Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-06-12
The Three Rzaxinas.

charSsfrom thearmy on thescore of long
service and many wounds being on I'll,
point of quitting his regiment, went t.
make his adieus TO his Captain.
| "Ah, well, mon brace, said his officer
$50 you are aboutto leave-to exohanc,
the life of a soldier for that of citizen
Now as this career will be somewhat no.
vel to you, my esteem and friendship
(which you have won by your bravery
land good conduct, prompt me to offer
you little advice before parting and il
Iyou submit tothe conditions of that advice
without at present seeking to divine
their motive, you will never have cause
Ito regret having followed my counsel
! What money have you about you ?''
i "Only three louis dor Captain, anc
a few francs to defray the expenses OF
my Journey
/ every well-give me three louis d or
and will give you three maxims for
Your guidance.
"The state of my finances renders
that rather dear bargain" said the
soldier nevertheless, as. wisdom is
more precious than gold, and in order
to prove to you the confidence which |,
in common with the rest of my com
rades, repose in you, L consent to it. :"
And the soldier handed the three louis
d'or-all his fortune to the Captain.
Every good" said the Captain !; "now,
my friend, listen to, recollect and put
in constant practise these three maxims
Keep the straight road. Never NEEDLE
in the affairs of others; and postpone
your anger to the morrow. In the
mean time await me here few mo-
ments."
The old soldier remained, pensively
leaning on musket, and somewhat repen-
tant Of his bargain. keep the strait
10 ad-Never NEEDLE in the affairs of 9TH
ers-and, postpone anger to the morrow
very wise, assuredly and likely worth
three ''louis dor; only it is rather un-
fortunate that sum should happen to be the
whole Of my fortune"
In a few minutes the Captain re-
turned, and paced 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 char
acterizo all Frenchmen and old COM
panions in arms, they bid each other a.
dieu.
The soldier took up his line of march
for home. Having been joined by a
compagnon du voyage, towards the E.
vening of the same day they arrived at a
poin! where the road eparated into two
branches ; the one, wide and apparently
easy, turned little to the right while
The other, narrow and difficult in appear
ance, was the direct continuation of the
grand route. The travellers hesitated
for an instant, celebrating which road
to follow when the soldier, suddenly
recolle citing the first parting maxim of
the Captain, said,
81 keep the straight road"
Sand - said his conr ade, "shall
choose the easiest"
| But the unfortunate traveller found
that his road, SO wide and easy at its
entrance, terminated ina gloomy forest,
the haunt of wild beasts and lawless
men. He paid the penalty of his TN :
wise choice that night, and on the NOR
row the soldier learned that his COM
PAM on of the preceding day has been
assassindted.
"Ah, mon cher Capitaine," thought
he, ssyour first maxim, at least, was not
a dear one truly, Wisdom is more pre-
cious than fine gold y
The same day he arrived at the au-
berge of small villege; and in con-
versation with some of the peasants,
they advised him TO visit, in his quality
of soldier, certain Marquis, the pro-
prietor of a neighboring chateau, who
made pleasure Of dispensing the most
liberal hospitality to all military men
who might happen to pass on that road.
Following their advice, he was received
with courtesy and politeness, assured
of hearty welcome, and invited to the
table Of the nobleinan.
But, wond erful to relate, in the midst
Of the supper, lady clothed entirely
black with slow step and downcas'
eyes, entered and took her seat at the
table; and this lady, of noble birth, and
French Woman, "drank from human
skull !"
! The soldier however, mo took notice, zap.
parntly, Of the singular circumstance
and the conversation proceeded as usua
without interruption. 1t was not thai
he was the less curious to discover the
meaning of this extraordinary conduct
but the substantial benefit which he had
derived from following the principal con.
tanned in the first maxim, caused him
ito appreciate the second-Never meddlt
lin the affairs of others.
l After the supper, when the lady had
been some time absent, the Maquis ad-
. dressed himself to the soldier, and re-
garding him fxedly, said -
"My friend, you are nc ordinary
. man for most remarkable scene ha:
been enacted before your eyes, and YET
you have not made the least remark
Il ssMonseigneur," responded the sol.
Idier sit is one of my principles, new
; Ier to NEEDLE in the affairs of others
"Brave man ~ exclaimed the Mar
Iquis, 81 perceive that | can trust you
! and that you are man ofhonor and pru
Idence. Follow me, and you will learr