Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-04-09
MY UNCLE RoLAMD,s TALE,
A THRILLING STORY.


Il was in Spsin, no matter where
or how, that it was my fortune to take
prisoner a French officer of the. same
rank that I then held-a lieutenant;
and there was so much similarity in
our sentiments that we became init
mate friends--the most intimate
friend, sister, out of, this dear circle.
He was a rough soldier that the
world had not well treated; but he
never rallied at the world, and main
tsined that he had had his deserts.
Honor was his idol, and the sense OF
honor paid him for the less of all
else. g---,r- e..
There was something similar, too,
in our domestic relationships. He
bad a soma child, an infant--who
was all in life to him, next to his
country and his duty. 1, too, had
then such q son of the same years. "
(The Captain paused an instant; we
exchanged glances, and sitting
sensation of pain and suspense was
felt by all his listeners "We were
accustomed, brother, to talk Of these
ehildren-to picture their features,
to compare our hopes. and dreams
We hoped and dreamed alike. A
short time sufliced to establish this
confidence My prisoner was sent to
headquarters, and soon afterwards
exchanged. s'
owe met no more till last year
Being then at Paris, l Inquired for
my odd. friend sud irxrned tliat he
was living at R, a few miles from
the capital. i went to visit him. l
found his house empty and deserted
That very day he had been led to
prison charged with terrible crime.
1 saw him in that prison, and from
his own lips learned his story. His
son had been brought up, as he fond
ly believed, in the habits and prin-
ciples of honorable men; and hav-
ing finished his education, came to
reside with him at R. The
young man was accustomed to 60
frequently to Paris. A young French
man loves pleasure, sister, and pleas
ure is found in Paris. The father
thought it natural, and stripped his
age of some comforts to supply lux
uries to his sons youth.
"Shortly after the young mans ar
rival, my friend perceived that he
was robbed. Moneys kept in his bu-
reau were distracted, he knew not
how, nor could he guess by whom.
1t must be done in the night. He
hid Himself and watched. He saw
stealtny figure glide in, he saw
false key applied to the lOck--he
started forward, seized the felon, and
recognized his son. What should
the father have done2 I do not ask
you, sister l ask these men. son and
father, I ask yeu?'' si-.
Expelled him from the house,"
cried l. ...,.... ~
''Done his duty, and reformed the
unhappy wretch said my father
Memo repente tuypassimue ssmper .fuit.
No man is wholly bad at once"
.'The father did as you would have
advised, 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; i would rather be a beggar
than know my son thief" sh
"Right; and the youth repented
and became q good man." exclaimed
my father. ~ s Tes f9 vgs1 q
- Captain Roland shook his head
s'The youth promised amendment,
and seemed penitent. He spoke OF
the temptations of Paris, the gaming
table and what not He gave up
his daily visits to the capital. He
seemed to apply to study. Shortly
after this the neighberhood was
alarmed by reports of night robbie
ries on the roads. Men masked and
aimed plundered travellers, and even
broke into houses"
.'The police were on the alert
One night AN old brother officer
knocked at my friends door. 1t was
late, the veteran (hc was q cripple,
by the way, like myself = strange
coincidence was in bed. He came
down in haste when his servant told
him that his old friend, wounded and
bleeding, sought an asylum beneath
his reof. The wound, however, was
slight. The guesthad been attacked
and robbed on the road. The next
morning the proper authority Of the
town was sent for. The plundered
man described his lossAsome billets
Of five hundred francs, in pocket
book on which was embroidered his
name and coronet fhe was q Wis
count. The guest stayed to dinner.
Late in the afternoon the son looked
in. The guest started to see him;
my friend noticed his palensss.-
Shortly after, under pretense ef
faintness, the guest retired to his
room, and sent for his hest. MY
friend said he, 'can you do me q
favor? Go to the magistrste and re-
, cafi the evidence have Qiyen.'f