Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-07-08

very wise, assurediy, and very
well worth three lonis dor; only i
is rather unfortunate that the sum
should happen TO be the whole o
nv fortune.'
In a few minutes the captain re.
turned and placed a small loaf o
bread in the hands OF the soldier
exacting from him a promise thai
he would not cut il until that mo.
ment arrived which he should con.
slider the happiest Of his life. Then
embracing each other with that sin.
cerity and affection which character.
ize all true Frenchmen and old COM
panions in arms, they bid each other
adieu.
The soldier took up his line ot
march for home. Having been
Joined by a compagnon de voyage,
towards the evening OF the same
day they arrived at point where
the road separated into two branches;
the one. wide and apparently easy,
turned a little to the right; while the
other, narrow and difficult in ap,
pearance, was the direct continua-
ton OF the grand route. The trav>
elers hesitaied for an instant, delib-
Grating which road to follow; when
the soldier, recollecting the first
maxim OF his captain, said:
q keep the straight road
'And H. said his comrade, shall
choose the easiest
But the unfortunate traveller found
that this road so wide and easy al
its entrance, terminated in gloomy
forest, the haunt Of the wild beasts
and lawless men. He paid the pen
atty of his unwise choice that night,
and on the morrow the soldier
learned that his companion OF the
preceding day had been assassinated.
'Ah, mon cher captaine,' though.
he, 'your first maxim, at least, was
not a dear onel Truly, wisdom is
more precious than fine gold.'
The same day ne arrived at the
auburge OF a small village; and, in
conversation with some Of the peas
ants. they advised him to visit in his
quality OF a soldier, a certain mar
quis, the proprietor OF neignboring
chateau, who made a pleasure Of
dispensing the most liberal hospitali-
ty 10 all military men who might
happen to pass on that road. Fol
lowing their advice, he was received
with courtesy and politeneSs, assured
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 a slow step
and downcast eyes, entered and took
her seat at the table; and this lady,
of noble birth and a Frenchwoman,
drank from a human SKULL
The soldier, however, noticed not
this circumstance, and the conveTsa-
ton proceeded, as usual, without in
terruption. Ii was not that he was
the less curious to discover the mean
ing of this extraordinary conduct;
but the substantial benefit which he
had derived from following the
principle contained in the first max
i'm, caused him to appreciate the
second: Never meddle in the affairs
of others.
After supper, when the lady had
been sometime absent, the marquis
himself to the soldier, and
regarding him fixedly, said:
NV friend, you are no ordinary
man; for a most remarkable scene
has been enacted before your eyes,
and yet you have not made the least
remark
'Monseigneur,' responded the sol
dier, sit is one Of my principles never
to meddle in the business Of Others
Brave mani exclaimed the mar
quis. Il perceive that can trust you,
and that you are man Of honor and
prudence. Follow me, and you will
learn the value of your discreliOn''
Taking a torch he led the soldier
by a winding passage TO subter-
ranean vault. But, oh, horror! the
pale and vascillating light Of the
iambeau was reflected on all sides
BY chastity skeletons, which its flick !
srings seemed to reanimate. and
which appeared TO menace the two
Listen, my friend,' said the noble
nan: the black lady whom you have
ieen 10 night is the lady of the
condemned TO drink at my
able, from the skull of her lover,
whom | have killed. These bones
ire the bones Of travellers who have
cen precisely what you have seen,
,ut have not been possessed of your
prudence. have satisfied their Gu
iosity. and their death alone could
,rotect me from the consequences.
Your discretion has saved your lie.
Ind now, my friend. as a proof oi ;
ny appreciation Of your p.Idence I
nd good judgment. accept this purse.
You are at liberty TO remain at the /