Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-10-20
THE WOUNDED GRENADRIE.

garrison in France, so that the regi-
ments dread it like another Siberia;
above all, in winter, when the north
winds blow furiously among the large
trees Of the neighboring forests; when
the rough pavement of the street is
hidden under a thick bed of snow, and
cold, twenty degrees below freezing
point, besieges the sentinel in his box.
Thus it was always with extreme de-
light our brave soldiers saw, piercing
through the foggy atmosphere, the first
rays of the spring sun, which an
nOunced 10 them, with the arrival of
fine weather, a reprieve from the ardu-
Gus duty. The suns rays TO them were
what the breeze is to the mariner
whose impatient sails have remained so
long inactive amid the ocean Gains. 1t
was on fine day in the year lS45 that
after a severe winter, the FOrty-ninth
regiment of the line advanced. with
drum and flag, TO the esplanade de
Chauvet, the accustomed theatre of mil
itary eyOluuOns. Like the sky, the
countenances of the soldiers We're I'M
clouded, they were going to use their
arms once more and have a mock fight
Grenadiers and Voltigeurs rivalled each
other in skill and precision.
Not far from the spot, walking slow
ly along, was a man clothed in black.
His eyes We're fixed on the book he
held, and his serious cOuntenance re-
Elected the piOus thoughts Of his soul;
he was a man of peace and holy life,
whom God had chosen as His earthly
representatiye-th modest cure of the
village Of Chauvet, who was reciting
in low voice the psalms from his
breviary. Indifferent TO the noisy tu-
mutt which surrounded him, he seemed
absorbed in his devotion, when sud-
denly loud cries were heard-a gun had
unfortunately burst and a grenadier
was grievOusly wounded The cure was
soon by his side. This good man was
only a physician of souls. but, inspired
by charity. he had consecrated the leis-
ure hours Of his priesthood to the study
of medicine, and was able to apply the
secrets OF the learned science to the
ordinary ailments of the country peo-
pie He now acted for the surgeon ma
jOr who was detained at BriancOn
from indisposition The grenadier,
transported TO the cures humble dwell
ing. was laid on the priests own bed,
and received every care and attention
from the good man. As the wound
was too severe to allow Of his being
removed TO the town, even on litter,
the cure asked and obtained leave from
the colonel to keen the sick man, and
nurse him at the presbytery.
Il VIII soon return him 10 YOU quite
cured " said he: that is, if Providence,
in its mysterious designs, has not re-
solved to call him hence. At all events,
1 will prepare his soul for better
world"
An instant after the drum beat and
the regiment returned to Briancon.
The illness of the grenadier was long;
for more than a month the good cure
tended him with that skill and devo-
ton which science, sanctified by re-
igion. alone can give; for more than
month he never left him but to attend
to the exercises of his holy Office. Ii
was a touching sight to see this poor
priest. rich only in charity. bending by
day over the sick mans couch, and at
night extended at his feet on simple
mattress. his only covering a cassOck-
a noble uniform, worn in the functions
of his ministry.
His cares were at last crowned with
success. At the end Of five weeks the
grenadier could sit up and some days
after reioined his corps. Thus, as he
had said. the good cure accompanied
him to BriancOn, and returned him
completely cured The following sun
day the Colonel of the Forty-ninth and
all the officers of the regiment came to
Chauvet to offer their thanks 10 the
good priest.
They had scarcely arrived at his
house when one of the most violent
storms. so common in mountainous
districts. came on suddenly; vivid light
ming. accompanied by deep atmospheric
sounds. burst from the clouds; rain,
mixed with hail. penetrated through
the roof of the humble dwelling. The
officers wished to seek shelter in the
church. but the temple of the Lord was
i'm no better condition than the house
of his minister; enormous sheets Of
water inundated the aisles Of the sane
uarv. The Colonel could not avoid eX-
pressing his surprise at such an uneX-
Dected sight. Was il the result of cul-
D9ble indifference or deplOrable power
tv9 The cure satisfied him on the
question by saying that for long time
he had entreated the assistance of the
government, for the resources oil the
church we're not sufficient to undertake
the necessary repairs. But nothing
seems easier to me, % replied the Colon
el. "You have all the materials under
vour hardwood in abundance, ana
stones sufficient to construct ten capt
tails as large as Paris.
.Tt is the workmanship we want
said the cure. land we are not rich
enough to procure it from abroad.
Inst then a captain approached the
Colonel and spoke a few words in a
low tone to which the latter replied by
n mute pressure Of the hand. How
ouiclxlv noble minds understand each
other, In the meantime the storm had
ceased and the Colonel, giving the sig
r9l of departure. took leave of the cure,
who was delighted with a meeting
which honored him as much as II dld
his grateful guests.
The nextmorning. as the good cure of
Cbauvet was reciting his breviary be-
fore the door of his house. all OF sud
dem he saw in the distance, marching
in GOOD order. but without drums, q
strong body Of soldiers, armed with all
cots of instruments. and preceded by
sonDers. opening the march with their
bo+cbots on their shoulders-sOm carr
Inc nickaxes. some sacks, others
rrowels and hammers; all with merry
foces and hearts approaching the