The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-01-13
Miscellaneous.
Joseph, tn e Fireman
A TRUE DRY.


TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF j. A.
BoUILLY.
do not know any profession more useful. and ut
the same time worthy of praise, than that of
those intrepid men, who hold themselves constantly
in readiness to fly wherever conf agration is light
ed up, wherever the public voice calls them, per-
forming thousand feas Of valor; confronting, every
day, dangers fght(nl as present themselves upon
the field of battle and joining to tho daring
age the most noble disnterostedness. These are the
citizen soldiers, and experience great pleasure
in relating the following noble action of ono of them
Amongst the fremen of the fauburg Of the capital
Joseph L was as remarkable for his expert
in scaling burning buildings, for his bold tai
Of diving, which had frequently procured for him
the mex pressibe delight of saving the lives of his
fellow beings. Fire and water appeared TO be the
elements in which he to acquire the reputation
Of the bravest and best Of men.
Gre broke out at night toward tho end of Au-
tumn, 1929, in the vast Warehouse o. the purveyor-
general TO the royal guards and from this building
filled with combustibe materials, before its progress
could be arrested reached the sumptuous dwelling of
the purVeyor, Baron Descarvie. Baron Descarvie
the father ola numerous family, thought only Of
ing his children, the youngest OF whom he pac-
ed beyond the danger which threatened them. Ono
had been forgotten in this ightful disaster, pretty
little girl, two years Of age, who slept in chamber,
the only approach to which, in consequence Of the
progress the fire had made, through her fathers
apartment, which double-locked The piercing
cries of the alarmed child reached the of Joseph
who instantly broke down with his axe the door Of
this room (which the private cabinet of Baron
Descarvile, reached the child and bore her 10 the
arms of her father. The baron offered to
pense him FOR his generous devotion, but the fireman,
fuhfnl to the regulation of his corps declared that
he would accept nothing, as he had only performed
his duty.
When Joseph mentioned the fact of his having
been compelled to break down the door of the adj
joining apartment, TO reach the child, the baron sud
denly remembered that he had left several articles Of
value, amongst which was small pocket book con-
tanning forty bank notes of considerable amount, As
there was yet time, he hascned to remove them to
place OF safety; but his great surprise, when he
reached III room, he found that the pocket-bo
gone. lie searched everywhere with much anxiety,
but could discover Of it, Convinced that the
notes had become the prey of the fireman, the only
person who had entered his cabinet and determined
not to give him sufficient time TO dispose of the prop
erty he went Immediately to inform the captain Of
his company of the theft which had been committed
Although it was with great effort he could accuse
the Young man who had saved the life of of his
children of crime, he yielded to the imperous cir
cumstauces and claimed the authority of the officer
to obtain justice. The captain, account of the
uniform rreproachable conduct OF Joseph desired, in
SO grave and delicate matter, TO proceed with eau
tion He beckoned Joseph to follow, and conducted
him 10 the apartment were, beside himself, no one
was present but the baron. Joseph trembed and
grew pale at the charge madS' against him. lie at
tempted to speak, but the words died on his lips AS
soon as he recovered from the terrible emotion which
he experienced and which in the eyes Of the baron,
seemed proof of his guilt, he demanded ne should
be subjected to the most rigorous search, 1t was
soon clearly ascertained that the pocket-book which
he was accused Of having solen not in his pos
session.
'sI knew he was innocent - cried the officer,
pressing his hand warmly.
''IIe grew pale, however, said NJ. DescarVille.
at was with Indignation replied Joseph, with
flashing eyes. "Thfs is unexpected recompense
for the service have rendered you; but if suffer
under such accusation, you will suffer still more;
ror you will be unable, during your life time, TO take