Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-10-27

TzE soLDlERSr sow,-A 1auR STORY.
On. beautiful, Indian san..r a.y. in IL. a 4.
tu%p Of 1874, : stronger sppsered In q: street.
the utmost poverty and dsstitutisa. Az be stag-
CARED along he wAs surrounded BY . crowd Is
village boys, who amused themselves BY insulsing
him with coarse jssts and personal indienities.-
He bore their abuse with exemplary patienos, and
begged them T., wait till he felt little better,
and 10 weuld sing them . fine song. His voice
was thick with dnnas1ral excess, and he was too
weak TO protect himself from the rude oatlings OF
the crowd, yet hs smiled on the tormentors and
exhibited NO other sense Of his helplessness and
forlorn condition than look Of grief and shame
which despite his efforts and smiles, would ocoa-
sionally overspread his countenance.
Late in the afternoon, tho writer, then . stu
dent, passed him in company with . friend, when
power and beauty, singing the favorite national
air Of France, La Payisienns. As he proceeded .
great number Of students from the college gath
cred around him and at the CONCLUSION An involun.
tary expression Of delight broke from the entire
mass. He was enthusiastically encored and If.
terward the Marsellaise called for The Same rich,
clear voice rang out that wild melody, in the very
words which are wont to arouse the spirit of the
French soldier to frenzy. The admiration Of the
poor insbriate's auditory was now raised to the
highest pitch. Despite BIS tattered and filthy gar.
ments, his squalid beard and brimless hat, now
that tho fume of liquor had subsidized, his form ap-
peared symmetrical and manly, and his face
glowing 9Th the sentiment Of the patriotic song,
and flushed with sxcitem.ct Of the unexpsctsd
praise he was winning, assumed An exprsss:n OF
intelligence and joy that beautifully set Of his re-
ally fine features. "What and who il this stran.
ger ?" was the universal inquiry.
"His singing Was incompatible, and his English
and Frencs faultlsss." ...-.,. ... .
eyes," said he, dropping his eyes, 81 can give
you German; Spanish Of Italian, - well, or Latin
or Greek sithsr," he added carslessly.
cred upon him with the coin he 30 much needed,
he at length said, in . sad tone, and slowly en-
deavoring to push his way through the crowd;
"Gentlsmen, am poor vagabond, entirely un-
worthy your kind sympathy. Leave me to rags
and wreschednsss, to 60 on my way"
Our curiosity was too much excited to allow
this, and amid loud cheers, We escorted him to /.
room, where he Was furnished with water and
good clothes, and the BARRIERS art put in requis-
ton, and after an incredible short time, he reap
peared upon the college steps, smiling and bow
ing gracefully, man Of rs fine appearance and
noble bearing ~ eyes ever beheld. The delight
of the crowd at this transformation was intense,
and repeated shouts rent tho air. .'Give us La
Parisenne," echoed from all sides; and IS soon as
flC0
voice uttered these inspiring words: arae
ssPeope Francois, people brave,
La Liberty rouvrese brave"
He Was then conducted to the spacious chapel
and there be held an audience of one thousand
persons spell bound for two hours, by one of the
most interesting antobiographies that it was ever
our lot to hear. Born in Paris, of wealthy par
ted at the University at Wirtemburg, and received
the Masters degree. He soon after joined the
fortunes of Napoleon, and With the rank of Lieut.
enant, he was with him during all his campaigns
in Egypt and Italy, in Austria, in Russia and at
Waterloo.
His accounts of scenes in these battles, and his
description Of places and cities were expressed in
choice and graphic terms, and on being compared
with history, we're found to correspond in every
particular. He related many unwritten and curl
Gus incidents in the life of Napoleon, which had
come under his observation, and finally closed
with touching account of his own career after
tho battle of Waterloo, In the terrible route that
followed that memorable event, his detachment
was chased by a body Of Prussian hussars, and
becoming scattered in the night, he had wandered
for three days and nights in tho woods and by
places without food or drink.
The chase being at length given ever, the poor
Frenchman sat down weary and sick with bis
wounds, and ready to die by the road side. A
humane Dutch girl discovering him in this situa-
ton, brought him refreshments, and cordials.
and, among tho latter flask of brandy. "Here,''
said the old soldier, was tho beginning of my
woes. That angel of mercy with the best of mo.
tives, brought me in the flask deadly foe, which
was to provo more potent for evil to mo than all
the burning tolls of Egyptian compaign, or the
intolerabe frosts and snews of the Russias-
moro fatal than the campaign Of seventy-thrre
battles--which kindled in me thirst more insati-
BILE than that which forced me to open nv veins
An dAs of ha az tkot
had never tasted strong drink. l had uttered
vow in my youth to abstain from it, and to that
VOW owed my life. For not one Of nv COM
rades who INDUCED in the use of it, survived the
horrors of the Egyptian campaign.
"But 40 lay in anguish, longing for death, and
momentarily expecting bis approach, a sweet face
appeared to me, wearing an expression of deep
but accept without inquiry whatever she g.ve.--
She gently raised my head and wiped with her
handkerchief the dsmpness of my brows, and adj
ministered tho cordial to my lips. 1t relieved me-;
looked around, my courage, my love Of life re-
turned. poured forth my gratitude in burning
words, and called down the blessings of heaven.
Ignorant of what it was that 50 inspired me, a.
drank again and again; for many weeks her
loved voice soothed me, and her kind hands id.
ministered to my wants.
As soon as my strength had sufficiently return
ed, fearing that some enemy might still be lurk-
ing near, bade her adeu with my thanks and
tears, sought the aside, and embarked as
common sailor on the 6rst vessel that offered, and
have followed the sea ever since. NY fatal thirst
has ever accompanied and cursed me, in port and
on deck, this foe has debased me, and has kept
me from all chance of promotion. Oh, how Of
ten have /, in the depth of my heart, wished l
had died on the field Of Waterloo, or breathsd out
my life in the arms of my gentle preserver. Six
weeks ago l was wrecked in the packet ship
Clyde, of New Brunswick. have wandered on
foot through Canada and New Hampshire, sing
ing for few pennies, or begging for bread, till
met your sympathy to-day. How do these college
walls and those INDECENT band of students recall
to recollection the pride of former years.
The emotion of the stranger for a moment
overcome his voice, and when he resumed the
tears were still coursins each other down his
checks. 81 know not why God should direct my
steps hither, but, gentlemen this shall ba the be-
ginning of q good life to me, and here in his
presence, and that Of these witnesses, swear, y.
hope to meet you in heaven, never to taste an
other drop Of alchohol in any form again." Pro.
longed and dsafning cheers followed these words,
and ! noticed many moist eye. "A collection
was Immediately made, and moro than fifty dol
lars was put in his hands. Al he assembled the
ko h. Il - r.