The Shasta courier., 1855-12-29
From The ITatchman and Reflector
Talleyrand and Arnold.

There was a day when Talleyrand arrived at
Havre, hot foot from Paris. 1t was in the dark
est our of the French Revolution. Pursued by
the blood-hounds Of the Reign Of Terror. stripped
Of every wreck of property power. Talley-
rand secured passage 10 America in a ship
about to sail He going, beggar and Il
wanderer TO strange land, to earn his bread by
his daily labor.
ais there an American staying here ~ he
asked of the landlord of the hotel. Il am bonnd
across tue water, and would like letter 10 some
persons of influence in the new world"
The landlord hesitated for moment, and then
SAID:
There is gentleman up stairs either from
America Britain; whether an American or
Englishman cannot say
III pointed the way, and Talleyrand-who in
his life Bishop, Prince, and Prime Minis
ter, asce nded The stairs. miserable snppant.
he stood before the strangers door, knocked and
entered.
In far corner of dimly lighted room. sat
gentleman of some fifty years, with his arms
folded and his head bowed on his breast. From
IA window directly opposite. flood of light
poured over bis forehead. His eyes looked from
beneath the downcast brows he gazed III Tai
leyrand's face with peculiar aud searching ex-
preston. His face striking in It's outline
the mouth and chin indicative OF an iron will
His form vigorous even with the SHOWS Of fifty
winters was clad in dark bat distinguished
costume
Taeyrnnd advanced and said if he was an
American, he solicited his kind and friendly Of
fees.
He poured fourth his history in eloquent
French and broken English
- am a wanderer-an exile. lam forced 10
fly to the new world, without friend or a
home You are an Americanl Give me. then
l beseech you, "a letter to yours, so that | may
be able to earn my bread. am willing to toll
in any manner. The scenes of Paris have filed
me with such horror. that life of labor would
be paradise compared with career of luxury
in France. You viii give me letter to one Of
your friends. a gentleman like you dos.btess
has many friends
The strange gentleman rose. With look
that Taileyrand never forgot, he retreaied to-
wards the door OF the next chamber-his head
downcast, but his eyes looking still from beneath
his darkened brow. He spoke as he retreated
backward; his voice full of meaning:
- am the only man in the New World who
+, can raise his l.and to God and say have not
friend, not one. in all America.
,Talleyrantl never forgot the overwhelming
sadness OF that look, which accompanied these
swords.
- Who are your' he cried, as The strange man
aetreated towards the next door,
'" Your namef"
=" My name with smile that had more
mockery than icy in his convulsive expression,
- my name is BeEedict Arnold -
He was gone. Talleyrand sank in chair,
gasping the words
Arnold the traitor
Thus you see !be wandered over the earth
sanothsr Cain, with wanderers mark upon his
brow. Even in that desolate room at thai inn of
Havre. his crime found him out and he was
forced to tell his name, that synonyme of intamy.
The last twentyyyears of his life are covered
with cloud. from whose darkness but a few
CLEANS OF light flash out upon the page of his
tory.
The manner of his death is not distinctly
e known. Butwe cannot doubt that he died ut
terly friendless; that his cold brow was not
moistened by one farewell tear. that remorse
pursued him to the grave, whispering John A,l-
DIRE in his ears and that the memory Of his
course of glory gnawed like canker at his
heart; murmuring forever" True to your
!. country what might you have been, o Arnold,
the Traitor ~