Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-08
O. buite gittrature.
The Soldiers Bride.

experienced with equal rlgor throughout
Italy, France and Germany, where the larp.
est rivers were rapidly CONCEALED, and pco-
pie were seen TO fall dead with cold-in
the French town Of Metz, poor sentinel
was sent upon guard one of the bitterest
nights, when a fierce north wind added to
to the usual cold. His watch was in the
most exposed situation Of the place, and he
had scarcely recovered from severe in
disposition, but he was a soldier, and de-
clared his readiness to take his round. IT.
chanced that he was betrothed to a young
woman OF the same city, who no sooner
heard OF his being on duty, than she began
to lament bitterly, declaring it to be impos-
slble for him to survive the insufferable Sc
verify Of such a night, after the illness un-
der which he still fingered Tormented
with anxiety, she was unable to close her
eyes, or even to retire to rest; and as the
night advanced, the cold becoming more
intense, her fancy depicted him struggling
against the fearful elements, and his own
weakness and, at length, no longer able
to support himself, overpowered with slum-
Der, and sinking to eternal rest upon the
ground Maddened at the idea, and heed
less OF the consequences, she hastily clothed
herself as warmly as she could, ran out of
the house, situated not far from the place of
watch, and with the utmost courage arrived
alone at the spot And there she indeed
found her poor soldier, nearly as exhausted
as she imagined, being with difficulty able
to keep his feet, owing to the intenseness
OF the frost. She earnestly conjured him
to hasten, though only for little while, to
revive himself at her house when, having
taken some refreshment, he might return /;
but aware of the consequences of such a
step, this he kindly, though rosolutely,
refused to do
But only for few minutes she con-
tinued, while you melt the horrid frost
which has almost CONCEALED you alive
Not an Instant returned the soldier :;
1t were certain death even to stir from the
spot
Surely not ! cried the affectionate girl +.
it will never be known; and if you STAY,
your death will be still more certain. You
have at least chance; and it is your duty,
If possible, to preserve your life. Besides,
should your absence happen to be discov-
cred, Heaven will take pity upon US, and
provide IN some way for our preservation ;
Yes said the soldier, but that is not
the question:; for'sGPpcse
impunity, is it noble or honorable thus
vilely to abandon my post, without any one
upon guard |?
But there will be some one if you
. consent to 90, l will remain here until you
return am not in the least afraid 50
be quick, and give me your arms
This request she enforced with so much
eloquence and tenderness, and so many
tears, that the poor soldier, against hi:
better Judgment, was fain to yield, more
especially as he felt himself becoming fain
ter, and unable much longer to resist tn,
cold. Intending to return within in few
minutes, he left the kind.hearted girl il
his place, wrapping her in his cloak, ant
giving her ais arms and cap, together wit
the watchword and such was her deligh
at the idea of having saved the life Of he
beloved, that she was for time insensibl
to the intense severity of the weather.
But just as she was fattering herself wit
the hope Of his return, an officer made hi
appearance, who, as she forgot, in her cor
fusion, to give the sign, suspected that tn
soldier had either fallen asleep or fed
What was his surprise, on rushing to tn
spot, to find young girl, overpowere
with alarm, and unable to give any accour
of herself, from her extreme agitation an
tears!
Being instantly conducted to the guart
house, and restored to some degree of col
fdence, the poor girl confessed the who
truth; soliciting, With the anguish of dou]
and distraction, pardon for her betrotht
husband. He was instantly summont
from her house; but was found in such
state of weakness, from the suferngs
had undergone, as to leave little prospe
Of his surviving them. 1t was with muC
difficulty, with the assistance of medic
advice, that he was restored sufficiently
give an intelligent account of himself, aft
which he was placed in close custody,
await the period of his trial.
Far happier had it been for me-
exclaimed, on being restored to consciot
ness, far happier 10 nave uIou az 'I'y r.
than to be thus reserved for cruel
;gnominious death And the day of
trial coming on, such was the polite
verify of martial law, as he had we'll TO
seen. that he was condemned to be exc
ted within few days after his sentence
Great as was his afliction on hearing tn
tidinrs, it was little in comparison W
the remorse and terror that distracted
breast of his beloved girl, who, in addit
to the grief Of losing him in so public
ipnominious manner, accused hersel
the cause Of the whole calamity. lie
whom she had been so long and tend
attached, was now to fall, as it were
the hand Of his betrothed bride S
was the strangeness and suddenness OF
event, that her feelings wrought up to
highest pitch Of excitatiSn and terror,
very despair seemed to give her siren
and casting all fear of consequences a
she made vow to save him, or peri
the attempt. Bitterly weeping, and
dishevelled hair, che run wildly thr
the city, beseeching pity and compa
from all her friends and acquaintance
soliciting everybody Of rank and inal
10 mite in petitoning for pardon f
lover. or that her life, she being th
author Of the fault, might be accep
the place Of his