The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
AN UNCOMMON ESCAPE.


In Heath's beck Of beauty, for 1885, is
very clever tale by George Irvine, Esq, en-
titled The Lady of the Lattice" The hero
of this tale is the Chevalier de Vevancourt
who finds himself political prisoner in the
chateau of an old jealous governor. who has
wife. His escape is singular enough.
In this present abode, Veyancoun under.
5reaad ea ar oans asso S sTa Rs S!A
approved receipts used in such cases. His
cell, which was situated under the platform Of
the keep, was vaulted with solid masonry,
the walls were Of most despairing thickness,
and the tower itself hung apparently over
precipice. Escape seemed totally out Of the
question.
One morning the turnkey whose Office j,
was to bring the prisoner his daily miserable
pittance. instead Of leaving, after having de-
posted it on his wooden tale, remained
standing before him with his arms folded, and
regarding him with a singular expression.-
Their conversation was in general confined
to very few words, and was never CON-
menced by his keeper. Vevancourt was,
therefore, not a little surprised, when the man
said to him,
Sir, you no doubt have your reasons for
calling yourself Mons. Laterer. have no
thing to do with that; it is not my business
TO verify your title. You may call yourself
Peter or Paul, for all care, but know there
he gave most knowing wink with his left
eye,) that you are NJ. Theodore Amandee
Francois, Chevalier do Vevancourt, and cou-
sin Of Madame la Duchesse de Male Wellr
added he, with an air of triumph, after mo-
ment of silence, and looking fendishly at his
prisoner.
And said Vevancourt, who thought that
his position could not be made much worse
than it was already, by the avowal of his
proper name, suppose am the Chevalier de
Vevancourt what good would that do you 2
sAll the good in the world answered the
turnkey, in low voice tHark We! have
been handsomely tipped to assist your escape.
Stop minute as | shall BIO shot il | am
that would not NEEDLE with the business
one jot further than just sufficient to gain my
money. Look you, sir, here is the key
AT these words, he produced small file
with this continued he, 'you can cut thro'
one of these bars the door will not be over
wide to be sure.' He pointed as he spoke
to one Of the narrow apertures by which the
light was admitted to the dungeon. Now,
you see, you must saw off one of those bars
near enough to the bottom TO allow you to
pass
Oh, never mind said Vevancourt, IN
manage to get through
But you must leave enough of the iron to
tie ihe rope to-
where is it 2
Here answered the turnkey, producing a
rope knotted at intervals. 1t is composed
Of linen, as you see, that it may be thought
you made it yourself out of your sheets; it
is of the proper length. When you get to
the last knot, let yourself fall gently down
the rest is your own look out. have some
reason to believe you will find near the spot a
carriage with horses to put to, and friends
who expect you. That know nothing about
of course. By-thc-bye, forgot to mention
that there is a sentinel just on the right oil
the tower, who will sehd musket-ball thro
your head to dead certainty, if he sees you
However, you will choose good dark night,
and watch the moment when the soldier is O
mapping. You run some risk, but
Good, good cried the Chevalier, at all
events, [ shall not die here like dog
Why, don't know drawled the Jailor,