Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-06-18
THE MURDERS MISTAKE.
POUNDED on AN AaruAL OCCURRENCE

FOUNDED ON AN ACTUAL OCCURRENCE.
During the reign of Napoleon Bona
parte, there dwelt in the city Of Brest an
aged man, named Dubois, and his son
Charles. They occupied a rather dilap-
idated inn on the outskirts of the city, in
to which (public rumor said) many per
sons were seen to enter, who never came
out alive.
The authorities, however, not having
substantial proofs did not trouble them
selves about the matter; and if the inn
keeper and his son were really to be,
their secrets were 70 carefully veiled,
that justice could not penetrate them
So they lived on as usual, seeming not to
notice the aspersions thrown on their good
name; and whatever their private life
might be, in public they were always
friendly to their neighbors nor would
their outward appearance denote the mur-
derer and assassin.
Napoleon's career was now drawn to
a close. From every quarter of Europe,
immense armies were Fastening to over
run the fertile plains OF France, even as
the Goths and Huns, led by Atilla,rush-
ed to the conquest of ancient Gaul.-
Every man in France capable Of bear
ing arms was summoned to the rescue Of
his country, and from the most distant
provinces in the empire, bands of deter
mined recruits hastend to join the grand
army, anxious for the success and glory
of the . Little Corporal" Among those
who started from Brest was Charles Du-
bois. Perhaps it would have been more
consonanI with him to have remained at
home, but his father knew it would look
strange if his son rested in his native city
while his companions hurried TO battle
for their homes and liberties.
Now began Napoleon's last campaign.
Like d torrent he rushed upon the Prus-
SLAMS under Blucher, and in two success
| i've engagements drove them across the
Rhine. But the sun of his glory was
fast sinking and near the little village OF
Waterloo, it disappeared leaving the vic
tor Of AIarengo, Lodi, and Austerlitz, i
fugitive without an army. The allies en-
tered Paris. Louis the eighteenth, was
restored, and the French with their usu-
al fuctuating disposition, were content
under the sway of the Bourbons, whom
a few months previous, they had shed
their blood to overthrow. The scattered
host Of Napolen journeyed showly home
/ pr-3 ,r-bay.n patotiva- Y,srsn5oal OF. 10,
4ISafetv-and welcomed them with omen arms
Many of the youths who had been re-
cruited from Brest, returned, but Charles
Dubois was not among them. The aged
innkeeper questioned every military
straggler, but he could obtain very little
intelligence of his son. On the field OF
Waterloo he was seen fighting heroicly
and had received the medal OF the Lee
gion of Honor" from the had of Napo.
leon himself, during the early portion Of
the day. Further than this, nothing fur
ther could be gathered. With almost 6
broken heart the old man resigned his
son as dead; aud although time softened
the effects Of his loss, yet his form hith,
erto firm and upright, was now bent ~
nearly double, and ten years seemed add
ed to his existence. The ill-repute for
merly attached to Dubhis's hosterly grad
ually wore off, and the business increased
rapidly; but there was a worm gnawing
at the old mans heart-the absence 0
| his son, and the uncertainty Of his fate
Toward the close Of a sunny day il
July, a solitary horseman was leisurell
advancing TO the city of Brest. As h.
rode along, old familiar scenes seemed t.
greet him, for his eye would often glanc
brightly on recognizing some well know
object. A deep scar furrowed his brow
causing his otherwise handsome counten
ance TO look grim and forbidding. Expo
sure tc the wind and sun had brownies
) his cheek, yet had not stolen therefron
the ruddy glow of health. Haven take
i'll the most important features Of tn
scenery he seemed to be revolving som
project in his mind. At length as if de
termined on the manner OF proceeding
he urged the good steed into a quicke
pace.
The traveller drew rein at the door {
Dubois hosiery, and alighted from hi
horse, entered the dwelling Refreshin
: himself with a sparkling mug of Rher
ish, he began a conversation of geners
i topics, with the host, who welcomed hi
: with the usual yolubility Of tavern-keeI
ers. Gradually, the discourse turne
: upon the late war and the return of I'll
, Bourbons. With fearful eyes, Dubo
i related the story of his misfortune in ii
: loss of his son, and the uncertainty
Il which his fate was enyeloped. A smi
u of peculiar meaning rose to the countt
= nance of the listener, but in a moment
{ had disappeared, and, whatever b
) thoughts, lie did not give them utteranc
u Before retiring to repose, the strange
e placed leathern bag in Dubois han
Il requesting him to put 1t by in safety u
's til morning. From the metallic jingIir
!; of its contents, he knew it was gold.
% Tie water clock on the mantle-pier
le sounded twelve, and yet the old man hi
a. not sought his bed; he was reclining
n the arm chair, with the bag lying on d
9r table before him. The huge wood Fl
ss was expiring on the hearth, and ever al
anon the flames played ilfully across /
features. He seemed to be considerii
at some project, and, unknown to himse
H. his thoughts were audibly expressed
y Thus he spoke: