Washington telegraph., 1862-03-05
Our COUNTRY, AND WHAT wEOwErr.

The following interesting story is taken
/ from an English translation of French
book styled 'An Attic Philosopher in
/ Paris" and the subjoined account is given
BY one who entered the French army at
the age of I5, serving at Jeinappes, where
Louis Philippe first disting iished himself
aud throughout the wars of the Republic
aud of the Empire, closing at Waterloo.
1t is commended to the young meu Of our
country at this crisis iu her fate. Upon
being asked why be became soldier 50
early, the Freuchman said:
Ibid not really think about it. then
worked at toy yn,aking, and never dreant
that France could ask ine for anything
else than to ma her drau-ht boards,
shuttlecocks, aud cups aud balls. But. |
had an uncle at Viueenues, whom | went
to see from time to time; a Fontenoy
veteran In the same rank of life as myself,
but with ability enough to have risen to
that Of marshal Unuckily, in those days
there was no way for common people to
get on. My uncle, whose services would
nave got han made prince nnder the
other, had then retired with Il e mere rank
of sub lieutenant. But you should have
seen nun In Ills uniform, his cross Vi St.
Louis, his wooden leg, his white moust,-
ches, aud his noble countenapce. You
would have sad he was portrait of one
of those old heroes III powdered hair which
are at Versailles, j" -'i
Every time visited him, he said some-
thing which remained ixed in my memory.
Ba. Que day [ found hin quite grave
''Jerome,' said lie, edo You know what
is golus on on the frontierY"
| "Nu, lieutenant" replied |. ....
"W Wrll," resumed he, sour country is
In dangerr'
l did not well understand him, and
yet 1t seemed something to me.
''Perhaps you have never thought what
Jour country means continued he, plac
ing his hand on my shou der" it is all
that surrounds you, all that has brought
you up aud fed YOU, all that you have
loved! This country that you see, these
houses, these trees, these girls who 60
along there laughing this is your coun-
try! The laws which protect you, the
bread which pays Tor your work, the words
You Interchange with others, the Joy and
grief which come to you from the meE
aud things amoug 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 this is your country. You see
it, you breathe IT, everywhere. Thiuk to
yourself, my son, of your rights aud yonr
duties, your affections aud your WAITS,
your past and your present blessings; write
theai all uIder a single nane-aud that
name will be your country"
| was trembiing with emotion and great
tears were in my eyes.
"Ah. understand" cried l; 'it is our
home in large; il is that part of the world
where God mas placed our body aud our
soul" .i 'a''t
You are right, Jerome" continued
the old soldier; $50 you comprehend also
what We owe it.
Truly resumed |, ''we owe it all that
We are; 1t is question of love p"
1 "And of honesty, my son." concluded
he ''the member of family who does
not contribute his share Of work of hap
piness fails in his duty, aud is bad
kinsman the member Of partnership
who does not enrich it with all his might,
with all his courage, and with ali his
heart, defrauds it of what belongs to it,
and is a dishonest man; it is the same
} with him who enjoys the advantages Of
having country, and does not accept the
4 burdens of il; he forfeits his honor, and
is bad citizen"
"And what must one do, Lieutenant, to
be good citizen?" asked |.
"Do for your country what you would
do for your father and mother" said he
did not answer at the moment; my
heart WIS swelling, and the blood boiling
in my veins; but, on returning along the
road, my uncle's words were, so to speak
written before my eyes | repeated, "Du
for your country what You would do for
your father aud mother" And my coun
try is in danger, an enemy attacks il,
whist i turn cups aud balls! ,..r,
This thought tormeuted me so much,
all night, that the next day returned T.
Vinceoues to announce to the Lteuteaan nj
that | had just enlisted, aud was going IL
10 the frontier. The brave man pressed
inc upon his. cross of St. Louis, aud wenl
away as proud au ambassador.