The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-08-21


bered when
----she was his forever,
Bound in ties that naught but death could
sever.
From the (Southbridge) Ladies' Mirror.
THE OFFICER OF THE GUARD.
1t was dark and bloody period dur
ing the French Revolution. The re-
morseless Robespierre had stretched his
mad ambition to the utmost, and the ter
rible factions which he had raised TO
support him in his ascendency, already
began to trea BILE at the growing infiu-
snce of the Royalists. The Jesuists o.
Jasenists were burning with all the zeal
Of theological controversy, aud the in
furiated people giving themselves up to
the belief of an unintelllgible jargon or
to the spirit of a false and dangerous
philosophy. Religion affrighted had
fled the country aud infdelily with all
its attendant evils was stealing over it
like an invisible curse. The very foun-
tains of abominations seemed TO have
been broken up and deluge of pollu-
ton poured upon the land. The sane
tuary and the monastery were invaded
and the blood-thirsty tyrants becoming
more merciless aud sanguinary by the
very despondency of their cause. heap
ed the most unprovoked vengeance on
their wretched inmates.
While the fury of the Revolution was
at this extreme height, q community of
nuns in the suburbs Of Paris were seized
and condemned to the guillotine. On
the day set apart for their execution, a
ferocious mob had gathered in the streets
of Paris, and as the victims passed along
in their monastic dress a faint murmur
Of disapprobation arose not unlike that
of the mingling Of far off waters. Many
of them were in the full bloom of youth
and beauty and sung as they ascended
the steps Of the scaffold, the hymn Of
veni creator with most lively and musical
voices. They reached the fatal guillot-
inc and with ihe black veil still down
over their faces. bowed their necks one
by one, beneath the bloody axe. II was
martyrdom which even the old in
crime could scarcely witness without
feeling their bosoms heave as with the
thrill Of best emotions. Barbarity had
indeed become business, and human
ity been frozen hard by constant scenes
of desolation and horror. But there
was pictured in the countenances Of
nearly all. something like the siruS-
Cling Of heart and mind. and the stout
arm Of one Of the officers of the ganrd
fell nssveless Rs he looked upon the mas
sacre. He could no longer riot in the
destruction Of maiden innocence and his
pent-up feelings relieved themselves in
tears. A victim who, was just then ON
the eve Of submitting to her fate, cast
an eye Of recognition upon the man
who had shown 80 much humanity
and throwing her veil partly aside, dis
closed to him a familiar face. He
rushed forward before the executioner
and in the agony Of his spirit cried out
Spare her-oh {! for mercy's sake
spare her."
The multitude gazsd in astonishment
and tho cxecutioner stayed his purpose.
The axe fell by his side
."Listlsss from his crimsoned hand
The AXE hung -clcggsd with massacre"
'sAnd thy heart fails thee, does 1t young
man - Said ho with hendish smile
"Liber,y Of speech and action calls for
tho sacrifice and must and shall be made"
"Oh no." cried he-"By your love
for faithful soldier---by all that Is dear
to our country and to human nature-I
entreat you to spare that girl. She is
innocent and her father never opposed
the liberty for which we contend"
II cannot now handy words with you"
said he--"The execution must go on,
and as have no power myself to revoke
the sentence which has been passed up
on these Nuns, it will be useless to troub-
le me with any farther pleas for their
safety" .0
"Will you then prolong the execution
of this victim until have been and asked
her life ofthe proper authority. know
my PRAYER will be granted when they
have heard her innocence and the cause
of my anxiety" 81. ey.s.
"Go young man, but remember; un-
less you return In fifteen minutes from
this time, your errand to yondsr palace
would be as well untold"
Many minutes had not elapsed before
the chivalrous youth had reached his
destined place. 1t was not a wild freak
Of galIantry nor dream Of wandering
sense that urged him on in the accom-
plishment Of 20 bold plan. 1t was the
promptness Of better nature and Of
early love. The beautiful Nun had been
the object Of his attachment from child