Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-05-02

rIuuCe cVuiu HsN nle IOT any tnlng else than to
make her draught-boards shuttlecocks. and
cups and balls. But had an old uncle at Vim
cennes whom went to see from time to time
Fontenoy veteran in the same rank Of life as
myself, but with ability enough to have risen to
that of a marshal. Unluckiy, in those DAYS
there was no way for common people to get on.
My uncle, whose services would have rot him
made prince under tie other, had then retired
with the mere rank of sub-lieutenant But YOU
should have seen him in his uniform, his cross
of st. Louis, his wooden leg, his white nous
taches, and his noble countenance. You would
have said he was a portrait of one Of those old
heroes in powdered hair which are at Versailles
"lIvery time | visited him, he said something
which remained fixed in my memory. But one
day found him quite grave.
Jerome said he, do you know what is 60
ing on on the frontierp
'No, lieutenant replied |.
"Well,' resumed he, 'our country is in dam
gerr
Il did not well understand him, and yet it
seemed something to me.
"Perhaps you have never thought what your
county MEANS continued he, placing his hand
on my shoulder; 1T is all that surrounds you,
all that has brought you up and fed you, all
that you have loved This country that you
see, these houses, these trees those girls who
Tn, laws which protect you, the bread which
pays for your work, the words you interchange
with others, the Joy and grief which come to
YOU from the men and things among which you
live--this is your country! The little room
where you used to see your mother the remem-
brances she has left you, the earth where she
rests-ths is your country! You see it, you
breathe it, every where Think to yourself, my
son, of your rights and your duties, your ahec-
tions and your wants, your past and your pres
ent blessings; write them all under a single
name-and that name will be your countryn
Il was trembling with emotion, and great
tears were in my eyes.
"Ah! understand cried l 'it is our home
in large; it is that part of the world where God
has placed our body and our SOUL
"You are right, Jerome continued the old
soldier; $50 you comprehend also what we oweit.'
"Truy' resumed |, I'VE owe it all that we are ;
it is a question of love-
"And of honesty, my son. concluded he :
the member of family who does not contri-
butte his share of work and of happiness fails
in his duty and is bad kinsman the member
of a partnership who does not enrich it with all
| his might with all his courage, and with all his
heart defrauds it of what belongs to it. and is
dishonest man; it is the same with him who
enjoys the advantages of having country, and
does not accept the burdens of it; he forteits
his honor, and is a bad citizenH
"And what must one do, lieutenant, to be a
| good citizenP' asked |.
''Do for your country what you would do for
your father and MOTHER said he.
Il did not answer at the moment; my heart
was swelling and the blood boiling in my veins ::
but, on returning along the road, my uncle's
words were, so to speak, written up before my
| eyes. | repeated, do for your country what
4 G., c,tl nd
my country is in danger an enemy attacks it,,
whilst IL turn cups and balls
This thought tormented me so much all night,
that the next day | returned to Vincennes to
| announce to the lieutenant that had Just en-
listed, and was going off to the frontiers. The
brave man pressed me upon his cross of St.
Louis and went away as proud as an ambas-
sador.
That is how, neighbor, l became a volunteer
under the Republic before had cut my wise
teeth.
'All this was told quietly and in the cheerful
spirit of him who looks upon an accomplished
duty neither as a merit nor grievance.
While he spoke, father Chauffeur grew ami
mated, not on account of himself but of the
general subject Evidently that which occupied
| him in the drama of life was not his own part,
but the drama itself.
This sort of disinterestedness touched me.
prolonged my visit, and showed myself as frank
as possible, in order to win his confidence in re-
turn. In an hours time, he knew my position
and my habits l was on the footing of an old
acquaintance.
| even confessed the i'll -humor the light of his
lamp put me into short time before. lie took
what said with the touching cheerfuness which
comes from heart in the right place, and which
looks upon every thing on the good side. He
| to me Of which
obliged him to work whilst could sleep, nor
of the deprivations of the old soldier compared
to the luxury of the young clerk he only struck
his forehead, accused himself Of thoughtless-
ness, and promised to put list round his door
o great and beautiful soul with whom moth
ing turns to bitterness and who art peremptory
only in duty and benevolence.
October l5M.--This morning l was looking
at little engraving had framed myself, aild
hung over my writing table; it is design o.
Gavarni's, in which, in grave mood, he has
represented 4 veterdn and a cOnScript.
BY often contemplating these two figures, sc
different in expression. and so true to life, botf
have become living in my eyes; l have seer
them move, have heard them speak the pic
ture has become a real scene, at which l an
present as spectator.
The veteran advances slowly, his hand lean
ing on the shoulder of the young soldier Hi
eyes, closed forever no longer perceive the sui
shining through the Towering chestnut trees
In the place of his right arm hangs an empt,
sleeve, and he walks with q wooden leg, tn
sound of which on the pavement makes thos
who pass turn to look.
At the sight of this ancient wreck from ou
patriotic wars, the greater number shake thei
! heads in pity, and | seem to hear sigh or al
imprecation.
, See the worth of glory? says portly mer
chant, turning away his eyes in horror.
, what deplorabe use of human lifeP re
: joins young man who carries volume @
philosophy under his arm.
THE trooper had better not have left hi
r plough" adds countryman with a cunning all
Poor old man. murmurs a woman almos
f crying,
: The veteran has heard, and he knits his brow
for it seems to him that his guide has grow
: thoughtful The latter, attracted by what
: hears around him, hardly answers the old man
n questions, and his eyes, vaguely lost in space
}, seem to be seeking there for the solution
some problem.
n seem to see twitching in the grey mus
s taches of the veteran he stops abruptly, ant
n holding back his guide with his remainin
arm
e "They all pity me-" says he, "because they d
not understand it, but if | were TO answe
S J. them"
ST "What would you say to them, fatherP" ask
v the young man with curiosity.
al ,vo,,ld sav first the woman who Weeu