The Grand Haven news., 1865-01-18

tnree days IN the w0ous auu py-piaceS
without food or drink.
The chase being at length given over,
the poor Frenchman sank down sick aud
weary with his wounds, and ready to dis
by the roadside. A humane Dutch girl,
discovering him, brought him refresh
ments and cordiaIs, and among these a
flask of brandy. oses
"Here," said the old soldier, "was the
beginning of my woes. That angel of
mercy, with the best of motives, brought
me in that flask deadly foe, which was
to me more potent for evil than all the
burning tolls of the Egyptian campaign
or the intolerable frosts and SHOWS of the
Russian; more fatal than the cannon of
seventy battles; which created in me a
thirst more Unsuitable than that which
caused me to open my veins on the des-
ert sands of the East. Till that day /
had never tasted strong drink. had ut
tered a vow in my youth to abstain from
it, and to that vow owed my life, for
not one Of aIl my comrades who indulged
in the Use of it survived the horrors of The
Egyptian campaign.
"Bnt as / lay in anguish longing for
death, aud momenlarily expecting his ap-
proach, sweet face appeared to me,
wearing an expression of deep pity and
sympathy for my sufierings, and / could
but accept without inquiry whatever she
gave me. She gently raised my head,
and wiped with her handkerchief the
dampness from my brow, and administer
ed the cordial to my lips. 1t revived me.
looked around; my courage, my love
of live returned. / poured forth my
gratitude in burning words, and called
down the blessings Of Heaven upon her.
Ignorant of what it was that so suddenly
inspired me, rs soon RS my spirits tagged,
called for more. / drank again and
again. For three weeks her loved voice
soothed me, and her kind hand admins
tered to my wants.
Gas soon ms my strength was suffi-
ciently recovered, fearing that some ene-
my might still be lurking near, ! bade her
adieu with many thanks and tears, sought
the seaside and embarked rs a common
sailor on the first ship that offered, and
have followed the sea ever since. Ny IA
tai thirst has ever accompanied me, and
cursed me; in port and on deck this foe
has debased me, and kept me from all
chance of promotion. o, how often have
|, in the depths of my heart, wished
had died on the field of Waterloo, OF
breathed out my life in the arms of my
gentle preserver. Six weeks ago | was
wrecked on the packet ship, Clyde, of
New Brunswick. / have wandered on
foot through Canada and New Hamp.
shire, singing for a few pennies, or beg.
ging my bread, till met your sympathy
to-day. How do these college halls and
this noble band of noble students recall
to nv Recollection the scenes of former
years"
The emotions of the stranger, for q
moment, overcame his voice; when he re.
sumed, the tears still coursing each Other
down his cheeks
al know not why God should direct
my steps hither, but, gentlemen, this
shall be the beginning of new life to me-
and here, in His presence, and that o
these witnesses, l swear, as l hope tc
meet you in heaven, never to taste q
drop Of alchoholin any form, again"
Prolonged and deafening cheers fol
lowed these words; aud | noticed many q
moist eye. A collection was immediate,
ly taken, and more than fifty dollars
were put into his hands. AS he ascend
ed the coach to take his departure, be
turned TO the excited multitude who sur.
rounded him and said:
1t is but justice that you should
know my name. am Lieutenant Ian
mes, nephew of the great Marshal Ian.
mes. May God bless you all--farewell y
As these youths thoughtfully returned
to their accustomed pursuits, not few
resolved that temperance and virtue sho'd
ever mark their character, and that the
soldiers VOW should be theirs.
OREGON sends fresh backwoodsmar