Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-07-17
TH e M A s O n i.

sia, that party Of French officers
were assembled in a rude tent, re-
freshing themselves after the fatigues
of a hard days march. Moscow had
already been abandoned, and the hith-
erto victorious armies Of France were
in full retreat, amid all the horrors of
8 Russian Winter.
The ground was covered with a
deep snow, which yielded crisply be-
meath the tread; the men, in clearing
the space for the erection OF the tent,
had piled it in form of circular en-
bankment, into which the outward
stakes were driven.
The night was intensely cold; not
cloud obscured the heavens; the
stars, shining with that peculiar brill
liancy which distinguishes them in a
northern latitude, lit up the distant
plain, that, trenched by the drifting
winds into billowy forms, appeared
like a sea Of foam, relieved only with
the red glare from the watch-6res Of
the neighbopng picket.
Wrapped in fur-cloaks and pelisses,
the spoil of the abandoned city, they
were seated on the ground. enjoying
their repast with that true zest which
only hunger gives.
The party consisted of Count Lan-
riston, Major Outlet, Captain Adolphe
Lesseau, Lieutenant Florent, who,
with several inferior officers, had at
tended their chief in his unsuccessful
interview with the Russian general,
Prince Kutusof, when, commissioned
by Bonaparte, he vent to propose an
armistice, and treat for peace.
The supercilious manner in which
he had been received by the prince,
who refused either to grant a cessa,
ton of hostilities or forward -Napo-
Icons letter to the Emperor, chafed
the fiery spirit of the count, and, du,
ring their long days march, he had
scarcely exchanged a word with any
of his officers. Even a sullen dispo-
sition must yield.at last to the conta-
gion of good humor and desire to
please.
A Frenchman's is not the most OBJ
stinate in the world, and Lauriston,
reused by the cheerful gayety Of the
party, and their peals Of laughter at
each fresh sally, gradually forgot his
spleen, nd'joined in the conversation.
"I wonder" exclaimed Adolphe,
gayly, what the fair danes OF Paris
would say could they behold us in
our Winter bivouac-the snow our
carpet, and the bare canvas our only
shelter from the keen frost? Many
fair bosom would commiserate our
fortune.
cay" interrupted Florent, and
envy US our furs. These sables would
distract the heads of half our bellies
the Empress herself cannot boast Of
such. Should 1 ever see ous dear
country again, I will preserve mine
in lavender till l become peer of
France, and then line my robes with
them"
Take care, that it does not first
become your winding-sheet. That
soldier will have something to tell Of
who again sets foot upon his native
soil. We are encompassed with dan
gers-not only the enemy. but their
accursed climate to contend With.
Even t. continued the major, vet
eran as | am, begin to feel It's inhu-
ence. How. then, will the dainty
limbs of youth resist it?
Faith, major. YOU are severe on
Florent; he stan.ls not only FIRE, hut
frost, like hero. ! have seen him
expose his uniform to the snow rather
than derange.the graceful folds Of li.s
cloak.
. Ard I, count" added Adolplle,
within the last month";. have taiee
seen his ungloved hand"
+" 1t must have bee" wllen he was
bathing itwith eou de cologac, then.
interrupted the major, with a slight
.sneer.
You may behold it, gentlemen,
hastily exclaimed the lieutenant. net
tied at the observation of the las,
speaker, graspn. he lnltot lis sword,
if either Of yon presume To qrr*
ton the spirit Of its lnaster. ("
The lni:c!liegon& major serme,!
more amused with the anger Of ,i,,.
young man than disposed 20 take up
the quarrel, while Lauriston elevated
his eyebrows with the hautcur Of Il
conscious superior.
"My foolish observation has occa-
stoned this, said Adolphe, after a
pause; but. in truth, | meant not
to offend-come, give me your hand. :"
Florent still looked gloomy.
What, man !" he continued-"re-
sent jest $50 slight one-and
from ne, too, You cant be serious.
Come, give me your hand, friend
Brother I"
A smile of peculiar meaning passed
between the young soldiers, and each
instantly grasped the others hand.
"Hunph ! Brothers, said Outlet,
after pause; this comes of Free
masonry. I have known many
pretty quarrel spoiled in similar
manner. There was Marlet, of our
regiment he, I remember, had dis
pute with an Austrian colonel, Just
after the battle, of ,Austerlitz. They
were to have met the next morning,
and I should have been his second,
had not the fool gone to lodge the
same night, where he encountered his
man. What passed, heaven and the
brotherhood alone can tell. All l
know is, that instead of meeting like
soldiers, they entered the cafe, arm
in-arm, like priests. Bah don't talk
to me of Masonry; it only tends to
make men"
WHAT" passionately demanded
Florent, anticipating some reflections
upon his courage.
- Brothers IF coolly answered the
old soldier; it has done SO in the
present instance.