Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-06-15
EVENING CLOUD
A STORY OF THE FRENCH CONsCRIP.
VTnN

a STORY OF THE FRENCH CONsCR1P-
lion.
Roman Bison was a fisher at Etretat, and
had been accustomed from infancy to range
these shores in search Of shell- fish, and 10
gather the sea-wreck ia order 10 make soda
the latter, in these days, thriving branch Of
industry. His solitary life, the habit Of
constant communion with wild nature, Joined
to the semi barous habits Of his parents,
made him a sombre and moody man while
still very young. He had no friends but his
parents he made no acquaintance, but kept
all his brother fishers at a distance. He had
never rsmbled beyond these cliffs. and knew
nothing of the great world that lay around
him. AT the beginning OF the present centu-
~ came the Imperial CONSUMPTION, and Ro-
main was ordered to leave Etretat and fight
for his country. The other conscripts we're
as gay as larks at the prospect for French
men are soldiers by instinct; but It was far
otherwise with Roman. He was no coward,
but one whose wild daring had on more than
one occasion filed the fishers with wouder /;
yet the thought Of quitting mother and faith
err, and these wild waves that were his only
play mates, was mdfe than be could bear He
would rather leap from the heights and die.
Encouraged by his parents, he took refuge in
hole midway down the cliffs, and SO evaded
those who were searching for him high and
low. His parents, at dead Of night, let down
provisions to him by a cord, and supplied
him, moreover, with wood and firing The
lad tolerated his solitary quarters, and re-
manned in them throughout The course of a
whole year. One night. however, some fish
ers in sailing boat, returning from the open
channel, perceived to their astonishment a
bright light burning in the centre Of the
cliffs. Crossing Themselves and calling on
the Virgin, they spoke Of what they had seen,
and were speedily confirmed by others who
had the same experience. The coast guards
hearing Of the affair, suspected nest OF con-
trabandists, and kept a sharp watch. 1t was
soon discovered whose hands lit the FIRE, an
the news spread that Romsin was living in
the cave. The authorities focked to the foot
of the cliff. They summoned him with
speaking trumpet to come down. al will
never be asolder," be shouted back They
threatened if he did not descend to take him
by force and have him shot. Good" he
returned, " would rather die than be a sol
dierl" They attempted the ascent, but in
vain; and Of what good were ladders to reach
a height oftwo hundred feet. Certain daring
men volunteered TO go down by ropes from
the top of the cliff; but Roman seized and
shook the cords, and they desisted Just in
time to save their neoks. They began cut
ting steps below, but shower Of huge stones
soon made them give up the attempt in de-
spair They rushed to the sous project.
"The example is a dangerous one," cried the
functionary "he must be taken dead or
alive" SO after some more parleying, they
bapan nnnpiuu AT Rppafn sxuifh thai.
but he was safe in bis cave, and retaliated
now and then with stones and boulders. The
siege continued for four days On the fourth
day Roman found all. his provisions gone.
He was fAinting from thirst. He must make
his escape OF die. Now, the cliffs, in whose
midst he lay secure, were at least three hun
dred feet in height, and entirely perpendcu-
lar; but almost under the cave, and leaning
against the cliff, was a rock one hundred feet
high, and projecting about fifteen feet sea-
ward. At high tide the sea dashed right
against the rock, rendering impossible all
passage from side to side, out leaving mar
row space Of dry single to the right and left.
Fortunately for Roman it was fAl moon.
There was full sea by ten at night. In the
rock and in the full tide lay his only hope.
He spent the whole day in collecting huge
stone. As the tide cTept up Roman suffered
none Of the soldiers beneath to remain under
his cave. but compelled them, by fearful
showers Of stonea. TO take on the other side
of the rock. Nor did his yolleys cease till il
was high sea. and the passage beyond the roch
was impossible. In the full moonlight he
emerged from his cave and commenced TO de.
scend, aided only by his feet and hands. The
soldiers on the other side fired at him again
and again, but he continued his way undaunt.
ed, and passed down, uniniured, behind the
rock, leaving the baiiled soldiers wondering
at bis courage and cursing his success. Next
day his blouse and sabots were found on the
shore. but he himself had disappeared, and
they sought him in vain.
He tnrged up. however. year Afterwards,
when the amnesty granted TO deserters made
1t safe 10 appear. But he was changed There
was Wild light in bis eyes the sufferings
he had undergone in the cavern, the strauge
visions OF the long, stormy nights, the dreamy
terror of It all, had made him mad, though
harmless. For ten years he haunted the
cliffs wild, woe-begone man, supported b,
public charity; but finally, in Wild ft. he
leapt from the heights up yonder and wss
dashed to pieces.-Argosy,