The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-08-12

0RoN THE eEHNAS CHRISTMAS rvrJ

tFRoM THE eKRNAN CHRISTMAS rvFJ
A French officer, man Of ardent but
gloomy temperament formerly attached to
the staff Of General Moreau, had quilted the
service after the court.martial Instituted at
Paris against his General. He had not
been personally compromised in the con-
sPiracy, but. being strongly tainted with re
publican principles, he left France at the
hrSt foundation Of Napoleon's empire, and
went on his travels making no secret how
ever OF his adherence Tor the chiefs Of an
absolute government, and gloying in the
name of malcontent.
Alter having travelled for some years in
Greece, Germany, and Italy, this officer,
(whom shall call Colonel D'Aguesseau)
established himself in village Of the We
netian TyTol, where his moderate fortune
and quiet simple habits enabled him to en-
Joy a lie Of retirement.
He had little or no comnlI mication with
his neighbors, but gave himself up to the
study Of natural history, and to other sci
endhc pursuits; casting from his mind the
stormy subject Of politics, and in fact living
a life Of literary leisure.
About this time the secret society of the
Carbonari was making rapid progress in the
Italian States, even TO the shores of the
Adriatic. Many inhabitants of the village
in which Colonel D'Augesseau had fixed
his habitation were Jealous members Of this
secret association, and longed to enrol their
tacitum and mysterious neighbg among
their body; being fully aware Of the French
officers implacable enmity TO the imperial
government, and 10 'Ihe great destroyer OF
liberty" as he called HIM, who was at its
head.
These crafty Italians accordingly devised
plan by which, without arousing the sus-
Picions Of the Colonel, they might effect
their object and for that purpose they
agreed TO form hunting party, which was
accidentally, as II were, to fall in with D.
Aguesseau IN some Of his solitary rambles
The project was successful, the meeting
was effected, and little inducement was ne
cessaV to draw out the opinions of the
French officer, when he found himself sur
rounded by the worshippers Of liberty,
which was still his own idol, whose magic
name still thrilled through has heart; and
made the memories Of youth spring up
freshly before him.
This meeting was followed by others
whence ens6ed the desired and expected re-
suit. The melancholy recluse now felt his
bosom glow with the delightful sensation Of
brotherhood in sentiment. The next step
was 70 accede to the proposal Of the now
confessed Carbonari to Join their ranks
and he did 50 with an enthusiastic pleasure
that had long been for him an unknown
feeling. 20 uHa-
The symbols OF the order, with the to
kens Of brotherhood, were easily acquired,
and the osths were soon after taken. They
consisted in an engagement to be at any
moment at the disposal Of the society, and
to die rather than betray their secret.
From the time Of his utilization, the Col
onel's outward mode of life continued as
usual; but he secretly awaited the moment
Of action, when he should be called upon
by mis- brethren to assist personally in the
great cause.
The enterprising character Of the Vene-
tan Tyrol offers a strong contrast to the in
dolent nature Of their countrymen in South
ern Italy. Like the latter, however, they
are extremely suspicious, and fearfully re-
vengeful.
Soon after D'Agaesseau had been thor
oughly enrolled in the society, some Of its
members began to look on him as a dam
gerous person, and one likely to betray their
secrets. Many affirmed that the fact Of his
being Frenchman was alone sufficient to
make him an object Of suspicion, and, as
the police were known to be more on the
alert than usual in their efforts to unmask
the conspirators, they maintained that it be-
hoved them TO put the new member to other
tests besides the simple lormalities Of taking
the oath.
To this requisition those members who
had introduced the Colonel and answered
for his fidelity made no objection. and at
once acceded, being firmly convinced that
his sincerity would stand any trial.
Matters were in this state when news ar
rived Of the defeat and suferings of the
French army at Leipsic; and this served to
redeuble the ardor Of the Carbonari.
Three months had now passed since the
utilization Of the French officer; and, as be
had heard nothing from bis brethren in the
interval, DAguesseau was beginning to
conclude that the duties expected from him
must be very trifing indeed. 80.
- One day, however, he received myste-
nous letter, requiring him to repair on the
following night, to a peighboring wood.
HE was TO be at certain spot at midnight,
armed only with his sword, and to remain
there until he should receive further orders.
The Colonel obeyed these commands to
the letter; was exact to The hour; and re-
manned at the spot until daybreak; when,
concluding from his not having seen any
one or heard anything particular, that a test