The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-11-09

uC ohOppdtu hHOWSIu o6SL now 10 Keep II
his fold replied the merchant, hastily ii
but you are that kings soldier, you take
his pay, you eat his bread, and doubtless
ought to hope the best for him, and even so
DO |. | would that he might repent and
humble himself, and then our holy father
would again receive him into the fold but,
now / bethink me, thou vert reading, What
were thy studies ?
The brow OF the soldier cloudeG, he hes
ita;ed a moment, but then gathering up his
resolution replied, in the lin of the battle
this 6ook was my breast plate. in the hour
of sickness my best BALM he laid the open
volume before the merchant.
, 'Holy saintP exclaimed the merchant
crossing himself, and drawing back as he
beheld the volume which his church has !
closed against the lAyman. Thou then art
among the hereticks who bring down
curse upon thy land! Nay, thy sojourn
here may bring down maledictions upon
me and mine, upon my house and home
But thou shalt forth will not harbor thee
| will deliver thee over to the church, tha
she may chasten thee Away from him,
my child away from him y
The soldier sat sad and solitary, watch
ing the dying light of the sun, as he had
passed majesticaIly on TO shine in other
lends. One ray rested On the thoughtful
brow Of the lone y man as he sought brac-
ing up his courage to meet ihe perilous
future. AS he thus muzed a soft voice
broke upon his reverse.
You are thinking of your far of home
said the Italian girl, show wish that all l
love had but one home--it is grief to have
so many homes
'Thsie is such home,' replied the sol
dier.
'Ah' replied Amelia 'but they say
that heretics come not there Promise
me that you will no: be hereto any Ion.
ger.
The soldier smiled and sighed
you guess why am here 10 night re
sumed the Italian girl. i know it by that
smile and sigh. You think that am come
10 tell you to seek your own land and home
and, therefore your smile, and just breathe
one little sigh because you leave this brigh
4 sun-and me-
Am | then 10 leave you, perhaps to be
delivered over to the power of your impla
cable church.
Amelia crossed herself. mo, no, go tc
: your own country and be happy. Here il
: money my father could not deny me when
begged it of HIM with kisses and tears
Go and be happy and forget US.
;" 'Never!' exclaimed the soldier, earnestly
never and you, my kind and genll
/ nurse, my good angle-you who hav,
brought hope to my pillow, and beguiler
e the sad hours of sickness in foreign lant
d words are but poor thugs to thank the
d with
Il shall see you no more = said tn
= young Italian, 'and what shall make m
happy when you are gone Who will tel
'e me the tale of flood and field? have bee
{; happy while you were here, and yet W
IS met very sadly. Ny heart stood st
when we first found you covered wit
/; blood, on our way back to Milanarter tn
n battle. You had crept under the hedge, a
t we thouhgt to dye. But took courage t
: lay my hand upon your heart and neVs
If has a morning passed, but | have gathere
the sweetest flower to freshen your sic
81 pillow and while YOU were nsensble i
$, that terrible fever used 10 steal into you
lr chamber and knee at your bed foot, an
n pray for the Madonna's care. And whe
1, you revived you smiled at my flower, an
OF and when you had voice to speak yo
2 thanked me-
Of Amelia's voice was lost in soils; an
as what wonder il one from mans sterner ma
., ture mingled with them!