Washington telegraph., 1849-10-10
Americans in Paris-A Heroic New
York Lady,

ocratic Review. 1t is from the pen of
Henry Wikoff, 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 liv-
ing in Paris in February 184S, 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 that the revo-
luton broke out they took their departure,
and made all haste by railroad to reach
Havre. They had not gone more than
nine miles from Paris when the train
stopped, and they were told by the con-
ductor that the bridge ahead of them was
Oh fire. and that proceeding further was
hopeless, and that it was equally impossi-
BILE for them to run back, for the rails be-
hind them had been already taken up
There was nothing else to be done than
get out, and return on foot at the immi-
nent risk of insult anC outrage from an
infuriated mob, that already lined both
sides of the road to the extent of thou
sands. This was a situation alarming
enough 10 fill the stoutest heart with ter
ror, and the effect may be imagined in the
present, when there was only one man
to protect three or four ladies, with seve-
raj children; to say nothing of fenanaes des
chanabres. and small parcels. The fright
was excessive, but escape was out of the
question. Nothing could be done but
| return to Paris, and run the gauntlet that
awaited them. They passed along in
drizzirg rain, covered with mud and
bore down with fatigue. Shouts and i'm
precautions made the air resound around
them, for the very earth seemed teeming
with armed and savage men. With
shrinking hearts they pushed along, dread
ing every moment to be waylaid, robbed
and perhaps slain, when to their infinite
Joy they reached Paris, and believed their
tribulations over. Hurrying through the
Barriere, they struck down. the first street
that seemed to lead in the direction of
their residence, when, of a sudden, to
their consternation they found themselves
hemmed in behind vast barricade, and
in a moment were surrounded and seized
by hundreds Of fierce and desperate in
surgents, disguised in masks, and armed
to the teeth, who brandished their weap-
ons and threatened them with DEATH.
"Ha, ha" they shouted in furious tones;
''you vile aristocrats, you have endeavor
ed to escape-but you are not gone yet
and we'll take care of you now"
Their situation was really fearful In
| famed with drink and passion. these ter
rible men, further exasperated by the
combat in which they were hotly en-
gagged, were capable of any and every
excess, even to murder. The unhappy
party seeing themselves cut off from every
resource, threw. themselves on their knees.
aud endeavored to move their ruthless
captors by supplications and tears. They
/ declared ''they were no aristocrats-bnt
| republicans like themselves-they We're
of them in principle and sympathy
were not English but Americans. At
| which shouts of bitter derision were re-
turned, accompanied by eXclamations and
oaths, full of contumely and hate. "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 moment, and cries
of "a 6as les Amglaise,'. 50 mort les
reches," rose on all sides, amid frantic
wells and demoniac threats AT this ag
onising moment one of the ladies. whose
nerves were strung by the imminence of
the peril, reused herself to one more he
rOic effort.
"But what" said she, eff we give you
proof, my friends, that we belong to you
that we are fellow republicans-th
we are not monarchists, but Americans"
"The proof-the proof they roared,
in the hoarse tones of the coming tempest.
Every eye was bent on her-every
upraised arm refrained; GREATNESS pause
ensued At this revolutionary period IN
France, scarce a family resident there
but had deemed it prudent to provide
themselves with flag, and In hurrylng
away from Paris, by mere chance, the
lady in question stripped tie banner from
the staff, and rolled it up in package
she carried with her. In the desperate
hope that it might now possibly stand her
instead, she unfolded and raised it aloft. =
On one of its white stripes was written
in large red letters, Les Etats Unls d. A.
aaerique-the United States of America.
The display of the national ensign, prov
ing beyond question the origin OF their
prisoners, had a perfectly magical effect
on the powder-begrimed mob around
them. Off flew hats aud caps, cheers
rent the air; give les Americans "Vive
lie drapeau de la libertie." long live
the Americans-long live the flag of
liberty-was shouted from countless rude
throats The widest enthusiasm seized
on these tumultuous, but gallant men,
They entreated a thousand pardons for
their unthinking violence, and In their
frenzy fell on their knees, kissed the hands