Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-12-26
The Renegade.

l was born in Spain, in the pre-
vince Of Catalonia. My parents in
habited q small cottage in the vii
lage OF San Elizario, for generation
my iorefathers had resided here
Some sheep and goats, together witt
q couple of cows, were all our riches
Yet we were in want of nothing
About q couple of acres of goO(
soil enabled us to raise all that was
required, and give us a little spare
money from the sale of vegetables
Each day brought its accustomed
and constant employment, and each
setting sun beheld us happy and con
tent.
My father was now old, his head
was hOnOred with hOary locks, and
his brow with the furrOws of vener-
able age. His chief delight was to
watch the innocent gambols of his
grandchildren, in which he would
frequently engage, or in beholding
his two sons I'm yself and an elder
brother) prosecuting our labor. 10
us he would recount the acts of his
ancestors, the first inhabitants of
the village. Whenever he touched
upon these topics, his countenance
would assume a sudden glow, and
patriotism appeared in every aged
feature. He spoke feelingly, and
made deep impression upon our
youthful hearts.
Many were the traditions which
he repeated, handed down from ia
ther to son for a long series of gen.
rations.
In the same village lived a young
man, the son of the Alcade. While
we were intimate friends,
but as we grew older we became RI
walls and bitter enemies to each 9th
er. We both placed our affections
on the same lovely object, and jeal-
ousy soon ripened into deadly ha-
tired.
One evening whilst returning
from visit to the fair Pepita, l
met with Sandoval (that was the
young mans name), high words pas
sed between us, and quarrel (for
love is none of the coolest passions)
soon ensued We fought, and he
fell. In vain endeavored to raise
,im from the ground and to convey
lim to the village.
"Tomas,' said he, with his hand
pressed upon his side, endeavoring
Intellectually to stop the flow of
blood, ''your kindness is useless,
or death is upon me. Leave me to
ny fate. Fly and save Yourself"
My attentions were indeed nnnec-
ssary, for he had scarcely said fare
veil, when he sank back into my
rus and expired. How to act /
new not. My destruction seemed
Inevitable, besides the disgrace and
nfamy should bring upon my fami-
y, hitherto spotless in fame. Twas
Utterly ignorant in what course to
irect my flight, unacquainted with
he route to any foreign country,
money, and without a friend.
10 time, however, was to be lost. l
ct off Immediately, and passing
apidly over the road, soon gained
he national high road, and in the
curse of time arrived at the French
rontier. AS l was wandering on
Yard, weary and exhausted with my
l perceived a troop OF hors-
S approaching. cast wistful
lance toward them, and could not
clip rejecting on my own unfortun-
te condition, worn out with hun.
er and fatigue, and with dust, while
ley were careless, happy, we'll
lounted, needless, and without anx-
,ty for the morrow.
l saw that they observed me, and
MS effected me the more. Two of
le officers whispered together for
ONE time, and one riding up to me
ddressed me in Spanish. Rejoiced
} this unexpected circumstance,
~ face frightened up Immediately,
nd l answered several of his inqui-
es. He informed me that he and
is command belonged to the French
sryice, and that my person had at
acted their notice, and he asked
le if was willing to go with them.
After IL little discourse, ] consent.
|, and was soon initiated into the
rill and duties of soldiers life.
Without vanity, | may say that |
assessed a tolerably fine appear
nee, just in the prime of life, tall {