The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-10-31


and saw the welcome countenance
of my friend Guiscard by my side.
lie had arrived but or that day, on
mission from his court; had, with
his usual eagerness of friendship,
gone to inquire for me at the hotel
Of the embassy; and thus followed
me to the fetc at the critical time.
AS he supported me to my c9ui-
page, communicated the circum-
stance of the rencontre to his clear
head and generous heart, and he
fully agreed with Inc on the duty OF
instantly apprising the Gar of his
probable danger. AS | was unable
to move, through pain and feeble
ness, he offered to take the roll with
him, and demand an interview with
the sovereign himself, if possible ;
or, if not, with the governor of the
palace. The paper contained not
only names of individuals, all, long
before, objects of public suspicion,
but sketch of the imperial apart
mcnts, and, at the bottom, the words
-"three hours after midnight" |
looked at my watch, it was already
hall-past two. This might or might
not. be the appointed night for this
dreadful business; but if it were
there was but one half-hour between
the throne and the grave. Guiscard
hurried off leaving me in the deep
est anxiety, but promising 10 return
as speedily as in his power. But he
came not. My anxiety grew intol-
cradle; hour altcrhour passed away,
while reckoned minute after min
ute, as if they were so much drained
from my own existence. Even if
had been able to move, it was i'm
possible to know where to follow
him. His steps might have been
watched. Doubtless the conspira-
tors were on the alert to prevent any
approach to the palace. He might
have fallen by the pistol of some OF
those men, who had not scrupled to
conspire against their monarch.
The most miserable of nights at
length wore away; but was only to
be succeeded by the most fearful Of
mornings. The career of Paul was
closed. On the entrance Of the
chambcrlains into his sleeping apart
ment, the unhappy Gar was fount
dead. There could be no doub
that he had persisted by treason
He was strangied. The intelligence
no sooner spread through the capi.
tai, than it produced a burst of ma.
tional SORROW. All his errors were
forgotten. All his good qualities
were remembered.
But where was my gallant and cx.
cellent friend, Guiscard OF him
| heard nothing.
Another week of suspense, and he
appeared. His history was of the
most singular kind. On the night
when | had last seen him, he hac
made his way through all obstacles
into the palace, and been promised
a private interview with the Gear
But while lie urged that no time
should be lost, he had sufficient proc
that there could be no chance for al
interview. a succession of apollo
gicS was made: "the Gear was a
suppcr"-"hc was engaged with tn,
ministcr'-"he had gone to rest
In total hopelessness of communica
ting his pressing intelligence in per
son, he at length consented to sea
the roll, and place it in the hands o
one Of the officers of rank in tn,
household. But that officers himsel
was in the conspiracy. The pape
was Immediately destroyed and tn
bearer was considered too danger
Gus to be sent back. He was pu
under arrest in an apartment of til,
palace, and told that his life depend
ed upon his silence. He urged hi
diplomatic character in vain. TIL
only answer was the sword of tn,
conSpirator turned to his throat
But within the week the revolution
was complete, and he was set at lib
erty. 4 new monarch, a new gov
eminent, new feeling followed thi
dangerous act. But the characte
of the young monarch was made f
be popular; the reign of capric
was at an end. The empire felt re
lievcd; and Russia began the mos
glorious period of her national his
tory.
LOVE AND MUsqUITOEs.
A TALE OF CIRCULATION,