Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-04-03

d OF our guests OF to-day will not exist, Pc
: haps tomorrow" r--r
t 81 am ready to follow you, Monsie1
1 Desbourval, said Rene "Mademoiselle
he added, turning to Louise, permit us
E accompany you to the chateau
, "Alasl' replied the young girl, ''gardel
: park, chateau are alike indifferent to u
when you are no longer at my side. Blu
} nevertheless, 1 will follow you; and if
, cannot see the heroes who tomorrow al
to shed their blood for the glory of Franc
at least l will endeavor to hear them
. All there is poetry in the conversation {
warriors on the eve of a battle"
4 oooooooooo -..r
After the council of war which had bee
held in the chateau of Ramures to organ
ize the attack of the following day, AM
determine the position of the troops, tn
Marshal de Luxembourg had retained a
dinner the lieuteRant-eenerals and the col
onels Of the four Oldest regiments in tn,
army-Picardy, Navarro, Champagne and
Normandy. A sumptuous table was spread
in the great hall of the chateau, and eact
seated himsels according to his rank. The
general-in-ehif had on his right Francois
Louis de Bourbon, Prince de Cont, who
distinguished himself SO greatly at the seige
of Luxembourg in 1854, in the campaign
of Hungary in 1855. at Fleurus in 1900.
at Steinkirk in 1892, and at Neerwinden
In 1893. The venerable Marquis de
Champillac, seventy-six years of age and
colonel of the regiment of Navarro, sat on
the left of the general-in-chief These
noble wolriors occupied the center of this
martial table, at which were assembled
the elite of the soldiers of France. The
Marshal de Luxembourg had determined
that this banquet should be worthy of the
occasion. Behind his chair stood, decked
each in his official costume, his captain of
the guards, his chief maitre Ghotel, Guy
mond Desbourval, and his chief page, Rene
de Mowbray.
, "Well, my lord" said the marshal to
the Prince de Cont, s'the day you SO much
wished is at length about to arise. The
Prince of Orange resolves to receive battle.
The information of this morning does not
leave me in the slightest doubt as to the
intentions of the enemy My lord; let me
entreat you to be prudent Do not jeopar-
die your life. as at Steinkirk. Remem-
bered that l am responsible for your per-
son to the king and France
my dear marshal" (" replied the prince,
laughing, 'do you and these gentlemen
give me the example of circumspection in
front of the enemy? A prince of the
blood royal of France. my lord, is too hap
py to brave the same perils as you. 1t
would be sorry privilege of birth not to
mingle ones blood, when the occasion |
pliers, with that of so many brave soldiers
who combat for the glory of the king and
France" r -7 l.f.r ---.-
A murmur of appreciation ran through
he assembly, the Prince of Cont had
,aused to vibrate in these lion hearts the
sublime chord of the love of country.
my lord" said the aged marquis.
if it was permitted me to add a word to
What the commander-in-chief had Just rec
you, / would say with all the
espect which 1 owe you, that great
,rince like you, whose existance is useful
nd necessary to the state, ought not to
hrow himself into the melee pistol in hand,
Ike musketeer, as yOn did at Dunkirk
am old enough to be your grandfather,
ny prince; and my white hairs authorize
ne to hold this language to you, which is
ot that of . courtier but of soldier
L victory. which would cost us your life,
7ould no longer be one, neither for France
or the army
"My dear colonel, " replied the prince, !
"when shall have received, !
Ike you, eighteen wounds upon the field
battle; when my hair is blanched like
ours, not by the weight of years, but the
ltigues and vicissitudes of war; shall, !
hen, perhaps be more careful of my days. !,
q that case, shall not take you for : !
lOdel, my brave colonel; since, notwith-
'anding your age and wounds, one always !,
,es you the first upon the breach, the
rst in attack, and the last in the re-
eat. - ' '' -aI q
'tAt seyenty-six years of age, my lord, :
lie best an old soldier can do, is to await 2
eath by the side of his colors," replied q
le marquis.
"Gentlemen," !" said the marshal, has any :
le amongst you approached the lines of the :
rince of 0range?" '7.-t .Tre. .l.y y
81 have surveyed them within musket- '
lot, my lore" replied the Count d Har- .
urt ll' o.- TI-rr
"Well?'' said Luxembourg u
''They are formidable" I" said d Harcourt, a
md the Prince of Orange is constantly U
ising new intrenehments which will be =,
lpregnable." sii ls q .rli- =
"Sir," interrupted Luxembourg, coldly, 9
hat word is not French The Prince of =
-ange raises intrenchments; we'll we will y
ke them-it is who tell you so.'' ~
At this moment an aid-de-camp hastily 7
tered the hall IL
"My lord" said be, ga man has caused
mself to be arrested by our ridettes, and Z,
etends that he has matters of Importance =
communicate ar .... lc y
"What description of person is hep de- d
anded Luxembourg. t f-. .s-.. .-
"He appears to be arustie, my lord, and u
t very bright one. He charged me to =
liver this walnut into your lerdship's II ~
nds." u
The marshal opened the nut with his IL
ife. took thereout small piece of paper,
d after attentively perusing it, ordered =.
E man to be brought in. - -
my lord" said the marshall, turning N n
the Prince de Cont. "you are about to u u
, one of those creatures who incur the y, "
zard of an ignominious death for the - -
ke of gain. Myspy (fOr such in fact II II
is) is an intrepid knaYe. who assumes all y. -
'tumes, speaks all idioms, and counter =
Is every tone Of voice. To day he will T. T.
pear befsre you as woodman; another y !,
ne. should the war continue, you may :. y
obably recognise him under the garb of E
olae.so -.