The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-03-21
Our Country and What We Owe 1t.

Our Sountry ana What we owe IL.
The following interesting story (says
the n. Q. Crescent is taken from an En-
glish translation Of French book styled
IAN Attic Philosopher in Paris" and tho
suojoined account is given by one who
entered the French army at the age of
10 serving at Jenappes, where Louis
Philippe first distinguished himself, and
Throughout the wars of the republic and
of the Empire, closing at Waterloo. 1t
is commended to the yourg men of our
country at this crisis III her fate. Upon
being asked why he became soldier SO
early, the Frenchman said:
did not really think about it. then
worked at toy-making. and never dreamt
that France could ask me for anything
else than to make her draught-boards,
shuttle cocks, and cups and balls. But
/ had an uncle at Vincennes, whom
went TO see from time 10 time; a Fonte-
noy veteran in the same rank of life as
myself. but with ability enough to have
risen to that of marshal. Unluckily, in
those days there was no way for common
people to get on. My uncle, whose SER
vices would have got him made prince
under the other, had then retired with
the mere rank of sub-lieutenant But
you should have seen him in uniform,
his cross of St. Louis, his wooden leg,
his white mustache, and his noble coun-
tenance. You would have said he was a
portrait of one of those old heroes in
powdered hair which are at Versailles!
Every time | visited him, he said some
thing which remained fixed in my men,
ory. But one day found him quite
grave.
Jerome" said he, "do you know what
is going on on the frontier?"
mo, lieutenant" replied /.
"Well." resumed he 'our country is in
danger"
did not we'll understand him, and yet
it seemed something to me.
Perhaps you have never thought what
your country MEANS" continued he, pla-
cling his hand on my shoulder, "it 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 60
along there laughing-this is your coun-
try! The laws which protect you, the
bread which pays for your work, the
words you interchange with others, the
.jaY 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
remembrance she has aeit you, the eayth
where she rests this. is your country
You see it, you breathe it, everywhere -
Think to yourself, my son, OF your rights
ard your duties, you*tlifections and your
wants, your past and your present bles-
sings; write them all under a single
name, and that name will beyour coun-
tryY" <..,..
/ 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 owe it,"
Truly, TbSulutu 4, we ONo ~ dii buaO
we are; it is question Of love-"
"And Of honesty, my son." concluded
he; "the member of family who does
not contribute his share of happiness
fails in his duty, and is bad kinsman;
the member of partnership who does
not enrich it with all his might, with all
his courage, and with all his heart de-
frauds il of what belongs to il, and is q
dishonest man; it is the same with him
who enjoys the same advantages Of hay
ing country, and does not accept the
burdens of it; he forfeits his honor and
is a bad citizen"
"And what must one do, lieutenant, to-
be a good ctizen?" asked |.
"Do for your country what you would
do for your father or mother" said he.
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, 30 to speak,
written up before my eyes. repeated,
"Do for your country what you would for
your father and mother" And my coun-
try 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 Vincenpes to announce to the lieuten-
ant that ! had Just enlisted, and was 60
ing off to the frontiers. The brave man
pressed me upon his cross of St. Louis,
and vent away as proud as an ambassa-
dor"