New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-03-29

Annette, said the old yoman s'were it not
'i - Baptiste is far away, ] could have fanced
that was his footssep.'
a glow of crimson overspread the pale cheek
OF Annette as she rose and approached the door.
But before she could reach it, the latch was
raised; and a young man in u military undress
entered the cottage
My dear Baptiste! are r5u then returned to
as screamed Annette, and with conyulsve
sob, fell senseless in his arms His aepd parent
arose, and with t0ttering stems. advanced to
meet him
I 'sMy prayers said she, shave then been
heard, and shall embrace my dear boy once
| more before die
The youth tenderly saluted her while tears
rolled down his sunburnt cheeks Then throw
ing open the window, be carried towards ii the
lifeless body Of Annette Ii was long before ami
nation returned, and then she held him in q con-
vulsiTe grasp, as if afraid that he was to be
| again torn from her
g And are you then returned, my dear Bap-
tiste. she exclaimed. 'snever to leave me
again And are you to stay with your grand
ihother ana me IN our little cottage; Oh how
happy all the neighbors will be when they hear
OF your arrival! But why are you silent Why
90 yon turn away from me? Why are these
tears rolling down your cheeks:'' @
a few sobs were the only answer he could
make
'.For Gods sake, my dear SON. said his
alarmed grandmother, tell US what has hap
4 pened. Why are you thus affected -
' My dear mother, | have much to tell YOU
but will do il at another time he repIied,
glancing an expressive look towards me /
began to see that accustomed an embarrassment
to the party, and prepared to take my leave
&c Monsieur is an Englishman,' said Annette,
introducing me 10 hirn, 80 who has shown much
kindness to your grandmother and me-
Do not leave then" said he. grasping
my hand: 6 from you can have nothing to
fear, and may stand in need of your advice
''God heaven, Baptistei" said Annette what
have you done' Something preys upon your
spirits. All, how pale is your cheek--liow sunk
your eye! You must be i'll. very i'll indeed
'' am only fatigued, / have travelled far, and
scarcely tasted food he replied
Annette Immediately ran to her little cup
board, and turning out her store of tainties,
pressed him to paltake of them. But it was in
vain His heart was full. He could not eat
and falling backwards on his chair, he burst
into tears, while Annette and his grandmother
endeavored in vain TO soothe him. His heart
at last was relieved. He recruited his fainting
spirits with little food, and then began 10 de-
tail the circumstances which had led to his un-
expected return. -.,.-- -.
CATER left you," said he, &c I was marched
off with the rest of the conscripts from thisquar-
ter to Lyons, where was separated from them
and drafted into regiment stationed at the
camp in Marseil.es, mostly composed cf young
their families, and forced into service lite at
variance with all their former habits Unac-
customed to the use of arms, we made slow pro-
gress in learning military duties, and there
J fore were treated with an unusual severity by
those officers who had the task of drilling US
Reproots. confinement, nay even blows, were re-
sorted to in order to quicken progress Such
treatment was not likely to remove our aver
sion to military life. The conscripts murmur-
! ed, and seized every opportunity of desertiDg
from the service. Several Of my comrades urged
me to do the same, but in vain determined to
return home with credit. Or never A crcum-
stance soon, however. occurred, which left me
no other alternative. I had unluckily fallen
, under the displeasure of cur Adjutant, for some
harmless raillery which had exercised On him,
and he took every means in his power to be
venged on me. unluckily his situation gave
: him frequent opportunities of gratifying his re-
sentiment. For time l endured his insults,
f though my blood was boiling with rage, till one
day, when | and several of my comrades, being
e under his charge, at distance from the camp,
and beyond the reach Of superior officer. he
t took that opportunity of indulging his spleen
d against me- Every thing did was found fault
: with He abused me /; I bore the insult quietly
: He threatened me; still l remained passive At
e last he struck me across the face with his cane
: rage then made me frantic | seized my fire.
e lock, and with the butt-end laid him senseless
to the ground. My comrades looked on in ST
lence. out the deed sooner done, than the
consequences which might result from it flashed
across my mind.
, 'f you return to the camp you are lost
said my comrades; your death will be ineyi-
table, Join us, then. and fly from a service you
; detest.'
g There was no time to deliberate followed
. their advice, and, leaving my foe prostrate on
the ground, plunged into the neighboring forest.
walked all night, and next morning found my
l self thirty miles from the camp. Here separ-
/ ated from my companions. who took the road to
Lyons, while l. with sad heart hurried here
/ to see my dear Annette and grandmother once
i more. before Fquit my native land foreverf's
''Oh, mol" cried Annette, entwining him in
G her arms "you must not leave us; you shall
never depart from US again.
c '' peace, child' said the old woman, Who
e though almost overcome by her emotions
5 endeavored to calm the agitation of Annette
Baptste must depart; for to remain here,
after what has happened, would only ensure his
destruction But you need not be separated
from him; he will have much occasion for some
one to comfort him in his exile and, 90 where
he may, trust his industry and good conduct
will always enable him to provide for yous''s
&c | can never, said Baptiste, So think of re-
! moving Annette from her family, her friends
and her native land. to accompany banished
outlaw, whose union with her can only bring
with it dshonor and disgrace"
"Oh, talk not so!' said Annette; s will not
leave you; your misfortunes would then prey
upon your mind, and, if left to yourself in q
foreign land, would soon bring you to the grave.
See how poorly you look already"
| GO But what is to become of our grandmother
if we go away }" inquired Baptste.
''Hear me, my children said size, :. let not
, the wish to add to the comfort of my declining
f years ruin forever your own happiness. Remenl-
, ber that you, Baptiste, must quit your native
/. country-not for a short time, in which case
| Annette could await your return--but perhaps
forever; and if you value her happiness or your
|. own you must marry her and take her with
' you. This little garden and cottage will supply
all my wants, and Annette's relations will look
after me when you gone. ! shall no doubt
0 feel your loss deeply, but it must be borne with
resignation. Have you yet settled where you
are to fly toi'
Baptiste informed her he had not yet arranged
t his plans, but he thought there would be least
danger in going down to the sea-coast and taking.
shipping for England. Here was called to join
, in the consultation. | frankly told him that
though England might he the easiest of access,
and the most secure place of refuge, still did
. not think it likely to answer his purpose. His
Ignorance Of the language, the great difference
of manners and customs he would eyperience as