The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-17


crippled by shot in the knee-the
younger had lost an arm, He was pale
and thin from illness, and on one cheek
was bright red seam, from deep sabre
cut So Jean The handsome young con
script came home.
He had born his misfortune very
cheerlully at first, but now at every step
he grew gloomy and lost courage. To
his comrade, Jaques Faval, he frankly
confided his trouble. ut was fear that
manned and disfgured as he was, his
Marie would no longer be willing to ac-
cept him for her husband. This fear
grew so strong on him, that when they
came in sight of the dear old cottage, he
paused in an olive grove, and sent his
friend forward to prepare his berothed
and his mother for the sad change they
must see in him.
Jaques found Marie leaning over the
gate, looking down the street. She was
always looking out for returned soldiers
now. She seemed disappointed that
Jaques was not Jean-but greeted him
kindly, and soon drew from him all
he had to tell of her doubling lover
Calling Mother Moreau, and Jeans
young brother, she ran before them
down the street, and soon cheered the
sinking heart under the olive trees with
a clad embrace aud welcome home
Then came the young brother, laughing
loud TO keep from crying, and affecting
not to see that dangling coat sleeve,or to
miss the grasp Of the lost right hand
Then the mother-thankin God as she
fell Oh the breast of her son, parting the
hair from his SCARED forehead and bless
ing him. Pretty Marie had shrunk a
little from that ugly red mark on his
check, but the mother kissed that very
spot most tenderly, with murmurs of
plying love.
The next day, Jean generously offered
to free her from her engagement, but
she would not be freed-reproaching
him with tears for thinking SO poorly of
her as to suppose she would forsakc him
when he needed her the most.
but Marie" he said, eve shall be so
poor. My pension will be small, and |
can do lille with only one arm
"But Jean, l am young and strong,
and"
God and the saints will help US,
interposed Mother Moreau.
Jean and Marie responded BY silently
crossing themselves, and tie marriage
was fixed FOR the first Sunday Of the next
month.
On the evening before the wedding
the Count De Lorme, who had lately
returned from The Chateau, sent word 10
Mother Moreau, that with the permission
Of the wodding party he would be pres
ent at the church, TO give away the
bride.
With that perfect punctuality, which
is part of true politeness, he came at
the exact time appointed F.; and leaning
on his arm, there came slight, pale OH
Ger, Captain Henri, now Col. De Lorme.
With respectful eagerness Jean stepped
forward 10 greet him, and, in his Joy and
faithful devotion, would haved kissed
the hand held forth, but that De Lorme,
with a sudden impulse Of affection, ex
tended his arms, and the brothers in
heart embraced This is the custom in
France, with men-but only when they
are equal in rank. Atthis moment the
young noble caught sight Of that morn
full empty sleeve. A look of pain cross
ed his face he gently lifted the sleeve
and pressed il 10 his lips
jean" he said at last, in soft, un-
steady voice, 4 bring you good news
The Emperor himself witnessed your gal
liant conduct in resculng me and our coll
OTIS, and il you had not been disabled, you
would have been promoted /; rs ii is. you
will receive the pension of Lieutenant
And Jean, | give you joy, mon frrre. he
sent you his-lhe highest reward of a
braye soldier. of France, the best wed
ding present for hero"
With these words. the young Colonel
placed on the breast Of the poor conscript
a shining oruament-the grand cross of
the Legion Of Honor
So the wedding Of Jean and Marie was
a merry one, after all. The good old
Count not only gave away the bride, but
gave with her n nice little dot. or portion.
All the villagers who were rich enough.
gave them presents and the poor gave
blessings, which doubtless turned into
good things in time,
a A 4