St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-07-26

Ct uays must nave beeu perfectly bewitch
ing. The Prince soon showed his admi
ration by the most devoted attention #
the young widow, who still wore mourn
ing Tor her first husband, and dislike,
the idea OF any other filling the place il
her heart. She studiously repelled Mu
rats advances, upheld by her mother VIII,
needed tine assistance and loved the com
panlonshlp of her eldest daughter, ant
besides, he was an exile and foreigner
Her father, on the contrary, charmed
with the keen perceptions, versatile mind
and thirst for knowledge evinced by Mu
rat, courted his society, while Kate re-
fused to listed to his professions. and
finally, Murat left the house in despair
much TO the vcxation Of ner father. who
strenuously en,leavorcd to overcome hi.
daughters objections, and succeeded SC
we'll that Kate promised TO allow the
Prince TO renew his visits. Nothing
however, WAS sail to Murat on the sub
Ject, but, several days atterward, riding
through the plantation, Murat found
across his path dead rattlesnake. a
good oYen,' he exclaimed "still beau
titui, but deprived of venom"
He turned and rode TO the house OF
his lady love. She met him as he enter.
ed, with 4 smiling face and extended
hand, and ere long the compact was
sealed. Three months atlerward. the
young widow, ''thc American beauty =
was married by Il justice of the peace. to
the Prince AchIle Murat, son of tho late
King Of Naples, but not before he had
written 10 his cxiicd t!milv, obtaining 4
full consent to his marriage. which was
recorded in the Tuileries thus. on 4
change OF dynasty, Obtaining. hi~ wifc's
recognition among the crowned heads of
Europe.
After her marriage, Madam Murat
removed to her husbands plantation, and
gradually took charge Of hi, affairs He
wa, of most generous disposition, and,
having never i'll youth known the value
of money, he lavi-hly expended what Vet
remained OF his former wealth. Finally
Madame Murat took the management Of
the plantation in her own hands. selling
the crops or not according 10 her own
judgment.
The Indian, or Florida war broke out
and the white population generally moved
away from lis environs The Murats
had for years lived in kindly friendship
with an lmdian chict who was in the
habit Of visiting them continually. He
would arrive at their house at night. and
if the Murats had already retired. would
en>conc himself comfortably III their din
ng room, after kinllin@ Il lar@e wood
fire. never III any way disturbing or an
moving hi, white friends, WHO highly ap-
prcciairI the honesty of the Indian chief
tain, though Madame Nurat often c1-
pressed her fears that he would st fire to
the house. Murat now thought it nee
essay TO inquire of the Indian if the
friendship and good will OF former peace
ful days was TO he continued through the
dark and bloody times then threatening
"Ic-.' SAID the Indian, ''you and YOUR
>quaw are safe.
They remained on the plantation;
deeds of horror were committed daily bv
the Indians; and one day the luril elare
OF a burning homestead. seen through the
wood. attracted Madame Murat'~ atten-
ton. Hastily calling her husband, he
sounded hi, hunting horn. which quickly
collected some nei@hborS. and they hur-
riel to the fire, only TO find the Indians
gone, leaving a murdered mother. liter
ally torn in pieces. with her infant by
her side, lying close to the Burning build
in@,
A. ills act had not been done by the
Indians friendly TO the Murat~, Madame
Murat now consented to leave Florida
until peace was restored, but unable to
endure the anxiety consequent on the
separation from her husband, again she
returned to her home. and few davs at
ter, being alone, she perceived an Indian
chief with five companions, dressed in
war costume. with paint and feathers,
approaching the house She Instantly
stepped out to meet them. "Whi>kev."
said the chief. 81 have none to give
YOU" she replied you know that in
these times we have none. The chiet
paused, then put out his hand she
grasped it within her own. ',Friend,"
he SAID "Squaw safe
From that time the Murat- remained
unnolested on their estates during the
six years war, though often afraid of
making use of lights in their houses at
night, dreading that they might attract
to the house bands of marauding Indians,
who frequently prowled around their
homes Madame Murat mentioned that
during severe lines. of her husband she
sat by his bed i'll darkness. often putting
her hand on him and bending over him
TO know if he still brcathed. not daring
to kindle fire, watching thus in cruel
anxiety through the long hours Of night.
After twenty five years of married life
Murat died, his last words being blessings
on the good wife who watched so cease
lcssly beside him.
For many succeeding years Madame
Murat continued to live quietly on her
Florida property, surrounded by a band
of faithful servants-her negroes. But
the southern war ragged through the land,
and her days were spent in caring for the
sick and comforting the dying, and the
hospitals tell of her noble muniticence.
She sold her jewels to feed the starving,
and atterward one of her plantations, and
divided the proceeds among the homeless
and naked OF her unhappy state,
At the close Of the war she visited
France and England in search of health
was received as a royal guest by the en-
peror, and with kindly interest by the
beautiful Eugene; but unallured by the
glittering court or the gorgeous offers of
l. Al 4