Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-09-30
THE LOVERS OF WIRE.

The sun was shining as fair as the sun
could shine, on q lovely May morning
bright, yet gentle; warm, but fresh {mid
way between the watering pot of April
and the warming pan of June, upon the
beautiful valley of Wire. Stretched at
the foot ola long steep hill, crowned by
pretty airy looking town, whose build.
ings, in some parts gathered on the very
pinnacle, in others running far down the
slope, as if coqueting with the rich valleys
thai WOO them from below, lay this lovli-
est Of valleys that natures profused hand
ever gifted with beauty the soft clear
stream Of the Wire winding sweetly along
between the green slopeing hills, and rich
woods, and fields, chateaux and hamlets,
and birds singing their songs.of love, as its
calm waters silvered by the sunshine, roll
beautifully by them. Could you but look
upon it, you would find it difficult to i'm.
agine how the soul even of an obscure
artizan in q remote age, warmed into
poetry and music, in the bosom of that
valley. and by the side Of that stream.
1t was there in the beautiful vale Of
Wire, some twenty years ago, that Fran
co.'s Lorimer went out to take his last
May walk with Mariette Duval, ere the
relentless conscription called him from
his happy home, his sweet valleys and his
eary love. 1t was sad walk, as may
bewell imagined ;for though the morning
was bright, and nature, to her shame be it
spoken, had put on her gayest smiles, os if
to mock their sorrow, yet the sunshine of
the scene could not find its way to their
hearts, and all seemed darkened and
clouded around them. They talked
great deal, and they talked long time
abu: far be it from me to betray their
private regrets, Mt this their leave taking.
/ would not for all the world-especially
as know not ono word about it. Except,
indeed, that Francois vowed that the i'm
age Of Mariette should remain with him
forever should inspire him in battle, and
cheer him in the bivouace ;; and that
Mariette protested that she would mover
marry anybody exsept Francois Lorimor,
event rich old Monsieur Datousssfort,
the great Fouan, were 10 lay himself and
his fortune, at her feet in short, that
when his seven long years were out,
Francois should find her isiill sas spins.er,
and very much nj his service .-sY,.
a "Butif I lose a limb2" said Francois.
saaBelieye me, shall not love you less !"
replied Mariette. 5s1esc1s.G .as...e1
/ az They parted ffst 10 follow; the
ladys Marriette weptlarg great deal, but soer
afterwards she appeared calm again, went
+ about her usual work, sung her song,
tdancedat thevAlage Eeie. talked, with the
takers, laughed with the gay, and. won
the hearts of oil the, youths in the place,
by her unadorned beauty and her native
grace. But, still, francois swas3 not Cor.
gotten; and when. several came, at differ.
ent times, to ask her in marriage, the good
dame, her mother, referred them directly
to Marie,te, who had always her answer
| ready, and with a kind word, and gentle
look sept them away, refused but not of.
Tended. 70 At length good old Monsieur
EDatausseforts presented himself, with all
his monsy bags, declaring that his only
wish was 10 enrich his gentle Mariette -
but she was steady, and SO, touching did
she talk to, him about her poor Francois
that the old man went away with tears ir
his eyes. Six months afterwards, he died
when to the wonder of the whole place, HI
Eleft his large fortune TO- Mariette Du
4 sai! asiaaaa iaetag issei3 tee5 astssas5ri !
Meanwhile Francois from light, hand
some, conscript, became q brave steady
soldier. Attached to- the great northern
army he underwent all the hardships o
Il the campaigns in Poland and Russia, bu
stilE he never lost his eheerfulnsss, for tn
; thought of.Mariette kept his heart warm
u and even Russian winter could not fresz
I him. Alfthrough that miserable, retrea
Fhe made the best Of every thing. As lon
, as he1had a good tender piece of saddle
!. The did not want 0 dinner, and when b