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


Attracted by its simple beauty, | took
up summer residence there some years
ago, and formed the intimate acquaint-
ance of its venerable pastor. He was at
that time yerging into his SEVENTEEN
year, but the hand of Time had touched
him gently; there was cheerful fresh
ness in his voice, and and infectious hui
NOR in his laugh.
/ was one evening seated in his coy
sitting room, when my eye CHANGED to
light upon two military Orders and a
golden cross of the Iron Crown, en-
circled by wreath and suspended over
the mantelpiece. Feeling curious to
learn how those badges of war had come
to adorn this peaceful home, l questioned
my host respecting them. Suddenly,
however, cloud gathered over his fur
rowed brow.
"My question causes you pain?'
ventured to remark.
"No, no." he faltered, " not pain; but
the memory of sad events is awakened
by those mementoes. If you will pa
tientlv hear me to the eEd, | will relate
them"
| promised attention, and after pause
he thus began:
My story refers to the period when
Piedmont's brave sons were driven forth
to swell the armies of Napoleon. Near
the school-house at the end of the vii
lage there stands vine-dresser's cottage,
where resided with his widowed mother
a young peasant named Andrew Tomato
He was a fine, stalwart youth, with
supple limbs and powerful frame. In
an adjacent cottage there dwelt the
beauty, | may say pride, of our little
community, Marie Levalle. She and
Andrew had grown up from childhood
t gether, and as they reached maturel
years, their attachment ripened into
earnest love-
At length the bridal day was fixed
but within a week of its approach the
sound of the drum through the village
street caused many a stout heart to quai
with fear. 1t announced the periodical
conscTiption, and few hours later
met Andrew on his wa to the rendez
vous. He was permitted to take fare
we'll of his mother and Marie, and wish
ing to bid him adieu | fastened at once
to the cottage.
% Marie, he was saying, as | paused,
unseen, upon the threshold, tmy darling
Marie, next Sunday was to have been
our wedding day. he continued; but
now four long years stand between that
happiness we have waited for with SO
much anxiety.
- Yes, four long years, Andrew she
said, in faint whisper.
90 If they were twenty said he, Il
/ Il
YOU, even though your face should be
wrinkled and your hair silvered. But |
shall have to encounter perils in every
shape before my return; nay, perhaps
even death itself.
"The young girl shuddered, and chung
TO him with a convulsive grasp, as she
slowly repeated, DEATH
"' Yes, Marie, he continued; and be-
fore we separate, possibly for ever,
wish to release you from your vows to
me-to leave you free to accept another
who will love and protect you as | would
have done if Providence had so willed it.
This is my earnest desire. Will you
comply with it?'
e. cannot, Andrew she replied, in a
beseeching tone; i cannot. My heart
Is yours, my love is yours; they can
never belong to another.
cay, Marie, said he; but if you
wait and wait through weary years until
your youth fades, where will you find a
protector in your age?
"'I In God, Andrew, she replied, in a
voice of meekness.
:" At that moment the short, measured
tread of armed men fell on my ear, and
the sergeant, with his file of soldiers,
halted in front of the cottage. Andrew
knelt hurriedly before his mother and
received her parting benediction; then
folding Marie to his breast, he babe hel
look up, that he might bear the image OF
her bright face forever in his memory.
While the painful scene was passing
she pressed q small cross carved in wood
and entwined with a lock of her golden
hair, into his hand. He took the hum
BILE token and placed it next to his heart.
" At that moment the word to move
forward was given. | received Marie
from him, and the band marched away
on their sad route We watched them
pass around the winding hill, the declin-
ing sun slanting their shadows on the
dusty road, until they disappeared from
our strained sight.
AT the end of two months letter ar
rived from Andrew, dated Madgeburg.
1t told us that he had joined regiment
of grenadiers The following spring he
wrote from Aranza, in Spain; he had
then passed unscathed through many a
hard-fought field, had risen to the rank
of sergeant, and had been decorated with
an Order.
lwo years wore away. One evening
my attention was arrested bv a group
gathered IN front of Andrews cottage,
Here Is our pastor!' they shouted :
he will be glad to hear the news.
What news, my friends? Inquired.
Every voice, as with one accord.
cried joyfully, Andrew Tomato is re-
turned.'
q. passed to the door, where Marie
welcomed me, her beautiful face all
smiles and tears. Following her, | en-
countered the erect form of Andrew, in
his uniform. The mother, with her fur
rowed face resting on his breast, was
trying to bear her part bravely, but the
emotion of her heart was plainly visible
- Back, Andrew, at last.' | said, as
he grasped my hand.
. Yes he replied, we are now on
our way to reioin the Italian army.
have obtained three days leave of alb
sence to visit my mother and Marie
. How long have you to serve now?'
| inquired.
+" Two years, he smiled, as he drew
Marie to his side, and then the trial and
suspense of this devoted heart will be all
over. She will be mine for ever then
my wife"