The Grand Haven news., 1865-01-18
A SOLDIERS VOW.
A TRUE INCIDENT.

One beautiful Indian summer day, in
the autumn of ls44, a stranger appeared
in the streets of Hanover, N. H., whose
garb bespoke the utmost poverty and des-
titution. AS he staggered along, he was
surrounded by crowd Of village boys,
who amused themselves by Insulting him
with coarse jests and personal indignities.
He bore their abuse with exemplary pa
lience, and begged them to wait till he
felt little better, and he would sing
them fine song. His voice was thick
with unnatural excess; and he was too
week TO protect himself from the rude
jostling of the crowd; yet he smiled on
bis tormentors, and exhibited no other
sense Of bis helpless and forlorn condition
than a look OF grief and shame, which,
despite his efforts and smiles, would oc-
casionally oyerspread bis countenance.
Late ia the afternoon, The writer, then a
student, passed him in company with a
friend, when our attention was directed
BY voice of unusual power and beauty,
singing that favorite national song of
France, La Parisienue." AS he pro-
ceeded, great number Of students from
the college gathered around him, and at
the conclusion an involuntary expression
of delight broke from the entire mass
He was enthusiastically encored, aud after
wards the Marseilaise was called for
The same rich, clear voice rang out that
wild melody in the very words which are
won't to arouse the spirit of the French
soldier to frenzy. The admiration Of the
poor inebriate's auditory was now raised
to the highest pitch. Despite his tattered
and filthy garments, his squalid beard
and brimless hat, now that the fumes of
liquor had subsided, his form appeared
symmetrical and manly, and his face,
glowing with the sentiments of the pa
triotic song, and flushed with the excite
ment Of the unexpected praise be was
winning, assumed an expression of
intelligence and joy that beautifully set
off his really fine features.
"What and who is the strangers" was
the universal inquiry. 81 His singing is
Incompatible, and his French and Eng
lish are both faultless."
Yes" said he, dropping his eyes,
sand / can give you German, or Spanish,
or Italian as well, or Latin and Greek, ell
ther," he added earelessly. In reply to
the many questions that were showered
upon him, with the coin he so much seem
ed to need, he at length said in sad
tone, and slowly endeavoring to push his
way through the crowd, "Gentlemen ]
am poor vagabond, entirely unworthy
of your kind symhathy. Leave me to my
rags and wretchedness, and will 90 my
way"
But our curiosity was to much excited
to allow this, and amid loud cheers we cs.
corted him TO room where he was fur
nished with water aud an entire suit oi
good clothes, the barber's art was put ir
requisiiion, and after an incredible short
time he re-appearcd upon the college
steps, smiling and bowing gracefully, a
man Of fine appearance and noble bearing
as ever eyes beheld. The delight Of the
crowd at his transformation, was intense
and repeated shouts rent the air. "Give
us La Parisienne," echoed from all Sides
and as soon as silence could be obtained
again that clear, rich voice uttered those
inspiring words
"Peuple Francaise, peuple dc braves,
La Libertc rouvrc ses bras"
He was conducted to the spacious chap
el, and there for two hours he held ar
audience of one thousand people spell.
bound by one Of the most interesting au-
tobiographies that il was ever our lot tc
hear. Born in Paris, of wealthy parents
he had in early life been thoroughly edu-
Gated at the university Of Wittenbsrg
and received the masters degree. He soor
after joined the fortunes Of Napoleon, and
with the rank Of lieutenant was with him
during all the campaigns 10 Egypt, in IL.
ally, in Austria, in. Russia, and at Water
loo. He had been engaged in more than
seventy battles. His accounts Of scenes
in these battles, apd his description Of
places and cities wero expressed in choice
graphic terms, and on being compared
with history, we're found to correspond il
every particular. He related many un.
written and curious incidents in. the life
Of Napoleon, which had come under bis
observation, and finally closed with q
touching account Of bis own career after
the battle Of Waterloo. In the terrible
route that followed that memorable
event, bis detachment was chased BY q
body Of Prussian hussars, and becoming
scattered in the night, be wandered about