The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-01-08

many hearts might not julie have bro
ken Julie did not break one. She was
admired, loved, followed and she fled,
rending tho air with her shricks of mu-
steal laughter. Disconnected, stunned,
mortified aud alarmed, the wooer pur-
sued bis mistress only with his eyes, and
blessed the saints that he had not gained
such phantom for wife.
A yeur before, there had been one
youth of tie village, who was able to
keep pace with Julie, nay, to ouistrip
her, at least towards the close of the day
when even her strength began to fail
Antoine, in addition TO being the best
and boldest huntsman, was out of all
question the handSomest young fellow in
the valley of Rossignol and no human
being doubted that 1t was he who was
destined to conquer the love of julie
Antoine strove very hard he broke his
leg once, and risked his neck hundred
times but all in vain. Julie continued
to laugh and to fly, and when oveftaken,
she only laughed the louder. Antoine
at length saw that she had no soul his
spirit was roused /; he tried to Danish
her idea from his mind and finding
his efforts unavailing, be bade adieu to
his kinsmeh aud comrades, and with II
heavy heart but firm step he left the
village, whistling a march.
The world beyond the valley was not
exactly such as had been presented to
the dreams of Antoine. Every where
the herald was going about proclaimIng
war and priests and ambassadors, the
miniatcrs of temporal and eternal peace,
carried fire and sword through Europe
at the head Of armies. The roads were
almost impassabe, and infested by troops
of robbers. In Paris itself, which An
tome visited in the course Of his adven-
lures, he found with astonishment that
the streets were narrow, badly paved,
choaked up with filth, and swarming
with thieves. The city watch was com
posed of forty-fiye men, who only added
to the danger and disturbance.
Every where was seen dissatisfaction
and commotion. The parishes of the
metropolis fought with each other and
religious professions, in passing, came
to blows for the honor of their respective
banners. The cannons Of different es-
adjustments were seen frequently en-.
gagged hand to hand and on the very
day that Louis XIII, solemnly put his
kingdom under the protection of the
most Holy Virgin, the Pariia ament and
Chamber Of Accounts fought bitterly for
precedence in the church of Notre
Dame. The public corporation through
out the kingdom were in arms and An
tome could not move hundred yards
without being the spectator of a duel.
Astrologers were going about selling
predictions and the more misfortune
they foretold,rhe greater price was paid
for them. The evil eye darted It's fatal
destinations at every step and the
& tfch 4 a.,
iGcantations of priests driving out devils,
mingled with the shrieks Of the possess
ed. Fires blazed in which sorcerers ex-
plated their unspeakable crimes; and
demons buz.ed round the flames, in the
shape of blue-bot,ie flies, to carry off the |
souls Of the victims TO still hotter hell. |
Among the Catholics, religion was de-
basing, and ludicrous superstition, inter-
mingled with horrible debaucheries
aud among the Protestants, a lireless
and soulless form, bru,alized by the
stern ferocity of the jealous.
Disguised and alarmed Antoine again
sought his quiet valley of Lauguedoc.-
He had been soldier. lie had burned
villages and sacked towns flushed With
success, he had feasted in the conquered
camp; and naked, helpless, and alone,
he had fled through the enemy's coun-
try. lie had seen women in every stage
of their condition, from the captive maid
kneeling for mercy, at the victor's feet,