The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-04-06

was ucI oOAe CVup3uIOus ucr lie was one OF
piety-devoted to the poor who received her
only visits. To the gentle teachings of that
mother owe my little store of knowledge.
into my mind lofty sense Of duty. was
called to serve my flag. FILLED with despair
at the thought Of leaving her, protested; in
my hour OF weakness she strengthened and
encouraged me. She babe me 20 for her
sake. With tender smile upon her white
lips she blessed me, telling me that my coun-
try claimed q higher duty Of me than my
holy duty to herself, adding it was the will
Of God. Should you die before me, my son,
will sill have rstength to say, Father, into
Thy hands commend his spirit Go, and,
as you love ne, be faithful to your duty"
These we're her last words and departed
We had returned from Spain, finished with
the glory of the conquest. Iendeavored to
obtain leave, owing to the determination of
the Emperor to invade Germany, l was oh
liged to abandon the thought. followed my
reg iment to Strasbourg. One morning re-
ceived letter from my beloved mother,
telling ME that she was i'll. \ great longing
possessed me to see her. requested leave,
but it was refused. l remembered her last
words: CAS- you love me be faithful to your
duty" resigned myself. A week or more
elapsed when u letter from the curate Of the
parish reachedme 1t told briefly that my
mother was dying there was no hope NY
reason farsook me! At all risk determined
to return home The yearning to at least
pray beside her grave, if might not lock
upon her dear face, tortured me day and
night. Like many Of the simple peasants Of
our mountain village, l sm imbued with su-
perstitious beief-s belief that is strens hem
xryft lxn,h1 ~h I
ed, and which no argument couli destroy
This superstition taught me to believe that
the first flower which blooms above the grave
Of the loved one possesses . peculiar charm:
the one who gathers and retains it is never
forgotten by the dead. 1t was y sacred ami
comforting thought With this belief in my
heart, death seemed robbed Of halt its sting
aud become only . sweet sleep, like rest after
fati2n This flower desired to see bloom
thst gather it, and with it the bless
e. 0f immortal remembrance. The
left 6trasbourg fed After
OF ten days reached Folk,
H. L. . grave. She had died
snrsh was still fresh and
sod, bat no T. bad
Use, ray q
the little bio
mothers soul
pleadingly, whii& Irial
me, Jules, rememb(lA Bsl
truly In the sacred presence o.
gathered my treasure in siieneS
tears OF gratitude and hope, rose
Nothing now retained me ct Folk
words, if you love me, be faithfl
duty seemed to hear at every
very air was filed with the sound
duty made me deliver myself up 70
had violated commands and was u del
! | obeyed, accepting calmly, resigncdiJ
sentence awarded. l am about to die.
| say you are my friend. | nave bat one
quest il you will grant it can die withd
regret, evan peacefully. In locket saSHA
peried my life to obtain. Promise me thai
IN death it shall not be separated from me"
Il PROMISE replied the officer, deeply
| touched
The coniemnsd man graspel his hand
bless YOU Ifit vas His will to grant<se
another life. / will dedicate it TO you, at1l
prove the affection your sympathy has in
spired, but it canno, be- FAREWELL"
They separated.
The dawn broke aud with il came tho
sound of the drum aud the tramp Of armed
men, whose measured steps announced the
remission. lie Preux greeted them with .
silent bow and then went calmly forth to
die
His arms were folded across his breast; =
soft breeze stirred the curls that clast cred
above his brow; his eyes wae hzed Hnnns
the eastern sky, where o.
shed q golden glory, tint
clouds THAI aoated on and
chase tue dark saAiov
gradually fading 10 the W
As he passed down the
diers, regrets and words
spoken in underbreath; but
with not one las, look that
en- MS resolution, he NOV
place of execution. He
and his eyes at his request
bound, and still rive,cd ling
upo TIE drifting clouds, he
sentence read A moment
rods were drawn; then the
the charge was rammed do~
. and the trst words Of the tel
were spoken. Make ready"
snell WAS uttered loud cry
E the Emperor" rung out upon
wave Of the hand that stayed
work. Napoleon vaulted from -
and, with rapid strides advanced toward
the prisoner who, seeminglyless in thought.
stood motioaless. waiting the fatal IRE
Z Jules lie Preuxl''
$ The young man turned quickly toward
E the speaker. His lips moved, yss no words