Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

so little known to you; but on the occasion
had the good fortune to rencontre you at
Durrisdeer | remarked you for young man
of a solid gravity of character aualifica-
ton which profess | admire and revere next
to natural genius or the bold chivalrous spirit
of the soldier. / was besides Interested in the
noble family which you have the honor to
serve or Ito speak more by the book to be the
humble and respected friend of; and a con-
versation | had the pleasure to have with you
very early in the morning has remained much
upon my mind.
Being the other day in Paris, on a visit
from this famous city where | am in garri-
son, took occasion to inquire your name
(which profess had forgot at my friend,
the master of B; and n fair opportunity
occurring, | write to inform you Of what's
new.
"The master of b twhen we had last
some talk of him together) was in receipt, as
think then told you, OF n highly advan-
tageous pension on the Scots fund. He next
received company, and was soon after adj
vanced to a regiment of his own. Ny dear
sir, do not offer TO explain this circum-
stance; any more than why / myself who
have rid at the right hand Of princes, shou d
be fubbed off with pair Of colors and sent
W lOU III u HOle III Tue DOUIOlIl OF Une province
Accustomed as am to courts cannot but
feel it is no atmosphere for plain soldier
and l could never hope to advance by a sim
liar means, even could | stoop to endeavor
Bat our friend has a particular aptitude to
succeed by the means of ladies' and if all be
true that | have heard, he enjoyed a remark
able protection. 1t is like this turned against
him; for when had the honor to shake him
bp ba ba h,1t -lyr 4
the Bastlle, where he had been cast on a
sealed letter, and though now released, has
both lost his regiment and his pension. NV
dear sir, the loyalty of plain Hishman will
ultimately succeed in the place of craft, as [
am sure a gentleman of your probity will
agree.
"Now, sir, the master is man whose gem
JUS [ admire beyond expression, and, besides,
he is my friend; but | thought a little word
of this revolution in his fortunes would not
come amiss, for in my opinion the mans des-
perate. lie spoke when l saw him of a
trip to India (whither l am myself in some
hope of accompanying my illustrious coun-
tryman, Mr.. Lallyl; but for this he would
require las | UNDERSTOOD more money than
was readily at his command. You NAV have
heard military proverb-that it is a good
thing to make a bridge of gold TO flying en-
emy' | trust you will take nv meaning 4:
and | subscribe myself, with proper respect
to my Lord Durrisdeer, to his son, and to
the beauteous Mrs. Dure, my dear sir, your
obedient humble servant
"FRANCIS BURKE"
This missive | carried at once to Mr.
Henry; and | think there was but one
thought between the two Of us-that it had
come a week too late. | made haste to send
an answer to Col. Burke, in which | begged
him. If he should see the master, to assure
him his next messenger would be attended to-
But with all my haste | was not in time to
avert what was impending; the arrow had
been drawn, 1t must now fly. | could almost
doubt the power of Providence land certainly
his Will to stay the issue of events; and it is
strange thought how many of us had been
storing up the elements of this catastrophe
for how long time, and with how blind an
ignorance Of what we did.