AN AFFECTING INCIDENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1773, 7 August 1888, Page 1

AN AFFECTING INCIDENT.

The following affecting incident, related ae one of the romance* of real life, occurred during the Peninsular war. A. young conscript was taken from hie home in the south of France to recruit the army of the Emperor. A brilliant action placed epaulet* on the shoulders of the young soldier, and in the course of three years only Napoleon nominated him colonel in the line, and attached him as aide-de-camp to his own person. At Austerlitz a cinnon-ball nearly spent, struck the rising officer on the back of the head. He fell senseless from h:s horse, and so continued, despite all the surgical skill that was brought to bear upon his case. A fellow conscript that bad come from the same village, but who only bad the rack of a sergeant, was profoundly touched by bis comrade’s situation, and personally obtained leave to convey him to his native village, insensible to all surrounding objects as he was, with the hope that old familiar icenes would rouse him; for the surgeons declared that ho was not suffering from any severe physical injury, but that the shook only had produced the deadening effects upon bis intellect. After a long and tedious travel the colonel reached the cottage in which he was boro. They placed him upon the little bed upon which he had slept from childhood to Ike time when the conscription called him to the gdd of battle. They placed alt the old familiar objects in the room as they were before; and opening the casement, they let the odour of flowers he had with his own hands plsnted stream in upon him, while the vine-leaves that shaded the Hole window rustled faintly in the breezi. The book he loved to read was by him. The gun bo proudly called bis own—his peasant c olhirg —all wire p aced to meet his gaz*; and still he lay it dead a thing as ever breathed the breath of life. And then, while the mother wept, the father prayed in the adjoining chamber, a little bird alighted on the window sill, and mstlirg among the vine leaves, he sang bis well-remembered wood-notes wild, and the soldier, opening his eyes, with a deep sigh rose from bis couch,-. He looked aroucd him upon the well-remembered and fondly cherished scene—all bis life amid the storm of battle seemed but a dreamj and, with a sob of j >y, ho burst into tears. He clasped the old book to his bosom ; be kissed the gun, and the flowers in the old vase ; he thought he had placed them there. He called aloud, " Mother! Father 1 Louise 1 Jaquei!” He ■ushsd from the room, and upon a table in that adjoining he saw a sword, a military bat and feathers, and a cross of the Legion of Honour. The mother 1 sprang to him and clasped him iu her arms. He pointed to the insignia of war aind kith one sad smile he said—“lt was not a dream !” and fell driad upon the floor.