The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-07-05

apartment, when they beheld Pierre, had not es-
chapel my observation. I therefore, as soon as
they had expanded their volley of compliments and
thanks, apologized for being compelled to have my
servant at the table, assigning the same reason
had given the landlord At length the soup was
served, then the outlets, fricandeau, some stewed
ducks, and roasted capon. Every mouthful I
took thought would have choaked me, and my
want of appetite, attributed to the state of my
ted away in the most amiabe manner possible.
The dinner was by this time very nearly brought
to conclusion. The girlhad waited upon us; and
during her absence from the room with the remains
Of the dinner, one ofthe miscreants opposite to
Pierre appeared to be searching about his person
for some missing object; at last he said,"I have
lost my snuff box" And addressing himself to
my attendant, added, 81 will thank you to go down
stairs, and on the dresser in the kitchen you will
see gold snuff box-for must have left it there;
and bring it up to me-"
Pierre, however, TO my great delight, never quit
ted his seat; and very quietly remarked, that he
never executed any orders but those Of his master
The person addressed looked confused at this reply,
and bit his lips with rage. Turning to me, he re-
quested very politely that would send my servant
for the box in question. Tony infinite relief, and
as good luck would have it, the girl re.appeared
with the cheese and some fruit, and observed TO
the gentleman of the missing snuff box that la file
would fetch it for him.
Madamoiselle was accordingly commissioned to
execute the errand; but she presently returned,
saying that there was no tabatiere to be found be-
low.
ssNo natter" said the fellow; "brng us cham
pagne."
While this very pleasant beverage was gone for,
the other officer on my right hand discovered that
his pocket handkerchief was apsent without leave,
and ordered Pierre to go to the kitchen and look
for it. This command, however, was disobeyed
in like manner; for my trusty follower replied
"The servant will be here directly with the wine,
and she can bring it YOU" The champaign was
brought, and ere the cork was let loose from its
confinement, the lost handkerchief was acciden-
tally discovered under the table!
The girl now left the room; and never shall I
forget the look she gave me as she closed the door,
It seemed to say, the world has closed on you for
ever--we shall never see each other again
The bottle was passed, and as Pierre helped him
self, he turned towards me, and the glance of the
eye told whathe meant. He put the glass to his
lips; but placing it suddenly upon the table, said to
me, "hope you are not i'll, sir?" "No," replied.
I knew what he meant, but was powerless. He
added, "Monsieur must take some cordial" he
put his hands in his pockets, and drew forth brace
of pistols, and levelling them with deadly aim at
his opposite neighbors, shot them both through at
the same moment. He then sprung like tiger on
the captain at the foot of the table, which was up
set in the melee caught him by the throat and cal
led me to come to his assistance. had in some
degree recovered from my stupeiicaton, for my
had been paralysed, if may use the express
sion, and ran to the faithful fellow.
We continued to pinion the scoundrel between
us; and to make assurance douby sure Pierre bound
one end of the table cloth the villains face,
while, with the other, he fastened his arms behind
him.
ssNow, MONSIEUR" said he, stand over this scel-
erat with your pistols, until return from the sta
BILE with cord; he rushed down the stairs, and
bound our friend fast, hand and foot. "And now,"
said Pierre, "you must remain here until have
ridden to the nearest post town, which is not above
two leagues from this Twill bring back assistance,
and give our prisoner into safe custody. There is
not a person below-the house is empty. You
10 af a Wi
you. We have cleared the house. l must first
catch horse, for ours have been turned loose
There was one in the yard just now; and you may
rely upon it will loose no time in returning with
some military and police, and release you from
your unpleasant situation 1"
had the satisfaction of hearing my brave and
faithful attendant gallop offin few minutes. My
position in the meantime none of the pleasant
est. made up.my mind to sell my life dearly, in
the event of any attempt at rescue, and what with
watching the door, and the wretch at my feet,
had no very agreeable time it. The two hours
I thus spent, l thought the longest had ever ex-
perienced Thanks to mercifu Providence, the
trial had undergone was brought to termination.
The interchangeable Pierre returned at length,
with juge de pair, and whole posse of officers
on horseback, besides troop Of mounted gendar-
merie., The prisoner was secured and the house
searched from top to bottom--not living soul was
but in large vaulted under ground
cellar, were skeletons, and human bodies innumer-
able-some ofthe latter in every stage of decom-
position. There could not be less than from three
to four hundred victims. The bodies were SUBJ
removed, by order of the authorities, and
inferred in the cemetere Of Mezieres; the house
was razed to the ground by the infuriated popu-
lace
Strange TO say, the landlord and the lovely girl,
who had been instrumental in bringing these dark
deeds to light have never been heard Of from that
day to this; and much fear that the latter perish
ed by the hand of the wretch who kept the house.
have sought by every means in my power, to gain
some tidings of this beautiful creatures hut in vain