Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-01-15
Gbf Storp- -Geller.
THE SOLDIERS vow.
4 TR U + T A L F..

: One beautiful Indian Summer day, in the
autumn of 1874, a stranger appeared in the
streets Of Hanover, n. H., whose garb be-
spoke the utmost poverty and destitution.
Ashe staggered along he was surrounded by
crowd Of village boys, who amused them
setyesby insulting him with coarse jests and
personal indignities He bore their abuse
with exemplary patience, and begged them
to wait till he felt little better, aud he
would sing them fine song. His voice was
thick with unnatural excess, aud he was too
weak TO protect himself from the rude jost-
lings of the crowd, yet he smiled on the tor
mentors, and exhibited no other sense of his
helpless and forlorn condition than look of
grief and shame, which despite his efforts
and smiles, would occasionally overspread
his countenance.
Late in the afternoon, the writer, then a
student, passed him in company with a
friend, when our attention was arrested by a
voice Of unusual power and beauty, singing
the favorite national air of France, La Puri-
sienna. As he proceeded great, number
of students from the college gathered around
him, and at the conclusion an involuntary
expression of delight broke from the entire
mass. He was enthusiastically encored, and
afterwards the HarseiUaiise 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 iuebri-
ate's auditory was now raised to the highest
pitch. Despite his tattered and filthy gar
ments, his squalid beard and brimless hat,
now that the tume of liquor had subsided his
form appeared symmetrical and manly, aud
his face glowing with the sentiments of the
patriotic song, and flushed with excitement
at'the unexpected 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?'
was the universal inquiry.
His singing is incompatible, and his En-
glish and French are faultless.
Yes, said he, dropping his eyes, Il can
give you German, or Spanish, or italian, as
we'll, or Latin and Greek either, he added
carelessly.
In reply to the many questions that were
showcred upon him with the coin he so much
needed, he at length said, in sad tone and
slowly endeavorins to push his way through
the crowd:
'Gentlemeu, | am poor vagabond, en-.
tirely unworthy your kind sympathy. Leave
me to rags and wretchedness, TO 60 on my
way
Our curiosity was too much excited to al
low 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 requisition, and after an incredibly
short time, he reappeared upon the college
steps, suliliug and bowling gracefully, man
Of as fine appearance and noble bearing as
eyes ever beheld. The delight of the crowd
at this transformation was intense, and re-
peated shouts rent the air: Give US La
Parisicnne echoed from all sides, and as
soon as silence could be obtained again, that
clear, rich voice uttered these inspiring
words:
"Peuplc Francat', peuplc dc brares,
La LiJerte rouvrs sc bras"
He was then conducted to the spacious
chapel, and there he held an audience Of
one thousand persons spell-bound for two
hours by one of the most interesting autobio'
graphies that it was ever our lot to hear
Born in Paris, of wealthy parents, he had in
early life been thoroughly educated at the
university Of Wittemberg, and received the
Masters degree. He soon after joined the
fortunes of Napoleon, 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 history, were found
to correspond in every particular He re.
lated many unwritten and curious incidents
in the life of Napoleon, which had come un-
der his observation, and finally closed with
a touching account of his own career after
the battle of Waterloo. In the terrible route
that followed that memorable event, his de-
tachment vas chased BY body Of Prussian