Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-12-09
Escape Of FcntaIe.

During the soige of LYONS. the roet Fon'ane
had been shut up Wi h his family in the midst of
the city in ruins Full Of alarm for the fate Of
his young wife and infant, he resolved, at all
risks, to escape if he could.
Having oil. aimed passport, difficulty arose
as to how he could carry awav some plate and
other valuable articles then considered quie an
ii republican. Among these valuables
chalice present from a sovereign on which an
able artist had engraved the arms Of the King of
Sardinia Fontane greatly dreaded lest this cha
lice should be discovered as being vessel used
in the service of the church, and bearing the
arms of a king, it would tell as threefold proof
Of arist tocracy. However, he decided on taking
and FASTENED to the house of friend, who had
been a nursery gardener.
The poet then laid aside all his feudal orna
ments set about exchanging his clothes to give
himself another appearance.
Having eSsed himselfin wide pantaloons and
shoes stuck full of large nails. his hair cropped
and every grain of powder removed he emerged
from the gardeners house in character Of a laun
dress's rOrtcr with a heavy basket Of clothes on
his shoulder-.he plate and chalice carefully
packed under the linen. His young family fol
lowed a few races behind him wi The passport,
but they had to rass close to he terrible inStru-
ment Of dea h for there it stood, always ready
f,ru use Fon.ane shudder,d. His wife turned
pale. To them their situation was awful But
RI aSon and necessity urged them on, Fontanc
resolved 20 act a decided part He walked up in
font of the gt.illotine gra ping he basket firmly
with his hand and loosening the leather strap
if TO case himself he looked steadily at the scat
fold.
A man of ruffianly appearance. who attended
as if he were a guard of The guillotine, came up
to him.
q Are You afraid" sad he to Fon'ane, Z" tha.
you look in this way at the ma ional razor %
Afraid " said Fontane do you take me for
FederaIist, that should be frightened at the
sight of a guillo inel SCcre tlen Look al me
do you see anything ike an aris;ocrat in my
face 90
"'What arc you ?'' said a second inteFTogatoT,
addressing Fon:ane.
Il am bleacher and scourer."
"And his good woman:"
.sWhat ques ion" said Fontane. look at
the little one-dcnt t you the hkeness-pire
Ia RepUiEq',s"
&" All, that's right ~ said the misc-eant: you're
a good one Down with muscadius and ariS o.
Gratis. Vice Ia RepuJHquc! and Vfre Ia GmHo
finsl''
Fon,ane could not join in this sanguina"y cry
He saw his wife tremble and took her hand.
Come, wife. :" said he - let us have song"
q. Ay and dance too, said the barbarian
who had first spoken; so, down with your
basket my jjovial fellow"
But IL"
.Nonsense-nobody will run away with your
basket: down with it, l say! Why, what's the
matter? is it glued to your neck g
Fon.ane obiec ed and resisted for while, but
was soon obliged to submit and wiping the
cold perspiration from his forehead, in a state
more dead an alive. was relieved from the bur
then of h, I,a l<et. lie it placed on hean
of stones and feared every hing would be turned
to,sv-turyv Oh ! The ia: al chacc! All hope
of safety was gone he on the point Of de
liyerirg himself up and claiming comT asslcn for
his wife and child in the hope that they would
he allowed to pass, when happily herousod him
self clapped his hands, and assumed joyful as
pect.
"Hollo, my friend, 4" cried one of the fellows,
.syou re wonderfully merry all at once"
A thought has struck me-" said Fontane, IA
bold idea You see my poor wife? know the
Carmagnole always raises her spirits. Come,
nv good fellows, let US dance it"
! His wife gazed at him with a look of despair,
| as he snatched tie child from her arms.
s.What now don't make wry face. wife,
/ said he. :. Excuse her. she's young and timid.
/ Come lei us put the little one on the basket
there he lies on the top of the linen, and sleeps
soundly Wife, your hand Now, the ring
/ The republican ring. Come, friends, JOIN hands
for the ring-the patriotic dance
Madame Fontane now comprehonded what her
husband meant. She trirped lightly round the
ring and joined in the chorus of tho Carmagnole
When the dance was over she took up her Child
Fontane was assis. ed in replacing his basket on
his shoulder. lie made his wife lead the way
and walked off af.er her, whistling the Cant du
depart. And so they escaped.