The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-02-12
snterfstiug Tittle 5turiru.
The Soldiers Vow.
\ TRUE TALE.


One beautiful Indian Summer day, in the
autumn Of ls44, a stranger appeared in the
streets of Hanover, N. H., whose garb be-
spoke 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
jes,s and personal indignities. lie bore their
abuse with exemplary patience, and begged
them to wait till he felt little better. and
he would sing them fine song. His voice
was thick with unnatural excess, and he was
too weak to protect him from the rude lost.
lings of the crowd, Yet he smiled on the tor
mentors and exhibited 10 other sense of
his helpless and forlorn condition than a
look of grief and shame, which, despite his
efforts and smiles, would occasionally over
spread his countsnance.
Late in the afternoon, the writer, then q
student, passed him in company with a
friend, when our attention was arrested hy 2
voice Of unusual power and beauty, singing
the favorite pational air of France, La Pa.
risiennd. AS he proceeded, "a great number
of students from the college, gathered around
him, and at the conclusion an involuntary
expression Of delight broke from the entire
mass. lie was enthusiastically encored, and
afterwards the M1rseiiiaise 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 soldiers to
frenzy. The admiration of the poor inebri
ate's auditory was now raised to the highest
pitch. Despite his tattered and filthy gpr.
ments, his squalid beard and brimless hat,
M thaf ha nf
his form appeared symmetrical and manly,
and his face glowing with the sentiments of
the patriotic song, and flushed with excite
ment at the unexpected praise he was win
ming, assumed All expression of intelligence
and JOY that beautifully set off his really fine
features. What and who is this stran
ger2" was the universal inquiry.
His singing is incompatible, and hi.
English and French are faultless."
"fes," said he, dropping his eyes, " car
give you German, or Spanish, or Italian, a.
well, or Latin and Greek, either" he added
carelessly.
In reply to the many questions that were
fShowered upon him with the eoin he sc
much needed, he at length said, in a sad
tone, and slowly endeavoring to push his
way through the crowd:
Gentlemen, | am a poor vagabond, ep.
tirely unworthy your kind sympathy. Leave
me- to rags and wratchedness, to 90 on my
way"
Our curiosity was too much excited to al.
low this, and amid loud cheers, we escorted
him to a room, where he was furnished with
water and good clothes, and the BARRIERS art
put in requisition, and after an incredibly
short time, he re-appeared upon the college
steps, smiling and bowing gracefully, man
Of as fine appearance and noble bearing rs
eyes eSer behold. The delight Of the crowd
at this TRANSFORMATION was intense and re,
peated shouts rent the air. "0ive US la
Pdrisienne J" echoed from all sides, and as
, soon as silence could be obtained again, that
clear, rich voice uttered these inspiring
words:
Peupie Francois, peupls de Jrares,
La Liberte reuvre de bras ;"
He was then conducted 10 the spacious
chapel, and there lie held an audience OF
one thousand persons spell. bound for two
hours by one Of the most interesting autobi.
ographies that it was ever our lot to hear
Born in Paris, Of weslthy parents, he had
in early life, been thoroughly educated at
the University Of Wittemberg, and received
the Masters degree. He soon after icined
the fortunes of Napoleon, and With the rank
Of lieutenant, he vas With him during all
his campaigns, in Egypt, in Italy, in Aus.
tria, in Russia, and at Waterloo.
His account of scenes in these battles, and
bis description Of places and cities were ex,
pressed IN choice and graphic terms, and on
being compared with history, were found to
correspond in every particular. He related
many unwritten and curious incidents ia the
life Of Napoleon, which had come under his
observation, and finally closed with touch.
ing account Of his own career after the
battle Of Waterloo. tn the terrible route
that followed that memorable event, his de.
tachmens was chased BY body Of Prussisp