The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-06-20
The So1diar,s Vo.u

the utmost poverty and destitution. 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 exem-
plary patience, and begged them wait until he
felt little better, and he would sing them
fine song. His voice was thick with unnatural
excess, ,'and he was too weak to project himself
from the rude jostling of the crowd, and yet he
exhibited no other sense of his helpless and
forlorn condition, than a look of grief and
shame, which despite his efforts and smiles,
would occasionally lyoverspread his countenance.
Late in the afternoon the writer, then student,
passed him in company with friend, when our
attention was arrested by voice, of unusual
power and beauty, singing that fayorite ma
tional song Of France, ola Parisienne." As he
proceeded great number of students from the
college gathered around him, and at the con-
clusion an involuntary expression of delight
broke from the entire mass. He was enthusi-
astically encored, and afterwards the Marseil-
laise was 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 inebriate's auditory was now raised
to the highest pitch. Despite his tattered and
filthy garments, his squalid beard and brim less
hat, now that the fume of liquor had subsided
his form appeared symmetrical and manly and
his face glowing with the sentiments of the pa
trotic song and flushed with excitement at the
unexpected praise he was winning assumed an
expression of intelligence and Joy that beauti-
fully set off his really fine features. "What
and who is the stranger?" was the universal
inquiry.
ellis singing is Incompatible, and his En-
glish and French are both faultless.'' y eyes" ("
said he dropping his eyes, ssand can give you
German, or Spanish, or Italian, as well, OF
Latin and Greek either" he added carelessly.
In reply to themany questions that were show
cred upon him with the coin he SO much seemed
to need he at length said in a sad tone, and
slowl y endeavoring to push his way through
the crowd: "Gentlemen, am poor vagabond,
entirely unworthy your kind, sympathy. Leave
me to my rags and wretchedness, and | will 60
on my way" But our curiosity was too much
excited to allow this, and amid loud cheers, we
escorted him to a room, where he was fur
nished with water and an entire suit of good
clothes, the barber's art was put in requisition
and after an incredibly short time, he reap
peared upon the college steps, smiling and
bowing gracefully, man of as fine appearance
and noblesbearing 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 Franeais, peuple de braves
| La Liberte rouvre ses bras
He was conducted to the spacious chapel
and there two hours he held an audience of one
! thousand people spellbound by one of the
most interesting autobiographies that it even
was out lot to hear Born in Paris, of wealthy
parents, he had in early life been Thoroughly
educated at the university of Wittemburg, anc
received the masters degree. He soon after
Joined the fortunes of Napoleon, and with the
rank of lieutenant, was with him during all his
campaigns in Egypt in Italy, in Austria, ir
Russia, and at Waterloo. He had been engaged
in more than seventy battles. 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
history were found to correspond in every par
ticular 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
the battle of Waterloo. In the terrible rout
that followed that memorable event, his detach-
ment was chased by body of Prussian hus-
sars, and becoming scattered in the night, he
wandered for three days in the woods and by
places without food or drink.
The chase being at length given over, the
poor Frenchman sank down weary and sick
with his wounds, and ready to die by the road
side A human Dutch girl, discovering him
in this situation, brought him refreshments and
cordials, and among the latter flask of fbrandy.
s'Here," said the old soldier, "was the begin
ming of my woes. That angel of mercy, with
the best of motives, brought me in that flask,
deadly foe, which was to prove more potent
for evil TO me than all the burning tolls of the
Egyptian campaign, or the intolerable frosts
and SHOWS of the Russian, more fatal than the
cannon of seventy battles, which klndled IN me
thirst more insatible than that which forced
me to open my veins on the desert sands OF the
east. Till that day, | had never tasted strong
drink. I had uttered vow in my youth to alb
stain from it, and to that vow | owed my life,
for not one of all my comrades who indulged
in the use of it, survived the horrors Of the
Egyptian campaign.
But as lay in anguish longing for death,
and momentarily expecting his approach,
sweet face appeared to me, wearing an express
sion of deep pity and sympathy for my. suffer
ings, and I could but accept without inquiry
whatever she gave. She gently raised my
head and wiped with her handerchefthe damp
ness from my brow, and administered the cor
dial my lips. Itrevived me- looked around
my courage, my love of life returned. [
poured forth my gratitude in burning words,
and called down the blessing of heaven upon
her., Ignorant of what it was that had SO sud
denly inspired me, as soon as my spirits tagged
I called for more. l drank again and again
for three weeks her loved voice soothed me,
and her kind hand administered to my wants.
AS soon as my strength was sufficiently re-
covered, fearing that some enemy might still
be lurking near I bade her adeu with many
thanks and tears, sought the sea side, and en-
barked as a common sailor on the first vessel
that offered, and have followed the sea ever
since. My fatal thirst has ever accompanied
and cursed me, in port and on deck this foe has
debased me- and kept me from all chance of
Oh, how often have I, in the depth
Of my heart wished I had died on the field of
Waterloo. or breathed out my life In the arms