American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-04-12
THE SOLDIERS vow.
A TRUE TALE.

n AhNb ANhSN%'
One beautiful Indian summer day, in
the autumn of 1914, stranger appeared
in the streets of Aanover. N. H., whose
garb bespoke the utmost poverty and des-
Tuition. AS he staggered along, he was
surrounded by crowd Of village boys,
who amused themselves by insulting him
with coarse jests and personal indignities.
He bore their abuse with exemplary pa
.tienee, & begged them waitiilh felt little
better, anG he would sing them nice scng.
His voice was thick with unnatural excess,
and he was too weak to protect himself
from the rude jcslings ofthe crowd. yet he
smiled on his tormcntors and exhibited no
other sense of his helpless and forlorn con-
EDITION, than a look Of grief and shame,
|" which, despite his efforts aud smiles, would
occasionally overspread his countenance.
/, Late in the afternoon, the writer then a
student, passed him in company with a
friend, when our attention was arrested
by voice Of unusual power and beauty.
singing the hvorite nationalsong Of France
. la Parisienne.' As he proceeded, agreat
number of students from the college gath
cred round him, and at the conclusion an
involuntary expression of delight broke
from the entire mass. He was enthusias
tically encored, and afterwards the Mar
scilaise was called for. The same rich,
clear voice sang out the wild melody, in
the very words which are wont TO arouse
the spirit OF the French soldier to frenzy.
. The admiration Of the poor inebriate's au-
ditory was now raised TO the highest pitch.
Despite his tattered and filthy garments,
his squallid beard and brimless hat, now
, that the fume Of liquor had subsidized his
form appeared symmetrical and manly; and
his face glowing with sentiments of the pa
triotic song and flushed with excitement
at the unexpected praise he was winning,
assumed an expression of intelligence and
roy that beautifully set off his really fine
r features, ."What and who, is this stran'
ger" was the universal inquiry.
"TIis singing is Incompatible; and bis
English and French are both faultfeSs.--
Yes" said he dropping his eyes, "and
can give You German, or Spanish, or ltai,
ian,. as we'll, or Latin and Greek either"
. up huuCU OuaSiOooAy
questions. that were showered upon him
with the coin he SO much seemed to need
he at length said in sad tone, and slowly
9 epdeavoring to push his way through the
, crowd: Gentlemen, am poor vaga'
bond, entirely unworthy your kind sympa
~. Leave me TO my rags and wretehed'
ness, and 1 will go on my way" But ou'
curiosity was too 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 bar
ber's art was put in requisition, and aftel
an incredibly short time, he re-appearec
upon the coliegeIsteps, smiling and bowint
gracefully, a,man of as fine appearance
and noble bearing as ever eyes beheld:---
The delight Of the crowd at this transfer
nation was intense, and repeated shout
rent the air. "Give us La Parisienne,
echoed from all sides, and as soon as 81
lence could be obtained, again that clea
rich voice uttered those inspiring words