Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-09-14

fOul lnal lUlIoWeu i0aI memorable event
his detachment was chased by body of
Prussisn husssrs, and becoming scattered
in The night, he wandered about three
days in the woods and by.places without
food or drink. The chase being a, lengh
given over, the poor Frenchman sank
down, sick and weary with his wounds,
and ready to die, by the roadside. A hu-
name Duclh gitl, discovering him, brought
refreshments and cordisls, and among
these flask Of brandy.
"HeEe,' said the old soldier, "was
the beginning Of woes. The angel Of
mercy, with the best motives, brought me
in ,ha, flask deadly foe, which was 10
me more potent for evil than all the burn
ing tolls OF the Egyptian campaign, or the
inlolersble frost and SHOWS Of lhe Rus.
sian more fatal than the cannon Of sew.
enjy battles, whish create1 in ne thirst
nbre Unsuitable than that which forced me
10 open my veins on .he desert sands Of
the East. Till that day | had never
tasted strong drink. had uttered vow
in my youth TO abstain from it, and TO
that vow owed my life, for not one of
my comrades who indulged in the use Of
it survived the horrors Of the Egyptian
campaign.
But, as lay in anguish, longing for
death and momenlarily expecting his ap-
proach, sweet face appeared to me,
wearing an expression Of deep pity and
sympathy for my sulerings, and | could
but except, without inquiry, whatever abe
gave me. She gently raised my head,
and wiped with her handkerchief the
dampness from my brow, and administer.
ed the cordial 10 my lips. 1t revived me.
| looked around my courage, my love
Of life returned. poured forth my graft.
tude in burning words, and called down
the blessings Of heaven upon her. lgno-
rant of what it was so suddenly inspired
me, as soon as my spirits Jagged, | call
ed for more. drank again. For three
weeks her loved voice soolhed me, and
her kind hands administered 10 my
wants.
"As soon as my strength was sufficient
ly recovered, fearing that some enemy
might still be lurking near, | bade her
sdieu with many blanks and teaIsp sought
the seaside, and embarked as common
sailor on the first vessel that offered, and
have followed the sea ever since. My ia
tai thirst has ever accompanied me, and
cursed me; in port and on deck this foe
has dcbascd me, and kept me from all
chance Of promotion. Oh how often
have in the depths OF my heart wished
had died or The field of Waterloo, or
breathed out my life in the arms Of my
gentle pyeseIver Six weeks ago was
wrecked on the pscSotshiP Clyde, of
New Brunswick. have wandered on
foot through Canada and New Hamp-
shire, singing for few pennies, or beg
ging my bread, till | met your sympathy
today. How do these college halls and
this noble band Of students recall TO my
recollection the scenes Of former days ~
The emotions of stranger, for mo-
ment, oyercame his voice when he res
sumed, the tears still coursing each other
down his cheeks:
81 know not why God should direct
my steps hilher; but, gentlemen this
shall be the beginning ofa new life 10
me and here, in His presence, and that
Of these Witnesses, swear, as hope to
meet you in heaven, never to taste drop
of alcohol, in any form, again"
Prolonged and deafening cheers follow.
ed these words, and | noticed many
moist eye.
A collection was Immediately taken,
and more than fifty dollars were put into
his hands.
As he ascended the coach TO take his
departure, lie turned TO the excited multi
tude who surrounded him, and said;
"lI is but justice that you should know
my name. am Lieutenant Launes, q
nephew of the great Marshal Lannes.
May God bless you all-larewell y
As these youths thoughtfully returned
to their accustomed pursuits. not a few
resolved Ihat temperance and virtue
should ever mark their character, and that
the soldiers VOW should be theirs.
How NATURE PRESERVES REcoRD,-
A very curious incident occurred in the
survey Of the Iron Mountain road, in The
cypress swamps Of southeast Missouri
The engineers, having orders 10 locate
their surveys in connection with the Uni
ted States land surveys, had occasion 10
search for the marks or records made
years ago in the swaDps. The land sur
veyors had marked The results OF their
work by cutting into the body OF a tree,
leveling of smooth surfsce Of the trunk,
and engrossing their record on the tablets
thus prepared. The engineers found the
trees of the old survey, and recognized the
scars of former cuttings, but, 10 reach the
records, were compelled TO cut into the
tree again, New wood had grown up
over The old record. completely hiding
and protecting it. But, after cutting into
the body, down 10 the original iable',ihey
found the surveyors record as plain and
distinct as when first made.
Ho,.,,l r,ia, H., .nrI,, - al ooeoa