Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-04-14

this time, sir, though constant employment,
and absence had certainly done something
to Danish her from my thoughts. She
might have been dead long since, too, for
aught know. Hence it was, there was
little to stand out against the impressions
that Bertha's good looks and kind nursing
were calculated to make upon me. How
ever, | never told her that loved her, tho
believe she saw it, Nor did she ever tell
me, in her pretty broken French that she
loved me but confess that / thought she
did. But all this came to crisis. re-
covered the use of my arm, and was obliged
to move on to Berlin. With tears in our
eyes, Bertha and parted by the side Of her
poor sick mothers couch and with some
convalescent companions who had been at
Potsdam with me, mounted baggage
wagon for Berlin.
We had yet some of our companions left
at Potsdam in bad state. That circum-
stance had an important effect as regarded
me. Three or four days after had reached
Berlin one of these invalids came up with
US, and soon after sought me out. Il have
a token for YOU and he gave me lock of
hair which soon saw to be Bertha's. "A
girl came and gave me this for you,' con-
tlnued my comradc, and babe me tell you
that her mother was dead This inlorma-
ton produced a strong effect upon me-
Bertha was now alone in the world she
had no one to protect or care for her her
mothers pension would cease what would
become of her These questions which
haI En1 -, 4
agitation and finally, TO be
brief sir, mounted my horse (for had
been early transferred from foot to dra-
COON regiment,) and contrived to make my
way back to Potsdam | say contryed ::
for had my purpose been known, | should
have been prevented most assuredy But
did make my way back to Potsdam, and
when | returned, it was with Bertha, my
wife, as | had made her, behind me.
| had been too long away on this occasion
for my absence TO have passed unnoticed.-
la fact, | was Immediately seized and
thrown into confinement as an intending or
actual deserter. What, then, did my poor
Bertha do, sir She had the courage to
go to the Little Corporal himself she found
access to him she threw herself at his feet
and told all that | had done-out of graft
Jude, she said, for her care Of me. And he,'
continued Jaques, again touching his hat at
he mention of his hero's name. 'he, who
hen had on his hands the affairs OF empires.
he condescended to listen to her-to hear
the whole story of his poor soldier. lie
sent her away without positive answer
and though he spoke in kindly way, poor
Bertha was dreadfully frightened. But on
that same evening the emperor's own sur
geon came to examine my arm, and noxt
day ! received my discharge, with pen
sion.
In the hurry and excitement of my feel
ngs throughout this entire business, | had
entirely forgot poor Marie but as | re-
armed slowly to my native village with Ber-
ha you may be sure that thought of but
title else, and began to look on myself as
of rascal. | dare say Bertha
hen feared that she had got sulky bargain
IF me; for many a time and oft she ques-
Toned me about my low spirits, At length
We got home-to this village, sir. stopped
1t the inn; nobody knew me- There was
l question on my tongue which wished.
cut found it difficult to utter, did not wish
hat Marie might be dead, but / heartily
prayed that she might be married. Alas 4
when | asked the question of viIager. the
answer not only told me that she was I'M
but, seeing me to be soldier. adj
led that she was engaged to her cousin,
older, who had been long at the wars. -
rs there existed necessity, however for
coming to explanations, left Bertha at the
mn, and, covered by the shades, moved with
ather slow steps towards the home where |
expected to find my mother, my brother and
ny sisters / found them all safe and well.
md with them none else than Marie. Ev-
ry body welcomed and embraced me, Ma
lie among the rest. 'Ah = thought |, as |
eturned her embrace, poor thing, she loves
ne yet, and little knows what a rascal
AVE been But out it must come So |
sked her if she remembered our engage
nent. Marie answered Yes, in low tone.
nd covered her face with her hands NV
Brother Michael, too, said rather tartly,
oh, we remember that childish engagement !
made no answer, but went on, in very
way, to tell how much had been
bliged by one, when far from home and
nally, got out that was-married -
1arle had never taken her hands from her
ace while l spoke; and imagining that she
vas going to give way to an awful explosion
i grief | was about to close my confession
With some penilent and consolng words,
'hen suddenly the hands were removed
nd face more full of smiles than tears,
vas disclosed to me. ooh, Jacques, tell me,
re you really married 'Yes, said |, a.
lazedly, thinking she must be going into
ysterics. 'Oh, you dear jacques ? cried
he, while at the same time my brother
lichae came up to me, and, with most ex-
raordinary warmth, shook me again and
gain by the hand. we have been both
l.. A l.