Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1866-09-06

courage to speak and to act but now that the as
sassin of her husband had undergone the disgrace
of public desradation, while the prompt and
fearful retrbution Of a military tribunal threat
ened his life, she remembered only the immensi'
ty of her loss, the depth of her bereavement and
she was consequently more astonished than a.
harmed when, early on the following morning, q
French aide-de-camp came to apprise her that the
General-in Chief desired an interview with her al
the Town Hall, in which he had established his
headquarters.
Without the hesitation Of mono At the newly
made widow took her child ty the hand, whl
was pale and feeble from terror and want of rest;
and then lifting him in her. arms, she followed
tho messenger with firm step, but without hav-
| ing uttered syllable.
she found herself in the midst of all the most eel
ebrated generals of the French army--those men
who were subsequently to fulfill such different
destnies-who were to gain or to lose thrones;
and to leave upon the field Of battle, or in the in
trigues of courts or amid political conspiracies
some their honor, and others their heads.
There were assembled Murat Duroc Lannes De-
Bernadotte, and many others who were subse-
| quently to become famous; while in their midst
stood the General-in Chief his arms folded acros,
his breast and his eyes bent upon the ground. :,
| As the lady entered he looked towards her,
advanced in silence, and led her to scat; passed
his hand with melancholy smile over the fair
curls of hor boy, and then commenced a slow
| md al ~
apartment ...s
This sudden SIMMONS, this strange reception,
and the deep silence which reigned around her,
at first astvnisbed, and finally alarmed the un-
happy woman. A vague feeling of terror stole
upon her; but she could not articulstc one sen.
| tence to inquire oflhose with whom she had been
so strangely brought into contact, what she had
to fear, or what to hope.
Suddenly the roll of muflcd drum fell upon
her cara discharge of musketry followed it
and the report had no sooner died away than the
General-in-Chief stood motionlees for an instant;
and then approaching her, took her hand, and
| led her to n window from which she looked upor
the melancholy close ofa military execution.
''Shrink not, Madame" he said, as with nat
ural norror Snc aFerteu her neaQ from the painful
spectacle; ''the dead man lying youder WAS a
French officer whom his countrymen and com.
rades have just shot, for having, in town taker
by assault, murdered and Austrian ......
lie paused, cast 9. a.lightening glance over the
group around him, and then added:
''You are mt perfect liberty to quit Ivree when
evor you may wish TO do SO. To you the towr
must be full of bitter and cruel memories; nor il
it at this moment fitting place of residence for
one so young and-pard0n me--so handsome a
YOURSELF shall place you under the escor
and protection Of General Dcsaix, who will an
swcr for your safety to the Republic. Farewell
Madame; all ask of you is to tell the Archduk
Charles on your arrival in his camp, what jus
tics you have seen and experienced in the Frcncl
army
"And the name of my preserver-of my aveng
er--;liat and my child may remember him i.
our prsycrs?' ...
The stern soldier turned aside for moment
and then. With studied and gracious courtesy, b
said in voice which was somewhat less stead
than its want: .....
~ thank you Madame; may not ask thos
prayers from you for France but still grateful
accept them for Napoleon Bonapartc. ."-Episod.
ofhe krcm,h Reroiafioa, Hiss Pardoe. -a