Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-07-25

! less bdi, now tidt tilS luihC VI hquOt hou
subsided, his form appeared symmetri.
cal and manly ; and his face, glowing
with the sentiments of the patriotic song,
and flushed with excitement at the un-
expected praise he was winning, assum-
ed an expression of Intelligence and JOY
that beautifully set off his really fin.
features.
what and WHO'S this stranger p was
The universal inquiry
His singing is Incompatible, and his
English aud French are faultless.'
YES said he, dropping his eyes, /
can give you German, or Spanish, or
Italian, as well, or Latin and Greek eth
err he added carelessly.
In reply to the many questions that
were showered upon him with the coin
he so much needed, he at length said,
in sad tone, and slowly endeavOIing to
| push his way throught the crowd:
Gentlemen, l am poor Vagabond,
entirely unworthy your kind sympathy.
Leave me to rags and wretchedness, to
go on my way
Our curiosity was to much excited to
allow this, and, amid loud cheers, we
escorted him to a room, where he was
furnished with water and good clothes,
and the BARRIERS art put in requisition,
and after an incredibly short time, he
reappeared upon the college steps. smi-
ling and bowing gracefully, a man of as
fine appearance and noble bearing as
eyes ever beheld. The delight of the
crowd, at this Transformation, was in
tense, and repeated shouts rent the air:
Give us La Porisieane! echoed from
all sides, and as soon as silence could
be obtained again, that clear rich voice
uttered these inspiring words
"P,uple Francais, peuple de braves,
La Liberte rOuvre Sc bras.''
He was then conducted to the spacious
chapel, and there he held an audience
of one thousand persons spell bound for
two hours, by one of the most interesting
autibiographies that it was ever our lot
10 hear.
Born in Paris, of wealthy parents, he
had in early life been thoroughly educa-
ted at the University of Wirtemberg,
and received the Masters degree. He
soon after joined the fortunes of Napo-
leon, and with the rank of lieutenant, he
was with hirs during all his campaigns in
Egypt, in Italy, in Austria, in Russia,
and at Waterloo.
His account of scenes in these battles,
and his description of places and cities,
were expressed in choice and graphic
terms, and on being compared with his
tory, were found to correspond in every
particular. He related many unwritten
and curious incidents in the life of Ma
poleon, which had come under his OBJ
servatien, and finally closed with a
touching account of his own career after
the uattle of Waterloo. In the terrible
route that followed that memorable
event, his detachment was chased by a
body of Prussian huzzars, and, becom-
ing scattered in the night, he wandered
for three days and nights in the woods
and by places without food or drink.
The chase being at length given over,
the poor Frenchman sat down weary
and sick with his wounds, and ready to
die by the roadside A humane Dutch
girl, discovering him in this situation,
brought him refreshments and cordials,
and among the latter flask Of the best
brandy.
4 Here, said the old soldier, was the
beginning of my woes. That angel ol
mercy, with the best of motives, brought
| me, in that flask, deadly foe, which
, was to prove more potent for evil to me
p than all the burning tolls of the Egypt.
tan campaign, or the iutolerable frosts
/ and SHOWS of the Russias-more fatal
b than the cannon of IS battles-which
a kindled in me thirst more Unsuitable
e than that which forced me to open my
c veins on the desert sands of the East
e Till that day l had never tasted strong
q drink. l had uttered vow in my youth
e to abstain from it, and 10 that vow
j owed my life. For not one of all my
n comrades who INDUCED in the use of it
), survived the horrors Oflhe Egyptian cam
), paign.
+ But as l lay in anguish. longing fol
death, and momentarily expecting hi.
a approach, a sweet face appeared to me
wearing an expression of deep pity and
J. sympathy for my suferings. and l could
# but accept, without inquiry, whatever
Il she gave. She gently raised my heat
e and wiped, with her handkerchief, tn,
IS dampness of my brow, and administered
!, the cordial TO my lips. 1t relieved me
Y / locked around, my courage, my low
l. of life returned. poured forth m!
l. gratitude in burning words, and calle'
,e down the blessings of Heaven. Igneran
;e. of what it was that 50 suddenly inspires
y me, as soon as my spirits tagged cal
e led for more. 1 drank again and again
: for three weeks her loved voice soothe'