The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-06-14

asked, as he rose YEARLY from his chair.
4 I've walked slowly through the village 70
his mothers cottage. Leaving him at ;he lii
tie porch, | gently broke the tidings 10 She
poor woman. Then | beckoncd Andrew n
side, and the next moment his aged mother :
arms were cllnging round his neck, ana her
tears and kisses, warm and bright, Tell uu aI>
wasted face,
! II stole quietly out and turned my footsteps
to GuIseppc's farm. Marie had retired o. bed.
I | told Giuseppe all, and charged hlm To- break
the news ,cndcrly 10 ms wife. The next day
! Giuseppe requested me 10 bring Andre" 10
his house the same evening
when we entered the parlOr, Marie, with
her Youngest child Oh her knee, was seated in
a chair Giuseppe was playing with h!- littl"
son.
Marie rose at our entrance and with eX,
tended hand and smiling lip, sprang toward
Andrew, saying:
Thank heaven. never believed We
should meet again on earth There, indeed, =
she added, pointing upward, l had hoped 20
meet you--Guiseppe and l.
"A faint smile illumined Andrews wan,
quivcring features, As he silently toO< the oul.
stretched 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 tQ
his breast.
And your name, my brave boy: he asked
the child.
ANDREW, said Marie,
"IIe drew the child closer in his embrace
and hid his weeping face i'll lis bright cluster
ing cur>.
pause. that YOU had met your death at the
Beresna
II still carry the bullet that struck mel
down said Andrew but recovered and was
marched a prisoner to the frontiers OF Siberia.
There it was my fortune to attract the attcn
ton of Baron LestOtf Russian noble. rO,e'
quickly IN his favor but when ! asked peri
mission to return to Piedmont he Let Il guard
over me, and evidently intercepted my letters.
After many truitless attempts, at last effected
nay escape Alone, and on foot, lraycrsed a
great portion Of Asia and Europe, depending
at times upon the casual aim, Of strangers for
meager meal. One hope sustained me, the
he paused abruptly, and then, in 3 tone of
forced gayety, added, All it Is long road be
twixt this and Siberia.
"Marie's witcly devotion seemed 70 receive
a new strength IN that hour OF trial and when
we rose to depart, her pure virtue ,honc out
clear aud soft IN her bright smile aud he" in
gcnuOuS tone
Andrews step Has heavy and talteriug Is
we walked homeward together across the green
fields.
"NYou are fatgued,' | observed. a, he ab-
ruptv halted, and leaned with heavier
weight upon my arm.
"'Oh yes he sighed; | am tatigued. In
my long years Of captivity have looked for
ward to this day IL the one GROWING JOY of
my life | return to my old home to see my
cup of bliss grasped by the hand OF another
1t was mercir>S fate that snatched me from
the sword of the f0cn
at was your Makers will, Andrew. IN
terposed.
YES, yes, he murmured, that truth must
not torsake me, besides, the future here need
be of little moment 10 me now. fee myself
prcmaturey aged
II led Andrew, with soothing words to his
mothers door, and babe him good nigh
"Thc next Sunday, after meeting, was has,
tly summoned to Andrews bedside. 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 to him, have you an earth
ly wish?'
"'Yes, yes he articulGted, with laboring
breath. Giuseppe and Maric--I should like
to see them once more.
may, Andrew, said l. have pity upon her.
at least, and spare her this blow
"PcrhapS you are right he murmured;
come nearer to me- II mist is gathering round
me; | can scarcely see
"'As bent over him he drew from under
his pillow small wooden cross with a lock
of golden hair, furnished with blood, twlned
about It,
place these next my heart when | am
gone he teebly whispered
His hand again wandered beneath the pill |
low, and when he drew 1t forth the Orders and
cross were in il.
"'Keep them for my sake he said; my last
fight is over. Pray
II knelt down by the bedside, still holding
his thin hand IN mine and As my prayers rose
to the throne of mercy his fingers relaxed, a
deep sigh broke from his lips; his earthly |
warfare was accomplished and the shadow Of
leath fell darkly over him. There, on the
grassy slope of yonder little graveyard, he
sleeps in peace
And Marie | asked, rs the old pastor
finished
Lived out happy life replied my veneer
bile friend; "a pure, chaete wife and loving
mother -