Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-12-18

We take the following thrilling extract
from the Paris correspondence of the ST.
Louis Republican.
A few days ago appeared in the list OF
deaths in the morning paper, the name of
Widow Constance. Few took notice of this
simple announcement, and fewer still knew
the incidents of the beautiful life that has
just closed, am sure your readers will be
interested in the short sketch am reing TO
give them, and which has been furnished me
partly by an eminent physician, who knew
the excellent widow, aud indeed, closed her
eyes when they had looked their last upon
earth.
Constance was the daughter of brave
officer, killed at the opening of Napolcon's
Italian campaign. Left alone at the age of
seventeen without any other support than
her courage, her beauty, and her virtue be-
came the vivandiere of her fathers regiment,
the 18th Of the line. For the benefit of
those of your readers who NAV not be in
formed on the subject, will explain that n
rivandiere is a woman who follows reg-
ment, somstimes in lyle I eaFt ppai sells
hand, too, a supply of little delicacies for the
sick, and rolls of linen, and an assortment OF
almost always brave, noblcheartcd woman,
Drawing fatigue and difficulties, dangers, alid
even death itself, with equal courage ana
checrfulness The vivandcre is indeed the
providence of the French soldier. On the
march, there is always place in her cart Tor
the poor fellow overcome with fatigue, and
credit for him whose purse is empty. In the
battle. amid the hail of balls, the first 10
raise fallen comrade, the first to close his
bleeding wounds, and drag him TO place OF
safety, it is sasways she, always the VIVIAN
diere
The dress of the vivandiere is, generally
red pantaloons short blue cloth skirt, bor-
dered with red, and tight-ftting jacket,
similar to the uniform coat of her regiment,
and little military hat, adorned with the
tricolored cockade, set jauntly on the side OF
her head. Across her shoulders is swung Il
little barrel full of the soldiers consolation.
And her large pockets are filled with good
ly number Of small glasses.
But to return to Constance. She could
not long remain in The situation of vivan-
diere, dispensing excellent liquor aud sweet
smiles with equal liberality, without attract
ing attention. One day, the young girl sat
down to count the number of her adore S
and after those who did not explain them
selves clearly enough upon the marriage
point, she found that there remained ten
Constance was in aquandary, for she likeo
them all, and s!luddered at the idea o.
wounding the feelings of any of them. Press
ed at last to make achoice, she secretly gave
each one a rendezvous in the same place, ant
for the same hour Not one failed but, Il
the credit of the brave girl, let it be said, no
one of those soldiers, in accepting this meet
ing, dishonored her with a suspicion IN
worthy of her pure life. However, up"
finding themselves to the number OF ten, al
sub-officers of the same corps, and neverthe
less all rivals. the astonishment Of these me
made the horizon black with tempcsts; a
ready locks Of defiance were passing DC
tween them, when the vivandiere made he
appearance.
"You have been faithful" said she to tn
rendezvous; thank you for it; also, let thcr
be no nonsense, no coquetry. no pertid,
among us; all must pass here as if on parade
Besides YOU are my only friends, and it
from you alone that wish to take advic
All, le, me sav the word, you have addresse
me declarations of love! Deny it who vii
iS tnat true
ayes loudly answered the ten lovers"
aAnd you all really wish to marry me
added she. with rogucish smile; is it true
aYrs!!" was again the grave and resolu
answer.
avery we'll" replied Constance, in a tie
der and playful tone, you are all alike
seems! However, can only marry one, a
YOU leave all equal rights to my grati'ut
and what is gratitude, is love, in the heart
her whom you call Constance the Virtuou
"You. my brilliant quarier-master, y
loved me the frst-that is worth go
mark for you. You, my valorous adjuta
twenty-five years and the cross of honor
that would tempt Duchess, if am not m
taken. You, my young sergeant, brave y
gallant, you saved me from the hands OF
Austrians my honor owes you something
that. You head of the file of the god M:
could you be overlooked, suberb drum-maJ
whose seven feet rcmined me OF the chur
steeple of my native village"
The soldiers all laughed at these Joyt
sallies of the young girl, who, after havl