The native American., 1839-06-29
FROM LATE FOREIGN JOURNALS
AN INCIDENT OF THE BATTLE OF WATER


ed before Ills marriage, Wa. ordered into Belgium. Wal
er longed for glory. and Helen, young wne' was 'oo
sensible to pain him by yaing regrets-even ON ter
parting she had striyen not to unInan HIM ana Wheh e
first natural feeling of grief over, she TOOK hef STA
ton the small window of the inn, which commanded
view of the scene of action.
Could unineres' cd observer have gazed upon tae
plain of w teroo at that moment IL must have ap
peared a splendid pageant. But Helen thought how
many would have gone to their final account
and she shudde,cd at the thought tNat perhaps her
Walter m ght be among the number. The distant can
aiding told that already the work of death had com
meneed. Several random shots had struck the inn, and
warned its inmates to take shelter in the barn. With
them did Helen sit during that long day. sad and SILENT
yet with the confidence in Gods protection that
had always marked her character She coud have smiled
at the yoluby ct her compan ons, who never ceased
speaking in a mixture ct bud French and Flemish But
it made her only more sad SIZE felt that she was indeed
among strangers Oh, the agony OF suspense the fear
of hearing that Walter was among the fall.n> Her
b auty and grsh appearance added to the knowledge
her husband in the field OF ba tie, gave her
interest in tho eyes of her companions, and many
the hopes they expressed in French that Captain Leslie
might return in safety The day passed, twilight sue
ceeded, followed by the almost immediate darkness which
characterizes continental and sill Helen sat
in all the agony OF suspense. The action had ceased
random rings succeeded the constant and fearful din Of
war; yet still Capttn Leslie returned not
She was reused from the state OF stupor into which she
had fallen by the sound Of approaching footsteps and
some soldiers entered the barn, bearing woune officer
1t was with scarcely defnabe feelings that Helen dis.
covered 1t her nuSbanQ, Dul young OHlcef OF
the same regiment. For few minutes any other feeling
seemed lost in the anxious attentions necessary II the
severe wound of the sufferer Helen had fortunately
provided every thing necessary; with he kndest gen
tleness she dressed the sufferers wounds and then at
tempted to restore him to consciousness her efforts
were successful. Aided by the people Of the inn she
succeeded in making him swallow a restorative and in
short time he able to thank the gentle hand which
| had minstered unto him.
Helen with eager earnestness exclaimed. !" w alter
where is he ~ Mr. Grant turned his head away. H.,
could not bear the SIGHT Of agony he knew his
must inAct. "speak in mercy tell me that Leslie is
safe ~ Helen paused moment, and the continued, g"
know it ALL Walter is dead!' There was a frghtiul
calmness in her manner, no tear escaped her-" Did
you see him fall % she said at length tell me all, it
would do me good; l feel if tears would cool this
scorchng Iain' size said, pressing ner hand to her
bosom.
Mr. Grant complied He felt that tears would relieve
her. 81 at his side" said he, "a moment before
he fell He had taken ANAL pocket Bible from his
breast had pressed to his lips" Helen covered her
face with her hands. cit the Bible gave him
our wedding day =! she gasped "tel me, tell me ALL
ed at his forebodings. "you will return" sid sto
tell her of the events Of this day" Before he could
PLY, we were summoned to act on few minu after
shot struck him and he fell
Helen burst into agoY OF tears, and for some min
utcs continued silent at length her resolution seemed to
be taken. She u the couch upon which Mr.. Grant
lying and begged him to describe tile spot where her
husband fell She received the description i'll silence. A
few minutes after she had stolen from the small inn yard
and stood alone the spot where she had last her
husband.
l. Helen was in years child and there had been
time when she would have shudered at recital OF the
horrors through which she passed, with tire milling
| step, though with undaunted heart,-but what will
not love in undert,ke ," God has much pow
protect here, she thought the distant firing
caught her car and caused her for moment pause
Gas in crowded roo ~ The thought Of 'aUhut had
she to We for J" rendered her moment incapable Of
proceeding; then silently mp'orng strength from God,
What scene Of horror presented itself to her The
spot where few hours before she had gazed the bril-
liant ranks Of tire contening armies, occupied
by the dead or dying. Occasionally wounded horse
dashed wildly among the heaps of wounded. There
was party employed in stripping the dead-at her APP
proach they looked up, and fer amoment supersttous
dread crossed their minds Her white dress made them
suppose her ghost, and when convinced Of their mis-.
take, they let her pass unmoested observing with
oath that size seeking perhaps for her lover Helen
passed. on. AS sire approached the spot described by
almost beginning to despair, when, from beneath
heap of slain outsretccd arm caught her attention
On one of the fingers ring one Of the first gifts
to him. With trembling hands she put down the small
indeed her husband who lay there; and long fit Of weep
ing relieved her she rscd him, and the head fell back
upon her shoulders. Approaching footsteps alarmed
her; they those Of two Of her husbands regi
ment. One of them explained that they had followed
her at Mr. G is desire. Between them the body
Of pan Leslie b, into the inn of Mount St Jean
surgeon was then dressing the wound of Mr.. Grant
and his immediate attcn ion given to Leslie. Helen
stood with her sband's hand claspcd in hers with
canness which more affecting than the most violent
agitation could have been Bruised Leslie was there
was no wound to be found The surgeon placed glass
before his ps-hcn exclaimed, with interest he had
not ofen felt -" He still lives -
The effect of joys often acute than that Of grief
Helen gazed for moment wildly rou,,d; then sank on
the floor in state Of nsensblty Hours passed before
she recovered consciousness When sic did, she found
that it not dire I'M. Leslie still lived The shot
which had struck him down found imbeddcd in the
Bible which he had but before thrust into the
breast of his coat But had it not been for the timely
ASST ance of his wife. he must have perished He was
saved almost by miracle from being crushed death
fortunately, however the spot which he fell was ho
low; and he is still alive
The incidents of this sketch strictly true. Those
who have visited - must have seen the small Bible |
which is regarded by the family with feelings of the
deepest veneration. 1t is still kept under case and
will forever perpctuae the beroism Of the soldiers bride
at Waterloo.
ANcEsrRAL PRInE.-When Dominica Contarini hap