The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1843-04-29

/ a military school in Paris, and remained
there until he was sixteen years old. lie
was then made an officer. AT seventeen, he
fought in Spain,and two years afier,at Smo
ensk and Moskwa:
The following year he entered the young
imperial guard, and distinguished himself
by his courage and activity, at Lutzen,
Dresden, Monlmurail, and Brienne. On
The abdica,ion Of the emperor, he was de.
priued Of his rank, and he retired 10 small
village not far from the castle Of Marguerite
In his rambles through the neighborhood,
he eften met that lady and her niece, Claire,
and being struck with The beauty Of the
latter, was desirous Of becoming acquainted
with thsm;. but they hearing that he was
attached 10 the usurpers; Stunned all inter.
course with him.
When Napoleon returned from Elba,
Pierre was appointed 10 the command Of
the troops stationed al Par,hensy. Hear.
ing that the royalists had assembled in
arms in great numbers at the castle OF
Marguerite, he went and dislodged them;
and took the greater part Of them prison.
ers. Marguerite and Claire fed in dis
gnise TO Par,henay but on their arrival in
that town, they were discovered and thrown
into prison. Abost week after the attack
on the castle, Pierre returned TO Parihenay;
and in looking over the list Of unfortunate
beings whom the authorities had condemned
10 be executed. he found the names Of Mar
gueriie and Claire. The day appointed for
their execution was the 23d Of June.
Early in the morning, ON the day Of ex.
ecu,ion, brutal and excited mob was wal.
ling near the prison 10 witness tho dying
agones Of .hose who were about 10 suffer.
Pierre had tried TO prevail on the au,hori.
lies TO spare the lives Of the ladies', but
finding that his efforts were unsuccessful,
he determined TO save them at the hazard
ofhis life. Having procured couple Of
dresses like those worn by the wives of the
peasantry, lie went 10 the prison, accompa-
MED by a small party Of soldiers, whom he
left al the prison door TO prevent the mob
fiom following him. When he entered the
cell where the ladies were confined. they
started back as if an adder had approached
them. Pierre addressed them respectfully,
and told ,hein that instead Of coming TO
harm them. he had come TO save them.
Time presses said he; .lake these
clothes ant. .di sguise yourselves, and ! will
conduct you 10 secret passage, which
leads to the forest. l. is your only hope
now. have tried every other means to
save.'
.And what siecompense do you expect
for this servicel' demanded Margueriler
My Tecompense,' replied Pierre, will
consist in the satisfaction shall feel in
knowing ,ha, have contributed to your
safety
But said Marguerite, have you iho'l
Of the responsibility you incur, Of the rigor
Of military law, and Of the fury Of the peo.
plel'
Madam replied Pierre, 4 place the
duty owe to The Emperor before that
which owe to the people, out shinS my
honor more sacred than the oath that binds
me TO Napoleon. A soldier Of the empire
does not war with women, he dies rather
than allows their blood TO stain his uni
FORM
Young man., interrupted Marguerite,
I'VE cannot accept the aid proffered 10 US by
soldier Of The usurper. We would deem
ourselves dishonored by it. We appreciate
your conduct, but il must not be. Leave
us 10 die
i enuea. you madam TO accept my offer,
before j. is too lale.'
He was interrupted by the loud execra-
lions Of the mob, who had beaten back the
soldiers ,ha, he had stationed at the door Of
the prison. and we're preparing to glut their
vengeance in the blood Of The royalists.--
Pierre rushed out OF the cell, and sxhorted
-. lJ;ar, mt IN aljow their MISGUIDED