Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-09-23

spot AAOW 10 tFdNeFse tUosc U1ttaifOn9 OF
men and horsesl There was madness il,
the very projectl
) Bun that which at FIRST sight presented an
obstacle, soon appeared 70 farther her in
I tentions. The foremost ranks Of the crowd
pouring in torrents from Alexandria, hav-
ing depoyed TO The right aud lefi, on reach
ing the plain, were gradually gaining the
banks Of the Tansro and the Bormida
where. NJ one moment, they pushed on 80
impetuously as 10 seem on the point Of taxi
ing possession OF the field Of battle. A
small body Of cavalry instantly gulopcd To-
wards the spot. waving their naked sabres,
aud by the plunging Of their chargers caus-
ing the terrified crowd to return 70 the lin
It's assigned them. The intruders eyacu-
aied the territory as rapidly as they had
gained il. with the exception Of single
individual that individual was Teresa
Girardi
10 an adjacent hollow Of the plain, sur
rounded by strong quickest hedge, and
sheltered by a small thcket Of trees, flow
ed spring Of limpid water; towards which,
thrust EDWARDS by the crowd Of spectators,
the poor girl. whose eyes were fixed upon
the throne in the distance, found herself
irresisiibIy ilnpelIed Apprehcnsive every
moment OF being crushed ia the ihrone, she
seized in her arms the trunk q the nearest
poplar tree; and closing hef eyes, like
child who iancies the danger has ceased 10
exist which it is not obliged TO look upon,
remained noiionless, her hearing confus-
ed by the rushing Of the surrounding foIi-
age. The advance and retreat Of the mob,
was, in fact, so instantaneous, thnt when
Toresa re.opened her eyes, she was quite
alone, separated from the troops BY the
hedge and thicket, aud from the crowd by
column Of dust. produced by the last de-
iachment Of fugltires. Throwing herself at
once into the lnile copse, she found herself
in the centre OF about twenty poplar and
aspen trees, overshadowing a crystal spring,
yelling out OF the ground over bed Of ivy,
moss and celandine, ill., bobbling onward
in silver thread, il gradually formed a
brook capable Of traversipg the plain. over
which lis course was defined by painted
tufts Of blue forget-me-noi, and the clusters
OF the white ranunculus The refreshing
exhalations Of the shady spot assisted to
restore the selfpcssession and strength Of
the exhausted girl Teress felt as though
she had reached an oasis OF verdure in the
desert, sheltered from dust, and heat, and
disturbance.
Meanwhile the plain has become sudden
" quiet she hears neither the word Of
command. the huzza Of the crowd, nor the
neighing Of the horses All she can dis.
cern is a singular moveinant overhead; and.
looking up. Teresa perceives every Dough
aud spray Of the trees TO be covered with
flights Of spsrrows, driven to shelter from
all quarters Of the plain, by the alarming
movement Of the troops and the incursions
OF the crowd. The poor birds, like the
poor girl contemplating them, have taken
refuge in that verdant solitude, their little
wings aud threats apparently paraIysed BY
alright; for not a sound breaks from the
band Of fesihsred fugitires. Even on the
advance OF brigade OF cavalry towards
the thicket, accompanied by the braying Of
trumpets, not bird is seen TO stir. They
appear 10 wait anxiously for the result;
while similar feeling prompts Girardi's
daughter to look out through the foliage
upon the field
Her eyes are quickly attracted by files OF
troops, which appear to have cut OF all
communication between the thickei and the
road
"Aiier all" thought the trembling T'e-
resa, "it is but sham fight that is about to
take place; and If have been imprudent
IN venturing hitber, the Almighty, who
knows the innocence Of my heart, will keep
me in time Of trouble I"
And, directing her attention through the
opposite extremity Of the ihicket, she dis
Germs. al the distance OF about three hundred
PAGES, the throne Of Josephine and Napo-
leon. The space between, is occupied BY
the maunuvres OF the soldiers but every
now and then. the ground is sufficiently
cleared 10 admit of passing. Teresa now
takes courage l--she feels that decisive
moment is at hand. Having opened way
through the hedge. she is about to advance,
when the disorder Of her toilet suddenly oc-
curing to her mind, brings bushes into
her cheeks. Her iresses, unbraided and
disheyelled. are floating over her shoulders;
her hands. her face, her person, are disfg.
ured with dust. To present herself in such
condition before the sovereigns OF Italy
and France, were perhaps 10 ensure her re-
lection, and the failure Of her anxious mis-
sion.
Re-entering the ,hieket, therefore, and
drawing near TO the spring. she unties her
large Leghorn hat, shakes out and smooths
down her raven hair, braids up The flowing
lresses, battles her hands and face and,
having completed her morning toilet,
breaihes prayer TO Heaven for its blessing
upon the merciful purpose which has cast
her. thus deienceless, into the ranks Of an
army.
Whilew watching for an suspicious momcnt
10 recommence her course, the stunning
detonotions Of the cannon, roar, from lwen-
iy different points, into her ears. The
ground seems to tremble under her feet
and, while the poor girl stands moIionless
with CONSERVATION, the scared birds, futter.
ing from the trees above. with discordsnt
cries and bewildered wings. made of for
the woods Of VaIpedo and voghera.
The fight has beganl Teresa, ieafened
by the roar Of artillery aud the universal
Glamour, stands trunzfxed gazing towards
the throne, which is sometimes concealed
from her by clouds Of smoke sometimes
by screen Of lances or bayone;s
a r