The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-03-21

trived TO scratch few words upon a black
silk handkerchief, which by fastening to a
stick, and climbing up the side of the room,
he raised as near the common window as he
could. II attracted the attention of Nj. Bal
man, and after many efforts, making himself
master oft, he returned an answer by the
same method. From this time no day pass
ed without their holding communication with
each other; while to the eXertions of the
friendly interpreter they were indebted for
the means ofmaking their situation still more
comfortable. BY small presents and occa-
sional brides ofmoney, he had secured the
good offices ofthe wife ofthe jailer, so that
secretly, she provided them with books, food,
wine, and warmer clothes. Through her in
terest, also, the two friends procured long
wished for meeting. At first the visit was
short, but by degrees, becoming less timor-
Gus, they were permitted to pass some part
ofevery day together. ......, nj
The government beingat length satisfied
that The attempts to liberate Lafayette had
been planned independently by these two adj
venturers, and was not, as was supposed, n
plot laid by the secret agents of France, they
were RENTED 10 receive sentence from the
supreme magistrate ofOlmutz. In this con-
dition they were permitted every indulgence
but that oi'liberty; and in the enjoyment Of
each others society, were already beginning
TO forget past suffering when bya visit from
their newly found friend, the kindly utter
prefer, they learned with disInay that the in
tended punishment was to be heavy indeed,
seeing il was no less than imprisonment for
life. A hint at the same time conveyed, that
ifby any means they could procure money,
that sentence might be changed for one much
less severe as il was i'll the power the mag
ictrafn o. = ,.ybat hn oh and N
refuse them entirely.
This information seemed to bode the I'M
fortunate prisoners little, at least of immedi-
ate good; for Balman had no fortune, and
Huger being without credit i'll Austria, could
not within a short time, receive remittance
from England. Their friend, however, did
not desert them; he withdrew, promising to
use all his influence for their release; and II is
probable he had already formed that design,
which the generosity of another, equally u
stranger TO the prisoners, whose name in
stead Of being unknown, should be publish
ed aloud, enabled him afterwards so happily
to carry it through. A Russian nobleman of
large fortune, residing near OlmutZ, was per-
haps, from a resemblance in character, the
most intimate friend of the young interpret
or, and from him had learned the whole sto-
~ of the projected release of Lafayette, OF its
failure, and of the generous conduct of the
two friends. To him W, for the initial
only has been gived for the name ofthe good
Samaritan,he for assistance in his new diff
Gully; and having stated the case as it then
stood, he was interrupted by an offer ofwhat-
ever sum might be required to secure their
release.
Judging the heart his noble friend by
his own, he hesitated not for a moment to
accept the offer, and scarcely atfording him
self time TO speak the gratitude lie ieII, he
hurried OFT to sound the sentiments of the
magistrate. His situation as Interpreter af
forded him the desired opportunity, and he
soon discovered that the hints thrown out, of
chance Ola large reward, led the upright
Judge to listen iavorably to any proposal for
mitigating the severe punishment OF The pris-
oners. The show even ofdelicacy was then
laid aside; an eXorbtant demand was made;
md, after some further discussion, W
Withdrew to arrange prelninaries, first with
their generous benefactors, and lastly with
the prisoners themselves. Matters now were
soon settled; the term of their Imprisonment
was first fixed at fourteen years, then short
ened to seven, soon after TO one, then TO a
month, and lastly 10 week, at the end of
which time they were released from prison.
The first use they made of restored liberty
was, as may be supposed, to seek an inter-
view with.the Russian nobleman, and pour
out their grateful acknowledgements for his
unlocked for welcome muniticence; while
from the noble minded and generous W,
TO whose kindness they owed all the COM
forts they had Inexperienced in prison, and 10
whose friendly and humane eXertions they
were ultimately indebted for their liberation,
they parted with those feelings Of esteem, ad-
miration and gratitude, which never after
wards faded from the recollection.
The principal hero of the tale did not how
ever, meet with so speedy a conclusion to his
misfortunes; it was not till the year 1897,
when, a peace taking place between Austria
and France, that Lafayette was released from
confinement at the request of the then Gen
eral Bonnparte.