Washington telegraph., 1849-04-25
AFFECTING STORY OF A FRENCH
OFFICER AND HIS son.
RELATED BY AN ENGLISH OFFICER.

| d IiCHCll LtcuIcidlit. mere was some
thing similar in our domestic relationship.
He had a son-a child. an infant-who
was all IN life to him, next TO his country
and his duty. /, too. had then such a
son of the same years. We were accus-
toned, brother, to talk of these children
Ito picture their future--to compare
our hopes and dreams We hoped and
dreamed alike. A short time sufficed to
establish this confidence. The end of the
year parted us, and we met no more till
last year. Being then in Paris | inquired
for my old friend, and learned that he
was living at h, few miles from
the capital. went to visit him; found
his house empty and deserted. That
very day he had been led to prison,
charged with a terrible crime. [ saw
! him in that prison, and from his own lips
learned his story. His son had been
brought up, as he fondly believed, il the
habits and principles of honorable men;
and, having finished his education, came
to reside with him at R. The young
man was accustomed to go frequently
to Paris. A young Frenchman loves
pleasure, sister, and pleasure is found at
| Paris. The father thought it natural,
and stripped his age of some comforts to
supply luxures to the sons YOUTH
Shortly after the young mans arrival,
the father perceived that he was robbed.
| Moneys kept in his bureau were abstract
ed, he knew not how, nor could guess
by whom. 1t must be done in the night
tle concealed himself and Watched
lie saw a s,ealthy figure glide in-he
saw false key applied to the lock-he
started forward, seized the felon, and re-
cognzed his son. The poor old man was
Mortified, yet he could not bear the
thought of his boys being thief. He
spoke mild remonstrauces TO the youth
he did more-he gave him the key of his
bureau. Take what have to give"
said he II would rather be beggar
than know my son a thef."
The young man promised amendment,
and seemed penitent. He spoke of the
temptations of Paris, the gaming-tabie,
and what not. He gave up his daily
visits to the capital. He seemed to apply
to study Shortly after this the neigh
borhood was alarmed by reports of night
robberies on the road. Men masked and
armed, piundered travellers, and even
broke into houses.
The police were on the alert Suspi-
cions rested OH the son of the unhappy
officer, but the ola man dared not believe
Them; yet he resolved to interrogale his
boy. He began by conversing with him
on the subject OF his studies; he followed
him to his room, waited till he was i'll
bed, but could not bring his mind to speak
OF the robberies. AS he was then about
to retire, the youth said, al Father you
have forgotten your blessing"
The father went back, laid his hand
on the boys head, and prayed. He was
credulous-tsthers are so. lie was per-
suaded he had been deceived He retir-
ed to rest, and fell asleep. He aWoke
suddenly i'll the middle OF the night, and
felt Il here quote his words)-''I felt,
said he, if voice had awakened me-
a voice that said, Rise aud search |
rose at ouce, struck light, and went TO
my sons room The door was locked
| Knocked once, twice, thrice-no an
sWer. | dared not call aloud, lest | should
rouse the servants. | went down the
stairs-I opened the back door passed
to the stables. My own horse was there,
not my sons. My horse neighed it was
old, like myself--my Did charger at Mount
81 Jean. | stole back; | crept into the
shadow of the wall by my sons door,
aud extnguished my light. l felt as if
were a thief myself
Before daybreak TIE old man heard the
back door open gently; loot ascended
the stair, key grated in the door of the
room close at hand the father glided |
through the dark into that chamber be-
hind his unseen son. He heard the clink |
of the tinder-box; a light was struck; it !
spread over the room but he had time to
place himself behind the window curtain.
which was close at hand The figure be-
fore him stood moment or so motion.
less, aud seemed to lislen-for it turned
to the rght-tC the left--its visage COW
cred WITT the black hldeous mask which
is wr,sn in carnivals. Slowly the mask
was removed. Could that be his sons
face ?--the son of brave man! 1t was
pale and ghastly with scoundrel fears
the base drops stood on the brow; the
eye was haggard and bloodshot. He
looked as coward looks when death
stands before him. The youth walked
or rather skulked, to the secretaire. un-
locked l., opened secret door; placed
within it the contents OF his pockets, and
his frightful mask. The father approach
ed softly, looked over his shoulders, and
saw in the drawer pocket-book en-
broidered with his friends name, who had
recently been robbed i'll the neighborhood
Meanwhile, the son took out his pistols,
unlocked them cautiously, and was about