Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-07-09
MISCELLANEOUS.
ITanslaCd 0T Inc D07I0n AI1 from tH0 FIonch OF Eug1l
THE VALUE OF LIFE.


EXTRACT tEloiR OF GENTLEMAN BRITTANY.
' And Joseph, opening the door of the parlor, came
TO inform us the post-chaise was ready. My moth
or and sister threw their arms around me.
." There is yet time" SAID they to me, "giyc up
all thoughts Of this journey"
Mother" said !, 9" am gentleman; am TWEEN
. ty years old it is time becomo something in the
world, that should push my way either in the ar
my or at court"
what will become of me ?"
"You will be proud and happy to hear of the
sSccess Of your SON."
. "And should you be killed in some battlcm
'"And what if 1 should what is life? Is it any
thing but dream: gentleman of twenty should
think only Of glory. And in few years you will
see me returning to you, either a colonel or mar
shall, or else holding an honorable post at Versailles
"Well, of what good will THAT be-"
81 shall be respected and Of consequence"
"Aud then?"
"Thcn every one will take off his hat when he
meets. me- Ishall marry my cousin. Ilonsietta; |
Will sec my young sisters well married. and VIC will
all live with you in tranquility and happiness, on
my lands in Brittany"
And who presents you from doing the same
now? Has not your father left you the finest for
tune in the whole country? Is there richer do
main OF more beautiful castle for twenty leagues
around, than that of Roche Bernard? Do you not
take your tenants into your accounts? Are there
not enough to salute you when you cross the vii
lage? Do not leave us, my son; remain near thy
friends, with thy sisters with thy old MOTHER whom
when you return yop will perhaps no logger find
among the living: do not 90, and waste in vain
search for glory, shorten, by cares and torments
Of all kinds, your days, which at best pass but too
quickly Life is pleasant thing, my son, and the
sun Of Brittany is so beautiful"
70 So saying, she pointed, through the p1rlor win
dows TO the beautiful avenues of my park, the old
in tl,n thn lo-
whose blossoms perfumed the ar, and whose YER
dure sDarklcd in the sunlight. Ia the antechamber
stood the gardener and his whole family, who, sad
and silent, all seemed TO say to me, do not depart,
young master, do not leave US
lortensia, my eldest sister, pressed me IN her
arms, and Amelia, my little sister, who was in a
corner Of the hall, engaged in looking at tho en-
cravings of volume of Fontanc, approached me.
offering me the book.
q. "Read, read, brother," said she, weeping.
1t Wa the fable of the "Two Pigeons"
rose hastily and put them all back.
81 am twenty years old | am gentleman, and
must earn honor and glory; let me 60"
| rushed out into the courtyard, was about tc
ascend the post chaise, when woman appeared
upon the steps of the staircase. 1t was Henrietta
She did not weep, she did not say one word, But
pale and tremulous she could hardly support her
self With her white handkerchief, which she helt
in her hand she gave me Il last sign of adieu, anC
and swore an eternal love for her, and at the mo-
ncnt she came to herself leaving her to the care O
my mother and sister, ! fastened to my carriage
without stopping and without turning my head. l
Thad looked at Henrietta should not have gone,
A few moments after, the post-chaise was rolling
along the main road. For long time though
only Of my sisters, my mother, Of Henrietta, an,
the happiness | was leaving behind me. But thes
thoughts all eilaced as soon as the turrets o
Roche Bernard were concealed from my sight, AM
my mind was soon filed only by dreams Of ambi
ton and glory.
What castles in the air what fine exploits per
formed, in my pOst-chase. Wealth, honor, dgnties
success Of all kinds denied myself nothing A
last, rising in rank, as proceeded on the road
became q Duke and Peer, q Governor of prov
ince, and Marshal Of France, when reached, i
the evening, my inn. The voice of my domestic
calling me by the simple title Of squire, compelle
me to return to myself and to abdicute my borrow
cd titles. The next day and the following, tn
same dream, the same ntoXicaton ensued; for IN
journey was a long one.
repaired to the environs of Sedan, to the hous
of the Duke of C., an old friend of my father an
patron Of Cur family He was to take me with hii
TO Paris where he was expected at the end of III
month. lie was to present me at Versailles an
obtain for me the command Of a company Of dra,
oons through the influence of his sister, the Ma
choness of f., young and charming woman, gel
orally regarded as the successor Of Madame Pom
padour, whose place and tue she Claimed with lu
tice as she had long fulfilled It's honorable function
/ arrived in the evening at Sedan, and it beir
then too late 10 repair to the castle Of my prote
tor, | delayed my visit until the next day, and p
up at the French firms, the best hotel in the cit
and a general rendezvous for all the officers; f
Sedan is garrisoned city, a strong place. ri
streets have warike aspect, and even the citizel
have a martial appearance, that seemed to say
strangers I'VE are copatriots of the great TurennC
1 eat at the public table, and inquired the way
the castle of my patron, situated three leagues fro
the city. Amy one will show YOU" said they
me, "he is well known in the country. 1t was
that castle that the great warrior, the Marshal FL
bert, died" The conversation turned upon III
Marshal, as was very natural among young so