Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1854-05-11
A Thrilling Scene.

) One Gay, IN presence OF the ol
minister, Talleyrand, the converse
ton was directed to those instant;
neous warnings which might be cor
sidered as communications from tn
the invisible world with man; som
of them observed that it would b
difficult to find any celebrated man
who, either in his own person, or o
an intimate friend. could not attes
some supernatural event of his life
The prince remarked; ! can neve
forget that | was once gifted for /;
moment, with an extraordinary pre-
science, which was the means of sa,
wing my life Without that sudder
and mysterious inspiration, should
not be here to recount these curious
details.
was intimately connected with
one of my ccuntrymen, Mr.. B. We
had always lived on the best terms,
and in those stormy times, (the
French Revolution) something more
than friendship was needed to unite
persons, f-when the expression of
fl iendship required almost a divine
courage. | had no cause to doubt
his affection. On the contrary, he
had, on several occasions, given me
tie most devoted proofs of his at
tachment Ito my person and inter
ests.
We had quit France to tax % ref
uge in New York, and had hi itherto
lived in perfect harmony. Wishing
to increase our little capital, had
freighted ship, half shares with
him, to try our fortune in the Indies.
We were ready for our departure, but
waited for a favorable wind with the
greatest impatlence.
This state of uncertainty seemed
to sour poor B. to a most extraordi
nary degree. Incapable of remain
ing quiet, he roamed the city with q
feverish activity, which, for the mo-
ment, excited my surprise, for he
was always remarkable for his calm
ness and placidity.
One day he entered the room, evl-
IDENTIFY under great excitement, al
though he used great efforts to re-
strain himself. l was writing letters
to Europe. Leaning over my shoul-
der, ho remarked evidently with a
forced gaiety:
: "Why do you lose time in writing
those letters? They will never reach
their destination. Come with me,
and let US make the round of the
Battery. The wind may become ia
perhaps we are nearer to
our departure than We think" F"
The day was magnificent, although
the wind whs high. J allowed my
self to be persuaded.
b., as afterwards recollected,
showed ext Faordinary alacrity in clo-
sing my dc SIX, arranging my papers,
and offering my hat and cane, which
| attributed to the need of incessant
activity with which he appeared
overwhelmed ever, since our forced
departure.
We tresded the we'll peOpled
streets, and reached the Battery
lie had offered me his arm, and hur-
ried on as if he we're in haste to
reach it.
When we were on the grand es-
planade, B. FASTENED still more TIL
we reached the edge. He spoke
loudly and rapidly, and ! admired, in
energetic terms, the beauties OF the
scene.
Suddenly, he stopped IN the midst
Of his incoherent talk. | had dis
engaged my arm from his, and stood
firmly before him. fixed my eye
unon him. He moved aside as il
intimidated and ashamed.
"B" cried |, "your intention is
10 kin me-you mean to throw me
from this height into the sea! De
ny it, monster, if you dare!
The insane man looked at me in
fently with his haggard eyes for q
moment; but | was careful not te
remove my looks fro m hlm, ana his
eyes fell. He muttered some ineo'
herent words. endeavored to pass
me, but ] spread my arms and pre-
vented him. Casting a wild look
around, he threw himself on my
neck and burst into tears.
isIt is true lit is true, my friend
the thought has haunted me day