Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-01-22
MISCELLANY Y.
The Three Maxims.

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An old soldier, entitled to his discharge
from the army on the score of long service and
many wounds, being on the point of quitting
his regiment, went to make his adieus to his
Captain.
All, we'll, mon brave,' said his officer, 80
you are about to leave us-to exchange the
life of soldier for that of citizen. Now, as
this career will be somewhat novel to you, my
esteem and friendship, which you have won
by your bravery and good conduct, prompt me
to offer you little advice before parting; and
If you will submit to the conditions of that ad-
vice, without at present seeking to divine their
motive, you will never have cause TO regret
that you have followed my counsel. What
money have you about you.'
'Only three louis dor, Captain, and few
francs to defray the expenses of my journey
Very well-give me the three louis dor,
and l will give you three maxims for your
guidance
The state of my finances renders that rath-
er dear bargain, said the soldier; 'neverthe-
less, as wisdom is more precious than gold,
and in order TO prove the confidence which |,
In common with the rest or my comrades, re-
pose in you, consent to it, And the soldier
handed the three louis d'or-all his fortune
to the Captain.
Very good said the Captain; now, my
friend, listen to, recolect, and put in constant
practice, these three maxims KEEP THE
STRAIGHT ROAD; NEVER NEEDLE IN THE Ar-
PAIRS OF OTHERS; and POSTPONE YOUR ANGER
TO THE MORROW. In the mean time, await me
here few moments'
The old soldier remained, pensively leaning
on his musket, and somewhat repentant of his
bargain. Keep the straight road-Never
NEEDLE in the affairs of others-and, Postpone
your anger to the morrow-very wise, assured
ly, and very well worth three louis dor; only
it is rather unfortunate that that sum should
happen to be the whole of my fortune
In few minutes the Captain returned, and
placed small loaf of bread in the hands of the
soldier, exacting from him promise that he
would not cut it until that moment arrived,
which he should consider the happiest of his
life. Then embracing each other with that
sincerity and affection which characterize all
Frenchmen, and old companions in arms, they
bid each other adieu.
The soldier took up his line of march for
home. Having been joined by a compagnon
du voyage, towards the evening of the same
day, they arrived at a point where the road
separated into two branches, the one, wide and
apparently easy, turned little to the right !;
while the other, narrow and difficult in ap-
pearance, was the direct continuation of the
grand route. The travellers hesitated for an
instant, celebrating which road to follow !;
when the soldier, suddenly recollec,ing the
first parting maxim of his Captain, said
Il keep the straight road
And L. said his comrade, shall choose the
easiest
But the unfortunate traveller found that this
road, SO wide and easy at its entrance, termi-
mated in a gloomy forest, the haunt of wild
beasts and lawless men. He paid the penalty
of his unwise choice that night, and on the
morrow the old soldier learned that his COM
panion of the preceding day had been assassi-
mated.
'Ah, mon cher Cdpitaine, thought he, your
first maxim, at least, was not a dear one -
truly, Wisdom is more precious than fine
gold."
The same day, he arrived at the aubcrge of
small village; and in conversation with some
of the peasants, they advised him to visit, in
his quality of soldier, a certain Marquis,
the proprietor of a neighboring chateau, who
made pleasure of dispensing the most liberal
hospitality to all military men who might hap
pen to pass on that road. Following their ad-
vice, he was received with courtesy and polite
ness, assured of a hearty welcome, and invited
to the table of the nobleman.
But, wonderful to relate, in the midst Of the
supper, lady, clothed entirely in black, with
slow step and downcast eyes, entered and took
her seat at the table; and this lady, of noble
birth, and Frenchwoman, drank from a hu-
man skull!
The soldier, however, took no notice of this
singular circumstance, and the conversation
proceeded as usual, without interruption. 1t
was not that he was the less curious to dscov-
er the meaning of this extraordinary conduct
but the substantial benefit which he had de-
rived from following the principle contained in
the first maxim, caused him to appreciate the
second. Neuer naeddle in the affairs of others.
After the supper, when the lady had been
some time absent, the Marquis addressed him
self to the soldier, and regarding him fxedly,
said
My friend, you are no ordinary man; for
your eyes, and vet you have not made the least
remark
Monselgneur,' responded the soldier, 1T is
one of my principles, never to meddle in the
affairs of others
Brave man : exclaimed the marquis, 4
perceive that can trust you, and that you are
man of honor and prudence. Follow me,
and you will learn the value of your discretion
Taking torch, he led the soldier by wind
ing passage to 4 subterranean vanlt. But, oh,
horror. the pale and vacillating light of the
fambeau was reflected on all sides by ghastly
skeletons, which its chickering's seemed to re-
animate, and which appeared to menace the
two visitors.