Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-08-05

| lt-mOre dead than alivc-while two soldiers
! with drawn swords and cooked pistols took
| their seats on each side of him. The doors O f
the vehicle were locked, and the officer giving
the signal, the coach rolled away at full speed,
surrounded by cavalry escort. How long the
first stage lasted Forgere was unable to tell,
the vehicle was so thckly covered that not the
least ray of light could penetrate He was told
on entering the coach that the soldiers had or
ders to shoot him on the spot the moment he
opened his mouth to put any questions to
them. He consequently observed strict silence,
and suffered a world of pain. The door of the
coach was at last opened-it was broad day.
light. His eyes were however bandaged, and
he was led into miserable hut, the doors and
windows Of which were closed as soon as he
entered. When the bandage was removed, he
saw by the faint glmmer Of rushlight dish
Of coarse food upon board before him. Though
he had been fasting for some time, he could
hardly swallow a morsel fear however in.
duced him to eat, for the faces that watched
his motions seemed to porend no good 81.
IBERIA Siberia that was the only thought
he was to live in that terrible land. Forgere
gave himself up to despair, when the previous
officer-by the bye, an old acquaintance-en.
tered the room, attended by courier The
poor prisoner felt as if he had not seen that
friendly face for years. In the Joy of his heart
he was about to embrace him !; but motion
with the hand and a stern look pressed upon
his lips imposed silence. He had f1attered him
self that the courier had brought an order for
his release, hut he was mistaken. The officer
dismissed his guide and ordered the soldiers to
leave the room and wait outside. Being alone
with the prisoner, he said, almost in whisper,
"Frogere, we must now part. have accom-.
panied you to the first stage, and you will
hence be under the inspection Of another off,
Ger. Be careful not to speak word. risk
much even in giving this caution; but am
your friend. Have you any orders for mee
Can | serve you on my return to st. Peters.
burgh?" Poor Frogere melted into tears. In.
stead of replying to the question, he only be.
walled having to undergo punishment for an
unknown crime. "An unknown crime!" said
the officer. "Don't you then know what you
have done? Are you mad, Frogere! Have YOU
forgotten the sarcastic jest you made at the
imperial table! 1t has offended the Emperor
you are punished because there was so much
truth in it." "Good Heavens!" exclaimed the
exile. "Hush! be silent" whispered.the other,
'walls have ears. But, not to waste time, lis
ten, Frogere. am the only one whom YOU
know; henceforth, during your long journey,
you will find faces wholly unknown to you.
The Emperor, you are aware, is nmoveable in
his resolves, and inexorable in his wrath. You
had better, therefore, be resigned to your fate;
you have nothing to hope. Tell me then quick.
ly what can do for you" "Speak for me to
his Majesty" Not word of that" said his
friend. ASK anything but that" IF that be
the case" said poor Frogere, have nothing
to say" "And your money and trinkets," re.
joined the officer, "you have left them all be-
hind. Can lodge them safely for you some-
where. until your return !' "My return !"
gasped Frogere, "then am not exiled for life!"
'Of course not-only for three years. Take
courage they will soon pass away - and
then" "Three years for an innocent word!"
whined Frogere, and began again to cry and
complain. But at this moment the soldiers
entered, and bandaging his eyes, they lifted
him into the vehicle, and away it rolled again.
1t seemed very long stage-for Frogere cal.
culated that he had travelled whole day, when
The vehicle again stopped. As before, he was
and led into wretched hut, coun-
terpart of the first, and lighted by peics of
blazing pinewood The same coarse food was
again placed before him. He looked at the
faces around him. None that he knew-none
that inspired him with comfort. After several
similar journeys, the vehicle again stopped. By
Frogere's estimate, as we'll as he could tell,
he had travelled three days ard nights. His
eyes were bandaged as before; but, instead Of
being led, his guides seized him, and carried
him for some time, until they placed him un-
der wooden bench. He waited for few
and wondered why the bandage was
not removed. At last he heard soft whisper.
Ings, and then quick steps approaching. His
hands were suddenly seized, and tied behind
his back. He tremblingly asked what it meant.
but received no reply. In another moment his
coat was torn off his shoulders, and his breast
laid bare. Frogere now thought that eternity
instead Of Siberia was to BE- the goal of his
Journey. stake aim 7" was the command of
one whose voice he thought he knew.-aFire'"
and several shots were at once discharged.
Frogere fell senseless to the ground. He was
raised unwounded, and whilst he was born along
he became sensible of division of soldiers
marching past him. Having been placed upon
chair, his hands were unbound, and the ban.
1age removed. He then found himself 10 the
same room, at the same table, and in the same
where that unhappy bon mat had cs.
,aped him. Opposite to him sat the Emperor.
The astonishment, terror and doubt, which al.
.ernately reflected in the poor actors face, SO
greatly excited the risibe faculties of Paul, that
The entire company joined heartily in the mirth
Frogere fell in swoon. The whole terrible
trip had only lasted twenty.four hours. Tho
Emperor had accompanied him in disguise all
The time, and found immense delight in the
prisoners painful sufferings. Though used to
comedies, it was long before the actor recover.
I'd from the sad dream of the imperial farce
Life Of Nicholas the First.
pThe editor Of the Massachusetts, Life
Boat is delighted to hear that "the Czansefuses
% treat" The next steamer he hopes. will
he news of his having Joined the Temperance
'ociety. sE as,.sea..