Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-22

himself ia ths dshs. opposisoa. - slwsys
the ssss. only bad . tendency to nesass hS
ardor. snd taking advantage Of the ten. esssy
absence Of his father. no elo3ed-seok psss>es
for Europe, and laudng 10 France, psoess6sd
to Flanders. who're DO joined the amy IN ue
capacity Of a common soldier. lie wss aesivs,
emulous of distinction. possessed those lofty
feelings which ever mark the gallant soldier
and distinguishing himself in the Flemish wan,
by his heroism. was soon promoted to a cap
taincy. and finally obtained the rank and com
mission of a Coloael.
Celestro. was for a while inconsola bis for
tho loss OF his boys but time passcd on. and
obtaining no ,idinss from him, he supposed him
dead, and s,roye to console himself for a loss
which could not be restored. by placing h; on
tire affections on his remaining offspring. More
than twelve years had passed away, when CO.
lcstro received a letter from his son, which IN
formed, that though elevated to nm Office or
rank, he suffered innumerable HI rdships, and
concluded by asking pecuniary aid at the hands
OF his yet INDECENT and unhappy parent.
The old man, though onrnptured when 10
heard from his son, was distressed to know
that he could not afford him the least aid or
comfort, and the lovely Amanda, and the no
less amiable Jacques. INDUCED in the most cx-
cessive grief, when they knew of the sufernss
of Henrico, and were sensible that they could
not assist him.
A week had elapsed, since the letter was
received, when a young officer. bearing tie
insignia Of a soldier Of distinction, rode up TO
the gate of Celcstro. and alighting, directed
that his luggage should be taken caro- Of CALI
ed for supper, which was instantly provided.
and the gallant guest partook of a hearty 70.
past. Whilst banqucting on the homely fare.
which the rustic DO I'd ofCelestro afforded, the
young officer cnquircd the name OF his host.
and being informed that il was C~ele,tro, ask
ed him if he had no, a son in the Flemish army.
The delighted Ce!estro, replied that he had.
and begged that his e Iest would say ir he knew
aught Of bis boy or his history. The stranger
replied. that he knew MIN we'll; had served
with him in the sane war-had messed with
him and added. "Le has been distinguished
BY his general now ranks as a Colonel, and +,
esteemed as a gallant and an useful oficcr.'
Celeste was oycrjoyed with the Intelligence
Afforded by his guest, and begged that he would
communicate every thing he knew in relation
to Henrico. The officer replied, al am much
iatigued at this moment = show me 10 my cham
Der, and in the morning. you shall know al
that ] know concerning your gallant soldier,
and beloved offspring"
Celeste, Selling a lamp. obeycd the wishes
of the officer, and impatiently awaited the are
rival Of that morning, which was 10 afford in.
formation to him. and TO all he held dear. So
important, and go interesting.
As the officer assembled the stairs, he hand
ed Cclesiro, a large purse Of gold, with , re-
guest that he would take care of it ill the an
suing morning.; and, having reached his cham.
Der badc his host good night, and gave himself
up to the embraces Of the midnight monarch.
On Celes'ro's ,oturn 10 the suppcr-room. re
showed the officers purse to his son Jaques.
and e1patiated at length, on the noble appear
ancc of The solder, his pleasing manners, and
prepossessing dcmeanor.
He had scarcely closed lis exordium. when
Jaqucs, whose soul, already inflated bv III.
appearance Of SO much wealth, proposed thu.
they should murder the officer. and appropriate
his money TO their " private purposes and
benefits.
The father MAS panic-struck a, the propo-
ton, and for a while Indignantly repellcd tho
proposition, but the son, working upon his
passions, by relating tho hardships Henrico
endured in the Flemish army, and represent
ing that the avails of the officers purse would
be amply sufficient to restore the son, aud dis
sipate his sorro VS.. the old man ut length con-
sentcd and accompanied BY Jaquos, repaired
TO the officers apartment. To pcrpe,rats lhs
deed Of darkness and Of horror. On rca aching
the room Of the stranger. the old man faultrs-
cd. when he beheld The unsuspc citing officer At
his mercy, and fell back with an cxelamatio.
Of terror. But Jsqncs was not thus easily ia.
Inundated, aud restoring tho old man 10 h;s
senses, begged that he would not lot the o.
p~or;snity escape them. aud thus idly lose the
possibility of assisting, the unhappy and ind.
gent son and brother. In reply, the fsultcrius
old man simply said, whatever is 10 be Gone.
let il be done quickly;" when jacques. with kss
arm, with ono dreadful thrusf, pane,
rated the officers heart with . dsggs. The
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