The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1867-09-11
Sslttt RmdinD,
THE vow OF THE SOLDIER.
A True Incident.

in the autumn of 1914, stranger ap-
peared in the streets of Hanover, n.
H., whose garb bespoke the utmost
poverty and dcstitution. As he stag
gercd along he was surrounded by a
crowd of village boys, who amused
themselves by insulting him with
coarse jests and personal indignities.
He bore their abuse with exemplary
patience, and begged them to wait till
he felta little better, and he would
sing them a fine song. His voice was
thick with unnatural excess; and he
was TOO weak to protect himself from
the rude jostling ofthe crowd; yet he
smiled at his tormentors, and exhibit
ed no other sense of his helplessness
and forlorn condition than look of
grief and shame, which, despite his
efforts and smiles, would occasionally
overspread his countenance. Late in
the afternoon, the writer, then stu
dent, passed him in company with
friend when our attention was attract
ed by a voice of unusual power and
beauty, singing that favoritc national
song of France, ola Parisicnne." AS
he proceeded, great number of the
students from the college gathered
around him, and at the conclusion an
involuntary expression of delight
broke from the entire mass. lie was
enthusiastically encorcd, and aiterward
the MIarscillaisc was called for. The
same rich, clear voice, rang ont that
wild melody in the very words which
are wont to arouse the spirit ofthe
French soldier TO frenzy. The admi-
ration of the poor incbriatc's auditory
was now raised to the highest pitch.
Despite his tattcrcd and filthy gar
mcnts, his squalid beard and brimcss
hat, now that the fumes of liquor had
subsided, his form appeared symmc-
trical and manly, and his face glowed
with the sentiments Of the patriotic
song, and flushed with excitement at
the unexpected praise he was winning,
assuming an expression of intelligence
and JOY that beautifully setoff his real
ly fine features.
"What and who is the stranger ?"
was the universal inquiry. dis sing
ing is Incompatible, and his French
and English are both faultlcss."
"Ycs," said he dropping his eyes,
"and | can give YOU German, or
Spanish, or Italian as wclb or Latin
or Greek, either" he added carclcssly.
In reply to the many questions that
were showcrcd upon him, with the
coin he so much seemed to need, he at
length said, in a sad tone, and slowly
cndcavoring to push his way thro' the
crowd: "Gcntlcmcn, / am poor
vagabond, entirely unworthy your
kind sympathy. Leave me to my
rags and wretchcdncss, and | will go
on my way"
But our curiosity was to much ex-
cited to allow this, and amid loud
cheers we escorted him to a room,
where he was furnished with water
and an entire suit of good clothes; the
BARRIERS art was brought into requisit-
ion, and after an incredibly short time
he rcappcarcd upon the college steps,
O. smiling and bowing gracefully, man
of fine appearance and noble bearing
rs ever eyes behcld. The delight of
the crowd at this transformation was
+. intense, and repeated shouts rent the
air. "Give us La Parisiennc" echoed
from all sides; and as soon as silence
could be obtained, again that clear,
rich voice uttered those inspiring
words.
"Peuple Franchise, peuple dc braves,
9TH La Hberte, rouver ses bras"
He was conducted to the spacious
chapel, and there for two hours he
held an audience spell-bound, by one
of the most Interesting autobiographies
that it was ever our lot to hear Born
in Paris, of wealthy parents, he had III
carly life been thoroughly educated al
the University of Wittemburg, 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 campaign o
{, Egypt, in Italy, in Russia, and al
Waterloo. He had been engaged il
q more than seventy battles, and his de-
,Tscription of places and cities, were ex.
pressed in choice, graphic terms, ant
on, being compared with history, were
found to correspond in every particu
lar. He, related many unwritten ant
curious incidents in the life Of Napo-
leon, which had come under his OBJ
servation, and finally closed with ;
& touching account of his own carce
alter the battle Of Waterloo. In TIN
. terrible rout that followed that mem
horable event, his detachment was chas
,sed by o body of Prussian hussars, ant
Sssbecoming scattered in the night, h
wandered about three days in tn
awoods and by-placcs without food o
drink. The chase being at lengtl
given over, the poor Frenchman sanl
!s'down, sick and weary with his wounds
oand ready to die, by the road side. 4
humane Dutch girl discovering him
brought him refreshments and cordials
and among these flask of brandy.
res sHercj said the soldier, was tn
beginning Of my woes. That angel o
s.ISeruy s@ with the best Of motives
AbFusgAtme in that flask deadly foe
which Was TO me more potent for evi
-tfah I'll the burning tolls ofthe Egyp