The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-05-18

these opinions took the tones of intens,
convic ions, when even thus in infancy
they were nurlured and fDstered? Ou
little circle at lie Luc was, indeed, wol
.Ierluly free from such causes Of con
'eniion. whatever paths in life fate ha
in store for us afterwards then, at leas
we were of one mind. A few Of tn
boys il is true, were struck by the sue
cesses of those great armies, the revo
luion poured aver Europe ; but even
they we're half ashamed 10 confess enlhu
,iasm 10 cause, go constantly allied in
their memory with everything mean
and low.lived. Such, in a few words
was the little party assembled around
he supper table OF the chaiesu, on one
lovely evening in June. The window
opening to The ground, let in the pr.
fumed air from many sweet and flow
cry shrub without, while already th'
nightingale had begun her lay in the
deep grove hard bv. The evening wa,
80 calm, we could hear the splash of III,
breaking tide upon The shore, and the
minute pesls of the waves smotc on the
ear, with soft and melancholy cadence
that made US silent and thoughtful. As
we sal for some minutes thus, we sud
denly heard the sound of feet coming VI
he little gravel walk towards The cha.
team, and on going TO the window, per.
ceived three men in uniform leading
their horses slowly along. The dusky
light prevented our being able TO disin.
guish their rank or condition.; but my
Iuocle, whose fears were easily excited
by such visitors, a, once haslened 10 the
door TO receive them.
/ His absence was not Of many minute
duration, bu, even now can remembe
the strange sensations Of dread, ths
} rendered us all speechess, as we s'oo
looking towards the door, by which h
was to enter. !Ie came at last and wa
followed by two officers, one, the eide
and the superior. evidently was a Thu
tsnght man or aDnm Turrry, wrlrss POI
: lbul,s stern countenance, in which haugl
y expression predomins,ed, the o'he
vas a fine soldier.lke frank lookin
fellow, who sau,ed US all as he came il
with a smile. and a pleasant gesture o
d. lIs hand.
"You may leave US children" SAL
Il ny uncle as he proceeded towards tn
bell.
"You were at supper, if | mislak
oot, said the elder Of the two officer
with degree Of courtesy in his tone,
scarcely expected.
eyes. general, but my lillIe friend
"Witl, Ihope, share it with u.s." SAT-
? The general nerruptlng, 'and al leas
am determined, with your permission
that they shall remain 1t is quite e
? dough that we enjoy the hospitality Q
your chateau for the night, without in
rer(erring with the happiness of It's in
mates, and | beg hat we may give yo'
} Is little inconvenience as possible il
? providing for our accommodation"
Though these words were spoken will
+ an easy and kindly tone, there was
cold, distant manner in The speaker, lha
4, Ichiled us all, and while we drew owe
to The table again, it was with Slenc
+ and constranl. Indeed, our poor unc
ooked n the very picture of dismay
endeavoring to do The honors TO hr
guests and seem at ease, while it wa
clesr his fears were ever uppermost il
his mind.
The aid de.camp, for such The younl
officer was, looked like one who coul,
nave Leen agreeable and amusing, if th'
restl sint Of the generals presence wa
/: no, over him. As it was, he spoke in
How, subdued voice, and seemed in grea
I'VE for his superior
| Unlike our usual ones. the meal wa
eaten in a mourn(ul slilness-lhe very
youngest amongst US feeling the pres
ence CT The strangers as thing Of gloon
and sadness.
Supper over, my uncle, perhnpa hop
ling TO relieve The embarrassment he la
bored under, asked permission of ih
general for US 10 remain, saying, AM
little people, sir, are great novelists, anc
hey usually amuse me Of an evening b,
their stories: viii this be too great a
endurance for your"
"By no means said the genera
gaily; 'there's nothing / like better,
hope they will admit me as one Of thei
party. have something of gifl lhi
i. way myself" The circle was 500
formed, the general ana his aid.de.cam