The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-02-11

| L felt myself endowed with new strength
and carried her in my arms without per
ceiving the weight of my precious burden.
+ dashed down the mountain with the
ability of cllamois, never stopped to
breathe until l reached the dwelling oi
Marie.
Laura tempted by the serenity of the
atmosphere, had ventured upon the noun
tain to collect some plants, and was sur
prised by the avalanche in the midst Of
her occupation. After this day 1 assum-
ed the entire charge of Marie and Laura.
On sunday and fete days, l escorted them
to the village, aud Joined in the dance with
the young people upon the green These
were the happiest moments of my life, for
asked of heaven no greater felicity, than
that of seeing Laura every day. Il
In the meantime my year of exile had
nearly expired. My health was entirely
re-established, and to my expectation OF
death had succeeded all the hope offriend-
ship and love. thought of my friends
at home, but could not decide to leave a
country..to which / was indebted for the
greatest of all benefits, health; and besides,
how could abandon Laura; | could more
easily have renounced life. .f.t f.
| The principal events of our existence
are independent of our will. Our designs
are at the mercy Of circumstances, like the
leaf at the sport of the wind. l entered
one evening the cottage of my neighbors,
and found them both it tears, Marie weep
| ing in the arms of Laura, and saying.
oh! my daughter what will become of
us? Where shall we take refuge? If |
were alone, l could drag through the few
days remaining to me, but cannot see you
suffer-
DO not despair, my dear mother said
Laura; i am well, and can work and sup
port us both till that happy day shall come,
which will restore us to our country and
rights. Be consoled then, and do not be
unhappy about my welfare
This scene made SO deep an impression
upon me, that 1 was no longer master of
myself, and entreated them to acquaint
me with their misfortunes, and | would
shed my last drop of blood in their cause.
Laura burst into tears and exclaimed,
soon we must part forever
Forever, Laura? ah! I would rather
die a hundred times. No, will only a
bandon you with life.'
1T is necessary she continued: 'Heav-
en- and man have decided, and we must
separate. We are compelled to fly from
the peaceful country where / had just be-
gan to know happiness. Iconfess it be-
fore G d, you are the only person here l
regret leaving a9 lsi-i 'f
At these words fell upon nay knees
before her, and pressing her hand to my
lips, exclaimed, not knowing what said:
Laura, will follow you everywhere -
your destiny shall be mine. l here swear
to love you eternally.' #4I .JaAs'i "
STOP said Marie, stepping. between
us, Tom, my daughter never can be yours
The rank our families occupied in France
forbids it. Would to heaven we had been
born in this smiling valley, where the
same fortune, the same education, would
have made US equal. But it is not so.
Laura is the daughter of the Count de
Blanvillc. The blood which flows in; her
veins is iIlustrious. She cannot dishonor
it by alIying herself with a poor shepherd.
Misfortunes attendant upon q terrible rev
olution have expatriated us, and deprived
us of our estate NJ. de Blanville. was
massacred before my eyes, and I escaped
| from France-not that cared for my own
life, butto save my daughter from the axe of
the executioner. / believed that in this
retired part of Switzerland had secured
peaceful retreat, where the storm could
no longer break upon US, but l was de-
ceived. A decree from the Republic of
Berne, commands all French emigrants to
quit Switzerland, and allows them but
three days to seek another asylum. Alas.
in what part of the world can we lind a
shelter from our prosecutors"
= At these words she. burst into a torrent
of tears I approached her respectfully,
and said: OF ...e.g'fe 45s.s ts
The poor Tom is not worthy of being
the husband of Laura, but whatever may
be the place of your next exile, do not
forget one who will never forget YOU,
l left the cottage, not trusting myself
to look again at Laura. The next morn
ing as sunrise, I started for Berne, where
business detained me for two days. I'M
(mediately upon my return, 1 called at the
cottage of Madame de Blanville, to re-
new my offers of assistance and to say
farewell a.aasQF 2Ta oa& -,lf ,hs'1a
Laura looked pale and sad, but hel
mother greeted me with face radiant
with joy, and showed the letter just re,
.eeived from Berne 1t was as follows: i
4 MADAME A man to whom you have
unconsciously rendered most important
lservice, has justvbecome apprised of you
cruel situation. Permit )him to offer you
an asylum in Ibis country. Depart Al
once to London: :Ainquire there forthe res,
i idence of Sir Thomas Wentworth :: his
house is at your service, and You will there
receive every attention and respect that 6
J, son can offer the dearestoparents.ef s4oa
i am, madame, very respectfully, i2s.