The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-05-20
THE WIFE OF LAFAYETzE.

Wa Oh EA.A a u ~
In the bloody days of the French Rsvolu
ton, MsTechale de Noailles, the Duchess
d'Ayen and the Vicomtesse de Noaille,
were executed op the same day. priest
OF the Oratory, the Ab6e Carrichon, wai
the confessor of the Duchesse d'Ayen and
her daughter. One day when he was ex
horting his penitents to prepare for death
he said to them elf you go to the guillo
tine, and if God gives me strength, | viii
accompany you there" They took him al
bis word and cried out with vivacity. swil
you promise US 2" YES" he answered
''and in order that you may recognize me, ]
shall have on blue coat and red vest. u
The day when the three victims mounted
the fatal cart, the Able Carrichon, disguis
ed as he bad promised, threatened with
death II he was discovered, mingled in the
crowd and followed them on foot up to the
scaffold. He had trouble at first to make
himself recognized, in spite of all his Efforts
to put himself in view but. a storm hav-
ing broken out, the people dispersed. and
the priest remained. alone. Nine de
Noallles perceived me, and, smiling, seemed
to say to me: 'Ah there you are at last
All! how sad we are. We looked for you
a long time. Mamma, there he is Nine,
d'Ayen revived. All my irresolution ceased.
l felt in myself an extraordinary courage.
BAthed in sweat and rain, l continued to
walk near them.
The storm was at its highest point, the
wind more inpetuous. The ladies in the
hrst cart were very much troubled by it,
particularly the Marechale de Noailles her
large cap was thrown back. letting her gray
hair be seen she tOttered on her misera BILE
seat, which had no support, her hands tied
Dehind her back. We arrived at the open
place where the Faubourg Saint Antoine
peglns. L went before, | examined it and |
SAID to myself, "This is the best place to give
what they wish SO much to receive. The
cart was going slower, turned toward
them made a sign to Nine de Nuailles.
which Ahe understood perfectly. Mamma,
M. Corrlchon is going to give us the absolu-
non.' Immediately they bowed their heads
Win an air Of repentance, of coutritiou. of
emotion, OF hope, and piety. raised my
hand' and with my head covered pronounc-
ed the formula of absclulon and the words
winch follow 1t very distinctly, and with
Pfeternaeural attention. They Joined it
netter than ever. l shall never forget the
charming picture. Prom that moment the
storm went down, the rain diminished, and
seemed to have existed only for the success
oi that which was so much desired on both
sides: l blessed God they did also"
W hat picture! in fact, tie good priest
calls IL Charming, and such a word in such
moment Is sublime. The details of the exc
cuuon are related with the same eloquent
simplicity. The Marechale de Noai'les as,
cended on the alter Of sacrifice. The top of
her dress had to be folded in. that her neck
might be uncovered. | was impatient to 90
away. and yet wished to drink the cup to
the dregs and to keep my word. since God
gave me the strength to contain mvself in
the midst of so many emotions. Six ladies
next passed. Nine. d'Ayen was the tenth.
how pleased she seemed to be to die before
her daughter. When she ascended the scaf-
1oio, the chief execu;ioner took off her cap.
AS IL was fastened by pin which he had
not taken out, the hair was pulled violently.
wnlch caused her some pain, which showed
ltseiI IN her features. The mother disap-
peared-her worthy and tender daughter
TOOK her place. What emotion l felt on
seeing this young lady all in white, seeming
inucn younger than she was, like a gentle
httle lamb going 10 be slaughtered. | felt
As IL was present at the martyrdom of one
of those young virgins or holy women, such
as they are represented to us. What hap
pened to the mother happened also to her :;
the same forgetfulness Of the pin, the same
sign Of the pain, and at once the same calm.
the same death. What an abundance of
veImillion blood flowed from the head and
the neck HOW happy she is l cried to
myself. when her body was thrown into
that frightful coffin"
The daughter. grand daughter aud sister
Of these three innocent victims. Adrienne de
Noallles. Madame Lafayette, was born in
1909. Her daughter tells us that she was
in her childhood very much troubled by'
doubts on religion. The agitation com
meneed at the age Of twelve and lasted sew
sral years. Although she experienced great
trouble from her uncertainties, she voluuta-
Tily deferred her first communion until
the moment they had ceased. which was al
ready an astonishing trait of character in a
child of this age. She married when four
teen and half ; NJ. de lafayette was him
self only sixteen. She was almost in her
eighteenth year when her husband left for
America. She endured with courage this
unexpected separation her ardent love for
her husband was exactly what made her
strength. The resolution of M. de Lafay-
cite, which some very mueh applauded
was blamed exceedingly by Others the Due
d'Ayen in particular did not dissemble his
anger The young wife did without hesitat-
ing what she was to do all her lfe-she took
the part of her husband against her own
family, and swallowed her tears. Lafayette
returned with gratitude this passionate de-
votion ; what might have divided them,
united more closely.
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