Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-14
EVENING STAR.
THE SOLDIERS VOW.
A TRUE TALE.

He "u1onhh vi lott stranger appeared
In the streets Of Hanover, n. H., whose
garb bespoke the utmost poverty and
destitution. As he staggered along, he
was surrounded by a crowd of village
boys, who amused themselves by insult.
ing him with coarse jeSts and personal
indigrities. He bore their abuse with
exemplary patience, and begged them
wait till he felt little better, ard he
would sing them fine song. His voice
was thick with unnatural excess, and be
was too weak to protect himself from the
rude jostlings of the crowd, yet he smiled
On the tormentors and exhibited no other
sense Of his helpless and forlorn condi
ton than a look of grief and shame,
which, despite his efforts and smiles,
would occasionally overspread his coun-
tenance. Late in the afternoon, the
writer, then student, passed him in
company with friend, when our atten-
ton was arrested by voice of unusual
power and beauty, singing the fayorite
national song of Franc ola PaIisienne. -
As he proceeded, great number of stu
dents from the college gathered round
him, and at the conclusion an involun-
tary expression of delight broke the en-
tire ass. lie was enthusia ticaiiy en-
cored, and afterwards the Marseiliaise
called for. The Same rich, clear voice
rang out that wild melody, in the very
words which are wont 10 arouse the
spirit of the Franch soldier to frenzy.
The admiration Of the poor inebriate' s
auditory wcs now raised TO the highest
pitch. Despite his tattered and filthy
garments, his squallid beard and brim-
less hat, now that the fume Of liquor
had subsided, his form appeared sym
metrcal and manly; and his face glow
ing with sentiments of the patriotic song,
and flushed with excitem ent at the unex
pect9d praise he was winning, assumed
an expression of intelligence and Joy that
beautifully set off his really fine features
What and who is this stranger 2" was
the universal inquiry.
His singing is Incompatible, aud his
English and French are both faultless."
Yes" said he dropping his eyes, Il
cen give you German, or Spanish, or Ital-
ian, as well, or Latin and Greek either"
ile dUCtu CdIcleSSly.
In reply to the many questions thai
were showeTed upon him, with the coin
nc so much needed, he at length said, i'll
sad tone, and slowly endcavoring TO
push his way through the crowd, :" Gen
tlemen, | am poor vagabond, entirely
unworthy your kird sympathy. Leave
me to my rags and wretchedness, to 60
on my way"
Our curiosity was tCo much excited 10
allow this, and, amid loud cheers, we es
corted him to room where he was fur
niShed with water and good clothes, AMI
the BARRIERS art put in requisition, and
after an incredibly short time, he reap
peared upon the college steps, smiling
and bowing gracefully, a man of as
fine appearance and noble bearing, az
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
sgain that clear, rich voice, uttered those
inspiring words
"Pouple Fraacais, peuple dc brsyes,
La Llbeite rUuyre sc bT3s."
lie was then conducted to the spacious
chapel, and there he held an audience Of
one thousand persons spellbound, fer two
hours, by one Of the most interesting au.
tibiographies that it was ever cur lot to
hear. Born in Paris, of wealthy parents.
he had in early life been thoroughly edu-
Gated at the university of Wittemberg,
and received the masters degree. lie
soon after joined the fortunes Of Napo-
leon, and with the rank of lieutenant, he
was with him during all his campaigns
in Egypt, in Italy, in Austria, in Russia,
and at Waterloo.
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 his
tory, were found to correspond in every
particular. He related II any unwritten
and curious incidents in the life of Napo-
leon, which had come under his obserya-
ton, and finally closed with q touching
account OF his own career after the battle
of " aterloo. In the terrible route that
followed that memorable event, his de- |
tachment was chased by body of PruS-
sian huSsarS, and, becoming scattered in |
the night, he wandered for three days
and nights 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 humane Dutch
girl, discovering him in this situation,
brought him refreshments and cordials,
and among the latter flask of brandy |
Here" said the old soldier, "was the |
beginning of my woes. That angei 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 intolerabie frosts and
SHOWS Of the Russias-more fatal than
the cannon Of seventy battles, which |
kindled in me thirst more unsuitable |
than that which forced me to open my
veins on the desert sands of the East. |
Il. l.