American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-06-07

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stand him. Good dog, and 1 kicked
him-the first time one of our men evel
struck him. Oh, Capucin, Capucin
why didn't you think of tearing the cor
poral's coat, toop'
And the sentinel burst into tears O
regret and despair.
"Come, come, my son." said The
peasant, kindly; g. don't give way so
Crying won't mend matters. Stay here
you can't do any thing else. If the
French return and take you will ex
plain every thing. 1 need a laborer
vigorous and intelligent, like yourself
Come with me and will feed, lodge and
clothe you, and see that you have some
thing in your pocket every Saturday
night for Sunday frolic."
81 accept your offer thankfully" said
Firmin Bonard, Sand you shall see that
French soldier is not less faithful to
the pillow by which he gains livelihood,
than he was to the flag of his distant
country"
As the farm of Peter Baxen, the peas
ant 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
speedily convinced the rich peasant OF
his value.
"My friend" lie said to Firmin one
day, "I love you as l would my own
son."
"H 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; sand 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 wish to speak to
you concerning my daughter"
A flush covered the young French
mans face, as the PEASANTS keen eye
saw. elf 1 am not wrong" he con-
tinued, "you and she are very friend
Typ"
Firmin stammered something unin-
telligible.
"In fact" the old man went on,
"the neighbors say you are in love with
her,"
"WhatP Who says SOP swear to
you sir, that have 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. I have already promised
her that it would be so, and she Rugged
me so for quarter of an hour by the
clock that 1 really thought she would
strange me-"
Firmin Rugged him too, and fort
night later became the husband of the
old man's 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
the signal was made that several YES
sells were in sight; then as they drew
nearer the word went round the island:
at is the French! They are going
10 landi"
sit is the French! They are going to
andi"
The words came to Firmin Bonard's
ears like alarm guns, and he felt that he
was a lost man. A sudden thought
came to him, however, and treasured
him somewhat; dashing to his dwelling
ne put on his old uniform and shake
md ran to the spot where some five
7ears before he had been so strangely
Soon barges filed with soldiers were
cen to put off from the ships that had
ounded to and dropped anchor. In the
low of one was big white poodle that
'arked joyously on seeing the solid
round once more.
Firmin Bonard saw the dog and fam
led that he recognized in him old
;apucin, and his eyes filled with tears.
Still the barges approached; Capucin
it was Capucin, evidently
ecognizsd the island, looked round |
agerly, espied the sentry, then stand
ng on his hindlegs gave one rapturous
owl and plunging into the sea SWAN
nth all his might shoreward.
An instant later and the boats were
'ithin hailing distance.
Who goes therep" shouted Firmin
'onard in q voice of thunder.
"Who goes there yourselfp" answer
d one Of Davoust's staff from the lead
lg boat; "who are you, anyhow"
"Firmin Bonard, private of the Six
2 eighth of the line, on guard"
"On gusrdP How long have you
cen on guardP"
"Since IL O'Clock on the night of
Lay IS, 1907"
At this reply every one burst out
ughing. The first boats PROV had
Ut quite touched the strand when Ca
acin had scrambled up the steep rock
nd with tremendous bound cast him
If, barking furiously, into the arms of
g old friend. Banks, gamboling SOM