Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1855-02-02
gelerteh Misrellanu
THE SOLDIERS VOW.

One beautiful Indian summer dav in
the autumn of 1874. stranger appeared
in the street of Hanover, N. H, whose
garb bespoke the utmost poverty and des-
titution. AS he staggered along, he was
surrounded by crowd of village boys,
who amused themselves by insulting him
with coarse jests and personal indignities.
HIe bore their abuse with exemplary pa
tiencc, and begged them to wait till he
felt a little better, and ne would sing them
fine song, His voice was thick with
unnatural excess, and he was too weak to
protect himself from the rude jostling of the
crowd ; yet he smiled on his'tormentors,
and exhibited no other sense of his help
less and forlorn condition than look of
grief and shame, which, despite of his ef-
forts and smiles, would occasionally over
spread his countenance. Late in the after
noon, the writer, then a student, passed
him in company with friend, when our
attention was arrested by voice of unu-
sual power and beauty, singing that fa-
vorite national song of France, "La Par
iseinne." As he proceeded great num-
Der Of students from the college gathered
around him, and at the conclusion an in
voluntary expression of delight broke up
on Us from the entire mass He was cnthu-
siastically encored, and afterwards the
Marsellaise was called for The same rich,
clear voice rang out with wild melody in
the very words which are wont to arouse
the spirits of the French soldier to frenzy
The admiration of the poor inebriate' S
auditory was now raised to the highest
pitch. Despite his tattered and filthy
garments, bis squalid beard and brimless
hat, now that the fumes of liquor had
subsided, his form appeared symmetrical
and manly, and his face glowing with the
sentiments of the patriotic song and flushed
with the excitement at the unexpected
praise he was winning, assumed an express
sion of intelligence and joy that beautiful,
ly set off his really fine features. "What
ann who is the stranger ?" was the univer-
sal inquiry.
"His singing is incompatible, and his
French and English are faultless." Yes, -
said he, dropping his eyes, "and can
give you German or Spanish, or Italian,
as well as Latin or Greek either,' he ad-
ded, carelessly. In reply to the many
questions that were showed upon him with
the coin he SO much seemed to need, he at
length said in sad tone, and slowly en-
deavoring to push his way through the
crowd. "Gentlemen, l am poor vaga-
bond entirely unworthy your kind sym
pathy. Leave me to my rags and wretch
edness, and | will go on my way" But
our curiosity was too much excited to al
low this, and amid loud cheers we escort
ed him to room where he was furnished
with water and an entire suit of good
clothes, the barber's art was put in requi-
sition, and after an incredible short time,
he re-appeared upon the college steps
smiling and bowing gracefully, man Of
Of fine appearance and noble bearing as
ever eyes beheld. The delight OF the
crowd at this transformation was intense,
and repeated shouts rent the air. "Give
us La Parisienne," echoed from all sides,
and as soon as silence could be obtained
again that clear, rich voice uttered those
inspiring words:
Peuple Francais, peuple de braves,
La Liberte rouvrenes bras"
: He was conducted to the spacious chap
ell, and there for two hours he held an au
dience of one thousand people spell bound
by one of the most interesting autobiog
raphies that it has ever been our lot to
hear. Born in Paris, Of wealthy parents
) he had in early life been thoroughly edu
Gated at the university Of Wittenberg, ant
received the Masters degree. He soon af
ter joined the fortunes Of Napoleon, ant
with the rank of Lieutenant, was will
him during all his campaigns in Egypt, il
Italy, in Austria, in Russia and at Wa
terloo. He had been engaged in NOR,
than seventy battles, and his description
Of places and cities were expressed Il
choice and graphic terms, and on being