The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-09-12
NUMBER Is.
The Soldiers Vow.


of his helpless and forelorn condition than
look OF grief and shame which despite hi
efforts and smiles, would occasionally owe,
spread his countenance. Late In the after
noon the writer, then student, passed hir
in company with friend, when our atten
ton was attracted by voice of musca
power and beauty, singing that favorite ma
tional song Of France, ola Pariseinne." A
he proceeded, great number of student
from the college gathered around him, an
at the conclusion an involuntary expression
of delight broke flom the entire mass. Ii
was enthusiastically encored, and afterwar
the Marselaise was called for The sam
rich, clear voice, rang out that wild nelod
in the very words that are wont to arous
the spirit of the French soldier to frenzy
The admiration of the poor inebriate's audi
tory was now raised to the highest pitch
Despite his ta!tered and filthy garments, hi
squaid beard and brimmless hat, now thai
the fumes of liquor had subsidized, his form
appeared symmetrical and manly, and his
face, glowing with the sentiments of the pa.
triotic song, and finished with excitement al
the unexpected praise of his winning. as
! sumed an expression of intelligence and Joy
that beautifully set off his really fiue fea-
lures. ....
"What and who is the stranger % was
the universal inquiry. ellis singing is in
comparable, and his French and English are
both faultless'
Eyes, said he, dropping his eyes, and |
can give you German, or Spanish, or Italian
as well, or Latin or Greek, either" he ad-
ded carelessly.
In reply to the many questions that were
showered upon him, with the coin he SO
much seemed to need, he at length said in a
sad tone, and slowly endeavoring to push
his way through the crowd: Gentlemen, l
am poor vagAbond, entirely unworthy
your kind sympathy. Leave Inc to my
rags and Wretchedness, aud | will go my
way"
But our curiosity was too much excited to
allow this, and aIpid loud cheers. we escort
ed him to a room, where he was furnished
with water, and al entire suit of clothes ;
the barber's art was brought into requistion
aud after an incredible short time he reap
peared upon the college steps, smiling and
bow ing gracefuly,a man Of fine appearance
aud noble bearing as | ever beheld. The
delight of the crowd at this transformation
was intense, and Repeated shouts rent the
air. Give us La Parisienue, " echoed from
all sides; and as soon as silence could be OBJ
tanned, again that clear, rich voice, uttered
those Inspiring words
He was conducted TO the spacious chapel,
aud there for two hours he held AN audience
OF one thousand people speli-bound, by one
OF the most interesting autobiographies that
it was ever our lot to hear.-Born in Paris,
Of wealthy parents, he had in early life been
thoroughly educated at the University of
Wittemberg and received the masters de-
gree. He soon after Joined the fortunes of
Napoleon, aud, with the rank Of Lieutenant,
vas with him through all the campaigns of
Egypt, III Italy, i'll Russia aud at Waterloo.
He had been engaged i'll more than seventy
battles. His account Of scenes in these bat
ties, aud his description of places and cities,
were expressed III choice, graphic terms, and
on being compared with history, were found
to correspond in every particular He relat-
ed many unwrltten and curious incidents in
the life of Napoleon, which had come under
his own supervision, and finally closed with
a touching account of his own career after
the battle of Waterloo.-In the terrible
route that followed that memorable event,
his detachment was chased by body of
Prussian hussars, and becoming scattered
in the night he wande red about three days
in the woods and by-places without food or
drink. The chase being at length given
over, the poor Frenchman sank down, sick
and weary with his wounds, aud ready to
die by the roadside A humane Dutch girl,
discovering him, brought him refreshments
or 0nrHIa lie and these. fotl Ha olY of
brandy.
''Here," said the soldier, twas the begin.
ming 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; OF the in
tolerabIe frosts and SHOWS of Russia; more
fatal than the cannon of seventy battles;
which created in me thirst more Unsuitable
than that which forced me to open my veins
on the desert sands of the East. Till that
day never had 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 comrads who INDUCED in the use
of it survived the horrors of the Egyptian
''l3ut as lay in anguish, longing for
death and momeDtarily expecting it's APP
prosch, sweet face appeared to me, wear
ing all expression of deep pity and synpa-
thy for my sutferings, aud could but accept
without inquiry whatever she gave me- She
gently raised my head, and wiped with her
kercbeif the dampness from my brow, and
administered the cordial to my lips. 1t re-
vived me- looked around, my love Of life
I ,,oura1 forth Gratitude. iv,
burning words, and called down the bless
ings Of heaven upon her, Ignorant of what
it was that so suddenly inspired me, as soon
as my spirits tagged, | called for more. |
drank again and again. For three weeks
her voice soothed me and her kind hands ad
ministered to my wants.
GAS soon as my strength was sufficiently
recovered, fearing that some enemy might
still be lurking near, ! babe her adieu with
many thanks and tears, sought the sea side,
and embarked as a common sailor on the
first vessel that offered, and have followed
the sea ever since. My fatal thirst has ev-
er accompanied me; in port or on deck this
foe has debased me, and kept me from all
chance of promotion oh how often have
] IN the depths Of my heart wished | bad
died on the field Of Waterloo, or breathed
ont my life III the arms of my gentle pre-
server! Six weeks ago | was wrecked on
the packet ship Clyde. off New Brunswick
| have wandered through Canada aud Ne"
Hampshire, singing for few pennies or
begging my bread, till I met your sympathy
to day How do these college halls and
this noble band of students recall to
my recollection the scenes Of former
years"
The emotions of the stranger, for a mo-
rneut, overcome his voice when he resumed
the tears were coursing each other down his
cheeks.
81 know not why God should direct my
steps hither; but, gentleman, this shall be
the beginning Of new life with the; and
here, in His presence aud that of these wit