The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-08-23
rayages of his disorder.

told how keenly be appreciated hi.
fathers misfortune
DRY your eyes, Victor" said the
soldier. Remember the instruction:
OF your poor mother. how she taught
YOU to submit with resignation to all
the sutferings that Providence sees
fit to inflict upon us in this world Of
sorrow Henceforth you must see
for both of US /; you will be my eyes
my boy"
"Yes, father; and | will work for
and support you
"You are too Young and delicate
Victor. We must beg our bread"
BEG, father? ?"
"Yes, you shall guide nv footsteps.
There are good people in the world
who will pity my infrmities and your
youth. When they see nv ragged
uniform, they will say, There is one
of the braves who upheld the honor
of France upon the burning sands Of
Egypt" and they will not fail to
drop few sous into the old soldiers
bat. Come, Victor, we must march,
We have been to long a burden on
our poor neigbbor. Courage. mon
entant, le bon temps u,endra."
And so the boy and his father sci
forth upon their wandering. Neither
asked aims: bot when seated by the
roadside, under the shadow of an
overhauging tree, the passers-by
would halt, and bestow a small sum
upon the worn and blind soldier
Victor was devoted TO his 6lial aifec
tion. Though denied the society and
sports so dear to bis youth, be was
always cheerful and happy 10 the
accomplishment of his task. Often
did his innoceut gayety beguile bis
father into a temporary foFgetfulness
of his sufferings. Then he would
place his hand upon the boys head
and stroking his soft curling locks
smile sweetly as his sightless eye:
were turned toward him, and com
mence some stirring narrative of mill
tary adventure.
In this way days, weeks. months
and even wears rolled by. They
were everywhere well received snd
kindly treated and all their physical
wants were supplied But the old
soldier often sighed to think of the
burden his mistortunes imposed upon
bis boy, aud of his wearing out his
young life without congenisl com.
panionship. without instruction,
without a future beyond the life Of q
mendicant. He often prayed in
secret that death might liberate bis
little guide from his voluntary ser,
vice.
One day, Francois was seated alcne
on q stone by the roadside. Victor
having gone to the neighboring vii
lage on an erraad, when he suddenly
heard a carriage stop beside him
The occupant, man of middle age,
alighted and approached the soldier
Your name" said the stranger.
"is, | think, Francois Bertrand"
The name"
"A soldier of the army of Egypt ?"
"Yes."
And the pretty boy that guides
YOU is your son ?"
He is-Heaven bless him.
Amen, But has it never occurred
to you, my friend, that you are do
ing him great injustice in keeping
him by you at an age when he ought
to be getting an education to enable
him to push his way in the world ?''
Alas sir, have often thought
OF it. But what could supply his
place? and then, who would befriend
and educate him.
His place might be supplied by a
dog-aad as for his protector, |, nv
self, who have no son. should be glad
to adopt and educate him."
His sons place supplied By a dog
The thought was agony. And TO
part with Victor, The idea was as
cruel as death itself The old soldier
was silent.
You are silent, my friend. Has
my offer offended you ?"
NO sir-no. But you will par
don a fathers feelings" F"
Il respect them-and / do not
wish to hurry you. Take a day to
think of my proposition, and to in-
form yourself respecting character
and position l am a merchant
My name is Eugene Marmont. and |
reside at No. II Rue St. Honore,
Paris | will meet you at this spot
at the same hour, and then
expect An answer ia RecoiF."
He placed a golden louis in the hand
1f the soldier and departed.
\ little reflection convinced Bert
and that it was his duty to accept
be merchants offer. But cruel as
he task of reconciling himself to part
ng with his son, that Of inducing
Vie,or to aequiesce in the arrange
nent was yet more difficult. 1t re-
,uired l,he exercise of authority 10
sever the ties that bound the son to
be father. But it was done-Victor
bis tasz - little dog that
vas procured by the merchant, and
Ifler an agonizing farewell was whiri-
d away in Msrmon.'s carriage.
Years passed on. Victor outstrip-
,ed all his companions at school, and
tood at the head OF the military
for be was striving to win
name and fortune for bis father.
The good Marmont, from time to
ime endeayored ~ obtain tidings of
be soldier = but the latter had pur-
,osely changed bis route, and, salts
led that his son was in good hands,
elt sort of pride in not iniruding
lis poverty and misfortunes on the
lotice Of Victor's new companions.
The boy, himself. was much distress
d a, not seeing or bearing from his
atber; bet be kept struggling on,
aging to himself. Courage FIetor-l
: bon temps Cisadra a-the good time
viii come
. On the death OF Ma-mont. he en-
cred the army "a snb-lientenan. and