Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-10-21
THE DUcHE Ess DEBERRI

The Duchess DeBerri, having exposed
herself to the vengeance of Louis Phil
lipe, after the revolution Of 1880, through
her endeavors to rouse the Vendeans to
take arms in behalf Of the claims OF her
son to the crown of France, was con-
cealed at Nautes among her friends.-
But one Simon Deutz proved himself a
false hearted traitor, and betrayed the
place OF her concealment. A writer in
CHAMBERS JOURNAL gives the following
very striking account Of her arrest:-ED.
Three friends, who were deservedly
in the duchess confdence-the Baro-
ness de Charette, Mademoiselle Celeste
de Kersabiec, and NJ. Guibourg-were
invited to Join the dinner party. II was
bright moonlight evening; and at
about half-past five o'clock, the guests
were assembled in Madame Pauline Du-
guiny's room, previously to the an
nouncement Of dinner. There was not
any lights in the room. After convers-
ing little time about the beauty of the
evening, NJ. Guibourg advanced to the
window, TO admire the outdoor effect Of
the moonlight-when, TO his dismay, he
beheld battalion of infantry silently
surrounding the house. He instantly
gave the alarm, and oil three fastened TO
the duchess's room, where she had re-
ceived Deutz less than two hours before.
This room was a garret. Methinks
see il now, for l have been all over it,
A poor looking chamber it was; the fur
niture consisted only OF a few rush-bot-
toned chairs and an old card table, be-
reft of its former green cloth covering.
BY way of establishment, the duchess
herself had pasted some common paper
hanging on the walls. Why, then, was
this dreary attic emphutically called the
duchess room! Because attached to il
was the cacheste--the hiding place-to
which she might fee in a case of immi-
nent peril like the present.
The Count de Mesnard-who had
been her equerry in more prosperous
days, and who now adhered to her in ad-
yerslty-and Mademoiselle Stylite de
Kersabiec were with the duchess in the
garret.
"To the cachette-to the cachette!
madame," cried the new comers. "The
house is surrounded by troops! You are
betrayed! There is not u moment to
lose!"
All rushed TO the cheminee, or fire.
place, which 10 an angle OF the little
garret. One of the party kneeling
down on the hearth, touched a spring,
and the plaque, or iron plate forming the
back of the fireplace, flew open, reveal
ing u cavity between the wall OF the
chimney and the exterior wall OF the
house; this Is the cachette. Into Il the
duchess, Mademoisselle Stylite de Kerr
sabiec, the Count dc Mesnard, and M.
Guibourg, crept as quickly as possible
on their hands and knees: the plaque
was closed upon them, and the two la
dies left the rooms
II was indeed high time that the duch.
oss and her companions were shut out
of sight; for now the commissary-
general of police and his officers, all
armed with pistols, and escorted by a
detachment OF tho battalion which In
vested the house, entered IL, and In
twinklinq every room was occupied by
soldiers. The commissary- OF
police and his subordinatcs went d.
rect TO tho garrct, where, from the
treachcrous Dcutz's description, they
felt certain Of finding the duchess: but
tho bird had nown up, or rather behind
tho chimney, and nothing was 10 be
seen but the old eard.tablc. tho rush.
bottomed chairs, and amull crucihx on
tho rude mantlepieee.
The police officers stared at each 9th.
or with astonishment. and loudly OK.
pressed their vocation nt having missed
their prey. liutihe wonderment and an.
noyanee Of all the officials reached 10 the
highest pitch after most rigorous but
booless examination OF every room,
nook, and corner, including the cellar
The commlaaary- general oi police
left the house ut about midnighii but,
though baill,d by six hours OF moro OF
lfulsless search, he did not In the slight
est degree slackon the stringent meas
urcs he had from the first adoped Tor pre-
venting any escape from the premises.
And what was passing M the eachette
during these rigid proceedngsl The
duchess and her faithful companions
dlstlnctly heard. and were highly anu,
scd by, the sonorus ordinations OF theil
pursucrs on finding the garret empty
when, however, the FIRE was lighted