The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-09-21

resolution he mad formed OF RECEIVING MIN
very coldly.-He was a noble looking youth
of about twenty-five, whose handsome man
ly countenance was rendered extremely pre-
possessing by blended expression of frank
ness, bravery and benevolence.
i hope SIR cried he, in an austere tone
you will pay proper attention to the duties Of
your command; and that you will not at
tempt to Introduce into my regiment the vi
ces of Paris Colonel replied the young
man; with an ingenious blush, 4 trust that
you will have reason to be satisfied with me.
shall endeavour to follow the example of
my comrades, and hope that my efforts to
gain their regard will obtain for me the BEN
eft Of their advice, which I am certain I
must, from my inexpericnce, have greatneed
of Sir replied the colonel roughly you
would have acted more wisely if you had ac-
quired the experience you must be SO much
in want of, before you took upon yourself the
command of company. Look at your first
lieutenant, and Judge how painful 1t must be
to see himself fcommandeuby one of your age,
by a mere novice in aprofessen Of which he
is thorough MASTER
i feel all the truth of your observation
replied La Croix, in modest but firm tone:
but do me justice, sir to believe, that am
not here by my choice. would gladly have
coptented myself with an inferior rank, but
my patron thought it beneath him to solicit
any thing under captancy.-If, however,
colonel, you find my inexperience renders me
unfit for the duties of my post, shall cer-
tainly resign it,
The colonel turned his back upon him
without reply. La Croix then addressed
/ Valmont the first lieutenant, and begged
him to present him to his brother Off
, GERS. you are old enough to introduce
yourself, SIR was the answer delivered in
the most disoblging tone. Itbrought a blush
of anger in the young mans face, but recol-
lccting himself, and pcrceiving no friendly
expression in any countenance round him, he
bowed and retired.
Next day, according to the usual custom,
f he called upon each of the officers.-They
had expected his visit. and they had took
. their measures accordingly. He had the
i modification to hear them tell their servants,
one after another. in tone evidently for his
ear, that they were not at home. They
met him at the parade with averted or inso-
| lent looks; no one returned his civilities or
even answered his questions. If at the cof-
fee-house he proposed to one of them game
: of billiards, he was refused, and directly
r after another was accepted without the
r slightest apology being made to him.
/, For some time La Croix endured this
t treatment in silence, but to judge from the
e expression of his eloquent countenance not
: without feeling very severe mortification,
e particularly when one stranger, who was
S PLAYING at billiard with Valmopt at the cof-
+ fee house, asked his opinion on doubtful
: point of the game, and just as he was about
to give it, Valmont interrupted him by ex-
: claiming, Il protest against that gentleman's $
I opinion to any thing that concerns me- And
e for what reasons cried young ensign who
It thought that he now saw the moment to
e force La Croix to fight. Because, replied
: the lieutenant scornfully, Il like him not
" Atthese words, La Croix fixed his eyes upon
!. Valmont with an expression of herceness
e which was almost Immediately succeeded by
d look of sorrow. He was evidently on the
l. point of breaking out; but constraining him.
l. self by strong effort, he quilted the coffee
IN house without speaking, and from that day
l. entered it no more.
l. % the poltroon!' said Valmont, looking af-
e. ter him to draw his sword 1T is singular
j. enough cried the young ensign, who had
tried to draw him into quarrel by the insid-
ID ious questions he put to Valmont, for he is
at certainly no coward
a. How, no cowardi fellow who puts up
W with every insult is not a coward? You joke.
er NO, faith do not; and if you had seen him
s. look when you told him so plumply that
lie you did not like him, you would agree with
DC HE tlidL lis IluSt OC OiasO a. Oolsoh' v 81
j mont replied only by look of incredibility
n and the conversation dropped.
it Although the amiable manners of La Croil
ic had failed to conciliate the minds ofhis com
i'll rades, they gained him the good will of al
st the gentry in town, to whom his situation ant
a. the responsibility ofhis birth and connection
a. introduced him. Among those who showed
in him particular marks of attention was Gen
Bellegrade, veteran officer, who had know
his father, and who invited him to conside
his house as his own.
at This acquaintance was extremely a
Id greeable to the young man: the general hat
ill an amiable wife and two charming daughters
w with whom he soon found himself domesti
ad Gated; and they on their part were SO pleas
nd ed with him, that the veteran SAID 10 MIN on
is day with the frankness of soldier. wv
us look upon you already as one OF ourselves
of These words delighted La Crolx, on whom
m the charms of Eugene, the second daughte
If had made an impression. He opened hi
heart to the general, and had the satisfactio
!, 10 hear. that if he could make himselfagree
M able TO the Lady, he had nothing to fea
ed from her parents, the consent OF his own be
ar ing understood.
pi- The notice taken of La Croix by the gen