Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-12-26

now, It seems to me, if were tospeak finer, -"
Swell /"
sIwould shed tears,aud il it not manly to weep
To weep" continued he with animation, /" to weep
when have but few hours to live All! would
, be without couragep
"You are too severe, comrade," said the officer.
have as much courage as other men, and yet l
would not be ashamed to weep when speaking of
my mother"
&c Indeed!' said Pierre. seizing the officers hand
with eagerness, "you are soldier, and you would
not be ashamed to weep :"
"When l think of my mother: no, indeed! She
IS SO good she loves me 30 much, and love her. ;"
=" She loves you! you love her 90, then will
tell you everything; for my heart is full to over
flowing; and, however strange may appear the
thoughts which Gil my mind, you will not laugh
at them, am sure. Listen, then, for as YOU were
saying little while ago, he who is dying is happy
to have friend, in whose bosom he can pour out
his feelings, his secrets; will you then listen to me
| will you not laugh at rue p
'i am listening, Pierre-he who is about to die,
can excite nothing but sympathy"
| swell, them" said Pierre, "you must know
| that from the time came into the world, have
never loved but one person, and that was my moth.
er! But Iloved her as no one else can love, with
all the energy and spirit that was in me. When
was but little boy, could read in her eyes, and
she in mine. knew her thoughts, she knew
mine. To my heart she was part Of myself; l was
the same to her. never had wife or sweet
heart, have never had a friend my mother was
my only friend; therefore when was called upon
to become a soldier, when I knew that was to
leave her, was overcome with despair; and de-
clared that even if force was employed, would not
| leave my mother. With one word, she, who was
good and courageous woman, changed all my reso-
| lutions 'Pierre,' said she, syou must 60, l wish
it, fell on my knees before her and said, Il
will CO." pierre" added she, you have always
been good son, and thank God but the duties
son not the only to be attended to; your
country calls you-obey You are going to become
| a soldier henceforth your life is no more your
own, but your country's If God chooses that you
| should die before me, will weep for you with all
my heart, but will say, " God gave him to me, God
took him away blessed be His name." Adieu, then,
| and if you love me, do your duty! Oh the words
| of that saint, know them by heart do your du-
ty, said she; well. the duty Of soldier il to obey
everywhere and always; always and everywhere
have obeycd it is also to so forward to face dan
ger and peril without reflection or hesitation.-l
Those who have seen me thus rushing in the midst
Of balls and bayonets sad 'there is brave fellow
They would have said with more truth, There is
one who loves his mother'
Some day a letter came which told me that niy
poor mother was sick; wanted to go and see her.
asked for leave of absence; it refused re-
membered her last words: IF You love me- do your
duty" was resigned A short time afterwards
learned that she was dead. Oh, then lost
all command over myself lie, it cost what it might.
4
village in which was born. Whence came this
desire so ardent, irresistible, Of seeing again the
place where my mother had died! will confess
it to You, and as you have mother whom you love
and who lSyes you, you will understand me.
hearted and creduous; we bsFaE zee are simple
our crss Of the , SMslle cs our superstition su
persttion or whatever it be, we have it, and skill
ful would he be who could take them from US
Well one of our opinions which we cling most to,
is that which attributes to the first flower which
grows on grave virtue, such that he who plucks
It is certain never to forget the dead and never to
be forgotten of them. This is indeed precious
and consoling belief With it, death is no longer
dreadful, it is but gentle sleep, repose after
long fatigue.
81 wanted to see this flower rise out of the
ground; wanted to pluck it, and to do this de-
serted. After weary walk Of ten days arrived
at my mothers grave. The ground seemed still
freshly dug: no flower had yet grown there.
wated-six weeks passed, and at the dawn OF
beautiful day. perceived little flower opening Of
| sky blue. 1t was one of those flowers which we
country people call, 'Frget-me-not.' When l
plucked it, shed tears Of JOY. for it seemed to me
az though that little flower was the spirit of my
mother, and that she had felt nay presence, and
that in the form Of the FOrgef-me-nOt, she had re-
| turned to cheer me.
! As nothing now bound me to my native village,
| for my poor father had not long delayed following
| my motneT 10 the tOtno, ana peSlues ha0 got my
precious flower, what more did want! came
to the army and said, Il have deserted, arrest me!
"I am now geing to die, and if, as you have as
| sured me, l have friend in you, will die with
out regret, for you will do me the service which
| will ask of you. This flower, for which left the
army, for which risked my life, 10 in this locket
which you see on my breast. Promise me that you
will take care that it is not separated from me. II
is the tie which unites me 10 my mother, and if
supposed that it was to be broken, oh would die
without courage. Say, do You promise to do what
/ ask"
al promise you"
go, give me your hand that may press it to
my heart. O, you who so kind to me, love
you and if God, by his lpowerful goodness, was
to give me second lite, would consecTate it to
your service"
The friends babe each other farewell.
| On the morrow, when Pierre had arrived at the
place of execution, and the sentence Of death had
already been read, dull murmurs, and then loud
cries. arose along the lines: The Emperor lit is
the Emperor God save the Emperor 80"
The Emperor appeared, dsmountcd from his
horse, and with short and rapid steps, walked
straight to the condemned man. Pierre p said he
Pierre looked at him; one would have said that
he wished speak but he was struck with strange
stupor.
words of last night. God gives you second life,
consecrate it, not to me, but to France! France is
also good and worthy mother! Love her as you
loved the other !" He remounted his horse, and
left, accompanied by shouts of applause.
u A few years afterwards, Pierre, who had become
captain Of the old guard, fell on the field Of Water
loo, and MORALLY wounded, found strength enough
!, to CRY out with a firm voice: "God save the En-
, peror!-God save my country God save my
mother"