The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-12
wASHINGTON, ID. c..
For the National Era.
,rs.r TT COSTS TO KNOW A COUNTESS.
ny MRS. BELL SMITH.
PART VII.
BY MRS. BELL SHIT

BY MRS. BELL SMITH.
PART VII
Poa de Clichy is not remarkable street 70
~. ra of the stranger. One visiting Paris,
t,;et period. would not hasten to rue de
c:l, ~ he does to the Boulevards, that the
=, n;gbt be pleased, and the mind interested,
=. tbonsand aud one historical associations
starting up at every step. On the contrary, II
h. any chance, while passing from one point
- another. the tourist should traverse rue de
Cieby. he would probably note the many blank
walls. the unusual quiet, and the rough pave
nep,. as only things to hasten by and forget.
Va, ,bis street is remarkable in its way, and,
modest and retired as it appears, hiss a signiti-
came which calls up to the habitue of Paris
either smile or frown, whenever mentioned.
Dapglssoa and Drayton, both lost in won
-. p,.s;yeIy obeyed, without question, the
o.eer, in whose hands they found themselves.
They knew well, from hearssy, the despotic
character of French authority, and were will
a., 70 wait in silence the necessary develop
ueals. Bat, looking up carelessly, as the vol
,ura turned corner, they found themselves be-
;oy driven into rue de Ciichy. Both started,
AID demanded. almost in a breath
40 what prison, Monsieur?"
"Cichy."
"For debit"
For debt
This is an error-this is some mistake
SOD tie y0iture-this is an error, Monsieur"
Probably was the quiet reply, accompa-
med by shrug of the shoulders, from the i'm
oa,sabe flnctionary in cooked hat. But he
made no motion to arrest the carriage, but look
Fl IS calm and Indifferent as if an abominable
error vas not being committed. To Clichy !!
Sas il possible that this celebrated receptacle
tr unhappy debtors was TO be the immediate
a-glam for our gay young friends That re-
irea. for the unfortunate How many had dis
Appeared from the Boulevards, the chief orna-
ments Of that gay promenade, fashionable
youths, with all the pleasant appliances of
wealth about hem-disappeared, suddenly and
mysierously, from the fashionable world, while
It was whispered, by their more immediate GRO
mes that they could be found in Clichy. And
10 this our friends were rapidly approaching.
The voiture was abruptly stopped before
door in high, blank wall. The officer de-
scendr,l, followed by our two friends, and, ap-
plying his hand to a queer-looking knocker,
gave two significant raps. The response was
IN the huge oaken panel swinging back, and
tue party found themselves in a small chamber,
with bare walls and small windows, and fur
uished with an excuse for furniture, in the shape
Of a deal table aud two chairs. The guardian
At the door said nothing. The officers and as
sistants, who had effected the arrest, followed
has example; and for nearly an hour, the little
crowd waited for what, no one could or would
say
At the end of this time, without apparent
motive or notice of any Sort the prisoners were
conducted across 4 narrow court, into barren
anie-rOom, when an elderly gentleman search
ed them carefully. After this process, which
seemed, as the moves before made, to be with
cat motive, for nothing was taken from them,
they we're conducted into an Office, full of desks
aud clerks, neither of which, desks or clerks.
seemed TO be aware of their presence. Total
indifference, with talent at silence, was evi.
IDENTIFY the pervading spirit of the establish
ment. Drayton sat wondering whether luci-
fer match. snapped off under the nose of one of
these stoEd, human machines, would be follow
eddy any visible excitement, and rather thought
not His active mind next suggested pins, and
IRON thls his Imagination summoned up heas
lie called for million to be sprinkled over the
one nearest him. But he felt satisfied that the
process would be followed by immediate emigra-
ton, as that little yankee of an insect would have
found itself intensely Disguised with such dry,
gutta percha specimen. For three weary hours,
m sill for fur4 b.r 1,zv
OF themselves
They were conducted from this to a room,
mat seemed a reception room, and was as full
oi noise and confusion as the others had been
given 10 meditation and silence. The scene
was striking. On every side, occupying every
available chair and bench, were groups of
frenchmen and women engaged in leave-ta
klng, apparently; and they prolonged the cere-
Aony tremendously. Soon our two friends be-
gan to distinguish one group from the other !;
oat the great majority were French, and the
murmlr OF voices, conversing, mingled with
laughter, found no echo in the feelings of Dun
'lrson and Drayton, who, Withdrawing to cor
ner looked gloomily on, until the hour for sep
A'ation came, when the women gathered up
ihrr Shawls and bonnets, and slowly withdrew.
fcf supper, the two youths had a taste of
PHSon fare, and found it meager in the ex-
Irene; and, on retiring for the night, were
placed IN separate rooms, rudely furnished, but
comfortable. 1t was an early hour for retiring,
aud the disconsolate friends found it difficult
10 secure the services of the sleepy god. But
me Intense stiffness, so unusual in Paris, to-
fe'ner with the fatigue of the day, after time
i-PPed them into forgetfulness. The break
,''i was as unsatisfactory as the supper had
'eei but, on entering the grounds, the discov-
cry was made that the worse had been expert
ruced. The grounds, laid off in walks, planted
"Hh trees, and adorned with fountains and
Af19rs, presented anything but prison look
', 70 'he eyes of the new corners. 1t was late in
''e season, and the scared leaves rustled be-
hTa'G the tread, as Dungleson and Drayton
paced on IN a very melancholy style. Sudden
ney were arrested by some one e&claiming,
IN excellent English
e'me to these academic shades, oh! young
America!"
-, Inc two friends, turning, saw a young gen.
'eman of decidedly stout proportions. whose
round face was radiant with fun and good hu-
nor A tasselled cap, something the worse
'0r wear, accompanied loose sacque coat of
'onSderabie wear, while from a very nice
gar ior Paris, the white smoke came in
beg your pardon" he continued, holding
Ous hand TO each; "but we are brothers in
-Americans born-and In union we will
II wsve!"
r., lney mvoluntarily returned the pressure.
"eIe was something contagious In the hearty
oOu ieeiing, pleasant at any time, but especial
welcome in this dark hour of adversely.
=, ,II""ing a c'gar-case from his pocket, he help
:. our friends to couple of these soothing
separations, and continued what was evident
= d ceaseless stream of talk
lou don't know me- Well, it is not neces.
90! am No. 62. We are only ciphers in
, peaslng retreat. In the noisy, heartless
;",o''u' have local habitation for many quail
---es. and q name for uices hut here