Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-05-19
declared low firm voice from the other
Il - E.

young man. Poor Andre l was slightly
with him, and knew him TO be
an inveterate royalist, and the most init
mate friend of the unfortunate man, Of
whom plebeiau anger had just made a vic
tim. l feared a quarrel, vengeance, /
knew not what. | threw myself between
him and the old officer, for gloomy pre-
sediment had seized upon me.
mo emperor" cried the old soldier,
with more stupefaction than anger. mo
country! Beardless boy
why should you harm me ?" interrupt
ed Andre. "YOu adore the emperor, but
do not agree with you. We are each of
us free to speak as our cCnsciences dictate.
As for that other expression which you
take so much to heart-as for country,
yours doubtless has in store for you glory,
fortune and happiness But mine 2"
well yours? Are you not French.
man 2" demanded O contemptuous voice
in reply.
"Alas yes" replied the young man.
unmoved, IL was born in France, but
owe her nothing. On the CONTRARY, she
has deprived me of all possessed, for she
has slain him whom loved; be who has
just been assassinated in the name of
France, was my friend, my brother. Yes,
yes, tell you from the bottom of my heart;
there is no country" there is no coun-
try"
AT this last cry of grief, understand
all. Andre was only to be pitied. But
the old officer did not judge him this light>
ly. and his rage, restrained with difficulty,
had already manifested itself in frequent
insulting interruptions, interspersed with
q chnuror nf Fao rfnl Nokkc
"A thousand thundersW roared he
"Sdcre nom de"
A still more terrible voice than bis inter-
rupted here. 1t was the voice of the can
non; whilst at the same time confused cries
arose in all the neighbOring streets.
"Tke Russians the Russians! To the
walls to arms !"
In the cafe every one instantly sprang
for his gun. The old officer, scarcely look
ing for it, felt for his, which stood behind
him. But he felt q resistance; another
hand had already grasped it. lie turned
his head; it was Andre.
Away with you !" cried the old SOL
der, With whitening scOrn. mo arms to
those who deny their country"
Andre blushed. was silent, aud loosened
his hold. Then quick as light, trembling
with excitement, already pale again, turn.
ed about. and running to the middle of the
hall, seized billiard cue, and darted down
the first street, shouting: ITO arms =
the enemy !"
He directed bis steps towards the gate
where already the musketry resounded,
and every one naturally FASTENED after
him;
will not attempt to describe to you tbet
combat, which was but simple skirmish
The Russians had calculated on sur
prisiDg the city, and taking it almost
without a blow; end this resistance thew
ascribed, and perhaps with some reason,
to the double presence of the army and the
emperor. They were twice reuulSed, and
at oaybreak withdrew in disorder toward
the camp of Lusigny; the troops were en-
gagged no further than the first line of en-
bankments, for such wers the orders OF
Napoleon, who wished TO wait for reinforce.
ments.
But nothing could restrain the rash
bravery OF the volunteers. the greater part
of whom continued the pursuit of the enc
my. In spite of his experience and his
age, the old officer, whose only God was
the emperor, fought in the front rank oil
these rash pursuers; he suddenly found
himstlf surrounded by cossacks-teu
against fifty. There WIS nothing left but
to die. but not without revenge.
| The strife had been going on for some
moments, and the situation was desperate
but suddenly volley was fired from the
| city side, five or six COssacks fell, and the
! rest believing themselves attacked by {
superior force took flight, putting theil
| little long-tailed horses to the galley. The
attack was made by few French volun
tsers only, tut their Impetuosity quadru
| pied their number. One of them especially
young man, who seemed TO lead thu
| others, had spraHg forward With such i'm
| petunsity as to be present at the last of tn,
| Conflict.
! 1t was terrific at that moment, ard th,
old soldier had fallen almost under the fee
/ OF the horses. The chief of the new com
| ers saved him from certain death, for which
the butt of his musket he drew bloody
circle about the old man; the latter sprans
up instantly, but alas, only to receive il
his arms his courageous saviOur-the speal
of the last of the COssacks had just pierced
| his breast. They both fill; the young mar
stretched on the ground, and the old sol
der on his knees, holding the head of thu
wounded one. This wounded, dying mar
| was Andre
"You, you ~ cried the old officer, will
establishment, grief, and almost remorse.
"Yes, me" murmursd the young man
in voice which grew weaker With eacl
word. You were unwilling to trust mi
with quo, so have taken one from th,
RusSians-and give it to you, for an
dying"
dying repeated the old soldier. with,
shudder. mo, no, you will not die"
Yes, yes" murmured Andre, with lip
as pale as his cheeks, Il blasphemed; it i
| justice, and / am cOntent-content to dit
for France, aud to rest in her sacred soil
for you will bury me here-here 10 FraucI
earth. shall do well, very well, for ever
for the dead there is u country. Adieu
adieu"
Up to this time the old soldier had salt
nothing he wept, and at this last word
he cried with a strange accent:
"Adieu! NJ, not ajicu, but an reroi
for little while. One cannot die thus 70
eternity; there Is another world where th
good and brave will meet again. ] know
not myself, but there is heaven; there i
a"
The dying man opened his great blacl
eyes, already dimned by death, and who's
last look seemed to interrogate and at tn
same time encourage the old man. Th
old soldier uncovered his head, aud raisin,
his trembling hand towards heaven, said
10 voice Of profound conviction:
There is a God !"
The only answer was a pressure of th
hand-Audre was dead
At the same moment that the gam
keeper finished his touching tale, array @
sunlight fel! directly over the tomb O
Andre, and seemed to caress it in the shade
Without, the storm had cleared away, an,
my companions returned to the chase
But l remained in the grotto, seated a
the foot of the stone cross, and scribble,
10 my Dote>book this simple souvenir
which came across this morning anon
my notes of ten years ago.