Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-05-18
THE MAN WHO NEVER LAUGHED.

had an old friend. If fate should
ever lead you to the graveyard at
Rheims, you might read his name on a
slab that is neighborly with the tomb of
Able Castel, an amiable poet, who has
received credit for some things which
were produced by somebody else. 1t is
as much as 10 years that my old friend
has lain under the cypress trees that
his grandchildren planted over him.
The wind has gradually filed with earth
the inscription which was intended to
inform the public: "Here lies NJ.
Jean Bernard" Moss has crept over
the spe, linen of lapidary caligraphy
until the letters of the epitaph have
become velvet green of the most
picturesque appearance.
Ny old friend, like a goodly number
of those who sleep about him, was
something besides tender spouse and
excellent father for whose soul prayers
are offered up. He was brave and ad
venturous he had travelled extensively,
had been shipwreeked half q dozen
times. and was the pos-essor of a
worldly experience well worth consult
ing. 1t was a most singular thing,
however, that, in spite Of his amiable
and often jolly humor, he never
laughed.
NJ. Bernard was fond of telling
pleasant stories, but while all around
him were convulsed with laughter, he
alone retained his impassibiity. His
features would become animated, his
forehead wrnkled, his eyes would spal-
kle and enjoyment was plainly visible ::
lnt n, hS Inns thau did to
be able to express even the sllen gri-
mace that Fontenelle lolerated-the
smile.
One evenng-lt was on board the
English steamer Solent-a newphew OF
my old TREND was sitting by my side.
"feil me- | SAID suddenly to the
young man, why Is 1t that your uncle
never laughs :?
what Have you also remarked
that pecularity! 1t Is am ola story,
that dates away back to the days OF his
ooyhooa.
Can you tell me ABOUT IL
yes; on condiloh' however, that
you VIII be careful never 10 make any
alillslon TO IL IN my uhcles $ presence:
i promise but, no" that my oid
Trend Is dead, can take my turn and
tell why 1t was that he never laughed.
,, II.
In 1914, during the great war IN
france M. Jean bernard had reached
ms hfteenth year. lie was liylng IN
Nancy WIN ms mother. MS 1ather had
been kllled III L'lpsic, ana ms elder
brother captain IN IN the young guards
was one Il the 'o,0oo heroes who dlspu-
ted, ste oy step, the march OF the allies
on the son o, france, whoe success lay
IN their numbers alone.
1T was RAINY day at the end OF
feoruary: Ihe russians, beaten the
night before ny Napoleon. He'd toward
Nancy, ana tfaversed hastily the almost
deserted streets OF the town. Worn out
and covered with mud, they formed on
the public place IN front OF the Hotel
de Vile. Suddenly, there was heard
the gallop OF score OF horses; the sol
dlers, hurryLng on and turning their
neads to look back, loaded their guns.
They felt hat they were purs ued by the
terrible culrasslers who had passed their
lines on the night before.
"Ihey are atrald" p cried young
boy, who was one OF small crowd OF
citizens looking on.
burly captain, with grizzly mus
tache ana an athletic form, heard the
remark, looked the boy in the face and
advanced toward INN. My old friend
the young BOY, l mean-turned very
pale nut doabled up ms lists and
ava teu ms coming The colossal
RUSSIAN stepped up, seized the boy by
the throat, slapped his face, and threw
MN 10 'hG ground. This revenge &C
coulli'Sheo' ne lenGthened out his step
to regain his already retreating com
pamy
The young Frenchmln Jumped
mao WIN fase-threw himself upon
one OF the retreatlnG grenadiers with
an effort 70 dlsaih him. lie was quickly
thrown to the ground, trampled under
feet, and wounded IN the breast with a
sabre. The curious crowd that had