Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-02-14


the fear that The secrets of the band might
leak out through the beautiful daughter OF
ViIIemont, at whose shrine all the young
colonists were accustomed to Worship
This opposition was, however, so far salts
fed, that it agreed to admit Villemont on
condition of his giving earnest OF his valof
and determination by disposlng OF some OF
the numerous enemies of the band. lie
willingly accepted the condition, and took
a most horrid oath to destroy whomsoever
the chief might designate
"Name him. exclaimed Vllemont,
grasping his knife, and grinning with
most ferocious desire TO prove a valor
which had been called in question, land
if he we're my own father, brother, or son,
this knife should find his hearth
"The man You are to kill is Auguse
Prudhomne," slowly and oracularly pro-
nounced the grim captain of the robbers.
At the mention of the name OF Prud-
homme, the face of ViIemont grew deadly
pale-his eyes began to wander, aud his
lips to culver.
What! do you tremble 2--'lo you hest
tate?" exclaimed the Spanlard, with fury
flashing in his eyes.
But the struggle was over. The llnger-
ing humanity, the hesitation, the doubt,
had passed away from Vlllemonts face,
and an expression of savage feroclty and
determination darkened his countenance.
Auguste Prudhomme was one of the
bravest and most gallant of the young
Frenchmen who had remained in Natchlt-
oches after the session of Louisiana to the
United States. His courage, skill in arms,
GOODNESS and sa acity had given him lead
ing position among the colonlsts, and thus
had he been compelled to take decided
part in exposing and Furnishing the perpe-
traitors Of the numerous murders and rob
cries which occurred SO frequently in that
neighbo-hood. The robbers, however, fear
ed as we'll as hated Prudhomme Undannt-
ed bravery and great strength kept them IN
continual awe, and he euded many attempts
which had been made to waylay and assass-
mate him.
But it was not fear that caused Vile
nonts ia e to grow pale at the idea of de-
stroying young Prudhomme Amid the
desolaton which evil passion had left in
the moral sentiments of VIIemoat, there
grew single flower of humanity, a single
virtue, linked to thousand vices 1t was
owe of his daughter his gentle, beautiful
Eugenie-the only memen of affection
Of her whose virtues, whilst she lived, kept
in restraint the savage nclinations OF the
passionate husband. Eugene had long
been the belle, the adored Of the young
men of Natchitoches. Among others who
had Welded to her charms was the gallant
and handsome Pludhomme A warm and
mutual affection soon grew up between
them, and they became afiectionate lovers
Rarely did day pass over that the low
els didnot meet in Villemont's little hut,
near the bluffs, and spend the swift flying
hours in delightful enterchanges Of the VOWS
and endearments of love. The abb
sence of the father, who seldom at
: home, afforded the lovers frequent oPPor-
tunities for those delicious interviews
. Villemout, however, was not ignorant of
: the attachment of Prudhomme to his
= daughter, nor could he be considered as
entirely insensbe to her happiness. But
$ his passions, his nisanthropic hate of the
world, and brutal selfshneSs, prevailed over
all the natural feelings of the father, an :
= he chertuly prepared to execute the COM
e ma d of his chief Two OF the boIdest Of
the robbers volunteered to accompany him.
1t was twelve o'clock at night. The
two lovers were sitting together in the little
parIor OF Vllemonte the night was mild,
md the windows were up Presently,
;. Francois arose, and was prepareing to take
Il leave of Eugene, when looking ont of the
# window he perceived three persons creeping
= stealthilv along the edge Of the woods, in
: the direction of VlIIemonts hut. Accus.
i TONED to danger, to constant exposure, and
! ambuscades, Prndhomme'e suspicious were
e aroused; aud shading himself with a slight
e curtain, which hung by the window, he
S watched the movements of the suspicious
individuals. He observed that they came
to stand. and seemed to be holding a
conversation, But by their gestures, they
l plainly indicated that their purposes had
, reference to some individual in the hut
: "We are in danger, my beloved" remark
e ed Prudhomme, turning to his beautiful be-
: trothed we must prepare for it,
t Eugenie, as herolce as she was lovely,
rushed towards the mantle-piece and took
/ from it rifle. Prudhomme drew his sword,
and thus the lovers prepared to make
gallant defence. They had scarcely pre-
. pared for the encounter, when there was
: knock at the door No answer was given.
, Another and another knock, and still there
was no response Then there was a pause
of nearly minute, which was followed by
. violent blows, as of battering.ram against
the door. This force prevailed, and soon
the door was broken open and three savage
men came rushing into the room. Awed
by the heroic attitude OF Prudhomme aud
Eugene, the rufians stopped, and seemed
to hesitate for a moment. Soon, however,
one of them sprang forward, nearly on the
point of Prudhomme'S sword, and in a
voice Of passion exclaimed
" HOY came you here ?--how dare you
violate the sanctity of my house?" 1t was
Villemont. Though disguised in robbers
garb Eugene didnot fail to recognise her
only parent-her father. Her heart sunk,
her lovely frame trembIed, and but for the
LEFT arm of her lover, which encirced her
waist she would have fallen to the floor
Quickly, however, was she aroused, when
perceiving one of the robbers aiming
pistol at prudhomme, she raised the rifle
and shot him dead. Almost at the same
moment she was struck down by her father.
Prudhomme stopped to raise her PROSTATE
form. when both VlIemont and the other
robber rushed upon him and leveIIed him
with the floor by blows of their guns.
SelzeIng the lnsensible form of his daugh-
ter, VlIlemont directed the other robber to
take that of Prudhomme, and thus they
dragged the lovers to the edge of the bluff,
few yards from the house. Casting
glance down the fearful descent, Viemont