The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-02-07
Narrow lIScaRle.

A curious incident occurred to Young
American at Leghorn, two weeks ago. The
young man, who was travelling, entered
a cave in the evening, in that city, to
dine; at the table he found himself in COM
pany with two soldiers, or noncommissioned
officers of the Austrian army, with whom he
entered into conversation in the Ger.
man language. Full of repubIicanism and
of patriotic admiration Of his own country,
he forgot the preseRce he was in; and after
exalting the United States and republ can
instutions 70 the eliminating point of per-
lection, he drew comparison between its
political freedom and prosperity, and the des-
potism and misery OF Austria, and termin-
mated in warmly counseling the young men
to leaye the, Austrian army and go to the
land Of freedom, where they would receive
much higher, wages, and better treatment,
either in the army Of the United States, or
in other pursuits. 'i .s.' '.' ...'1." -aa.a <t@~
This conversation, which seemed to be
confidential and unobserved, proved not to
be SO. Whether the soldiers, themselves
turned informers or whether the conversa-
ton was overheard by one of the espies that
abound in the Austrian possessions, is not
known; bot the next morning the American
was arrested, thrown into prison, and soon
after carried before court martial, where
he was confronted with the grave charge OF
attempting to seduce two soldiers of his I'm
perial Majesty's armyto forsake their duty. In
many despotic or military Governments like
that Of Austria, this is crime of the highest
magnitude, and Young America, after short
and summary trial, was condemned to be shot.
The extraordinary event was soon known
throughout the city, and came to the ears of
the American copsel. This gentleman re-
paired at once TO the chief civil officer ofthe
city, to demand stay Of proceedings, but he
was referred to the. military commandant Of
the place, ss the person who had entire pow
er in the matter. Here he was told that
there could be no stay of proceedings; that
the prisner was q dangerous person, who had
been attempting to SOW discord in the Aus
trian dominions; that he had been watched
and his movements noted down for some
time, that they had at last eaaght HIM in the
open act, and that they were determined to
make 40 example of him, All remonstran-
ces seemed in vain ~ at last asking the
question "what end tho consel had in viss
in desiring stay of proceedings" and re.
ceiving for that he anticipated the arrival
of commodore Stringham and Captain Ingra-
ham, with their vessels, In day or two, and
he would be glad to have those officers pre-
sent at the execution, the eoInmandant
changed his countenance, and dismissed the
conseL saying he would think oft. y q,
The consel was !. astonished the next
morning to see the young man step into his
office . free man! He had been liberated
with areprimand, and notice to leave the
Austrian dominions, given him by the com.
maRdantihe person. whoiwas careful to inn
press upon him at the same time, that his libT
Grafton was not due 70 any threats which
might have been made concerning the
American feet, but entirely on acconntofhis
extreme youth andiconsequeDs iadiscretion.
--Nesci York Ttitass, .lys.a. asl ai vow