The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-03-19

wife and infant, he resolved, at all risks,
10 escape II he could.
Having obtained a passport, Difficult
ty arose as to how he could carry away
some plate and other valuable articles,
then considered quite an,i.republican.
Among these valuablcs was a chaliec,
present from the sovereign, on which an
able artist had engraved the arms Of
the king Of Sardinia, Foniane dreaded
lest thi, chalice should be discovered, MS
being vessel used in the service Of the
church, and bearing the arms Of king,
il would tell as threeiold proof Of ar
istocracy. However. he decided on TAX
ing it, and fastened TO the house of n
friend, who had been anursery gardener.
The poet then laid aside all his feudal
ornaments, and set about changing his
clothes to give himself another appear
ancc.
Having dressed himsclfin wide pan
falcons, and shoes stuck full of large
nails, his hair cropped, and every grain
of powder removed, he emerged from
the gardeners house in the character
of laundress's porter, with n heavy
basket of clothes on his shoulder--the
plate and chalice carefully packed I'M
der the linen, His young family fol-
lowed few PAGES behind him with the
passport, but they had to pass close TO
the terrible instrument Of death; for
there il stood, always ready for use.
Fontane shuddered. Ills wife turned
pale. To them their situation was aw-
iul But reason and necessity urged
them on. Fontane received 10 act q
decided part. lie walked up in front
of the guilloiine, srasping the basket
firmly with his hand, and loosening the
leather strap as if to ease himself, hC
looked steadily at the scaliold.
A man of rufianly appearance, who
attended as if he were guard of the
guillotine, came up 10 him.
"Are you afraid" said he 10 Fontanc
"lhat you look in this way at the ma
tional razor p
Afraid" said Fontane do yol
take me for Federalist, that should b'
frightened at the sight of a guillotine
.Sacre Ueui Look at me; do you sc,
anything like an aristocrat in my face z
"What are you y said n second in
terrogator, addressing Fontane.
am a blcacher and a scourer."
And this good woman 7"
"What a question" said Fontane.-
" Look at that little one-don't you Sc
the likeness Nire Ia Repubijque "
"Ah that's right !" said the miscre
ant 4; "you're are good one. Dow
with muscadins and aristocrats. VIZ
Ia RepuJiiquc and Vire Ia Gmiiotine !
Fontane could not join in this san
culinary cry. lie saw his wife tremblC
and took her hand.
Come, wife," said he, "let us hay
II song"
SAY, and dance, too" said the bal
barian who had first spoken T; 4" SO, dow
with your basket, my jovial fellow"
Bot II"
Ndnsense-nobody will run ava
with your basket; down with it, say
Why, what's the matter? is it glued /
your neck n
Fontane objected, and resisted for
while, bu, was soon obliged TO submit
and, wiping the cold perspiraiion fror
his forehead, in state more dead iha
alive, was relieved from the burthcn ,
his basket. lie saw it placed on bea
Of stones, and feared everything woul
be turned topsy-turvy. Oh! the fati
ehalice All hope Of safety was gone
he was on the point Of delivering hin
self up, and claiming compassion for hi
wife and child, in the hope that the
would be allowed TO pass, when, happ
ly, he reused himself, clapped his hand
and assumed a joyful aspect.
IIollo my friend" cried one of III
fellows, "you're wonderfully merry a
at once"
"A thought has struck me p sal
foniane, "a bold idea. You see m
poor wife ! know the Carmagnol
always raises her spirits. Come, m
good fellows, let US dance IT,"
His wife gazed at him with look q
despair, as he snatched the child iron
her arms.
What now don't make a wry face
wife" said he. "Excnse her, she i
young and timid. Come, let us put III,
little one on the baskei-ihere he lies
on the top Of the linen, and sleeps sound
ly. Wife, your hand Now, the rim,
1.-The republican ring. Come, friends
join hands for The ring--lhc patriot,
dance"
Madame Foniane now comprehendec
what her husband meant She trippeC
lightly round the ring, and joined in ID,
chorus Of the Carmagnole. when tho
dance was over she took up her child
foniane was assisted in replacing The
basket on bis shoulder. lie made bis
wife lead the way, aud walked or after
her, whistling the Cloat du depayt.--
And 50 they escaped.
A boy having been praised for bis
quieknesa Of reply, gentleman oLsery-
ed that children who are 80 keen IN
their youth. are generally stur,id ,,b.,