American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-09-10
From the London .Mirr r.
DANGEROUS EFFECTS OF SURPRISE.


The Dangerous effects of surprise are well exem.
pli6ed in Dumonts narrative OF his return from sla-
very at Algiers to France, after Lord Exmouths
expedition. He was accompanied by friend and
on their approach towards home, they were attacked
by thieves, who, he says" Robbed Euenne and
myself, not only oil our money, but the two parcels
cont tanning wearing apparel. Fortunately, on
proceeding to The next village, the inhabitants took
little pity on US, and what with the assistance we
received there well as in one or two other towns
lalong the road. we managed TO arrive at Lyons IN
tolerably good spirits Having passed part of the
day in looking at the principal streets and buildings
in the above city, Etienne conducted me towards
dark to the house of his parents, who kept an inn.
He entered without making himself known, and or
dered supper for two persons. On serving the soup
and boullie, Etienne called for roast fowl; upon
which his mother examining us more attentiyely,
observed, " You are travellers, perceive, and per-
haps not aware that provisions are dear" My COM
panion, with his hat slouched, and turning his back
to the old lady, replied, " That's of no consequence
to you. madam, give what is ordered. and We'll pay
for t" 81 beg your pardon, sir" reloined his
mother, i" | am wrong but didn't exactly know the
state Of your purse.''-Ths short dialogue was fol-
lowed by the fowls being brought in.
We continued to eat very slowly, in order TO
wait for the nights closing in, when Etienne asked
whether we could have beds No." answered his
mother, =" all my beds are occupied y And this
young lady" replied the son; pointing to his sister,
" no served at table, g Has she got bedN' How
if my children have not BEDS who is 10 have them I!
/" Then am not your son." exclaimed Etienhe,
raising his voice and discovering his countenance.
AT these words, and this movement OF the stranger,
the poor woman seemed to feel violent oppression,
turned pale, and fell senseless on the floor the
daughter instantly ran to inform her father, who
was in the next coffee house. Etienne flew to the
assistance of his poor mother the servants cried
aloud, and | could not help weeping with them
The father came in soon after but Madame Etien
ne was no more Her daughter took the event so
much to heart, that she Immediately retired to bed
and never left ii again, having died after an illness Of
two days. The father distracted by this double loss
sustained by the recovery Of his son, could not sup
port it, and only survived eight days
Finally, Etienne, the cause Of this sad tragedy
was seized with raging fever for his health had
never been properly restored, and followed the fate
OF his parents in week after the death of his father
| saw them all perish, and never left the bed Of my
poor comrade, who received all the attentions
could besow, and even died in my arms. This was
one of the most dreadful trials that had overtaken
me in lie. What picture, for one who was on the
point OF looking alter his own family, after an ab
sence Of more than thirty-seven years | had also
formed the plan Of taking them by surprise, before
this catastrophe occurred, and sending a letter, n
which my adventures we're TO be given under feign-
ed name but was quickly cured Of that within, by
the irighfu calamity that beie the unfortunate fam.
lily OF Etienne."