The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-07-27
From Wadie's Circulating Lbrary.l
TIE THREE FRIENDS OF BRUS'
Sells.
A NARRATIVE FOUNDED ON FACTS.


Some years ago there resided at Brussels
three young men, named Charles Daran-
court. Theodore de Valmont, and Ernest
de ST. Maure, whose friendship for each
other was Of so ardenta nature, that they were
generally known by the title of The In8ep-
Srnble. The first link which bound these
Youths together was the remarkable clrcum-
stances of their having been all three born
on one dav. and, being all of good families,
they had been constant play-iellows in child
hood, had studied at the same academy as
school-boys, and had become members Of
the same university in their more advanced
wears. Through all these stages of their
existence, they had exhibited the same un-
yarving affection for enc another and had
displayed great similarity in their tastes,
feelings, and pursuits. On reaching man
hood, however, circumstances led dhem, as
MIGHT have been expected, to adopt differ
ent courses of life. Darancourt, the son of
an eminent physician, selected the proles-
sion of the law as the road to emlnence ana
respectaplity in the world. ST. Maure,
whose father was a nobleman oil decayed
fortunes. chose the army as the most suita-
Bile to his birth and pretentions. De Val
mont. on the other hand, preferred the cap
tiyating study of letters and the fine arts to
the pursuit of any positive profession; and
the circumstances of his father, retired
colonel of engineers, enabled the young
man. for the time, at least, 10 indulge his
tastes in. this respect
Ernest de St. Maure, at the period whence
this narrative takes its date, had not ye
Joined the army, but the imperial mandate
lfor Brussels was then within the domin
ions of Napoleon) was looked for daily
4 and Count de ST. Maure and his lady were
sadly preparing their minds for parting witt
4 their only and beloved son. At this time
4 it was that Charles Darancourt, who ha(
4 been recently admitted a member of th'
+ masonic fraternity, took an opportunity o
suggesting to young st. Maure the propre
ty OF entering the same society. Daran
courts counsel was founded on certian sto
ries told of soldiers having fallen into tn,
hands of the enemy, and having been say
ed by discovering a brother-mason in som'
of the captors. "Now, who knows" criet
= the Young barrisler, with the ardor Of friend
ship, "but you, st. Maure, may be thrown
into similar situation, and may escape b,
the like means 2" Though disposed to lool
upon the mysteries Of masonry as a useless
mummery, St. Maure allowed himself Il
be persuaded by bis friend, and promises
to undergo initiation al an early day. A
the same time he would consent only o
condition OF Daancourt himself acting a
sole iniliator, which the barrster, howeye
irregular the proceeding might be, prolesse
his Willingness to undertake.
During the Sunday immediately follow
ing the day on which this conversation too
place. Count de ST. Maure's house wa
observed to be shut up by the neighbors. -
y None of the inmates, at least, were seen
issue from it, though they had ever been re
markable for their punctuality in attendanc
on the services OF the church. The nee
bors. however, merely concluded some c
them to be i'll. But about eight o'clock i
the evening Charles Darancourt and Thee
dore de Valmont called in order 10 spen
social hour with the family. Their repea
ed knockings at the door remaining unar
swered, they at length alarmed the neigt
borhood. The door was burst open, an
10 the horror of the spectators, four murde
ed bodies were found in the various beC
rooms. The corpse, whose throats wer
shockingly cut, were those OF the Count d
81. Maurs, his LADY, and their servants.