The New York herald., 1873-09-25
AN OLD UNITED STATES SOLDIER ABROAD.

His Advice to His Comrades C0ntcmplat.
Ing Foreign Travel-The Value OF -
y. A. II. Badge in European Countries.
| ANTWERP, August rs, 1873.
| 10 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
received recently my first COPY of the
worio-renowned HERALD I have perused with
pleasure Its valuable and well edited columns 1t
appears that with the HERALD before me- I am
hundreds OF miles nearer to my adopted country
Notwithstanding my being born and reared here I
cannot alter a ten years sojourn in the United
States, adopt the ways and manners OF the people
and the country. Simply to hear English spoken
go sometimes, when can find q surplus of six
cents In my pOcketb00k, to drink glass OF beer in
the Hotel dAngeterre. at the Exchange or at the
docks. On Sunday | went for the same purpose to
the English Episcopal church, No. so Rue
des Tanneurs The minister here commenced
his prayers by invoking the grace OF the
Almighty upon the Queen and the royal family oil
England. Three young ladies who occupied seats
opposite me shrugged their shoulders when they
heard this invocation; but when the minister
added, "and also upon the President and the pe0-
pie OF the United States," graceful smile, like
only American ladies' smile, followed hmme-
diately. 1t is unnecessary to mention from where
these ladies came
Many strangers, especially Americans and Eng
lishmen, visit the city. They are presume,
mostly rich; but well they may be, as they are most
royalty cheated out OF their greenbacks and
sovereigns In q third class hotel an Englishman
demanded and received beefsteak and a bot
tie OF common Bordeaux wine, wherelor ne paid
and a half francs. In proportion all are over
charged by clothlers, hack drivers and commits
sioners; Any one who travels on the Continent
the value for all he buys, the Americans being re-
garded as mionnaires who can afford to pay It..
When | arrived In this city spoke patots OF
Flemish and English, and, being compelled
to buy some clothes, had handsomely TO pay for
my 'pdtois,n Notwithstanding my defamation
that was only poor pensoner and Belgian,
like they were.
En- route to Antwerp have passed through Eng.
many and Holland on business for q society
whereof am a member It Is incredible how
these countries and all over Europe since the late
Franco German war; The prices Of meats bread,
the United States ' It Is past ali belief how the
working class can live here on their small wages
be, Is considered happy man. Ibelleve that Ger
many is one of the worst countries OF Eu.
rope ior what concerns the s.o,ny ldye'maEns making
of its government. am not surprised to-
see all the Germans emlgrate to what they call
'NOrth America" united States), the freest and
the most prosperous country OF the universe. Visit
all the countries OF the EARTH you will find but one
America, with a chance for all and every one.
Fools are they who quit 1t expecting to do better
Having lost q foot in the United States Army, and
being unable to work find any occupation, was
compelled to seek refuge in one Of the "soldiers'
Homes" which imposed on my self-respect 1or TINS
reason-I returned to my native country, thinking
that my pension would be SUFFICIENT to live here,
and that the small knowledge have Of the Eng
ish, French and Dutch Languages would aid me to
| obtain some occupation, but find myself cruelty
mistaken as my pension ts1s) is insufficient,
and it is impossible to find occupation here for any
! one who has renounced his native country and
has been disabled in his adopted. / would advise
/ all pensioners even those who are compelled TO
live in soldiers Home" to stay where they are,
| and should a free workingman think to return TO
| Europe he would do much better to put rope
| around his neck or throw himself into the North
I have caused already the departure of dozen
OF sturdy workingmen to the United States 50
you see, Mr.. Editor, that when. as crippes our
services are not longer required at home, we may
still render the country some service on the Cont-
nent.
walking through the streets OF the city, I noticed
numerous military and civil gentlemen wearing
somewhere round the vicinity OF their breasts rib
bons and crosses; so, said ! to myself "Pete,
those men who wear these things OF distinction
have never in their lives smelled war powder, and
you who have lost your blood at Petersburg and
River, have you not much or more right to wear
something OF the kind upon your small stomachP'
My jealousy and pride were pricked. opened my
corners my badge Of the G. A. r.; had
1t Immediately gold-plated, and the next
Sunday l paraded the streets, Just as the high
claimed, "That is the Gross OF the Legion OF HONOR
OF the Holy Father" u another said that it was
my ambition when sentry came at a shoulder
arms" OF course returned him my incest salute.
Ny greatest lear was to meet with an American
who should have exposed me- but II they saw me
they have had the good sense not to do It, which
favor expect from your charming readers, should
they in their future rambles meet with my humble
SELF Who, then, will presume to say tnat "badgo
or the Grand Army OF the Republc' is useless? 1
live now on the pride derived from it, which has
sane e @ene To@ yAN DELI EIG the
Marche aux gants 10, Antwerp.