The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-11-14
The vivandisre.


We 'ske the following thrilling extract from
the Paris correspondence Of the St. Louis Repub-
lican: g-.t-.t.s ...t
A few days ago appeared in the list of deaths in
a morning paper, the name Of Widow Conaoncs
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 going TO
give them, and which has been furnished me partly
much by an eminent physician. who knew the ex-
cellent widow, and indeed, closed her eyes when
they had looked their last upon earth. Z.
Constance was the daughter of a brave officer
killed at the opening Of Napoleon's Italian cam
paign. Left alone at the age of seventeen, without
any other support than her courage, her beauty,
and her virtue, she became the vivandiere Of her
fathers regiment, the 10th of the line. For the
benefit of those OF your readers who may not be in
formed on the subject. will explain that vivian.
diere is a woman who follows regiment, some
times on foot and sometimes in a little cart and
sells liquor to the soldiers She always has on
hand too, snpply Of little delcsces for the sick,
and rolls OF linen, and an assortment Of basams and
salves for the wounded. She is almost always
brave, noble hearted woman, braving fatigue and
difficulties, dangers, and even death ITSELF with
equal courage and cheerulness. The vivandiere is
indeed the providence of the French soldier. On
the march, there is always place in her cart for
the poor fellow overcome with fatigue, and credit
III,
amid the hail Of balls the first to raise fallen COM
rade, the first to close his bleeding wounds, and
drag him to a place Of safety, it is always she,
always the vivandiere.
The dress Of the vivandiere is, generally, red
pantaloons short blue cloth skirt, bordered with
red, and tght-ftting jacket, similar to the uni
form coat of her regiment, and little military hat
adorned with the tri.colored cockade, aunty on
the side of her head Across her shoulders is
swung little barrel tul Of the soldiers consola-
ton. And her large pockels are filled with good
ly number of small glasses al
4. But to return to Constance. She could not long
remain In the situation Of vivandiere, dispensing
excellent liquor and sweet smiles, with equal libsr.
ahty, without attracting attention. One day, the
young girl sat down to count the number OF her
adorers, and after throwing those who did not ex-
plain themselves clearly enough upon the marriage
point she found that there remained ten. Con-
stance was in quandary, for she liked them all,
and shuddered at the idea of wounding the feelings
Of any Of them. Pressed at last to make choice,
she secretly gave each one rendezvous in the
same place. and for the same hour. Not one failed
but to the credit Of the brave girl let it be said
not one oil those soldiers, in accepting this meet
ing, dishonorei her with suspicion unworthy OF
her pure life. However, upon finding themselves
to the number Of ten, all sub-officers of the same
corpse and nevertheless all rivals, the astonsh-
nent of these men made the horizon black with
tempests; already looks Of defiance were passing
between them when the vivandiere made her ap-
pearance. .,,.a u
You have been faithful" said she to the rem.
devious 81 thank you for it; also, let there be nc
nonsense, no coquetry, no perfdy, among US !; all
must pass here as il on parade. Besides, you are
my only friends. and it is from you alone that
wish to take advice. All, let US say the word, you
have addressed me declarations Of love Deny il
who will! Is thattrue
"Yes!" loudy answered the ten lovers?"
" And you all really wish to marry me T" added
'-she, with rogueish smile :" is il true?p
Yes was again the grave and resolute an.
swsr.
Very well" replied Constance, in tender and
playful tone, "you are all alike, it seems. How
ever, can only marry one, and you leave all equa
rights to my gratitude, and what is gratitude il
love, in the heart Of her whom you call Constanc,
the Viruous"
You, my brilliant qua termaster, you loved mi
the first that is worth good mark for you You
my valorous adjutant twenty-five years and tn,
cross of honor; that would tempt Duchess, if
and gallant-you saved me from the hands Of tn,
Austrians; my honor owes you something for that
= You, head Of the file of the god Mars, could yo'
be overlooked, superb drum-major, whose sever
feet remind me Of the church-steeple of my nativ
village?"
The soldiers all laughed at these joyous sallie
of the young girl, who, after having thus passe'
in review the titles Of all her pretendants, cried
You see it is impossible to choose, for do no
wish to be subject Of discord between you. Blu
| will do BETTER" she hastened to add "the wa
is about to begin; the little corporal has swor
that before the end Of the month he will enter vi
enna 1t is then at Vienna that will become tn
wife of him who, during the campaign, shall hav
performed the most brilliant action. My hear
my life, the only treasures Of the poor orphan, sha
belong to him without division. Let all to whom
this decision is acceptable touch that" and sh
held out her little white hand. .s5ss.
At these chivalrous words, a thunder Of applaus
burst forth hands were shaken all around, an
the corks sprung from the bottles which had bee
brought for the occasion. They drank TO glory an
to love, henceiorth inseparable. At Vienna, III
soldiers once more shouted, and then separated.
Two months after this scene, the grand arm
made its triumphal entry into the capital Of Au
tria; but The 10th had paid with bloodiits prodgis
ofyalor. ThleyounGQ Quariermaster, one Of the tent
lovers of Constance, had had both legs carrie
away; but, in falling beneath the eyes, and almo
in the arms of The beautiful vivandiere, he ha
cried: :. OF the nine lovers who remain for the
eight will be more 10 be pitied than fer they wi
live" These simple words, comprising who
drama of love, did not escape the young girl. st
saw him safely off the field and carried to tt
hospital.
A few days after that, a table for eleven persol
r. IL f.. L..