The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-03-02
A SOLDIERS REVENGE.


bought at the expense of 50 many crimes; and what
rendered the measure siih more Disgusting To them
was that the officers thus named, who generally
the miniOas Of some great man, were 10 most cases
very unfit for the situation which favor, not merit, had
procured them. Ii indeed, unusual thing to see
bearlless boy, of the balf-monksy and haifIger
class common in those days, put over the head of
whose numerous ought 10 have entitled him
TO the rank thus unjustly wrested from him.
These inruders we're, however, mostly made TO pay
dearly for their elevation; means, far and fOu
being used by the other officers to disgust them With
their situation, aud compel them TO abandon IT, H. "a
was generally the case they men at courage, they
were provoked into duel and this usually set
tied the matter way another for If they had the
good luck to Kill their antagonist they were suffered
TO remain in peace afterwards
II was during this epoch that Charles la Croix a
young Of good fassy, named TO the captaincy
of regiment stationed IN Provence. Ills appointment
was peculiarly dsagreeabe to the officers OF that regi
ment because they were all extremely attached 10
their first eaieaant they had joined unanimously IN
recommending him 10 the Convention for The vacant
company, which, 10 the TRUTH he we'll mented, by
the services he mad rendered his country,ser.ces of
which his presented abundant testimonials. The
officers sspoused bis eause with more than common
eagernesS and il determined mem. to make
unusual short work with the intruder.
La Cr0x presented himself at The coionefs house,
wholly unsuspicious Of the persecution which awaited
him. That officer had need of all his pejudces against
the new conner enable him to persist in the resolu
ton he ind formed of receiving him very Codly. He
noble looking youth, CT about twenty-five, whose
handsome manly eOunenanee was rendered extremely
prepossessng by blended expression of trankness,
bravery and benevosnce He presented himself to his
colonel with mixture Of modesty and seli-respect in
his air which shook for moment that gentlemans re-
solution: bur the of the other officers who
had heard Of the arrival of the comer and who all
on some pretehce other, hocked 10 behold him, re-
called il to his mind.
Il hone, sir" cried he in an austere Tone "you will
nav proper attention To the duties of YOUR command
and that YOU will attempt introduce into my
gimenI the vices OF Paris" Colonel" replied the
young man with ingenious blush, trust that you
will havc reason to be satisfied with me- shall endea-
vor TO follow the example of my comrades and | hope
that nv efforts gain their regard will obtain for
the benefit of their advice, which am certain must
from my inc experiences, have great need or Sir, re-
piled the colonel roughly, you would have acted more
wisely IL had acquired the experience you must be
so much in Of before took upon yourself the
command Of company Ii Is more than indlsereet ~
a boy who has hardly quilted school, 10 put himself
over the heads of brave aud experienced men, Look at
YOUR first euienant, and judge how painful il DO
10 him TO himself commanded by one your age,
by mere novice III a procession Oh winch ne Is
thorough MASTER.
feel all the truth eff your observations" replied
La Crox in a modest but firm tone bul do me the
Justice sir, TO believe that am mol here by my own
choice. / would gladly have conenied myself with
an inferior rank bat my patron thought beneath him to
solicit any thing but oapalney Ii however, colonel,
you find that my nexperience renders me unit tor the
post shall certainly resign n.
The colonel turned his back upon him without re-
plying. La Croix then addressed himself to Valmon
The rst ieutenau sd begged him 10 present Kim TO
his brother officers. d" You are old enough to intro
duce Yourself sIrr the answer, delivered in the
most disobliging IL brought blush Of anger
into the yoang mau's face; but, recoectng himself,
and perceiyn. friendly expression IN any eounie-
nance around him, he bowed and retired.
Next dav, according TO the usual custom, lie called
on each of the officers They had expected this visit,
and they took their measures accordingly. lie had the
Identification TO hear them tell their servants, after
another In tone evidently meant for his that they
were not at home. They met him ut the parade It'll
ayerted insuent looks; returned his cistes,
ar even answered his questions. IT, at The coifee-house
lie proposed of them game at billiards. he was
refused and directly afterwards another accepted,
without the slightest apology being made 10 him. In
short they him completely to Coventry or rather,
they did still more-they evGced the most determined
resolution To quarrel with him II possible.
For some time La CIoix endured this treatment ~
silence but 10 dge from the expression of his eloquent
eountenance not aiihouI feeling very mortica-
tion particularly when one dav, stranger, who was
nIavng az billiards 18th FamOnt at the conee-houSe,
asked his opuion doubtful point OF the game, AM
iust as he was abont 10 give IT, ValmonI interrupted
him bv exelaring protest against that gentleman
opinon on any thing that concerns me- " And ior
what reason p cried Young ensign, who thought ihni
he now saw the To- torUe la Crolx tn hight.
2ecause' replied Iie heaten7ni, scorninv, - Ike
Kim mott At these words, La Croix fixed his rveS
,,noo Vainlanr with expression at herrenpss which
VS. a,,ast Immediately succeeded hv look of snr-
ro.g H.. Wa evian on tee puin, OF br'aking on
Iuf cauzfriifls bns by strung eF ~, he qu'ird
the cu s-hnrSt without speaking, and ir0n that DAY
he entered IL no more.
40 tbs D6l,rennr' sail valmoni, looking after him
8 fbsrs's me- nrnvotisg h'n 10 dn~ his SSOr'." ." II
= SINGULAR ss,ush' eri Il the y"ung en-ign. who had
sI ~ Law, h,,,i in0 a darrel hv tie an rilnes qneS