The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-01-28
ssI Dare the Fathers Of France to
Condemn Me-"

cit was in Spain, no matter where {
how, that it was my fortune to take pri
oner a French officer of the same ran
that then held-a lieutenant; and thel
was SO much similarity in our sentiment
that we became intimate friends-th
most intimate friend, sister, outtof thi
:, dear circle. He was rough soldier whoi
the world had not we'll treated; but b
/, never rallied at the world, and he main
tanned that he had had his deserts. Hon
or was his idol, and the sense of homo
paid him for the loss of all else.
"There was something similar, too, i
Jour domestic relationships. He had
son--a child, an infant was all i
life to him, next to his country and hi
lduty. I, too, had then such son of tn
same years" (The Captain paused al
instant; we exchanged glances, and a sti
fling sensation of pain and suspense wa
felt by all his listeners. aWe were &C
customed, brother, to talk of these chill
dren--to picture their features, to com
lpare our hopes and dreams. We hoped
and dreamed alike. A short time suf
| feed to establish his confidence, Ny
prisoner was sent to headquarters, and
soon afterwards exchanged.
eve met no more till last year. Being
then at Paris, inquired for my old
friend and learned that he was living al
R., few miles from the capitol. ]
went to visit him. I found his house
empty and deserted. That very day he
had been led to prison charged with a
| terrible crime. saw him in that prison,
and from his own lips learned his story.
His son had been brought up as he fond
lly believed, in the habits and principles
Of honorable men; and having finished
his education came to live with him at
r.. The young man vas accustomed
to 60 frequently to Paris. The father
Thought it natural, and stripped his age
of some comforts to supply luxuries to
his sons youth, 81 49, s,j ss4
"Shortly after the young mans arrival,
lmy friend perceived that he was robbed.
Moneys kept in his bureau were abstrac-
ted, he knew not how, nor could he guess
by whom. 1t must be done in the night,
He hid himself and watched. He saw
stealthy figure glide in, he saw false
key applied to the lock-he started for
ward, seized the felon, and recognized his
SON. What shouldthe father have done?
do not ssk you, sister, I ask these men,
l|son and father, ask youPp
Expelled him from Che house, cried
Il - y .ra r. frfa - p j.
"Done his duty, and reformed the nm
happy wretch" said my father. mo
man is wholly bad all at once s
"The father did as you would have ad-
vised, brother. He kept the youth; he
demonstrated with him; he did more-he
gave him the key of the bureau. Take
what I have to give said he; 4 would
rather be beggar than know my son a
thief" 1saa a31
"Right; and the young man repented
and became good man. exclaimed my
father. Captain Roland shook his head.
"The youth promised amendment, and
seemed penitent. He spoke of the temp
tations of Paris, the gaming table, and
what not. He gave up his daily visits to
the Capitol. He seemed to apply to study.
Shortly after this the neighborhood was
alarmed by reports of night robberies on
the road. Men masked and armed plum
dered travellers, and even broke into hou-
ses." = t'3
"The police were on the alert. One
night an old brother officer knocked at
my friends door. 1t was late, the vete-
ran Che was q. cripple, by the way, like
myself strange coincidenceD was in bed.
He came down in haste when his servant
told him that his old friend, wounded and
bleeding, sought an asylum bepeath his
roof. The wound, however, was slight.
The guest had been attacked and robbed
on the road. The next morning the
proper authority of the town wassent for.
The plundered man described his loss
some billets of five hundred francs, in a
pocket book on which was embroidered
his name and coronet, Che was viscount.) J
| The guest stayed to dinner. Late in the
afternoon the son looked in. The guest
started to see him; my friend noticed his
paleness. Shortly after, under pretense
of faiutness, the guest retired to his
room, and sent for his host. MY friend,
said he, 'can you do me favora Go to
the magistrate and recall the evidence |
have given.
4 "Impossible, said the host. "What
crotchet is this2'
"The guest shu6dered 'Pestel said
he; i don't wish in old age to be hard on
others. Who knows how the robber
may have been tempted, and who knows
what relations he may haye--honest men,
whom his crime would degrade foreverl
Good heavens! if detected, it is the gal
leysl
"sAnd what then-the robber knew
what he braved.' as
"sBut did the father know iii? cried
the guest.
"a light broke upon my happy com
rade in arms; he caught his friend by his
hand. you turned pale at my sons
sight-where did you ever see him before!
Speak.
".Last night on the road to Paris. Tho
mask slipped aside. Call back my evi-
dencep
"sYou are mistaken, said my friend
calmly. Il saw my son in his bed, and
blessed him before I went to my own
az will believe you, said my guest,
sand never shall my hasty suspicion pass
my lips; but call my evidence.
"The guest returned to Paris before
dusk. The father conversed with the
son on the subject Of his studies; he fol
lowed him to his room, waited till he was