Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-01-26
The soldiers YOw--A True Tale

The soldiers VOE--A True Tale.
One beautiful Indian summer day in
the autumn of 1874, stranger appeared
in the streets of Hanover, N. H., whose
garb bespoke the utmost poverty and des-
titution. As he staggered along. be 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
tience. and begged them to wait I'LL he felt
little better, and he would sing them
fine song. His voice was thick with unnat-
ural excess, and he was too weak to pro-
tect himself from the rude jostling of the
crowd; yet he smiled on his tormentors.
and exhibited no other sense Of his helpless
and forlorn condition than look of grief
and shame, which, despite Of bis efforts and
smiles, would occasionally overspread his
countenance. Late in the afternoon, the
writer, then student, passed him in com
pany with a friend, when our attention was
arrested by voice of unusual power and
beauty, singing that favorite national song
Of France, ''La Parisienne." AS he pro-
ceeded great number of students from
the college gathered around him, and at
the conclusion an involuntary expression of
delight broke upon US from the entire mass.
He was enthusiastically encored, and after
wards the Marsellaise was called for. The
same rich, clear voice rang out with wild
melody in the very words which are wont
10 arouse the spirit of the French soldier
to frenzy. The admiration of the poor in-
ebriate'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 fumes of liquor had
subsided, his form appeared symmetrical
and manly, and his face glowing with the
sentiments of the patriotic song and flushed
with the excitement at the unexpected
praise be was winning, assumed an express
sion of intelligence and Joy that beautifully
set off his really fine features. "What and
who is the stranger?" ?" was the universal
inquiry.
"His singing is Incompatible, and his
French and English are fauhless. "Yes,"
said he. dropping his eyes. "and can give
you German or Spanish, or Italian, as well
as Latin or Greek either" he added, care
lessly. In reply to the many questions
thaLwere showed upon him with the coin
be so much seemed to need, he at length
said in sad tone, and slowly endeavoring
to push his way through the crowd. "Gen
tleman, | am poor vsgabond entirely un
worthy your kind sympathy. Leave me t,
my rags and wretchedness, and I will &C
on my way" But our curiosity was toe
much excited to allow this, and amid louC
cheers we escorted him to room where be
was furnished with water and an entire
suit Of good clothes, the barber's art was
put in iequisition, and after an incredible
short time. he re-appeared upon the college
steps smiling and bowing gracefully, mar
of fine appearance and noble bearing as ev
er eyes beheld. The delight of the crowc
at this transformation was intense, and re-
peated shouts rent the air. "Live Us Lii
Parisienue," echoed from all sides and a
soon as silence could be obtained, again
that clear, rich voice uttered those inspiring
words,
"PeupIe Franc ais, peuple de braves.
La Liberte rouvrenes bras"
He was conducted to the spacious chsp
el, and there for two hours he held an su
dance of one thousand people spell-bounC
by one of the most interesting autobiogra
phies that it has ever been our lot to hear
Born in Paris, of wealthy parents, he haC
in early life been thoroughly educated a
the university of Wittenburg, and receive,
the Masters degree. He soon after ioinet
the fortunes of Napoleon, and with the ram
of Lieutenant, was with him during all hi
campaigns in Egypt. in Italy. in Austria, il
Russia and at Waterloo. He had beer
engaged in more than seventy battles, snt
his description of places and cities were ex
pressed in choice and graphic terms, and o.
being compared with history, we're foun
to correspond in every particular He re
lated many unwritten and curious incident
in the life of Napoleon, which had come un
der his observation, and finally closed will
a touching account of his own career afte
the battle of Waterloo. In the terribl
rout that followed that memorable even
his detachment was chased by body o
Prussian hussars, and becoming scattered
in the night he wandered for three days il
the woods and by-places without food o
drink.
The chase being at length given ovel
the poor Frenchmsn sank down weary ant
sick with his wounds, and ready to die b,
the roadside. A humane Dutch girl, dis