that he did not notice that he was lett alone. He retreated calmly, .but coukl not. discover his company again and ho therefore joined a line regiment. > them he made a charge, cany n 0 . b die of straw in front ot him as a shie.d. In the battle of the Marne lie came upon seven Germans jjo we askep in a house near tho battlefield, lhe boy soldier fixed his bayonet summoned them to surrender, and they threw p their hands, apparently at the opportunity of being no longer foiced to From'one adventure he progressed to anoS. which consisted m rocong tnn<* a farmhouse. A fusilado k lie most of the French patrol, leav.ngonb the sergeant and tho boj . He Ina it'-Sd%one-heap and finaUy m rjtreating was wounded. But as lie was gliding away he noticed that tho seceant who had been shot in the foot, was unable to move The {'lueky young soldier took him on h:s back and tan led "liSi tbo lad's heroism lorn, given him a complete mihtary ourtit, and tho Military Government of I arls has obtained the boy's regular adnrssion into tho French Army. Gustavo is delighted. A tall, strong lad for his age, ho looks a brave figure in his umtoim. "Un bon petit diablo the sistor o» tho ward calls him.