Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-21
The Female Conspirator.

The Female COnspiratOr.
Louis the fifteenth had just made his entrance
into Strasborough,and he believed that the free
and imperial city had at length given up all idea
of recovering its liberty. He believed SO; but
Strasbourgh still preservedits ancient ferceness
its dpride, land its innate love, independence.
He had yet to learn that it could dissemble its
desires and that if was not rashly about to ex-
pose itself to the destruction that must follow
from an useless resistance.
The episcopal palace, which the King in
habited had been decorated with an unheard of
Inlagnificence. Opposite to the castle they had
erected upon the III a magnificent trumphal
young girls in fete dresses, who seemed all an
xious to display their devotion, their loyalty,
and their love for the new sovereign.
1t was upon the 18th of October that the boat
man of Strasbourgh, and all the rest of Alsatia
came to present the king with spectacle of
naval battle. Arriving two by two, and in the
most perfe t order, they ranged themselves on
each side of the river, and prepared for the evo-
lutions that were to precede the battle. An i'm
mense crowd passed along the Ill,and the roofs
OF the houses were covered with people.
Louis the Fifteenth, surrounded by the great
lords of the state and his courtefs, took his place
at window of the castle. The spectacle that
was presented to him appeared to crafty him
extremely; and the acclamations of the people
upon beholding him actually drew from his
eyes the tears of happiness. Who, to look on
the large massive features of the Alstians,
could doubt the sincerityof their joyful cries
On sudden slight almost imperceptible
movement was communicated to The crowd
All eyes then turned towards the upper end of
the river, where there was seen small green
boat, or rather skiff, of the slightest construc
ton, and which was very young girl, dressed
in white, who descended the Iii with the rapid
ity of an arrow. Heroar scarcely touched
the surface of the stream, and her fairy-lke
boat hardly left ripple on the water behind it.
The dress of the young girl was that ola
peasant girl of Alsace, except this, that it was
a little broader, and entirely concealed her fig
TIRE. Her face was the very personifcation of
modesty and gentleness; but when her large
black eyes rested upon the crowd, it took an ex-
preston of bodness and daring hardihood that
it would be most difficult to describe.
The boatman was astonished by this unex-
pected apparition; and for few moments their
attention was absorbed by watching her in her
downward voyages. However, al the signal
for commencing their evolutions had been Civ
en-, they finished their admiration by the en-
deavour TO arrest her, in order that, by removing
her from the river the sports settled for the day
might be proceeded with. She did not permit
them to reach her; for sometimes avoiding, and
sometimes repelling with her oars tie boats
which attempted to impede her progress, she,
by unexpected good luck, was able to arrive be-
meath the very windows of the castle. There
new attempts were made tie seize her; but she,
b,,c -f IL
them all unsuccessful. Her little skiff glided
like a serpent amongst the boats of her oppo-
nents: she seemed sometimes running to meet
their shock, and then by skilful turn,she freed
herself from the strait in which they placed her
Sometimes even boatman was able to get
so close to her, as to put one foot into her ca
noe; but the instant he did so, the girl passed
an oar under his foot, and pitched him into the
water amid the huzzas and laughter of the
crowd.
The King was greatly amused by this singu-
lar scene: but as he feared that it would termin-
ate in disagreeable manner for the young
girl, he made sign to the hoatman to cease
from following her; and they, in obedience to
the desire of their sovereign, returned to their
places. The young girl then stopped her skif,,
and, as the current of the river was by no means
strong, she had no difficulty in making it sta
tionary. Then, turning towards the King, she
flung off the loose robes she wore, and appeared
as butterfly when it has first burst from its
chrTsalis. Her dress was rose coloured tunic
made tight at the waist, while, beneath, were
white, tight-fiting panteloons; handkerchief
was coquettishlv fastened round her neck, lea
wing its two ends to float freely in the wind;
and her hair fell in thick faxen rlnglets upon
her half-uncovered and fair shoulders. Thus
dressed she appeared to be some fairy,some fan
tastic creation of a poets imaginings, so full
of grace and beauty was she. Those who Look
ed upon her were equally surprised and de-
lightfnl.
She saw that the Kings attention was sole
ly directed towards her. She placed her pretty
fingers to her lips, and appeared to blow him a
kiss. The latter replied to her by smile.--
The young girl then drew forth sling plac
ed in it ball, and, with wonderful dexterity,
flung it over her head, and into the chamber
where he was sitting. His Majesty made a
slight movement, as if, for the moment over
come by surprise whilst his attendants instant
ly rose to pick up the projectile and present 1t
to him. 1t was little black ball, made of wood
and hollow, that opened by means of spring.
On the bell an inscription. "For the King
An answer expected"
1LVuio titC iltCCHtI was ucitlcl HCi
suspicious: but still he did not deem it prudent
to open the ball himself: but confded that duty
to one Of the lords of his council. There fell
from the ball scaled note, which the King in
stantly opened, and read in it these words:-I
''Sire,-There has been a conspiracy form
d against you.
Your life is in danger. Admit me to anaudience:
,ut il must be alone; for do not wish to speak
before witnesses: and will reveal to you all
hat know of the conspiracy. In quarter of
IN hour it will be too late. Above all things
10 not tell human being why you admit me to
FOUR presence. By doing SO you will greatly
me-"
The King appeared to be greatly agitated
While reaoing this letter. After moment of
lestation he wrote in pencil upon the note these
hree words, ~ expect you," placed the paper
rs lde the ball and threw it towards the young
rl. She caught it as it fell, and having read
ore the note into small pieces, and then smiling