The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-02-12

hussars, and, becoming scattered in the
night, he wandered for three days aud nights
in the woods and by places without food or
drink.
The chase being at length given over, the
poor Frenchnan sat down weary and sick
with his wounds. and ready to die by the
roadside. A humane Dutch girl, discover
ing him in this situation, brought him re-
ireshments, and cordials, and among the lat
ter, flask Of brandy. Here" said the
old soldier, " was the beginning Of my woes,
That angel Of mercy, with the best Of mo-
tives. brought me in that flask deadly foe,
which was to prove more potent for evil to
me than all the burning tolls of the Egyp-
tian campaign, or the intolerable frosis and
SHOWS OF the Russan-more fatal than the
cannon of 73 battles-which kindled in me
thirst more Unsuitable than that which forced
me to open my veins on the desert sands
OF the East. Till that day had never tast-
ed strong drink. | had uttered vow in
my youth to abstain from it, and to that
vow owed my life. For not one Of all my
comrades who INDUCED in the use of it sur.
vived the horrors Of the Egyptian Cam
paign.
But, as lay In anguish, longing for
death, and momentarily expecting his ap.
proach, sweet face appeared to me, wear
ing an expression of deep pity and sympa.
thy for my suferings, and l could but ao.
cept without inquiry whatever she gave.
She gently raised my head and wiped with
her handkerchief the dampness off my brow,
and administered the cordial to my lips. Ii
relieved me; l looked around, my courge
my lore OF life returned. Ipoured forth nv
gratitude in burning words, and called down
the blessings of Heaven. Ignorant of what
1t was that 50 suddenly inspired me, rs soon
as my spirit tagged, called for more,
called for more. | drank again, and again /;
for three weeks her loved voice soothed me.
and her kind hand administered to my
wants.
AS soon rs my strength was sufficiently
recovered, fearing that some enemy might
still be lurking near, babe her adieu, will,
many thanks and tears, sought the seaside
and embarked as q common sailor on the
hrst vessel that offered, and have follow ed
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 promotion. Oh, how Of
ten have |. in the depth Of my heart wish
ed had died on the field of Waterloo. o,
breathed out my life in the arms of my gen
tie preserver. Six weeks ago was wrecked
in the packet ship Clyde, off the coast o
New brunswick. | have wandered on foo,
through Canada and New Hampshire, sing,
ing for few pennies, or begging for bread
vl met your sympathy to-dav. How do
these college walls, and this noble band OF
students recall to recollection the scenes OF
former years"
The emotion of the stranger for moment
overcaine his voice, and when La resumed
the tears were still coursirg each other dowr
bis cheeks. know not why God should
direct my steps higher; but, gentlemen thi
shall be the beginning of a new life in me
and here, in His presence, and in that O
those witnesses, | swear, as hope to NEE
you IN Heaven, never TO taste drop of al
cohol in any form again" Prolonged an,
deafening cheers followed these words, and
noticed many moist eye. A collection
was Immediately made, aud more than fifty
dollars was put in his hands. AS he ascen.
ded to the coach to take his departure, he
turned to the excited multitude, that sur,
rounded him, and said. at is but Justice
that you should know my name. an
Lieutenant Lannes, a nephew Of the grea,
Marshal Lannes. May God bless you all
| FAREWELL"
AS these youths though:fuiIy rHturned tc
their accustomed pursuits, not few resolv.
ed, in their deepest souls, that temperance
and virtue should ever mark their character
and that the soldiers VOW should he theirs.