Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-03-21


wing but yesterday in Strasburg, / have learned
your crime and condemnation. AS the jailer is one
of my relations, obtained permission to come and
tt you Ferre he who is about to die often re-
gfets that he has not friend to whom he can open
ms heart, and confde some duty to be fulfilled
Pierre if you wish, will be that friend--'
Thank you, comrade, replied Pierre, in dry
tone.
Have you nothing TO say to meY
Nothing
What not one adieu for your betrothed or your
sister?
A betrothed? Pa sister FL never had ether
Not for your father"
My father is no more-he died i'm nv arms two
months ago.
Not even for your mother"
For my mother? exclaimed Pierre, whose tones
suddenly altered = for my mother! An comrade,
do not pronounce that name, for, can you beleye
me, never heard it, never said it in my heart,
without being moved like child Even now it
seems to me, it were to speak of her -
'WellY
Il should shed tears, and it is not manly to weep
continued he with animation to weep when
have but few hours to live. All! | would be
without courager
You are too severe conrade,' said the officer
Il think have as much courage as other men, and
yet would not be ashamed TO weep when speak
ing fmy mother
Indcedr said Pierre, Selling the officers hand
with engerness, you are u soldier and YOU would
not be ashamed 20 weepD
when think of nv mother? no. indeed! She
is so good she loves me SO much, and love her.
She loves vou-you love her? o, then, will
tell you every thing; for my heart is full to over
flowing; and however strange may appear the
thoughts which fill my mind, You will not laugh at
them, am sure. Listen then. for as YOU were saw
inc little while aro. he who is DIVING. is happy to
have q friend, in whose bosom he can pour ont his
feelings, his secrets: will YOU then listen to me.
will YOU not laugh at me q
lam listening. Peue-he who is about TO die.
can excite nothno bnt svmpathv,
sWell, them said Pierre won must know that
from the time that | came into the world. I have
never loved bu, ono nerson and that ,vns INV moth
err! But loved her as no one else can love with
all the enerov and shirt that was in me. When
was but little boy, could read in her ewes. and
she in mine | knew her thoughts she knew mine
To my heart she was a part of myself; was the
same to her | never had wife or sweet heart
never had friend: my mother was my only
friend therefore. when was called upon to be.
come n soldier. when knew that was to leave
her. | was overcome with despoir: and declared
that. even if force was emnloyed, woud not leave
nv mother With one word. she who was good
and courageous woman, changed all my resolutions
on nv knees before her, and said, 81 will TO-
Pierre added she, you have always been a good
soon, and thank God but the duties of IA son are
not the only ones to be attended to; your country
calls YOU obey! You are going to become Il SOL
dier ;~encetorth your life is no more your own but
your country's If her interests call YOU, J. not
refuse to 90. If God chooses that Won should die
before me, will weep for YOU with all nv heart,
but will say, God gave him to me- God took him
= way, blessed be his name Aaieu then and if
you love me, do your dutyr Oh the Words sf that
saint, know them by heart DO hour dutu said
she; well, the duty of soldier is to obey every
where and always; always and everywhere have
obeyed it is also to go forward, to face danger
and peril without reflection or hesitation. Those
who have seen me thus rushing in the midst of
balls and bayonets said there is a brave fellow?
They would have said with more TRUTH There is
one who loves his motherp
One day letter came which told ne that my
poor mother was sick; | wanted to go and see her.
| asked for leave of absence; it was refused |
remembered her last words If you love me do
your duty was resigned A short time after
wards learned that she was dead-Oh, then lost
all command over myself Let it cost what it
might in spite of every thing, wished to return to
the village in which | was born. Whence came
this desire so ardent so irresistible, Of seeing a
gain the place where my mother had died? ] will
confess it to you and as you have mbther whom
you love, and who loves you, you will understand
me.
We country people of Morvoan, are simple
hearted and creduous we have not the wisdom or
education Of the jewellers in cities, but we have our
creeds, which folks call superstitions. Super
stltions, or whatever be, we have it. and skilllul
would he be who could take them from us. Well,
one OF our opinions winch we cling most to, is that
which attributes to the first flower which grows on
grave virtue, such that he who plucks it is GER
tain never to forget the dead, and never to be Tor
gotten of them. This is indeed precious and con
sollng belief. With 1t death is no longer dreadful,
it is but gentle sleep, repose after long fatigue
wanted to see this flower rise out of the ground
II wanted to pluck it, and to do this deserted
After a weary walk Of ten days | arrived at my
mothers grave. The ground seemed still freshly
dug: no sower had yet grown there. ! waited
six weeks passed, and at the dawn of beautiful
day, perceived little flower opening of a sky
blue. 1t was one of those flowers which we coun-
try people call, 'Forget-me-not.' When plucket
it, shed tears of joy for it seemed to me as though
that little flower was the spirit Of my mother, ant
IL H. ll