Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-07-07
THE ROMANCE OF REALITY.

L
lated from French paper:
E. Emile de Girardin has put US in pos
session of the following narrative. 1t is cor
rect in every respect, and is certainly more
romantic than all the fictlons of the dramat-
lists. give it in his words:
About year ago, said he, NJ. Beligne was
married to one of my cousins, and enjoyed
with her that complete happiness which
does not excite envy, because we believe it
to be within the reach of US all; when
cruel malady came to interrupt this happi-
ness, which would be more common, per-
haps, if it were not supposed to be SO easily
acquired. The physicians called this NAL
jady kepato aatsritis. My young cousin
being.ill was kept in her bed, carefully
guarded by her mother, who endeavored to
deceive her with regard to the health of her
husband. AT length, when she had been
thus watched over three days, her anxious
tenderness became excited, she threw her.
self from her bed, and rushed into his cham
Der. 1t was deserted. -Four days before
her husband had died, and she did not know
it. Her grief lent her strength. Grief has
two stages-apathy and despair. Which
is the least painful to endure! Half dress
ed, her clothes in disorder, no longer con-
sclous of her situation, Madame Behgne
rushed through the borough. Her friends
saw her pass; she walked witha steady step.
! They were astonished. She sought the
cause of these strange proceedings.
She reached the spot The hammers of
two workmen were falling upon the grave
stones which they were carving, near
tomb the fresh turned-up earth of which
still rose above the other graves. The name
Of Clemence, which she bore, was already
engraved upon the stone. Below the in
scrlpton was recorded the good qualities of
the Baron of Belgne, Marechm deS Camps.
P.4rmees, de POrdre de Saint Louis, &c.
! With precipitate gestures, she motoned them
away. They stared at her without under
standing her. She.ho longer retained her
senses; but her bare throat, which was vio-
lently agitaed, the writings of her delicate
arms, attested the extreme degree of suffer-
ing. Life was receding before the extrem-
ity of her torture. The exhaustion was fol-
lowed by frightful delirum. Sleep had
closed her eyes for a single moment. All
at once, she aroused herself, crying out
NO; he cannot have died without my be-
ING near him lie is not dead shall see
him again" . This thought became fixed TO
her brain. She pressed her hand upon her
forehead. her look became animated, and
she attempted to arise. Her mother, on her
knees, sought in vain to appease her.
They were compelled to follow her. She
announces her purpose; they charge her
with insanity; but what matters it to her
She rejects their preteXts; she is conducted
! by an inspiration; her resolution cannot be
shaken. My poor daughter is mad - ex
claimed the mother, who went in despair.
Clemcncc threw her mantle over her
shoulders and set out. Her mother unable
to retain her, accompanied her. Two do
mcstics followed them. 1t was not yet four,
by the clock of the Manse. They had al
ready opened the shutters of all the dwell
ings. The day hborers were setting out with
their wallets and their tools; for, i'll summer,
in having time, the laborers of the field COM
mence early, and these things transpired in
the month of July. The graveled earth
which covered the coffin of NJ. de Beligne
was light and easily removed. Clemence
assisted with all her strength, and the coffin
is soon uncovered. Dreadful spectacle!
She threw herself upon the corpse, which
! she covered with her tears and kisses.
She raised him and pressed him to her
| bosom, and her terrified mother could not
drag her away. They ran to call the wor-
thy curate of Monroelais. Perhaps Glenn
ence would listen to his voice and pious ex-
hortations. All through the borough the
rumor spread that Madame de Beligne was
mad, and sought to be buried alive with her.
! husbands Women and children began to
collect. The cry of "Oh my God!' is
| heard. Madame de Bcigne had fallen back,
faintlng. They tried to disengage her from
the corpse-it was not dead it breathed!
and yet, four days had it been inferred.
/ They were terrified; some of them pressing
round, others dispensing, crying " \ mira
Gle - The dying Clemence is forgotten.
The cure comes. It's necessary to remove
the crowd, whose impiety is yet no proof
ken to the Manse.
There is no longer any room for doubt.
Nj. de Beligne is not dead. His corpse is
restored; his whole body is found to move.
They wrap him up, Two hours are spent
in bestowing upon him their cares. At
! length he comes out entirely from the hor
rible lethargy which had continued his ex-
istence in the dark grave. He, in his turn,
now demands his wife. She had ceased TO
live! Death had let one prey escape him,
only to seize upon another. She was in
deed dead! Poor ClemenceI So young
and so lovely So artless, and so overflow
ing with goodness.
Another might, perhaps, describe these
sad scenes better. than have done; but no
words can picture fhe.despair of NJ. Beligne.
Grief restored him all his faculties.