Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-08
A French Historical Incident.

ed so hopeless an aspect as that Vi Cnaries
VII. of France, in the year l457, two years
before his deliverance b. Joan OF Arc
Almost all the ports ard fostresses in the
hands OF the English, an army which it was
difficult to maintain, without allies, an
empty treasury, and no prospect of soon
again being able to fill it-these were the
circumstances in which Charles found him.
self when one day, during hls soJourn at
Bourges, he received information that the
last remaips of bis army had, in the pre-
ceding night, set fire to their camp, and
gone over to the enemy. With the defec-
ton of these troops, under the command OF
the Count de Richemont, constable OF
France, the cause of Charles appeared to
be irretrievsbly lost.
Such disaster would have driven any
other monarch to despair;rskat Charles
who received the intslligebsS Of his mis-
fortune lust as he was engaged with his
favorite the Marquis de Giac, in his darling
pasttime of throwing the dice merely look
ed up with slight air of establishment at
the officer who had brought MIN the mes
sage, and asked:
"What are they oil gone!"
"All, sire
"WeH, Giac, that is good joke" said
the king, laughing. and turning to his ia
vorite.
eyes. SIRE" answered Giac; sand the
misfortune could not have betallen your
majesty at a luckier moment"
why sol"
"The men, sire, had arrears of pay owing
to them, and the Treasury is empty" AT
this moment a page announced the Count
de Richemont, constable OF France; arc
the countenance of the marquis, which
had hitherto borne an expression OF care
less gayety, instantly changed to one OF
extreme seriousness, and his lace turned
deadly pale.
"My cousin is welcomed" cried the king,
at the same time looking towards the officer,
who was still waiting, and giving him to
understand, BY a motion of the hand that
he was dismissed.
"Wen, Giac!" said Charles, in tone of
wonderment, as his favorite, whist ex-
pectinq the entrance Of the constable, lett
the uice-box standing untouched before
him; "the throw is with you"
"Sire' Giac, as he arose
in embarrassment from the table.
"What is the matter!"
"Your majesty is aware that the consfa-
Bile is rot friendly towards me. AS your
treasurer, sire, he may think it my fault
that the deserting troops had not received
their arrears of pay, and l tear he may
wish to be revenged."
Nonsense, Giac! Do not give yourself
any concern on that account. |, your king,
will protect you"
"But circumstances might occur, your
m ,jesty''--said, the marquis, trembling.
There IS nothing to fear. You have my
royal word"
Here the conversation wasfS:erruPte5 bJ
the entrance of the constable.
"WelcJIne, good cousin, to Bourges.
cried Charles. 81 have already heard what
has taken place at st. Jacques de BeuvEon.
TIE wicked traitors! But what brings you
to me, worthy cousin!''
81 am come, sire," answered the count,
"to return to you my sword OF ofhce, as II
is no longer able to restore the lost condl-
tion OF France"
"Not so hasty, cousin!" cried Charles,
knitting his brows. at is not my fault
that the cowardly mercenaries have left US. "
1T is not mine, sire," answered the con-
stable, proudly and with emphasis.
81 know, know" $ id the king. "fou
are faithful servant" The count bowed
coldly.
"When received the constable's sword
from your majesty" said he, sand assem-
bled an army 10 protect your throne, l did
so upon one condition: promised to sup
port the troops at my own cost during
period of four weeks, at the end of which
time they were to be paid by your majesty,
and you promised to send me hundred
thousand dollars for that purpose"
s.Very true, cousin"
.Four months have elapsed since then; |
kept nv promise, but the money did not
arrive. The troops refused to serve any
longer without pay. | entreated ard threat
ened, but without avail; the traitors de-
serted secretly. 1t would not have hap
pened, sire, if you had kept your word as
well as kept mine, and had sent the mon
ey as you promised"
"What!" cried Charles, rising from his
seat, and pale with rage; 81 did not send
the moneyE
"No, sire"
"Nol And the money has been collect
ed from the country for the purpose! What
has become of it!''
"Ask the Marquis de Giac, your maJes
ty; perhaps he knows" answered the con.
stable, coldy.
The marquis, who had hitherto listened
to the conversation in state of the greatest
anxiety, replied to the kings qsestion:
"Sire," said he, "oul Of the hudred thous.
and dollars, the Chevaller DANCE was pait
the be, he laid with your majesty; and the
rest took in part payment tor the three
horses had brought from Burgundy.''
$50 the money has gone for bet ant
three horsesr" cried the constable, angrily
turning to the marquis: you are truly an ex
cellent treasurer!'
"Whe'her am 50 g. not" answered the
marquis, scornfully, nit is not your 5usi
ness to de e;ide.'' The constable bit his liz
without making any reply, and then fell OF
one knee before the king, and presented hi
sword.
"Here, sre," said he, ais my sword bacl
again."
mo, my cousin, we will not accept it,
cried Charles; "for we know none NOR,
worthy to whom we can c"nfde it." Th'
constable appeared to consider for min
ute, and then, with a side glance at tn,
marquis:
"Snce you commaud it. SIRE" said h
81 will retain my sword, hoping long L
wear it 10 the honor OF my king and France
but must make one condition, which
hope you will grant me-"
| sMost willinUlv cousiDl"