Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-10-20

NitN lulfntISCu IN TIC uccpcSt SoffoW.
Whilst he endcsyored to soothc his
sorrow with potent draughis Of wine,
man entered, and without the least
ceremony placed himself opposite to
him at the same table This person
age had most equiyocal appearance,
but certain supcrhuous articles OF dress
announced him 10 be above want
He was familiar and open in his man.
ner. and Immediately invited our poor
fugitive TO take y few glasses with him.
Drinking, they chatted. and their SYM
pathies ripened according as the glas-
ses were repeated.
Fritz at length related the cause OF
his grief. and wept tears of tenderness
and displeasure at the remembrance Of
his lost Helena.
But she was perflious,' added he.
III is all over now, shall never see
her again.
That is well sais replied the un-
known. A man cught TO show his
spirit under such circumstances, and
desplse the woman who sought to dupe
him
Il shall certainly endeavor to forget
her, said Fritz, assuming a tone Of
resolution; but in the mean time what
am TO do?'
THAT is very wise question: re-
piled the stranger. you must be
guided by circumstances, but in tho
mean time allow me to offer you n lit
tic Rhenish wine, which, they say pos
scsses great powers ofinspiration.'
With all my heart said Fritz
We shall says few words 10 that ex-
celent companion they call Rhcnish
wine.
They drank and talked, and talked
and drank. Fritz could never after
wards recall to his memory how so
sudden frienship had sprung up be-
tween him and his strange friend
Neither could he tellhow he had signed
the paper which his companion had
presented to him, or whg he had re.
fused the gold which his conrad had
offered him--and, above all, after hav-
ing fallen asleep upon chair in the
little inn, he had awoke in the barracks.
When they placed upon him the cock
ade of the prince, he found it impossi-
bic to repress his just Indignation
Wear the colors Of the Prince-the
man who had robbed him of his hap
pinessl AT this idea the blood rush
ed to the face Of Fritz. His dignity
had received check, which years
alone could blot out.
He threw down the piece Of money
and the cockade. and trampled them
under his feet. Unhappily for him
this action escaped not the vigilent eye
Of the corporal. Fritz was brought
before court martial and condemned
to receive one hundred and iftv LASH
es.
AT this period the country Of Fritz
was at war with France. The regi-
ment to which the unfortunate youth
belonged was ordered tomarch towards
the frontier, and previousto his depart
ure Fritz was advanced to the rank
ofcorporal. Whether il was that he
felt unworthy Of the promotion, or that
his mind had been soured by his mis-
fortunes, he failed not TO attribute this
unhoped for favor to the influence of
the Prince, and he shuddcred when
he thought Of how dearly his promo
ton had cost him.
On the field Of battle. Fritz had
fought with all the energy Of passion,
and the courage Of dispair. He want
cd TO give vent TO his rage, and his
enemies had to pay for the in6delity
Of Helena.
But his bravery lvailing, for
the battle was lost T. Prince and
his army. The tim fthe troops
who had desparingly .reated, was a
stronger motive TO recompensc the con-
stancy of those who had boldly and
iearlessly fought and bled. Fritz was
accordingly promoted TO the rank Of
ensign, and decorated with orders
But promotion did not stop here, for
he soon arrived TO the rank Of cap
tain.
lie now resolved to quit the service,
not feeling the necessary capabilities
Of discharging the functions Of his ex-
alted position. IL was not withou.
considerable violence TO his feelings
that he wrote the Prince, respectfully
resigning, ard requesting his permis-
sion to do so. Fritz awaited the an
SYer with anxiety. Happily his res
ignation was accepted without Difficult
ty, and an aid de-camp ofhis highness
was instructed to wait upon Captain
Fritz and to state to him that the Prince
requested his acceptance Of five hun
dred ducats, as token of his estima-
ton OF MS bravery.
Fri,z now betook himse his na-
tive village. where he had nos apper-
cd for the last two years.
His heart, his affection. and his
thoughts, led him insensibly to the
house occupied by Helena; and after
assuring himself that he would never
again enter it, he found himself knock
ing at the door. Helena herself APP
peared TO answer the summons.
But oh! what II change had taken
place. The tears hal worn furrows
around her sweet and dreamy eyes
her checks had become pale and ema-
tiated-herlips colorless and trembling.
But still, even in the wreck of her
beauty, how transcendanly lovely did
she appearl
On recognizing her husband, the
young wife started with surprise. and
holding out her arms gave a wild and
piercing shrek, and fell senscless on
the breast Of Fritz.