[98] - As an example
a fellow from Paris, who was at first at Troyes, a baker's
apprentice,[99] and afterwards a dancing-master; then he appeared at
the Club, making headway, doubtless, through his Parisian chatter,
until he stood first and soon became a member of the district.
Appointed an officer in the sixth battalion of Aube, he behaved in
such a manner in Vend?e that, on his return, " his brethren in arms"
broke up the banner presented to him, "declaring him unworthy of such
an honor, because he cowardly fled before the enemy." Nevertheless,
after a short plunge, he came back to the surface and, thanks to his
civil compeers, was reinstated in his administrative functions; during
the Terror, he was intimate with all the Terrorists, being one of the
important men of Troyes. - The mayor of the town, Gachez, an old
soldier and ex-schoolmaster, is of the same stuff as this baker's
apprentice. He, likewise, was a Vend?an hero; only, he was unable to
distinguish himself as much as he liked, for, after enlisting, he
failed to march; having pocketed the bounty of three hundred livres,
he discovered that he had infirmities and, getting himself
invalidated, he served the nation in a civil capacity.
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