The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-03-22
Bp .Julid NdWtborur.
CHAPTER VI.

hearts of the better classes of Par;>;ans and
reused from their dream of security tbos.
vino had trusted in their own innocence and
the justice of the people. Dacourt, among
the rest acknowledged the frailty Of the
reed on which he leaned lie had beloved
sister who belonged to the scattered flock,
and he lost no time in finding out her re-
treat. In few days Ursule was safely
lodged under his roof, waiting for the popu-
lar excitement to subsde, and render it safe
ior her to seek az asylum in some other con-
vent. Most of the nuns were, in ike man.
ner, sought out and sheltered BY their rela-
tlves and friends, in the city ard its vicinity
CrSule had never expected to see her bro
ther again in this lite, as no male visitor was
allowed to communicate with the inmates of
the convent and he now seemed to her like
one risen from the dead. She looked sadly
on the change which the ten wears since she
saw him last. with their weight of sorrow,
had wrought in his appearance. She soon
learned to love the beautiful Louise, and She
thanked God, who had given him such
treasure. But the mysterious loss Of Chris
tine was a living gret to her, in which her
brother deeply sympa,hised, and they spared
no pans to learn some tidings of her. but in
vain.
In the meantime. terror and violence pre-
vailed iii Paris. The royal family had been
driven from their palace to a prison. Ma
rat, Dan'on, Robespierrc and their party had
gained rapid asccndancy over the more
moderate revolutloni>ts, who, unable to stem
, the tide g. popular fury, looked on a.ha.'.
expecting to be themselves enyuitvd by lis
advancing waves.
One morning, Dacourt went to his place
Of business at his usual hour, but immediate
" returned. Louise and Crsulc saw at once.
in his countenance, that some new terror a.
waited them. lie informed! them that de-
cree had been passed by the Assembly, the
previous nj ght.that all Paris should be search
ed; and that every man who, in the opinion
Of the committee of search, was not a gooi
patriot. should be arrested
! Ard dos: thou fear to stand the ,rst ~
asked Crsu'c, with blanched lips. vet with an
attempt to speak cheertnIly. for she saw the
alarm of Louise. and wished to reassure her.
/" know not what the test will be. We
must face an unknown danger"
"Oh. A Alphonse, let us flee ~ cried Louise,
/ pale and trembling
! 1t is too late, ma ch.re ttmme The city
gates are already closed and guarded. In
another hour, at the beat Of the drums, all
business must cease, and every man. on pain
of death, must be in his own house There
is no chance for escape"
Thou must conceal thyself," said CrsuIe
- bu: where ~
| "No. will not act the towards part
French liberty has no frmer friend than
| think have little cause for fear" he an
swered. assuming confidence he did no,
feel. for the sake of those beloved beings
who were half distracted with fear for him.
"Oh yes" said his wife. "you must b.
concealed. 1t is not cowarlicc to avoid ar
enemy in the dark DO not refuse, entrea
you, Alphonse, for my sake. What woulC
become Of us, ,,if You should be a-rested?"-
and she threw herself, weeping, into hi
arms
Plan after plan was formed, discussed, ant
rejected as impracticable. and the litt'e part,
were still discussing. when the roll of III,
drums was heard. At that sound it was a
if all life had been suspended. The roll of
carriages ceased. The sound of footstpp
was no longer heard upon the pavement. AL
t places of business were closed No human
being was seen through all the city, saw,
those companies of drumm-rs, solemn,
marching to their own music How wa
: that sound echoed back by the quick beatin
Of ten thousand hearts in the great silen
: city, holding its breath for fcar No mai
+. can measure the amount Of suspense and ago
, ny compressed into those terrible hours
The evening came, ard in obedience I
: the decree, every house was lighted up. an
the work OF search commenced. Could
e stranger have been dropped into Paris o
that evening, he would have supposed som
:. tete day was being celebrated by grand il
= Elimination; but alas
: Like lamps on atars Of the dead,
Whose light but darkens Jov,''
this illumination served but to light the fu
, neral march Of thousands to the prison an
: to the grave. From street to street, fror
y house to house, bands Of armed men too
: their way, leaving no nook un>earcbed, n
= hiding place secret enough to escape thei
a vigilance.
Dacourt. his wife and sister, we're in th
chamber Of the latter, for it had been agree
that lie should conceal himself in a smal
: closet opening out Of this room, and havini
dark recess at its further extremity. Hour
went BY, ard still no sound. The ear grev
: weary of listening for what it dreaded t
E hear the tramp Of feet, that was to brin,
them certainly for suspense-relief. or mis-
cry. But it comes at length. a knock
|. heard, then the noisy shafi]ing Of feet in sh'
hsr footsteps az; voices j. :se l:Etres