Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-08-23
EVENING STAR.
CARDINAL RIcHEL1EU's GUEST

| Cardinal de Richeliou has ALWAYS baen eon-
sidered great minister, and on some accounts
he well deserved the name. He rendered an
immense service TO monarchy, in dispatchiEg
| the last heads of the feudal hydra, and itera7
| ture owes him much for the establishment of
the French Academy. Although himself but
an indifferent writer, he was ever ready TO en-
courage the arts, and paid literally for the
Efforts Of others. The Cardinal, however.
| could not endure that his acts should be made
the subject Of comment, particularly since
| some OF them were Of a character not calcu-
| ia'eu U eiicit very warm comInendation from
| lovers OF morality. The more powerful in
deed, occasionally indulged in freedom os
| speech but woe to the humble individual
| that was indiScreet enough to publicly find
| fault with the peccadilloes of his Eniucnca
With such he had a summary way of privately
dealing, which efectually closed their !ins in
| the future.
NJ; Dumont, small merchant ofshe Rue
| ST Dennis, received one morning a letter.
| dated Rucil, little village on the outskirts of
| Paris, where the Cardinal had country seat.
| lhIs letter contained an invitation to supper
| ior the next day with his Eminence. M Du-
mont could not believe his eyes; he read the
| letter several times, looked at the direction.
ana hnally concluded that he must indeed be
| the person to whom it was addressed Amazed
beyond expression, he called his wife and
ioftuno You may imagine the joy and pride
| of the three women,
About four o'clock he mounted his horse
ard started for Rueil. He had scarce passed
the suburbs, when the clouds assumed threa-
tenng look, and the sound of distant thunder
| announced the approach of violent Storm
rhe merchant having neglected to provide
himself with a cloak, doubled the speed Of his
horse. But the storm Travelled faster than his
5teed; flashes of lightning succeeded each
ether with frisbtful rapidity, and the rain fell
IN torrents Assailed by the tempest, our
hero put his horse to the gallop; but at length
unable to continue his journey, he stopped at
a small tavern in Monterre. He alighted,
sent his horse 10 the stable and took refuge in
"A low room, where the servants lighted a bIaI-
lag fire to dry his clothes. While he was
warming himself the door opened and another
person, drenched with rain, entered and seated
himself In the opposite corner.
EAe two travellers looked at each other for
some time in silence. at last NJ. Dupont ad-
dressed his companion with the words:
What destestable weather -
- 1t is very bad, indeed, replied the s;rap-
ger; = but 1t Is only shower, which, hope,
will soon pass ever"
"Hear,n continued NJ Dumont: "tbe
storm increases; peals Of thunder shake the
house; the rain falls in terrents, and vet l
must 20 on
or, salu tnc unknCWn, " II must be i'm
portant business that can induce you to pro-
oeed on your journey in this weather."
/" 1t is indeed, sdid Dumont '' L will tell
you, ii is no secret. l SIN invited TO a sup.
per, this evening, with the Cardinal dc Richie
leu
"Ah L know il is difficult matter to de-
cline such an invitation. b.. you have still a
long way TO 60, and how car ycu present your
self before his Eminence in the state IL which
YOU now are ~
" HIS Eniiuencc will, perhaps, appreciate
my eagerness to accept his kind Invitation.
" If did not fear to be indiscrcet, / would
ask You If you ever had anything to do with
the Cardinal %
" Nothing ut all. I must even say that I
cannot account for the favor which have re-
ceived.''
The Cardinal is every way jealous Of his
authority; he does not like TO have his actions
judged. One word is sufficient to excite sus-
picion; think well. Have you never given
Dis Eminence any cause for complaint against
YOU
"I think not. have been constantly oc-
cupied with my business. have no interest
IN what they call politics However, I be-
leve that, before two or three friends only.
ccn5ured the death of the Duke of MUntmorcn-
cy, and you would have done the same had
your grandfather been the ste ward of that IL
iustrlOus noble.
IN.
You have inspired me with much interest for
you viii you listen TO me them Do not 60 to
Rueil."
Not 60 TO Rueil? 1 shall set out this in.
slant, in spite Of the storm"
"One word more, my friend, for your Do
sitIon interests me exceedingly; You really be-
lieye that the Cardinal is expecting you to
supper! Well, let me undeceive you You
are expected it is true-but to be hung"
40, merciful heaven, what do you mean
1t is impossible"
:" L tell you again. said the stranger, Z" to
be hung 20
At these words, Dumont, shuddering with
torror, drew himself near to the unknown.
- For heavens sake, how do you know"
g. | am sure ofit."
" But what have dono to deserve such |
fate !'
g / don't know; but am sure of what say,
for am the one who has been sent for to hang
you"
The poor merchant, pale as a corpse, drew |
back several steps, and scarcely able to speak,
said:
Pray tell me, sir who are you ?''
" The hangman of Paris called by his Emf /
nence TO dispatch you. Think of the service /
have rendered you, and remember that the |
least indiscrction Gu your part will prove my
ruins
The merchant remounted his horse without
waiting fer the storm to abate; and, drenched |
To the bone, he reached PariA Instead of re-
pairing TO his own house, he sought shelter
with all old friend, TO whom he related his ad- |
venture and wonderful escape. With the aid
of money he obtained passport, under false
name; and, well disguised, started for Eng
land. There he remained till the death of |
the Cardinal, which occurred two years after.
GENTEEL PRoFEssIoEs.-Now-a-d a-days, pa
rents entertain a silly notion that their chii- /
dren must be instructed in a genteel profess
sion; they repudiate the vulgar" notion Of