Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-04-02
Escaue Of Eontanes

During the seige Of Lyons, the poet, fon-
tame. had been shut up with his family in the
midst Of the city in ruins Full Of alarm for
the fate of his young wife and infant, he resol-
we'd, at all risks, to escape if he could.
Having obtained passport, a difficulty arose
as to how he could carry away some plate and
other valuable articles, then considered quite
antLrcpublican. Among these valuables was
a chaice, present from sovereign, on which.
an able artist had engraved the arms of the
King of Sardinia. Fontane greatly dreaded
! lest this chalice should be discovered, as being
a vessel used in the service Of the church; and
bearing the arms of a king, it would tell as q
| threefod proof Of aristocracy. However, he
decided on taking it, and hastencd to the house
Of friend who had been nursery gardener.
The poet then laid aside all his teudaI orna-
ments and sat about exchanging his clothes to
give himself another appearance.
| Having dressed himself in wide pantaloons,
and shoes stuck full Of large nails his hair crop
ped, and every grain Of powder removed, he
| acter of laundress's porter, with heavy bas-
ket of clothes on his shouder-the plate and
chace carefully packed under the linen. His
young family followed few PAGES behind him
| with the passport, but they had to pass close
to the terrible instrument of death, for there it
stood, always ready for use. Fontane shud-
dered. His wife turned pale. To them their
situation was awful. But reason and necessi-
ty urged them on. Fontans resolved TO act
decided part. He walked up in front of the
guil!otine, grasping the basket firmly with his
hand and loosening the leather strap as if to
ease himself, he locke steadily at the scaffold
A man of ruffiany appearance, who attended
as if he were a guard Of the guillotine, came up
to him.
"Are you afraid" said he to Fontane, "that
you look in this way at the nationsl razor?"
"Afraid," said Fontane, 'do you take me for
Federalist, that should be frightened at the
sight ofa guillotne! Sacre Jleu! Look tine;
do you see anything like an aristocrat in my
face!'
"Nhat are you!" said second interrogation,
addressing Fontane.
Il am bleacher and scourer."
"And this good womans"
"What question" said Fontane. "Look at
that little one--don't you see the likeness
Viue la RepubHque!"
'Ah! that's right" said the miscreant, "you're
a good one. Down with muscadins and aristo-
Gratis: Wire la RupubHque' and Vire la Guillo-
tine!"
Fontane could not join in this sanguinary
cry. He saw his wife tremble, and took her
hand.
"Come, wife," said he, ''let us have song"
"Ay, and a dance, too, said the barbarian
who had first spoken, $50, down with your bas-
ket, my jovial fellow
"But I--I---" .....
"Nonsense-nobody will run away with
your basket; down with it, | say! Why, what's
the matter! is it glued to your neck!'
Fontane objected and resisted for a while,
but was soon obliged to submit; and, Wiping
the cold perspration from his forehead, in
state more dead than alive, was relieved from
the burthen of his basket He saw it placed on
a heap of stones, and feared everything would
be turned topsy -turvy. Oh! the fatal chalce!
All hope of safety was gone; he was on the
point ofdelivering himself up and claiming COM
passion for his wife and child, in the hope that
hey would be allowed to pass, when, happily,
le reused himself, clapped his hands and as
sumed a joyful aspect. ......... .. =
"IIollo! my FRIEND" cried one Of the fellows,
you're wonderfully merry all at once" .'.."
"a thought has struck mel" said Fontane, "a
,old idea! You see my poor wife! know
he Carmagnce always raises her spirits
Come my good fellows, let us dance it."
His wife gazed at him with look of despair,
Is he snatched the child from her arms. ~
"What now! don't make wry face, wife,"
aid he. "Excuse her, she's young and timid.
Come, let US put the little one on the basket
here he lies, on the top of the linen, and sleeps
oundly. Wife, your hand, Now, the ring
he republican ring. Come, friends, join hands
or the ring-the patriotic Dance
Nine Fontane now comprehended what her
usband meant. She tripped lightly round the "
ing, and joined in the chorus of the Carmag-
ole. When the dance was over she took up
er child; Fontane was assisted in replacing his
asket on his shoulder. He made his wife lead
ne way, and walked off after her, whistling the
chant du depart. And SO they escaped. .,s-rD