Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-08-17

shall never forget the interesting his
tory which soldier Of the Empire related
to me:
"An old soldier, about to quit his regi-
ment, went to bid his Captain adieu."
"Well, my brave" said the Captain to
him, ''you are going to leave US; you are
about to change the life of a soldier for that
of the citizen. AS this career will be new
to you, my esteem and friendship, which
are due to your good conduct, induce me
to offer you some advice before you depart;
and if you will submit to my conditions,
into the motives of which you are not now
to inquire, you shall have no cause to re-
pent my advice. How much money have
you" -.
u have only three louis dor (nearly ff-
teen dollars) Captain, and some francs to
pay my expenses"
Every we'll, give me the louis dor, and
will give you three counsels."
"The state Of my finances render the
\ esz,.sas<4oel1 fssSUayuS goie, anu
to prove my confidence in you, 1 consent"
Saving this, the soldier handed his three
louisd'or, all his fortune, to the Captain.
"My friend" said the Captain, ''remem-
Der we'll, and put into practice these three
p maxims: ...
, MAKE YOUR ROAD STRAIGHT;
- NEVER NEEDLE WITH THE BUSINESS OF OTHERS;
REMIT TILL TOMORROW YOUR ANGER.
o Now await me here few moments"
y During the Captains absence, the old
2 soldier remained pensive, repeating to him
J, self, snake your path straight mever med
is die aoith the business Of others; remit till
t. tomorrow your anger. Verv wise, assured
l. ly! we'll worth three louis dor; but yet it
y is great pity they were all my fortune p
at Some minutes after, the Captain return
y, ed, and giving his friend little roll, ex-
ut acted promise from him, that he would
not open it till the moment of his greatest
re happiness Then shaking hands, and press.
re ing the soldier to his breast, with friend
ship characteristic of the French, this old
companion-in-a arms bid him adicu.
to The soldier b gan his journey. Having
ed joined travelling companion, they arrived
ng at place where the road separated intt
at two branches, both of which however, me
ly at the same point; one, apparently thu
rs. more easy, turned to the right, whilst tn
in other, little inclining to one side, was
,h- continuation of the main road. They wer
k celebrating which route to take, when tn
soldier, remembering the maxim, at ono
er- concluded, saying:
rlsl "I am going to make my road straight.
ste "And L" said his companion, "prefer th
ct. most easy route"
But it happened that this easy rout
tn traversed some dangerous forests, and, th
d I next day, the soldier learned that his ira,
elling companion had been assassinated.-
cir assure you that he now appreciated tt
eir maxim which had led him to choose th
ant safe road, and he no longer regretted b
lily three louis dor; but thanked, in the since
7ou ity of his heart, his good Captain.
the The next day he arrived at the Inn of
small village, where he was advised to pa
the soldiers visit to the lord of the chatea
at who took great pleasure in Hospitality e
ner tertaining the soldiers who passed throug
the place.
: to He was very politely received, assur
cate that he was welcome, and invited to the
Bile of the lord
, so But strange to tell! in the midst of t
hO ACpoot, O ioSJ SIO1uCO III oio1nf "leAA
er!" step and downcast eyes, approached, a
nlia took seat at the table; and this lady, o
re- of the noblesse,. French-woman, dra
6ntr frem. human SKULL The soldier did I
even. seem. to. notice it, and the cenver
aing ton continued as before. He was none
chill less curious to learn the reason of this
ding traordinary conduct; but the imports
st in service which the first maxim had rend
$ he ed him., in inducing iim to select the S
the road, made him practice the second ne
snee. naedde aDith the business of others.
!: her After supper, the lady having alre:
Nary left her seat, the lord of the house,
dressing the soldier, regarded him att
was lively, and said:
Mrs. my friend, you are not an ordin
Mr.. man; for one of the strangest of see
er in has been presented to your eyes, and
have not even appeared to remark it"
am "My lord" replied the soldier, it is