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Show THE VETERAN SOLDIER. As the German Emperor was riding lately near Strasburg, he came up to a very handsome old peasant with a wooden leg, who wore upon his breast the Cross of the Legion and several war medals. The Emperor, speaking in French, asked Rusticus where he had served and how he lost his leg. Drawing himself up and looking the old Emperor straight in the face, the peasant came to the salute, and answered. "I served thirty-four years in the 2d Regiment of Zouaves-fourteen campaigns in Algiers, the Crimea, Italy and Mexico-lost my leg at Sedan." "You have indeed seen some service, my fine fellow," observed the Emperor. "So, so, sire. There's good soldier's blood in my family. My father served for thirty years under Napoleon the Great, I served Napoleon the Third for nineteen years, and my eldest boy, who is now in the Grand Rifles at Berlin, will, please God, serve the Emperor William for many a long year to come." The Emperor, delighted with the bold and frank demeanor of the man, asked if he could do anything for him. "Thanks, sire," said the veteran, "I get a liberal invalid pension from Paris, and earn a good deal of money besides by weaving baskets and cutting out wooden shoes. I have got a little house and garden of my own, and that is quite enough for me and my old woman as long as we shall live. We want nothing more." "You are a rare good fellow," said the Emperor, ?? as he gathered up the reins, "and it has been a great pleasure to me to make your acquaintance." "Many thanks, sire; the honor is altogether mine," rejoined the Alsacian, still standing rigidly at the salute, as the Emperor rode away. Gratitude is the memory of the heart. |
