Connecticut western news., 1879-06-11

"I don't know where they have gone, but at two this morning they sailed with the greatest haste and in the completest silence."
 "Gone P said the sentry, "and they have abandoned me I shall be sci down as deserter. Hang that corporal he not only left me on watch but he ruined my reputation-dishonored me. Now I understood poor Capucin's visit he came to warn me that they were go- ing, and I, dull fool that I was, could not understand him. Good dog, and ] kicked him-the first time one of ou1 men ever struck him. Oh, Capucin, Oapucin, why didn't you think of tearing the corporaps coat, too ?" .
 And the sentinel burst into tears ol regret and despair.
 Come, come, my son." said the peasant, kindly; "don't give way so. Crying won't mend matters. Stay here you can't do anything else. If the French return and take you I will ex- plain everything"
 "But you do not understand what martial law is-if they return there will be no pity shown me-"
 "Tut-tut That is absurd. You cannot be punished for crime you never committed. If anybody is to be blamed it is your superiors who forgot every thing about you"
 Firmin Bonard made no answer, but swept with despsiring hopeful eye the distant horizon. Alas, there was not the white feck of single sail to be seen, and again he gave way to his grief.
 "Take my advice" said the old man, "and bear up with good heart. You too are from rural parts, unless I am greatly mistaken, and can find in me a friend if you are only willing to let me befriend you"
 s'But you know nothing about me whether am fit"-
 T am an old man and long accus- toned to read the faces of my fellows, D said the peasant, smiling. "Before you took up the musket you have held the plough. need laborer, vigorous and intelligent, like yourself. Come with me and I will feed, lodge and clothe you, and see that you have something in your pocket every Saturday night for Sau- day frolic."
 "I accept your offer thankfully" said Firmin Bonard, "and you shall see that French soldier is not less faithful to the plough by which he gains liveli- hood than he was to the flag of his dis tant country"
 As the farm of Peter Baxen, the pea sant with whom Firmin Bonard had fallen in, was one of the largest in the island, the soldier returned to his old calling, did not lack for opportunities to show his skill and industry, and speedi- ly convinced the rich peasant of his value.
 "My friend" he said to Firmin one day. "I love you as would my own son."
 eff it were not" replied Firmin, "that my old father in France waits and hopes anxiously for my return, l should never care to leave Rugen."
 "You will see him once more," said the farmer "and when you go to France to see him why should you not bring him back to Rugen with you? That however, We can talk of at some future time. To-day I wish to speak to you concerning my daughter.
 A flush covered the young French mans face, as the peasants keen ey' saw. eff I am not wrong" he continued "she and you are very friendly :?
 Firmin stammered something unintel igiple.
 "In fact, the old man wenton, "th neighbors say you ere in love with her.
 "What3 Who says SO? l swear t. you, sir, that I have never addressed t. your daughter one word which woul' make her aware"
 |" Precisely, and that is why she ha desired me to ask you to. You saa| marry her. I have already promise' her that it would be so, and she hugge me so for quarter of an hour by tn clock that I really thought she woul strangle me-"
 Firmin hugged him, to-, and for night later became the husband of tn old mans only child, the rich, pretty an amiable Amelia.
 Four years passed away-four year of toll and love. Firmin Bonard thougl often of France, but came to forget h
 technical desertion. The prattling (
 his two children, the embraces of h
 wife, were present that answered ft
 the future small wonder that he forg'
 the past.
 I So matters went on till one morni1 the signal was made that several vesse } were in sight then as they drew near' l; the word went round the island:
 "It is the French They are going
 landp , It is the French They are going land p
 The words came to Firinin Bonard ears like alarm guns, and he felt that
 was lost man. A sudden thought car } to him, however, and treasured hi somewhat; dashing to his dwelling ? put on his old uniform aud shako al B ran to the spot where some five yes f before he had been so strangely aba 8 doned.
 , Soon barges filed with soldiers we l seen to put off from the ships tbat h
 rounded to and dropped anchor. In { d hnNz of nna xnaa O hi r rul,;An -.oollo 4I