The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-10-25
AMERICANS IN PARIS.

We copy the following from that excel
lent periodical, the Democratic Review.
II is from the pen Of Henry Wikof, Esq,
and written with his usual graphic power,
and portrays the estimation in which this
country is held by the true republicans Of
France:
Two American families who were living
in Paris in February, 1913, becoming
alarmed at the increasing agitation Of the
capital, determined, only at the last mo-
ment, to leave for some quieter neighbor-
hood, and on the very day the revolution
broke out they took their departure, and
made all haste by railroad to reach Havre.
They had not got more than nine miles
from Paris when the train stopped, and
they were told by the conductor that the
bridge ahead Of them was on fire, and that
proceeding further was hopeless, and TINT
it was equally impossible for them to run
back, for the rails behind them had been
ALREADY taken up. There was nothing else
to be done than get out, and return on foot,
at the imminent risk Of insult and outrage
from an infnriated mob, that had already
lined both sides of the road, TO the extent Of
Thousands. This was situation s!arming
enough to gil the stoutest heart with terror,
and the effect may be imagined 10 the pres
ent, when there was only one man to pro-
tect three or four ladies'. with several chill
dren, to say nothing Of femmes des cham
bres, and small parcels. Their freight was
excessive, but escape was out of the ques-
ton. Nothing could be done but return to
Paris, and run the jauntlet that awaited
them. They passed along in drizzing
rain, covered with mud, and borne down
by fatigue. Shouts and imprecations
made the air resound around them, for the
very earth seemed teeming with armed
and savage men. With shrinking hearts
they pushed along, dreading every moment
to be way-laid, robbed, and perhaps slain,
when TO their infinite JOY they reached Par
is, and believed their tribulations over
IInrrying through the Barriere they struck
down the first street that seemed to lead in
the direction Of their residence, when, Of
sudden, to their CONSERVATION, they found
themselves hemmed in behind vast barri-
cade, and in a moment were surrounded
aud seized by hundreds Of fierce and despe-
rate insurgents, disguised in masks, and
armed to the teeth, who brandshed their
wespons and threatened them with death.
i Ala, has they shouted in furious tones,
"you vile aristocrats, you have endeavored
to escape-but you are not gone yet
And we'll take care of you now.''
i Their situation was really fearful In
famed with drink and passion, these terri
BILE men, further exasperated BY the combat
10 which they were holly engaged, were
capable Of any, and every excess, even 10
murder. The unhapp, party seeing them
selves cut off from every resource, threw
themselves on their knees, and endeavored
10 move their ruthless captors by supplica-
tons and tears. They declared ''they were
no aristocrats-but republicans like them
selves-they were Of them in principle and
sympathy-tiley were not English but A.
mericans." At which shouts of bitter de-
risiou were returned, accompanied by ex-
CARNATIONS and oaths, full Of contumely and
hate. s'You think you'll cheat US that way,
do you, by setting up as republicans, and
passing yourselves off as Americans. No,
that won't do. as we will soon convince
YOU" The danger increased every mo-
ment, and cries OF "a bias les Angldise, a
mort les reches," rose on all sides, and fran
tic wells and demoninc threats. AT this
agonising moment one of the ladies, whose
nerves were strung by the imminence Of
the peril, reused herself to one more heroic
effort
.But what" she said, 'sf we give you
proof, my friends, that we belong to you
that we are fellow republicans--that we
nre not monarchisis, but Americans?'
s'The proof-the proof" they roared, in
the hoarse tones Of the coming tempest.
Every eve was bent on her-every up
raised arm refraned; breathless pause en-
sued. At this revolutionary period in
France, scarce family resident there but
had deemed j. prudent to provide them
selves with an American flag. and in bur
rying away from Paris, by mere chance,
the lady in question stripped the bnnner
from its staff, and rolled il up in a package
she carried with her: In the desperate
hope that il might now possibly stand her
instead, she unfolded it and raised It aloft.
On one Of it's white stripes was written in
large red letters. Les Etats Unis fAmeri-
que-the United States Of America. The
display Of the national ensign, proving be-
yond question the origin Of their prison.
er., had perfectly magical effect on the
powder begrimmed mob around them Off
flew hats and caps, cheers rent the air:
"Vire les Americans! ~ "Tire lie drapean,
de Ia Liberte !''-long live the Americans
long live the flag Of liberty-was shout
ed from countless rude throats The Wild
est enthusiasm seized on these tumutuous,
but gallant men. They entreated a thou
sand pardons for their unthinking violence.
and in their frenzy fell on their knees,
kissed the hands Of the ladies, and would.
but for their earnest remnnstrances. have