The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1861-03-28
THE DEFEATED PLOT.
A TALE OF NAPOLEoN's TIME.
BY EDWARD HUNNEwELL.

bars OF gold upon the lovely valleys an
vine-clad hills of France. BY the side o
brown and winding road that led from
Lyons to Charloroy, might, at the period 0
the opening Of our story, have been seen I
4 little cottage With tiled roof, and which Dor,
evident marks of antiquity. With the con
sent ofthe reader we will enter that cottag,
and take survey of its peculiarities and it
inmates It was not unlike similar tene
ments at that time to be found scattered
throughout the country, consisting of sin
gle apartment with huge fireplace at one
end, in which, upon this occasion, a cheer
ulwood fire was burning, over which an old
erone was busily employed in stirring with
large ladle the contents of huge cauldron
destined for the evening meal The furni
ture of the apartment was of the plainest
and most common description, but made Of
oak, as il the owners looked more to its
durability than toits beauty In front Of
this fire, and but a little distance removed
from, it, were seated two persons opposite
each other at large table, in the centre of
which was placed small, mahogany box,
strongly strapped with bands of polished
brass, as if the contens it contained were of
the most valuable description, which re-
quired to be guarded with the most jealous
care.
One Of the persons seated at the table was
rough looking customer, dressed in the
habilimerts Of French peasant, and al
though his face was almost hidden beneath
the huge, black whiskers that nearly covered
it, still the most casual observer could not
have failed to have detected ferocious and
sinister expression lurking beneath the af.
fected calmness and gentleness that he as
sumed.
The other was slight, young lad, pale
and delicate, with hands as white and soft as
those of lady, and an eye that fairly gilt
tered so intense was its brightness. He was
NlCooCu III y luuCH suit tUun HIS COM
panion, cut to display his fine figure to the
very best advantage and from beneath his
blue cloth cap, ornamcnted with number
of small, golden buttons, escaped several
glossy curls of raven blackness, and with a
rich gloss which denoted how much care
must have been expended in cultivating their
beauty. Still there was thoughtful express
sion upon his brow, and it was evident that
he was i'll atease.
"Well, Gonsalvo," said the youth, after,
eyeing his companion for some moments in
silence, 1--WE are now near the end Of our
journey When We have partaken of our ev-
ening meal, we will press onward and finish
the business we have in hand. This night
must look upon my vengence Or my DEATH"
Fright, Lorraine, right" replied the other
in coarse, gruff voice, 1--WE must finish the
job tonight, or l shall leave you and hie
away back to the mountains. And when
will you pay me the ten thousand francs you
promised
"When the task is completed"
"Tis we'll. " Then turning to the old crone
before the fire, he call out in guttered tones:
Come, old nymph, sir yourself, and let us
have supper. am tired of waiting here at
your cursed inn. Make haste will you p
The old beldame replied in sharp tone
that supper would soon be ready! and ac- {
cordingly, after few moments delay, the
contents of the caudron were taken out Of
their receptacle and placed smoking upon {
the board The rough looking traveller did
ample justice to the good cheer set before S
him, but his companion ate but sparingly, 9
his thoughts being evidently occupied with c
more weighty matters. !
At length, however the pair having salts. c
he'd their hunger, rose from the table, the t
old crone was rcmuneratcd for her trouble, d
and the youth taking the casket carefully be- t
meath his arm, the two strange travellers de- 6
parted and took their way along the winding "
road towards the village Of Charleroy. 0
On large and wide extended field in the Ii
outskirts of the town of Charleroy was en- G
camped the grand army of La Belle France. a
The young and victorious Napoleon had pro- e
ceedcd from triumph to triumph, until all e.
the earth was filled with the undying echoes ii
of his fame, and now, like the daring and 81
adventurous eagle, the emblem inwrought e,
upon his glorious banners that waved in q
svery breeze, he was about to soar beyond d
The snow-crowned Alps and strike his talons b.
into the very vitalS of his rival Austria. Il
The army had already marched as far as h
Charleroy, where they were halted for the
night, the snow-whitc tents we're pitched in IL
'owsl like the streets of populous town, the g,
'entinelS were posted, the rolls called, and Ii
he retreat sounded from a hundred bugles, al
whose silyery echoes multiplied among the b.
vineclud hills, and silence set
led down upon the wearied soldiers who re- d,
'osed from their fatigues, and in dreams re- dt
'isited the scenes Of their boyhood's home. ne
In the centre Of the encampment might to
ave been seen the marquee of the renowned be
Napoleon, the gorgeous tri color, embellish- n,