The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-03-24
A Swiss Boys Patriotism.

II was late O severe evening of winter, as a
coleche drawn by two horses, drew up to the door
of the post house at Steuben, in Switzerland for
them as now, Steuben was the last oststation be-
fore commencing the ascent of the Arlberg. The
travellers, TWO in number, wore military cioaks
and oTaging caps but what the precise rank, or
to what of The service they belonged, not even
the pryng observations oil the host could fathom
Their orders were for fresh horses Immediately to
cross the mountain, and although the snow-drft
was falling fast, and the night dark pitch, they
peremplorily insisted on proceeding. The post
regulations OF those days were not very stringent
and arbitrary as a. postmaster may seem noW-a-
days, he nothing to the auocrat that once ruled
the comings and goiugs of unhappy travellers
When he averred that his horses had done enough
that 1t was a saints day-that the weather
too bad, or his positions 100 weary-the case was
hopeless, and the traveller consigned without
appeal, to The consultations of his philosophy.
IL CHANGED, on this occasion, that the whole dis
posable cavalry of the Post consisted of two blind
mares, which were both TOO old and weak, 10 tempt
the cravings Of the Commissary, who, a few DAYS
before, had seized on all The draught cattle 10 con-
vey stores to EeiL5irch, at that time menaced by
French force u2Lr Massena.
The officers, n Tever, were urgent in their de-
mand it was Ok the utmost Importance that they
should reach Inspruck by the following evening
At last, half by menace, half by entreaty, it was
arranged thar the two old mares should be har
messed to the carriage, the host demonstrating all
the while on the inability of the expedent, and
averring shat, without a Vorspann, relay of
horses, TO lead at the seepest parts of the noun
tain, the attempt would be frutless.
May" added he, "if you doubt me, ask the
boy who is sleeping yonder, and has been driving
the Vorspann for years over the Arlberg."
The travellers turned and beheld on a heap of
straw, in the Of the kitchen, poor little
boy, whose ragged uniform of position had ev-
IDENTIFY reached him at third or fourth hand so
large was it, and so loosely did it hang around his
slender figure. lie was sleeping soundly, well
he might for he had twice crossed the noun
tain to st. Cristoph on that same day.
"And this book" said of the travellers,
taking very tattered and well thumbed volume,
which had dropped from the sleeper's fingers, &C has
this poor little fellow time to read ?''
" He contrives to do it, somehow" said the host
laughing, may, more, as you may see there, he
has begun to teach himself French Since he
heard that the French army was about to invade
us, he has never ceased hts studies, sitting up hal
the night working at that old grammar there, and
for which he gave all his months earnings"
"And what may be his reason for this!" sale
the elder traveller, evidently interested in the
recital.
" He has got the notion that if the French sue
coed in forcing the pass OF Feldkirch, and ente
the Tyrol, that as he will be constantly engaged
as Vorspann on the mountain, his knowledge o
French would enable him to discover many secret
of the enemy, as no one would ever suspect poo
creature like him of having learned foreigl
language"
{" And his motive then was indeed purely
patriotic one ;"
Purely, he is poor, as you see, and an orphan
but then his Tyrol blood runs warm and thick il
his veins"
And what progress has he made?"
That l cannot answer you, mein Herr TO
none, hereabout, knows anything Of French, no
suppose, had he ever the opportunity of testin
the requirement himself They are driven back,
am told'
For the present." said the elder strange
gravely; but we shall need all the reserves
inspruck to hold our ground whenever they rene
the attack"
Inc sleeper was now aroused TO take the saddle
Tor IN The absence Of the regular position, the Vo
spann was obliged 10 take his place.
sun but half awake, the litie fellow stood IL
and mechanically buttoning up his worn JACKET,
took down his whip and prepared for the roa
The travellers We're soon ready and ere MANY mi
uies elapsed, the cateche had left the village, an
with the best pace the old mares could accompis
was breas,ing the snow drift and The first rise
The mountain. After about an hours driving. di
ing which Joseph had exhibited his utmost sk
taking advantage of every available bit of trot,
ground, they came at length to the commencems
Of the steep ascent; and there, hanging his VIII