The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-11-21

When newer mistress shall WOO,
And newer lips my own shall know,
And sweeter "Yes," when | shall WOO,
| smother ere it's long ago.
MOMAN'S LOVE.
/ spare my readers the description of
the bloody fight in which the French
First Lieut.. Jacques Fromentin, severe
ly wouned, after a gallant resistance,
had been made prisoner by the Ger
mars. The struggle had taken place be-
fore Paris, and the dying man had been
carried to the camp OF Ecouen. The
surgeon had at once carefully examined
the fatal wound, had fastened bandage
upon it, and had then passed on to the
next bed of anguish, where another
moaning and grooming patient awaited
him. l followed the doctor, and was
about to go further with him, when the
glance of the wounded officer arrested me-.
The man had not drop of blood left in
his face, and his pale forehead was al
ready beaded with the cold perspiration
of death. The wide-open, glowing dark
eyes were immovably fixed upon me, i'm
ploring the fulfilment of his prayer.
approached and sat down beside him.
He followed my every movement with
painful attention.
"Nearer, please, he said in a low
voice &c cannot speak loud"
drew close to him
You speak French?"
l answered atfirmatively.
My name is Jacques Frometin, he
continued. "My iance is called Jeanne
de Villers."
He gave me her address.
please write the names for me"
I drew out pocket-book and made a
note of her directions.
Let me see"
held the book before his eyes, and
he read attentively what had written.
THAT is right, said he.
Then he was silent, as if he were try
ing to collect his thoughts. He averted
his glance from me, and turned it to-
ward the window; his glowing eyes
became moist, he closed them for
several seconds, then looked once more
toward me, and spoke with feverish haste,
as though he feared that he would not
have time to finish what he still wanted
to say:
" Hearken to the prayer of a dying
man. Go see my fance as soon as cir
cumstances permit; tell her l have died
in the performance of my duty; tell her
that my last thought was for her, and
only for her; bless the hour in which
first loved her, and loving her die.
Take her this ring, and this key of cas-
ket which she knows well. 1t contains,
in sealed package, directed TO her, her
letters to me. Then bring her to the
place where shall be buried. And now,
thanks; you promise that you will grant
my prayer"
I promised solemnly, and withdrew
with a heavy heart. At the door turn
ed once more and met the last glance of
the dying man. I nodded assent, and
the large eyes closed in eternal rest.
The next day the body of Jacques
Fromentin was laid in the venerable
shadowy park of the Constable Anne de
Montgomery, in Ecouen. On the spot
where he was buried had wooden
cross erected, inscribed with his name.
X X X X
Paris would not surrender, and the
work of bombardment and storming the
city slowly progressed. Days, weeks,
months few by. I went frequently to
Ecouen and visited regularly Jacques
Fromentin's grave. / had had it sur
rounded by low, simple paling, and
some pious soul, probably one of the COM
passionate sisters who had undertaken the
care of the sick in Ecouen, had Hreathed
the cross with flowers.
I thought often of the dead soldier,
and / thought of him as of some one who
had been near to me. / saw him before
me, his beautiful pale face TRANSPORTED
by death and love, and pictured to my
self the grief of the bride he had left be-
hind.
She must have long since received the
news of his death, and consequently /
was spared the most of my mission. I
saw her In my minds eye in deep
affection. She must have been very
beautiful to have inspired such love as
jacques Fromentin experienced for her.
He had said nothing to me about
her family, but Jeanne de Vitlers was q
distinguished name and her residence
was ia an aristocratic quarter Of Paris.
Ny fancy worked diligently, and even
surprised myself once In the thought that
i might fall in love with Jeanne myself.
The equalization Of Paris was at last
decreed, but peace was still to be signed
and the city remained closed 10 stran
gers. / was obliged to go to Germany.
When returned to France, Paris Was IN