Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-07-22

IIs parents were in humble life, and consequently
could not afford him that education his early dis
plav of talents would have warranted; At the
commencement OF our revolution, he vIas scarce
eighteen but his youth had not been passed in idle
ness His connexions being neither rich nor infu-
ential, he knewit depended solely on himself whe-
ther he should like his ancestors continue to be
slave, and spend his time and labor to pamper his
lordly tyrant, or by spirit Of independence leave
the home of his childhood and perhaps become a
wanderer on the face of the earth.
At this period Of his existence, he heard of our
struggle for independence, and when the Court of
France determined on sending us aid, he was one
of the first to enlist under Rochambeau. On the
arrival of the French army, 1t is well known, they
encamped for several days in the town OF Cranston
Curiosity prompted hundreds Of people, old and
young, to visit the encampment, and among the
number who visited the camp was Miss S****, "a
young lady of the neighboring town, not the least
conspicuous for beauty and sweetness of DISPOSE
ton II is not to be wondered that a handsome
Young fellow like F******, should by her. be no.
ticed, or that her charms should kndle flame in
his bosom not easily quenched; and ere the army
took up their line of march. they mutually pledged
to be united, whenever he could with honor re-
turn II j. useless to tell the many hair breadth
'scapes'' of our hero:-he followed his commander
with determination to do his duty-or die:-he
was foremost in every gallant action, and of course
could not escape some wounds-honorable testi-
monias of his bravery--which he carries with hin,
to this day.
But there in his breast another srrong incite
ment to exertion aud gallant conduct. He was
shedding his blood for the country. that claimed
the beloved Of his soul, native of her land, and
he felt conscious of possessing an interest in the heart
| Of lovely daughter of America. And who, ask
would not cheerully shed his hearts best blood in
defence of the country that contained the dearest
| object of his affections?
| After the surrender of Cornwallis the French
| army prepared to leave the country, whose indie.
| pendence they had assisted to achieve The term
for which young F****** enlisted mad not yet ex
| pred, and he was unable to get a discharge. His
commander could not give him that liberty he sc
ardently coveted, and the refusal of this "boon'
nearly distracted him. No language can express
! the anguish of his mnd-imagnation can hardly
conceive the dreadful alternatives presented TO his
view. On the one hand, appeared his lovely Ma
| ry, and the joys that awaited his return. On the
| other, desertion of his country and perhaps dis
grace. No language can pourtray the struggle be-
| tween duty and affection-but YOU who have felt
| the pure flame of honorable love-you, and yor
only can conceive. At last, love triumphed, ant
| he deserted.
He fled to spot where he knew there would
| be sa ety-was concealed where none could disco
| yer him, for twas in woman's heart. She pro-
tected-she cherished, and she successfully con
cealed him, till pursuit was over, and then recon
pensed his ardent attachment by bestowIng her al
herself II would be idle in me TO attempt pour
traying his after life;-it has been OF humble
happiness Blessed with numerous family, it wa
always his aim to keep want from his door-thougl
many have been his privatons, never did hi
heart quail in the hour of fdihculty-never did ht
shrink from bravng the storm, when the necessities
| of his family called for exertion. But now, II
common with our few remaining revolutonar.
soldiers, does he feel that pnching want is fast ap'
preaching his old age. But he is a Frenchman
and the same smiling countenance that was iamllia
to my young days. appeared in the procession, sur
rounded by his brethren in arms-the last rem
nant Of our countrys brave defenders.
SEVENTY-SIX.