The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-06-10

ed me. Now i understand poor Capu-
Gins visit; he came to warn me that
they were going, and l. dull fool that
was, could not understand him. Good
dog, and kicked him-the first time
one of our men ever struck him. Oh,
Capucin, Capucin, why didn't you
think of tearing the corporal's coat,
too Y''
And the sentinel burst into tears OF
regret and despair.
Come, come, my son" said the peas
ant, kindly, "don't give way 80. Cry
ing won't mend matters. Stay here;
you can't do anything else. If the
French return and take you 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 can
not be punished for crime you never
committed. If anybody is to be blamed
1t Is your superiors who forgot every
thing about you"
Firmin Bonard made no answer, but
swept with despairing hopeful eye the
distant horizon. Alas, there was not
the white fleck 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 am
greatly mistaken, and can find in me
friend If you are only willing to let me
befriend you"
But you know nothing about me-
whether am fit"
I" am an old man and long accustom-
ed to read the faces of my fellows" said
the peasant, smiling. Before you
took up the musket you have held the
plough. l need laborer, vigorous and
intelligent like yourself. "Come with
me and will feed lodge ard clothe you,
and see that you have something in your
pocket every Saturday night for Sum
day frolic."
" accept your offer thankfully" said
Flrmin Bonard, "and you shall see that
~ II lChSli DOiulOl 10 tlOD lcSS idibulul W
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 peas
ant with whom Firmin Bonard had
fallen in, was one of the largest on 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. 81 love you as would my own
son."
If it were not" replied Firmin,
" that my old father in France waits and
hopes anxiously for my return, 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 p
That, however, we can talk of at some
future time. To-day wish to speak to
you concerning my daughter"
A flush covered the young French
mans face, as the PEASANTS keen eye
saw. eff am not wrong" he contin-
ued, "she and you are very friend
Iy'.'
Firmin stammered out something
unintelligible.
In fact, the old man went on, "t the
neighbors say that you are in love with
her."
What ? Who says so ? 1 swear to
you, sir, that never addressed TO your
daughter one word which would make
her aware"
Precisely, and that is why she has
desired me to ask you to. You shall
marry her. L have already promised
her that it would be SO, and she hugged
me for quarter of an hour by the clock
so that really thought she would stran-
gle me-"
Firmin hugged him, too, and fort
night later became the husband of the
old mans only child, the rich, pretty
and amiable Amelia.
-Four years passed away-four years of
toll and love. Firmin Bonard thought
often of France, but came to forget his
technical desertion. The prattling of
his two children, the embraces of his
wife, were a present that answered for
the future; small wonder that he forgot
the past.
So matters went on till one morning