Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-12-17

4
tering the village the news OF their ad.
venture spread quickly and II was easy I'd
see by the consequent excitement how
much the young girl was beloved by her
netghbors. Both old and young rushed
forth to meet her. Juan was overwhelmed
with thanks and praised, nor was poor
Cesar by any means forgotten.
| Adfeus, marguerite, said Juan when
he had accompanied her to her cottage
door; May l sometimes come to see
your
fTTowhSra should my doSrbs cpeh II
not 70 my deliverer' eaid the young gifl
innocentH, q the same time extending
her band 10 Jnan. He pressed II to his
lpf and hastenedhweY LIZA II
| N"When he reached home he found
Gertrude very uneasy at his prolonged
absence, ("ph, my chldr she, cried,
where have you been, and what are these
stains of blood upon your dress p
Juan smiled. Don't be uneasy ,moth-
eri this blood is not mine, but that Of an
enemy killed And he told her all that
had occurred, not concealing the feelings
OF admiration and love he felt for her
whom, he had rescued. ~rfi.N n
"|phahk 'Godi my child said the Old
woman, that your choice has fallen on
so worthy an object. 4 haye-often, heard
the beauty and virtuous industry of Mar.
guerite commended. She is called by her
neighbors the Pearl of Campan.' sri ~
| 5'1t never occurred to the affectionate
grandmother that the fair gifl in question
could possibly be insensible to the atten-
tions of her boy, and, indeed, the event
proved that she was not far wrong. Mar
guerite was of too innocent and frank a
nature to play the eoauette with HIM who
had risked his life for hers, and the pre-
llminaries for their marriage were speedi-
ly arranged,
i"On the morning preceding that on
which, the bans were to he published, the
sound of drum was heard in the peace
full Valley of Campan, and the Project of
the district proclaimed the drawing of con-
scripts for the army. Poor JuanI his was
among heltirst ofthei selected names, and
at the moment the shock nearly stunned
him. However he had been taught to do
his duty, and having calmly made the
needful preparations, he drew his be-
trothed aside and said: lSaisten Gtoi me,
Marguerite. You promired to be mine l
am going away for some years, perhaps
forever; 1t is right that you should be free;
give you back your VOW
"' And l. said the girl, will not take it
baekS-W Whether our next meeting, Juan,
Will be here or in that better world to
which, trust, we are both looking, / will
| never marry any one but you
| Inc young man pressed her hand in
silence. But my mother he said, at
| length, while two unwonted tears rolled
down his cheek; she is old, intirm, unable
| TO work for her support
=" Your mother, JUAN interrupted
Marguerite, lis she not henceforth mine ?
80 long as God gives me strength to work,
our mother shall not want home
And so with mutual blessings and fond
tears they parted. - - ~
Caesar followed his master to the wars,
and Gertrude on the day of Juan's depart.
ure took up her abode in Marguerite's
cottage. The old woman managed the
domestic affairs, while theiyoung one car
ried her milk, butter, eggs and poultry to
market. In the evenings, as they both sat
at their spinning wheels, their conversa-
tiop naturally turned on Juan. Where
is he nowP What lis he doing while we
are speaking Of him p Sometimes their
anxiety was assuaged by the arrival of a
letter, filled with hope and tenderness
but at length one came which increased
their sorrow. 1t bore the stamp of Algeria.
Juan announced that his regiment had
just landed in Africa, and was Immediate
ly to march on the town of Zaatcha,
where number of insurgent savages had
entrenched themselves. Some sharp fight
ing was eXpecteL, as the rebels were
known to be desperate. Under the affect
ing intelligence the two women found
their only consolation in religion, in com
mitting their dear one to the care of God.
Every day, on her way to the town, Mar
guerite was accustomed to pause for few
moments at the spot where she had first
met her betrothed, and where, during the
happy days of their courtship, he had
raised rustic seat, she used to kneel be-
side that simple memento and pray fer
vently; nor did she ever arise and go on
her way without feeling strengthened and
encouraged.
EVERY evening on her return her first
question was: Has Juan written p And
the old woman would silently shake her
head with q despairings gesture, which
seemed 70 imply .yhan will sneHerWrite
to us again
zone day as Marguerite was returning
from Bagneres she was overtaken by
violent thunder storm. There was no
place Of refuge nearer than her own cot
tage, snd with her garments dripping, her
eyes nearly blinded by the driving RAIN,
she fastened toward it. What did she
see? A blazing, lightning. stricken pile,
surrounded by a crowd Sf terrified villa
gers. .---
Mother T. cried Marguerite, dating
onward, where are your
" A cry of agony from within the burn
ing cottage was the reply.
Mother, courage I'll save or die with
your And before the astounded specta.
tors could detain her she rushed through
the flames. A minute, which seemed an
age of agonizing suspense, elapsed, and
Marguerite reappeared, dragging forth,
her pious burden, and forming with her
own body a rampant against the flames.
Scarcely had she allowed the old woman
to fall into some of the ermsrready to re-
SselYs;;aaS, when Iee hsreie ghl sank down
when she opened her eyes," con-
tinued the curate, she was in an apart
ment in my house, whittier | had caused
her to be carried. Gertrude and / had
watched for three days and three nights
by her bed, awaiting the moment of con-
scidusness, Her tir4 sensation was that,
of tortuTihk pain ID hef face. Sha raised
her. hand ID it And feltI that 4 JwaS so)ekJ
veloped in bandages as to leave only the
mouth and eyes free. A cry escaped her
lips: 'Oh, l remember the storm-the
fames-I am disfigured for life-is it not
SOP
"Gertrue and were silent. 1t was but
tookru9; ihe feyourihg elenentS having
her body, protected by her wet Clothes,
untouched, had seized ON her face. The
beauty of feature and delicacy of com
plexion, which had procured for her her
graceful sobriquet, were totally destroyed.
Until the, b9ndagesy were Eremoved,
which TIE lfgeohldd not Is YET Judge Il
asprudent to do, he could not tell the ex-
-tent of sfeviisfgurcment, 5utthar itw0ufd
Sbds4id 81 FhicR @ III odd aoi 5 Sepress, ipSs,
acquainted the poor child with her misfor-
tune She raised her eyes to Heayen with
4to1ehin 4preka5p Of Eesigiationl .sIt
is Thy VIII, my G0d, she said, but let
not Juan see me thusTu 'auistf' la' =
= - - I,ts Jusnr repeated Gertrude, we shall
ATS be comingf'i 20 I" sI'mi' isnf I