The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-04-24

! short time to non-comlnissioned officer
and in 4 few years had the honor of being
| IntruSted with the regimental color.
| Iosola and myself were the warmest
| friends, and the acquaintance of such man,
the gayety of a military life, and the perpet-
ual change Of place, scene, and character,
| had almost obliterated from my mind the
thoughts Of by-gone days. Yet, notwith-
standing this, when the boisterous mirsh had
somewhat subsidcd, when | had retired to
rest, imagination would plant in forcible
colors the little village of San Elizario, and
still more strongly the innocent, and no
doubt disconsolate Pepita But the morning
came, and with its cares duties and pleas
ures, banished the musings of an unhappy
man.
The day of battle was near, the clouds of
night were dispensing, and the morning was
to prepare us more fully for the engage
ment. The morning came, the battalions
were reviewed. the lines were formed, and
the terrible conflict commenced. Tosoa did
all that bravery could do. Twice l saved
him from the steele of the foe, but in vain;
his days were numbered, and he died glori-
ously. We were maddened at the sight,
charged furiously, and the day was ours.
My conduct had not been unnoticed by the
Colonel. lie bestowed great encomiulns ON
my valOr, and Twas promoted to a subaltern.
1t will be unnecessary to describe how, by
good fortune and hard fshting, | was finally
made captain and placed in command of
the very company in which [ had been en-
rolled by my friend Tosola My misery
now drew on apIce, for the greatest elevation
of fortune can never secure one against
reverse. Nay, the sunshine of our life is
generally forerunner of clouds and storms.
a few months after my promotion began
the war between France and my native
country. Napoleon |. was on the French
throne, and Europe was reeling beneath his
blows. We marched Immediately to the
frontier, and into the province of Catalonia.
Need | say with what Il heavy heart | obeyed
the orders of my general? But q soldier
must follow wherever he is led, the COM
mand is imperious. Happy are they who
fight only against unjust enemies, the op-
pressors of their country. But what were
my feelings, when we were ordered to pro-
ceed TO the district where was born. Even
to the village where lived all that L held
dear In life?
The Spanish troop" were assembled at
some little distance from the village. | was
put at the head of command, with orders
to encamp near them for the night, and to
recOnnoitre their numbers and strength.
This was, indeed, the most miserable night
| ever spent. My soul was rent asunder.
felt all the dcsOlatiOn of grief and the wild
ness of despair. | could not still the remorse
at my heart. And must | then, | thought,
raise my traitOrOus arm against the land of
my brave and patriotic ancestors? Against
the companions of my childhood, against my
own blood? Must | behold my native village
in flames, and myself light the torch which
was to consume and destroy it? Unhappy
man, to what a state had my first crime re-
duced me?
| could not compose myself for moments
repose, and looking out | beheid the little
old church Of our village, and could distin-
guish by the light of the moon, my own
happy and peaceful home. What recollec-
tions then crowded my mind and narrowed
up my soul with the keencSt sensations.
threw n cloak over my shoulders, and
with feelings which it is impossible to de-
scribe, wandered over the welI-known scenes
of my boyhood. With what emotions L
traversed the little green where | had spent
the innocent and only happy days Of my life,
| shall not attempt to express. l arrived /
undiscovered at my fathers cottage. There .
he was, little altered from when [ left home,
surrounded by the most valiant youths of /
the place, who, regardless Of repose, were
keeping their yigils, and preparing for
stubborn defence.
l was on the point of rushing in and
throwing myself at his feet, when the door
opened and my brother came out. apparent
ly with the intention Of carrying some COM
munication to the main body of their little !
force. lie was passing forward, thinking [
was one of the men, when L exclaimed in
tremulous voice:
"Antoniol Antonioi''
''What, Benito?'' he cried, starting back
in astonishment. ''Our long lost Benito!
Welcome home, though you come at time
of great peril"
His words cut me to the heart. | could
not speak, but threw open my cloak, that
the sight of my uniform might save me the
painful expression.
''IIa is it SOP he said with deep agita-
ton. ''Benito Frenchman? Impossible
Forbid it, heaven; but it must have been to
escape suspicion. Speak. relate what has
befallen you, since you so suddenly left our
village Say, why this disguise?''
"Oh, my brother - L replied, ''thi- *,
indeed, no disguise. My fate is Lard. But
but continued, choking with emotion,
IS PeDita vet alive?''
NO said he, ''but thy country still
lives-strike for her,
'sAntonio, L replied, sit muut not be.
belong to France. l have served long, been
treated well, and sworn allegiance to the En-
peror. | cannot bear my poor fathers
looks. Tell him cautiously of my niyfor-
tunes and my grief. Brother, farewell and !
forever. We shall never meet again.
With mind almost driven to insanity ]
forced myself from him and wandered to the /
church-yartl; there | saw. and IN the insan /
ity Of sLief worshipped at, the grave O