The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-04-07
Tie Powder Plot Of Dublin.

Tie Powder Plot Of Dublin.
At the treaty of peace in 1914, all
the French prisoners who were found
on board the prison ship, at Kingston,
in ireland. were restored TO liberty.
Almost all crossed. on the morning
of their deliverance, st. Georges $
Channel to return to France. In the
small number of those who did not
manifest the same eagerness to re
gam their native country, Dublin has
preserved the names of Ensigns Ce-
lestin and Xavier; these were two or
phans, who by birth belonged rather
to the sea than to the land, and who,
having no memories Of maternal ca
resses, village bellies, or betrothals,
suspended by the couscription, tho
Dublin was rs good a place of resi-
dence rs any other, and resolved to
remain at least temporarily, in that
magnificent and hospitable city.
They had besides, n more impor-
tant reason which led them to take
humble lodgings in Dublin. During
their long captivity they had profited
by remarkable talent at carving of
wood; they had made an entire mu-
scum, consisting of detached pieces,
representing each some scene visible
from their floating prison; and GER
tainly the accident Of thar position
had been very favorable, for natnre
and art have lavished superb land
scapes between Kingston and Dublin
to the promontory Of Howth Hill.
Our two sailors hoped to make n
fortune by exhibiting this museum in
the capital of ireland, and especially
TO promote the polite muniiicence of
some rich gentleman who should buy
this fine piece Of art at an enormous
price. Celcstin and Xavier had not
a shilling in their pockets; but they
would not have sold their museum
for twenty thousand pounds sterling;
in their self-love rs authors, they es-
innate their capital at four times its
value at least They hired room
on the ground floor of Christ's Church
square, and placardod this sign:
GREAT ATTRACTION.
Come and see all the wonders of the
bay and city of Dublin!
This FloUer Of tie Land, this Pearl Of
The Sea!
A SHILLING A TICKET.
In Ireland crowds are never want
ing at exhibitions. Their receipts
were superb. Celestin and Xavier
dreamed golden dreams; in a week
they already had i'll their Golfers
a hundred pounds sterling in five
pound bills. They saw themselves
with u million at the end of the year,
for their plan was to visit all the
great cities of England, and return
to France in post-chaise and with
two lacqueys.
Chance or malice destroyed these
fine projects in twinkling. The
museum of Celestin AMI Xavier was
burned; they themselves almost lost
their lives in attempting to save it
The present mode Of insurance was
then very little known in Dublin
Besides, our two sailors would not
have thought Of taking this precau-
ton.
They lost all, even their hundred
pounds in bank bills; they had only
two or three sovereigns left; enough
to last them in bread a fortnight
While desperate with their recent
loss, they Glanced to be crossing the
bridge of st. Stephen; under their leet
rolled the river Lifey, now swol
len with frcshet. Tue sailors
cast their eyes upon the yellow and
turbid waters and then eyed each
other.
Il understand YOU" sad Xavier
"we are destined TO perish in fresl
water"
They sprang upon the parapet OF
the bridge. Closely folding theil
arms over their breasts, as if to cX-
press an energetic resolution not to
swim, like sea- wolves as they were,
they threw themselves head first into
the Liffey. The noise made by the
double fall aroused . pack OF New
Foundland dogs who hal recently
been stationed at the end of the bridge
by an Irish philanthroplst, for the
purpose of saving lives. The active
animals reached the water almost al
the same time with Celestin and
Xavier. The two sailors were sclzed
by vigorous mouths; but as theil
project OF suicide was irrevocable
they struggled energetically against
their deliverers. Men and dogs rose
to the surface, and in the contest
which followed the dogs had become
nearly exhausted, and would have
lost their lives, had not Celestin ant
Xavier, suddenly touched with com
passion for these noble beasts, swan
with them to the bank and saved then
from death.
Unintentionally and by mistake
they had also saved themselves. Th,
gathering crowd Of witnesses to tht
scene gave its admiration to tho dogs
and its pity to the sailors. But th'
latter whose long Imprisonment ha(
incapacitated them for labor, and who
had persuaded themselves that the
destruction of their museum was no.
the result of accident and therefore
saw an enemy in every one around