The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-07-12
From the London Journal.
THE PRICE OF LIFE.

Josepn, opening The drawing room door,
came to tell us that the post chaise was
ready. Ny mother and sister flung them.
selves into my arms. -.
"Thcre is still time they said "give up
this journey and stay with u.s."
Mother, am of noble birth, twenty ears
ofage; must make name for myself in
the country--either in the army or at court
Il must make my way to famer'
'You will be proud and happy in hearing
of your sons success"
s"And if you should be killed in battle ?''
"Well, then, never mind After all, what
islife? Does one think about such things
with name to sustain, and at twenty p
just fancy, mother, that you see me return
ing some years hence, either colonel O,
with place at court ~ ....
"And what will the result be ~
II shall be respected here, and considered
as somebody" .-..--......
Sand then 2"
''All will bow down to me-
And then?' ........
Il shall marry my cousin Henriette,
shall see my two young sisters well married
and we shall all live happily together on my
property here in Brittany"
And what is there to prevent you from
commencing to-day? Has your father no
left us the finest property in the country p
Is there, for ten leagues round, so rich
domain as that of Roche Bernard? And
you not looked up to and respected by you,
vassals? Do not leave us, my son; stay
near your friends, your sisters, your ole
mother, who will perhaps be no more wher
you return Do not waste days which fl,
50 quickly in vain glory and care Life is
sweet thing, my son, and Brittany is no
BILE spot!'
Thus speaking, from the windows sh,
showed me the alleys of the park, the oil,
chestnuts in bloom, the llacs and honey
suckles, filling the air with their perfume, a
bright sun shone upon them.
In the ante-chamber stood the old garden
er and his family, sorrowful and silent at m,
projected departure.
Hortensia, my elder sister, elapsed me il
her arms and Amelie, the younger one, VIII,
was occupied in corner with the picture
in volume Of La Fontaine, came toward
me with the book and said
"Read--read, BROTHER" and she burs
into tears.
1t was the fable of the "Two Pigeons"
rose hastily and pushed them all aside.
Il am twenty years of age have nam
to make. must acquire honor and glory
Let me CO."
And rushed into the court yard. Jus
as was getting into the post-chaise Gil
appeared on the top Of the steps leading int
the house. 1t was Henrietta. She was no
weeping, neither did she utter word, bu,
pale and trembling, she could scarcely stand
With handkerchief, which she held il
her hand, she waved me final adieu, am
fell fainting to the ground.
flew towards her, raised her, and, press
ing her to my heart, vowed to be ever faith
full to hsh
When saw that she had recovered he
senses, | left her to my mothers care, and
rushing to my carriage, sprang into it with
out turning my head. Had done so
should not have left. In few moments
was on the high road to Paris
For some time thought of nothing br
my mother and sisters, and, above all,
Henriette: but, by degrees, as the towers
Roche Bernard faded away in the distanc
my dreams of glory alone occupied my min,
What castles in the air built in my pos
chaise! riches, honors, dignities, and ever
species of success. Ircfused myself nothin
nothing was too great for me to aspire t
ard, as advanced on my journey, my ran
and honors seemed to increase also. b
came duke and peer-governor Of "a provinc
and Marshal of France-when stopped
night at my roadside inn.
The voice Of my ualet, who only addresse
me as Monsieur lc Chevalier, forced me
come to my senses.
The next day, and the following ones,
was the same sort Of madness, the san
dreamings Twas going to Sedan, to Il
Duo de C, an old friend and protect