The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-07-12

the month; and would present me at Yer
sailles, and obtain company of Dragon,
for me, through the interest ofa sister of his
the Marqui3e de F, : charming young
woman, in great favor at court. arrived
at Sedan in the evening, and being too late
to present myself at the chateau Of my pro
tector, I put off my visit until the following
day, and went to the hotel of the sign o.
"The Arms of France the RENDEZVOUS of all
the officers quartered in Sedan, which is O
large garrison town.
| surped at the public table, and asked
what road | should take on the morrow tc
go to the Due de C------'s chateau about
three leagues off ..-... ..........
ANY one will show you," they said; 'it
is well enough known. in the country. 1t
was there that the greatest warrior Of his day
died, Marshal Fabert." .....
| And the conversation naturally turned,
among military men, on the battles he had
gained, his great exploits, and the extraor-
dinary humility which made him refuse the
titles Of nobility and the ribbon Of his order
from Louis XIV. Above all, they spoke of
/ his inconceivable luck to have risen so high
from having been simple soldier to be-
come Marshal Of Francc-he who was the
son of poor printer; it was the only exam
/ pie on record at that time, and even during
the life of Fabert, that had given rise among
the vulgar to hints of sorcery. They said
that from his childhood he had been engaged
in magic arts, and had made pact with the
Evil one.
And the master of the hostelry, who pos
sessed all the credulty and superstition of a
Breton, assured us most seriously that in
the Due de C-----'s chateau, where Fabert
died, a black man had been seen to enter the
room when the marshal lay dying. and then
suddenly disappeared, carrying away the
others soul, and that even yet, in the month
of May, the period when Marshal Fabert
died, this black man appeared in his room
with smal taperin his hand.
This history amused us over our wine at
dessert, and we drank bottle of champagne
to the memory Of the marshals black friend,
begging him, at the same time, to take Us
under lis protection, and make US gain bat.
ties like those of Collioure and Marfee.
Next morning rose early and started for
the ctateau, which was an immense Gothic
edifice. .
At another time should not have remark.
ed it as then did confess it with sort
of emotion mingled with fear, as recalled
the inn keepers recital of the previous even,
ing.
The servant who answered my summons
replied that he did not know whether his
master was at liberty or could receive me-
gave i'm my name, and he went out, leav.
ing me in sort of armory, decorated with
trophies of the chase and family portraits
| waited some time, and nobody came
This career Of honor and glory which had
traced out for myself had commenced in an
antechamber and impatient at the part
was then playing Of suitor to great man,
began to think of giving up all chance. Twice
or thrice had counted all the family por
traits, all the arms and trophies, when sud
denly heard a noise, which made me looL
around. 1t was a door badly closed, which
the wind had blown partly open. looked
and beheld handsome apartment, with TIVE
large windows, and a glass door opening OF
to magnificent park. made a step to
wards entering the room, when spectacle
met my sight which | had not at first no
ticed.
A man, with his back turned to the doc
by which entered, was lying on couch.--
He rose without perceiving me, and hurried
to the window His cheeks were hathed il
tears, and deep despair was imprinted OF
his features For some moments he stoo,
perfectly still, his face hidden in his hands
then he began walking with harty stride
about the room.
was thus brought close to him. He per
ceiyed me and gave a shuddering start
Grieved and annoyed at my own thought
lessness and indiscretion, tried to withdraw
uttering some words of excuse
"Who are you? What do you want p
he asked in loud voice, seizing me by tn
: arm
81 am the Chcvalier Bernard dc Ia Roch
Bernard" replied ''and come from Brit
tany -" a.
'Ikrow, | know" he interrupted me with
at the same time warmly shaking both IN,
hands,
. He then made me sit beside him, am
! questioned me about my father and al! m
family, in tone that convinced me that
was speaking to the proprietor of the che
feau
"You are Monsieur C-?n | asked.
He rose and looked at me in wild mar
r ner.
!, 81 was" he answered, "but am so no lor
: ger. l am nobody" !"
I Then, seeing my astonishment, he cried
l "Not another word, young man. Do nc
question me-"
t ~ must do so, monsieur" | answered
# "for was witness, most unwilingly, Of you
# trouble, and perhaps my friendship or al
J, may alleviate it, or assist you"
|. "You are right, you are right" he sale
: after moments thought; mot that you ca
y in any way change my fate, but you can n