The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-10-21
brain, he looks tolcrably hearty and satisfied

to live.
There is one thing, Monsieur c Doctcur,
| said. which you have not explained 10 int.
aud which do not understand. Did you
mean literally what you said, that since tho
Russian campaign you have never had your
feet warm
Literally and truly, sir. When we go, to
Orcea. where ,jommi WINS in command, and
where the heroic Ney, who had been sepa-
rated from the army, rcioined US with the
skeleton Of his corps--having cut his way
by sheer valor and sollicrship, through
clouds Of Patofrs Cossacks--wc took u
days rest II was the 10th Of November,
the last day OF anything approaching To
comfort, which we were 10 enjoy before
crossing the Russian frontier True, VS.
made one more halt at Molodetschino,
whence Napoleon dated his bulletin of our
terrible disasters, but then only u portion
Of us could tind lodging W. were sick. halt
frozen. and numbers died in the streets.
At Orcha We found shelter and tranquil.
ity; the governor had provided provisions
against our passage, the enemy left us quiet,
and we enjoyed day of complete rcposc.
My baggage had long since been lost, and
my only pair Of boots were worn 10 shruiS.
had been riding with fragments of a Sol-
dier's jacket tied round my feet. which !
usually kept out Of the stirrups, the contact
Of the iron increasing tho cold. At Orchn,
the invaluable Paul brought INC Jew (ths
Jews were our chief purveyors on that ~
trcat) with boots Tor sale. ] selected u pair
and threw away my old ones, which Tor many
days had not taken Of. My feet were al.
ready in bad state, sore and ivid.
bathed them, put on fresh stockings and my
new boots, and c0ntrived with pair Of old
trousers, q sort Of leggingn or overalls closed
at the bottom and 10 be worn over the boot
From that day ill We got beyond the Me
men, u distance oi one hundred and ten
leagues, which we took thrce weeks 10 per.
form, and ] never took oH any part oi my
dress During that time suffered greatly
from my feet they sweIlcd till my boots
were too tight for me, and at times was in
agony. When We nj last were c0mpara.
lively in safety. aud found myself tor the
first time since left Orcha. In warm ROOM
with bed 10 lie upon and water 10 wash. !
called Paul 10 pull oG my boots. Sir, with
them came OF my stockings and the entire
skin of both fest. A iayers knife could
hardly have done the thing more completely
For moment gave myself up m lost ]
had seen enough Of this kind Of thing 10
know that my feet were on the verge Of
modification. There was scarcely time TO
amputate, had any one been nt hand To do
nd haI / a., f.. -
such price Only one thing could save
me, and resolved to tryit, | ordered Paul
TO bring bottle Of brandy. put piece
Of silver between my teeth nnd babe him
pour the spirits over my feet. ] can give
you no idea Of the excruclating torture !
then endured Whilst il lasted, assnrcdly
no martyrs suiIeriDgs exceeded mine. was
in agony--but II was safety. Bit the form
nearly In two, and broke this tooth. (IIee
the doctor drew up bis lip and exhibited Il
defective tooth, in company with some very
white and powerful grindcrs,) The martyr.
dom saved me recovered. but the new
intrgumen,s which IN time covered my
SCARED iect seemed chilled by the rec0llec-
tion Of their predecee-ors suBfrlDgs, and
from that day to this have never had my
icc, otherwise than cold Bat here W. are
at Orleans. and yondcr, ~ expected, stands
my old Preyille.
The train stopped N be concluded, and
fine looking veteran, with white hair, and
empty sleeve, and silken patch over one
eye, psered iDquistlyely into the carriages
Like most EngIisbmen, ] have n particular
aversion TO tbs continental fashion of men
kissing and buggng each Other, but con-
less bebcld with interest and sympathy the
cordial embrace OF tbce two old comrades,
who then quickly separated. and with hands
grasped looked joyiuIIy and ansctionstely
into each Others faces, whilst thousand sad
recollections NJ old kindness and long com.
radeship were evidently swelling at their
hearts. In this Joy, my travelling compan.
ION did not forget the attentive listener,
whose journey be bad ~ sgreeably shortened.
Turning TO me b. presented me TO the Gen
'ral, az an EogIisbman and new aequaint-
ance, and then cordially invited me 10 pas
the rest Of the day at biz bouse. Bat the
bnsiDes. that took me ~ Orleans was urgent
and my return 10 Paris must be speedy.
And had IL beb Otherwise, think ] still
-boub have yrupled 10 restrain by stran-
gers presence, the first glow 0f intimate
communion u which the two friends evi.
IDENTIFY looked forward with such warm and
pleasareabIe feelings. 80 ! gratefully de-
cliDed, bu, pledged myself To take advantage
of tbs doctors hospitality upon my next
visit ~ Orleans. hen that occurs ] sLAil
bOte 10 CLEAN another kussiAB "Reminiscences.