Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1882-03-09
TIE NEGLECTED. LETTER.


Early in thsspring ofl776 . young
Neapolitan officer. named Dicha9l
AriExo, who had entered the military
service of the State with high hopss,
| finding himself fas from satisfied with
his position, had resolved to seek a
better fortune in the sarvice of Aus
tria Hs had not planned 70 apply
to the Emperor, but to the Empress
Queen, Maria Theresa, 10 whom the
armies Of Hungary and Bohemia were
directly subject and to whose chief
minister be had received several very
warm and fattering letters Of intro
dnction from men in Naples high in
rank and authority. Michael was Ia
the bloom Of early manhood; noe
more than two or three-and-twenty:
strong and compact in frame; with
face handsome and intelligent; aud
habited in . garb befitting his rank
and profession. And thus be set
forth.
The youthful adventurer crossed the
borders and entered the Austrian do
minions without accident, and pushed
on hopefully. On the first day Of May
he reached the great forest Of Juden-
burg. through the gloomy mazes of
which he made bis way IN safety, find-
ing. on is northern confines, very
good inn. presided over by = host who
seemed % be the very soul Of honesty
and goodness land % he really was.
II was close uFon evening when
Michael reached the inn. and while
the host was making really his sup
per. three other travellers made their
appearance, also wanting supper and
accommodations Cor the night. The
publican asked the 6rst-Conler If ha
would wait for his supper and eat with
the others, ct the sane time assuring
him that they were gentlemen, and
one Of them, at least. be knsw TO be
an officer in the Imperial service.-@
Our hero was pleased to wait. He
was willing TO accommodate the good
natured host, and he was fond Of good
company-and these men, unless their
looks most strangely bsliel thsm. were
all that.
The foremost ns1 Of the later arri-
val. though clad in hunting earb.
was evidently q soldier and an oiicer.
His speech and bis bearing. evidently
sh0wed il. He was O man approach
ing the middle-ags-peehaps i've and
thirty-with . kind. intelligent face,
and Disposition to be rollicking with
bis companions. Seated ct the sup
psr-tabIe this man opened conversa-
tion with the Youthful stranger. He
had recognized him as Neapolitan,
and felt no hesitation in asking what
had brought him % Gar from home.
And Michael in communicative
mood, told his story.
why don't you make application
TO the Emperor ?? asked the Austrian.
He wants good soldiers, though not
in particular need just now Of olf-
cers."
i The young man explained that Lis
sponsors in Naples were warm admis-
srs Of the Empress Qaesn; and as his
letters were to her mins<ter. he pre-
ferred to 20 on as he had planned
in the beginning. And then he adj
ded. with q snile:
After all, do not see that Il can
make much difference. / am given
TO understand that Maria Theresa and
her Imperial son are in harmonious
accord; 90 that he who serves one may
| in . measure serve the other.
| The Austrian nodded s quiet ac-
qtaiescence, and then drew from the
young man the story of his expert
ence in Naples. The story which ouF
| youthful adventure told was of - O.
phan, without father or mother, Who
had endeavorsd thus Ear 70 live "a
honorable life, and who was resolved
to maintain his honor while life ea-
dured. He acknowledged that he was
ambitious. anil that his highest aim
was 10 merit preferment.
The refnainlerofthe evening passed
pleasantly, Miahael Arizz) being re-
tanned By the Austrian trio in their
company. TIE wine-cup circulated
but the youth drank very sparinaIy,
; a. be hoped be always shoald.
"Wine il a good thing 10 iss place.
. be said: ''bul | viii never nllow 4 e
become my master.
The others. however. did not drini
over much. thoagh they made mors
: free with she old bottles than did he.
i On the following morning. while ths
) host was preparing breakfast, ths
! spokesman Of the Austrian party -.
} down with our hero and told him can
: didly that he should not be too can,
, gnine. Said be-:
} "At this present time there i nol
. loud call Tor officers 10 the Austrian
service. and. moreover. 90 many Of on
own nohility are nnimpioysd that
foreigner could hardly hops for pr
{ motion.