The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-09-08

"' Yes, true he assented as he brushed
away falling ear.sAnd Marie2'
." She is well and happy replied.
But why have you not written?'
| hare written he replied, with a
look of surprise.
"'Then for the last seven years you
have believed me -
To be dead. broke in.
Dead! he exclaimed with bitter
emphasis Oh, the joy that glowed in
my breast as | neared homel Home!'
he repeated fool that was to believe
that, in finding home, should find hap
piness. And Marie believes me -
Marie belongs to another now.'
"' And if the letters which have sent
within the last two years had reached
homer
"' 1t would have been too late. Marie
has been married four years now. She is
a true wife and happy mother
g" And her husband p he inquired.
/" Giuseppe Bernharde,' | replied.
Will you go with me to my mother%
he asked, as he rose YEARLY from his
chair
"We walked slowly through the vii
lage to his mothers cottage. Leaving
him at the little porch, [ gently broke
the tidings to the poor woman. Then /
beckoned Andrew inside, and the next
moment his aged mothers arms were
cling round his neck, and her tears and
kisses, warm and bright, fell on his
wasted face.
" stole quietly out and turned my
footsteps to Guiseppe's farm. Marie had
retired to bed. / told Giuseppe all, and
charged him to break the news tenderly
to his wife. The next day Giuseppe re-
quested me to bring Andrew to his house
the same evening.
When we entered the parlor, Marie,
with her youngest child on her knee, was
seated in a chair. Giuseppe was playing
with his little son.
Marie rose at our entrance, and with
extended hand and smiling lip, sprang
toward Andrew, saying, Thank Heav-
EN- / never believed we should meet
again on earth There, indeed, she
added, pointing upward, i had hoped to
meet you, Giuseppe and j.
A faint smile illumined Andrews
wan, quivering features, as he silently
took the outstretched hands of Marie
and Giuseppe in his own, and pressed
them to his lips. He then took the
child from her arms, and held him to his
breast.
"And your name, my brave boy?' he
asked the child
"t Andrew said Marie.
''He drew the child closer to his en-
brace, and hid his weeping face in its
clustering curls.
GO We were told said Giuseppe, after
a long pause, that you had persisted at
the Beresina.
al still carry the bullet that struck
me down, said Andrew but l recov-
cred and was marched prisoner to the
frontiers of Siberia There it was my
fortune to attract the notice of Baron
Lestoff, Russian noble. / rose quickly
in his favor, but when / asked permission
to return to Piedmont, he set a guard
upon me, and evidently intercepted my
letters. After many fruitless attempts,
| at last effected my escape. Alone, and
on foot, | traversed great portion of
Asia and Europe, depending at times
upon the casual aims of strangers for
meagre meal. One hope sustained me,
the he paused abruptly, and then,
in a tone of forced gaiety, added, All!
it is a long road betwixt this and
Siberia
"Marie's wifely devotion seemed to
receive a new strength in that hour of
trial; and when we rose to depart, her
pure virtue shone out clear and soft in
her bright smile and her ingenious tone.
" Andrews step was heavy and falter-
ing as we walked homeward together
across the fields
"' You are fatigued, Iobserved, as he
abruptly halted, and leaned with
heavier weight upon my arm.
"'Oh, yes! he sighed; l am fatigued.
Through years of captivity / have look
ed forward to this day as the browning
JOY of my life. | return to my old home
to see my cup of bliss grasped by the
hand of another. 1t was a merciess fate
that snatched me from the sword of the
| foe!
"' 1t was your Makers will, Andrew
| interposed.
Yes, yes, he murmured, that
truth must not forsake me; besides, the
future here need be of little moment to
me now. feel myself prematurely aged
81 led Andrew, with soothing words,
to his mothers door, and bade him good
night.
"The next Sunday, after vespers /
was hastily summoned to Andrews bed
side. One glance assured me that the
shadow of death was creeping swiftly
over him. He held out his long, thin
fingers to me, and said in faint whisper:
My warfare is nearly accomplished
Andrew said, have you an earth
ly wish? '
Yes, yes he articulated with la
boring breath. Giuseppe and Marie
l should like to see them both once
more
"'Nay, Andrew said I, have pity
upon her, at least, and spare her this
blowp
"' Perhaps you are right, he murmur
ed; come nearer to me; mist is gather
ing round me; can scarcely see.'
As bent over him he drew from I'M
der his pillow small wooden cross, with
a lock of golden hair, furnished with
blood, entwined round it.
"'Place these next my heart when /
am gone he feebly whispered.
" His hand again wandered beneath
the pillow, and when he drew it forth
his Orders and cross were in it.
"Keep them for my sake he said;
my last fight is over. Prayp
g / knelt down by the bedside, still
holding his hand in mine, and as my
prayers rose to the throne of mercy, his
fingers relaxed, deep sigh broke from
his lips; his earthly warfare was accom-
! pliShed and tho chodou &c daotb foil