The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-08-06


most agonizing despair. After having seen
her husband laid in his grave with all the
impressive ceremonies of military funeral
the unfortunate woman, who had lost in one
hour all that she had loved on earth except
her child, fell into perfect state of apathy
that apathy alike of soul and body which is
not fatigue, which is not terror. which is not
madness, but the utter apathy Of despair.
Not even the tears or caresses oil her son, the
idol Of her maternal heart, could rouse her
Il she did not hear his voice, she did not feel
his kisses upon her lips, she was uncon-
scious that his loving arms were clasped
about her neck she breathed, but that was
all her inner life was extinct
So long as she had a husband to ayenge, a
child to defend, she had retained strength
and courage to speak and to act but now
that the assassin Of her husband had under
gone the disgrace of public degradation,
while the prompt and fearful retribution Of
military tribunal threatened his life, she
remembered only the immensely of her loss,
the depth of her bereavement; and she was
consequently more astonished than alarmed
when, early on the following morning, a
French aide camp came to apprlse her
that the General-in-Chief desired an inter-
view with her at the Town Hall, in which
he had established his head quarters.
Without the hesitation Of moment the
lnewly-made widow took her child by the
hand, who was pale and feeble from terror
and want Of rest; and then, lifting him in
her arms, she followed the messenger with
firm step, but without having uttered syl-
liable.
Introduced at once into the council-cham-
Der, she found herself in the midst Of all The
ost celebrated generals Of the French army
those men who were subsequently to fal-
fill such different destinies-whn were TO
gain or 10 lose thrones; and to leave upon
the field of battle, or in the intrigues Of
courts, or amid political cnnspiracies, some
their honor, and others their heads. There
were assembled Murat, Duroc, Lannes,
DesaIx, Dumas. Mathieu. Massenu, lloGhe,
were subsequently 10 become famous; while
in their midst stood the General.ln- -Chlei,
his arms folded tightly across his breast ana
his eyes bent upon the ground.
As the lady entered he looked towards hef'
advanced in sileace, and led her to seat
passed his hand with a melancholy smile
over the fair curls Of her boy, and then com,
menced a slow aud measured walk from end
to end Of the apartment.
This sudden summons, this strange feeep,
tion, and the deep silence which reigned
around her, at first astonished, and hnaliy
alarmed the unhappy woman. vague teel.
ING Of terror stole upon her but she could
not articulate one sentence TO inquire OF
those with whom she had been 50 strangely
brought into contact, what she had 10 lear Or
what to hope. 80,
Suddenly the roll of mufled drum fell
upon her cara discharge Of musketry lol.
lowed it-and the report had no sooner died
away than the 6eneral-in-C stood mo-
lionless for All instant I; and then approach.
ing her. took her hand, and led her to a WIN
dow from which she looked down upon the
melancholy close Of a military execution.
nShrink not, Madame" he said, as win
natural horror she ayerted her head from the
painful spectacle; !" the dead man lying yon-
der was French officer whom his country
men and comrades have just shot, iar nav
ing, 10 a town taken by assault, murdered an
Austrian"
i He paused, cast lightning glance over
the group around him, aud then added;
"Yoa are at perfect liberty to quit lsree
whenever sou may wish 10 do SO. 10 you
the town must be full Of bitter and cruel
memories: nor is il at this moment a hitting
place Of residence for one 50 young, and
pardon me--so handsome as yourself. !
shall place YOU under tie escort aud protee-
lion Of General nesaix. who will answer l9f
your safety 10 the Republic. Farewell,
Madame; all ask Of you is to tell me
Archduke Charles, on your arrival 10 MS
camp, what Justice you have seen aud expe'
ricnced in the French army"
"And the name Of my preseryer--oi my
ayengcr-thal and ny child may remember
him ID our prayersf"
The stern soldier turned aside tor mo.
mcnt; and then, with studied and gracious
courtesy, lie said ii voice which was soIne'
what less steady than its wont: !,
Il thank you, Madame; ! may not ask .s
those prayers from you for France but sun
gratefully accept them for Napoleon DO.
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