Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-11-02

admiration. John, himself, could not refrain
from cry of joy-a slight flush crossed his
thin, pale features, and he eagerly held out
his transparent hands.
'Ah that goes to you, my little toad-take
it old fellow-it is all yours cried Moser,
putting the tempting Wand in the child's hand
who trembled with joy-and turning to
Arnold, as the noise of the little crutches was
lost in an adjoining room-'that is my eldest
illness has little deformed him-but he is
as sharp as steel-and it only depends upon
US to make a gentleman Of him. Whilst
speaking he had crossed the room, and ush-
cred his guest into a sort of dining room,
whose white-washed walls had, for their only
decoration, some coarsely colored engravings
As he entered, Arnold perceived John, seated
on the floor, surrounded by his brothers,
amongst whom he was dividing the cake his
father had given him, and all the eloquence of
the little fellow was called into requsition to
induce them to receive the part assigned to
them. They declared he was giving them
too much. The young sportsman regarded
this scene for sometime with singular interest,
and when the Children had left the room, spoke
his admiration to the farmers wife.
Il declare, said she, between a smile and
sigh. there are times when it might be said
that their brothers. infrmities have been
great blessing to them. 1t is with great diff
ficulty they share with each other, but not one
ever refuses poor Johnny single thing, and
else of devotion and self-denial.'
Humph, interrupted Moser, "a fine virtue
indeed-1ChO could refuse anything to poor
little lamb SO severely tried? 1t is foolish for
me to say so, but that child, sir, often makes
me long to weep Often when | am in the
field, my thoughts suddenly fall upon him.
| say to myself-John is sick or John is
dead and although the work is pressing,
find some excuse to 60 TO the house, and am
only happy when can see him. After all,
he is so feeble and suffers so much, that if we
did not love him more than the others, he
would be too unfortunate
YES gently said the wife 'the poor child
is our cross and pleasure at the same time. /
love all my children, sir, but cannot tell you
what unutterable tenderness fills my heart
when hear the sound of Johns little crutch-
es sit tells me the dear little fellow has not
yet been Withdrawn from US by the good God
who gave him. He fills the house with life,
cheerfulness and pleasure, as the swallows
who build their nests over our windows. If
had not him to think of, don't know what |
should do
Arnold listened to the simple and tender
expressions with an interest mingled with
amazement Was it possible that vulgar la
horers, whose whole lives were spent in the
rudest servitude, could be SO susceptible of
the finest emotions of our nature? In the
meantime he would continue to observe. Dor
Othy arose and called some one to assist in
laying the table and at Moser's invitation,
de Munster drew near a fire of brushwood,
which had just been kindled. Leaning HIM
self against the smoky mantel shelf, his looks
fell upon a small black wooden frame, enclos-
ing single dead leaf.
Moser perceived it.
'Ah, you are looking at my relics, said he,
smiling; 1T is the leaf Of the weeping willow
which hangs over the grave of Edncien! /
got it from banker in Strasburg, who had
served in the old guards-and | declare |
would not give the thing for hundred golden
crowns
Then you attach some particular ideas to
it!
Ideas no but | also, sir, made some
good strokes in the 14th Huzzars-a valiant
regiment arranged SO well at Mont Marail,
that only eight men of our whole squadron
were left So when the Little Corporal
passed before US he saluted US with his hat
yes, sir,-with his hat Thunder don't you
think that was enough to make US all rush to
death for him? All, he was the soldiers
father =
Here the soldier began to beat upon his
pipe, looking at the black wooden frame and
the dried leaf. Evidently, there was for him
in this memory of wonderful destiny, all the
romance, emotions and regrets of the most ar
dent youth.
He recalled the last battles of the Empire,
in which he had taken part-the reviews
passed before the Emperor when his presence
alone was the signal of victory; the fieeting
success of the famous French campaign so
soon expiated by the disaster Of Waterloo
the departure of the mighty warrior, and his
long agony upon the rock Of St. Helena All
these images traversing in rapid succession the
farmers imagination, wrinked his brow-and
his eyes flashed he grasped with energy his
pipe he had so often, unconsciously, reflled-
and blew fercely between his teeth the favor
ite march of his regiment. Arnold respected
this pre-occupation of the old soldier, and
waited for him to begin the conversation again.
The announcement Of supper awoke him from
his reveries he carried a chair for his guest,
and took a seat opposite to him.
Let US do justice to this SOUP, cried he,
abruptly, 4 have taken nothing since morn
ing but crust of bread and two small swal-
lows of cherry water, and feel as if could eat
beef raw
At the same time to prove his words he