The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-22
The vlvandiere.
Correspondence Of the Sc. Louis Republican

fewer still knew the incidents of the beautiful life
that has just closed. l your readers will
be interested in the short sketch am going 10 give
them, and which has been furnished me partly
much by eminent physician, who knew the
celent widow, and, indeed, closed her eyes when
they had looked their last upon earth
Constance was the daughter OF brave officer,
killed at the opening OF Napoleon's Italian cam
paign Lett alone at the age OF seventeen, without
any other support than her courage, her beauty,
and her virtue, she became the vvandiere 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 t6at VIVIAN
dlere is woman who follows regiment, some
times on foot, and sometimes in little cart, and
sells liquor to the soldiers She always has on hand,
too, supply of little delicacies for the sick and
rolls of Inca, and assortment of balsams and
salyes lor the wounded. She is almost always a
brave, noble-hearted woman, Drawing fatigue and
dimcultlcs, dangers, and even death itself, with
equal courage and cheeriulness. The vivandiere
rs, 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 Tor him whose purse is empty Ia the battle,
amid the hail of balls the first to raise fallen
comrade, the first TO close his bleeding wounde,
and drag him to place of safety it is always che,
always the vivandiere.
The dress OF the vivandiere 10, generally, red
pantaloons short blue cloth skirt, bordered with
red and tight fitting jacket, similar to the uni
form coat OF her regiment, and little military hat,
adorned with the tr-colored cockade, Get jauntily
on the side of her head. Across her shoulders ia
swung little barrel full of the soldiers consola-
dlon, and her large pockets are filed with goodly
number OF small glasscs.
But to return to Constance. She could not long
remain IN the situation OF vivandiere, dispensing
excellent liquor and sweet smiles with equal liber
atty, without attracting attention One day the
young girl sat down to count the number OF her
adorers, and, after throwing those who did not
explain themselves Clearly enough upon the marri-
age point, she found that there remained ten. Con-
stance was in quandary, for she liked them all,
a he of linn tlaf aaltt,
OF any of them. Pressed at last to make u choice,
she secretly gave each rendezvous in the
same place. and for the same hour. Not one failed;
but, to the credit of the brave giret it be said
one OF those soldiers, in accepting this meeting,
dishonored her with suspicion unworthy of her
pure life. However, upon finding themselves to-
gether to the number Of ten, all subofficers of the
same corps, and nevertheless all rivals, the acton
Ishment OK these men made the horizon black with
ternpcsts; already looks of defiance were passing
between them, when the viyandiere made her APP
pearance.
''You have been faithful" said she to the rem
dczvous 81 thank you for it; also, let there be
nonsense, no coquetry, no perhdy. among US; all
must pass here as if on parade. Besides, you are
my only iriends 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 it
who will! Is that truc''
"Ycs!" loudly answered the ten lovers.
"And you all really wish TO marry me?' added
she, with roguish smile; sis it true?
"Yes!'' was again the grave and resolute an
Every we'll" replied Constance, in a tender and
playful tone, ''you are all alike, it seemss How
ever, can only marry one and you have all equal
rights TO my gratitude; and what is gratitude ia
love in the heart of her whom you call Constance
tho VIrtuous''
''You, my brilliant quartermaster you low ed me
the hrst-that is worth good mark for you. You,
my va!orous adjutant, twenty five years and the
cross of honor-that would tempt duchess, If am
not mistaken. You, my young sergeant, brave
and gallant, you saved me from the hands of the
Austrians- my honor owes you something for that.
You, head of the file of the god Mars could you be
overlooked, superb drum jor, whose seven feet
remind me of the church steeple of my native vii
iage"
The soldiers all laughed at these joyous sallies
Of the young girl, who, after having thus passed
an review the titles OF all her pretendants, cried:
''You see it is impossible to choose, for do not
wish to be subject of discord between you. Bot
will do better, she FASTENED to add; the war is
about to begin; the little corporal has that
before the end OF month be will enter Vienna. Ii
is then at Vienna that will become the wife of him
who, during the campaign, shall have performed
the most brilliant action. My heart, my life, the
only treasures of the poor orphan, shall belong to
him without division. Let all TO whom this deci-
sion is acceptable touch that, and she held out her
little white hand.
At these chivnlrous words a thunder of applause
burst forth; hands shaken all around, and the
corks sprung from the bottles which had been
brought for the occasion. They drank to glory and
TO love, hencetorth inseparable. AT Vienna the
soldiers once more shouted, and then separated.
Two months after this the grand army
inade its triumphal entry into the capital of Aus
ira; but the Eeventy-si had paid with blood its
prodgies of valor. The young quartermaster, one
of the ten lovers of Constance, had had both legs
carried away; but, in falling beneath the eyes, and
almost in the arms of the beautiful vivandiere he
had cried: "Of the nine lovers who remain for
thee, eight will be more TO be pitied than |, for
they will live These simple words, comprising
a whole drama of love, did not escape The young
girl. She saw him safely off the field and carried
to the hospital
A few days after that table for eleven persons
was spread in little restaurant of the faubourgs
OF vienna. Faithful to her engagements, Con-
stance more beautiful than ever, from secret
radness, which yelled her regard had invited her
lovers TO meet her there She was the fret to ar
rive, and TO salute, with tear and regret, the
unoccupicd place of the brother in arms who had |
fallen in the battle. When the rest were Assem- |
bleu, they went over, together, the episodes of the
campaign-so short, yctso goricus-and then they |
discussed their hopes and the rights of each one to
favors and rewards for each thus hoped to raise |
himself in the eyes of the young girl.
But spiritwas wanting to the scene. Constance |
had lost her gacty; her reparteos, generally 30 |
lively, so jova, and quick lapguished, and |
were given slowly and with difficulty AZ last |
came the dessert. Without waiting for the others |
TO speak, Constance, after having filled her glass, |
e-"Brothers," said she, "you are all young |
and brilliant officers of the futurel Listen for the
last time, and without interruption TO the VIVIAN |
dicre of the 10th. Let us speak with open hearts;
what would be for you, with the title of wife, the
pooi uheuucdteu young EHE AN oDstaclc 10 your |
fortune; more than this, a humiliation and a re- |
morse. have seen my mother weep, and | re
member 1t. This hand, which you have done Inc |
the honor to seek, give it TO him who will have |
need OF IT to sustain him. and perhaps to earn his |
brcad The choice of Constance is yet an homage |
20 the fraternity of arms, for il fixes itself upon the
most unfortunate among you; let drink then to |
the poor mutated comrade, extended on his bed of
pain, at the hospital of Vienna where am going |
to shut myself up, to die Sister of Charity or to |
leave il the wife of the wounded soldier"
She put her glass to her lips, but bending beneath
ahc wcightof her cmotions-for in this sublime de-
gree she was pronouncing eternal separation
from the regiment she loved so well-shc fell faint
ing in her chair. Not single voice protested |
against her noble dcvotion-so6s alone replied to |
her. When she recovered her consciousness. she |
found her nine lovers, their bayonets their |
shoulders, ready TO conduct her TO the hospital.
Arrived there, she placed herself by the bedside of
the invalid soldier, and renewed the vow che had |
made at the restaurant Ten days afterwards |
letter with the imperial seal was placed in the
hands of ;As ex-vivandcre of the 10th. He of the
en- Gle-eyc, who knew how to find out and reward |
eve endowed the oir ,r;tb