The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-24


Prom Chambers' Journal
Al I.etaens % the February, 1s4s.
The newspapers have sufficiently inform
ed US OF the public events which occurred
during the last week Of February, but many
a sad tale connected with these days Of
honor remains unknown. save to the few
who acted in them. On one Of these occa-
SONS. when the noise Of firing and drum
bestng sounded at a sufficient distance to
lead me to suppose actual danger was
equally far of, set out TO see friend who
lived about three quarters OF a mile further
from Paris than the street then resided in.
Ii was fine fresh spring day; the lower
branches Of the ilac-trees began to burst
their lesfy buds the snowdrop, crocus,
hePatica, and gay yellow daffodil enlivened
the gardens. and the wall-fower filled the
air with fragrance. After the sleepless
nights and anxious days had lately passed,
] was more than commonly susceptible to
these sweet perfumes and sights, which
seemed TO speak Of peace and quiet so
strongly, that they almost induced feeling
OF security for the moment and began to
comfort myself with the hope that the worst
was over, and that although it might be
long ere commercial or social confidence
was restored, still life and property would
be safe. and by degrees those who lived out
Of the gay world, as ! did, would return to
the usual routine Of their former quiet hab-
its, and that to them at least a monarchy OF
republic made little difference, while politi-
cal matters would in due time be settled
and arranged on new plan. Encouraging
myself in these pleasing anticipations,
though | then more than half feared they
would turn out decisions, as they assuredly
have done, walked briskly forward, when
all at once the peculiar tap, tap, tap OF the
drum, and the heavy uHmeasured step of a
large body Of men, struck upon my prac-
Used ear, telling too plainly it was not
military who were approaching. While
delibersting which way to turn, looked up
and saw there was no retreating, without
showing the alarm which was always dan
gerous at this time. Making, therefore, a
virtue OF necessity, | walked boldly for.
ward. and addressing tall, hercelooking.
rather sullen young man in a blouse, |
said that sure Of the politeness OF French.
men, ventured to request him to conduct
me past the advancing body Of citoyens,
who Perhsps-as the wit equalled the gal
lsntfy OF his brave countrymen-might be
led TO make quizzing remarks on lady
walking alone amid SO many men during
such stirring times. At first be looked as
if disposed to be insolent; but as / pro-
ceeded with my speech, his vanity was no
doubt satisfied, for his countenance relaxed,
and he smilingly assured me he would with
pleasure accompany me. and accordingly
we walked, unmolested, and almost unob-
served, through this martial crowd. All
were armed variously some had swords
drawn, many had their arms barred up to
the elbows, ready for bloody work, and the
red flag Of the revolution waved every here
and there, while shouts, cries. songs, and
bowls rent the air.
At length we arrived at clear ground,
and smilingly thanked my conductor.
'Salut, cheyenne. said he.
'Vive la nation! Vive Ia repobliquep
responded /, and walked on somewhat re.
lieved.
larrived at Madame de Vannion's house,
and found her at work with her daughter
Celestine-an only child OF about nine
years OF age; little girl Of much family
consequence. as she was heiress TO an i'm.
mense fortune on the death of her grand
father. We talked Of the times, and re-
lated what | had just passed through. 'Ahr
said she, many bands Of insurgents have
gone by this house. but we do not approach
the windows, and none Of them have ever
inolested us but God knows when our turn
may arrive. There, you may hear their
honid revolutionary tap now at distance.
Shortly after il became more audible;
nearer and nearer il approached, and we
looked at each other with alarmed counte-
nances. AT last the pixies and flags became
visible.
.Louisi LOUIS cried Madame de Y an
MON to the servant, bolt the doors, and at
your peril look out Of the window
The noise increased, and Celestine be-
gan 10 cry. Her mother tried 10 comfort
her, and we talked OF the unreasonableness
Of being frightened at mere sound; but
as there was some reason to appfehend
slight arrangement in the action of the
heart in her case, her mother. acting upon
the advice Of her medical attendant, rose to
prepare soothing draught they were ia the
habit OF giving 10 the child when any un-
usual circumstances sgitaied her. had
heard OF their alarms on this subject with
out myself sharing in their fears, for Celes-
tine was sturdily made. bright complexion
cd. fond Of play. and accustomed to live so
much in the air, and to take so much ex-
erciss without ever appearing over fatigued,
that almost inclined to think her parents
were over anxious about their precious
charge, and used the doctors name as an
excuse for spelling her little. particulsrly
- even be announced that by careful tend
ing she would outgrow these symptoms. |,
AZ this moment, however, her unusual
pallof struck me. and drew her kindly
towards me, while Madame de Vannion h
proceeded TO the next room in search of |
drought Of wster. Upon opening the door. I
We tseovered Monsieur Louis stsndine {