Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-09-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
Napoleon's Escape from Ham.

A writer in one oil the EnglISh magazines,
who has recently been preparing n series of
articles entitled, The Early Days of Napo-
icon Ill" gives description of the Princes
escape from liam, where he was undergoing
perpetual imprisonment. The account is
absorbing, both from the inherent interest of
the circumstances and the straightforwardncss
with which they are recounted:
On the 23rd of May, 1916. Louis Napo-
leon was visited by some English gentlemen
whom he had known in London. He begged
them to lend him their passports, on the
ground that his valet. who wanted to take
short Journey, would find them useful in pro-
curing post horses. The travellers, whether
suspccting any more or not, were happy to
render the service if tri1ing, still more happy
if important BY this means, on the evening
of the 25th Thclin. Napoleons valet, managed
to engage for the next day a cabriOlet in the
village of Ham.
On the 25th the Prince rose early, cut off
his muStache and imperial, and put on the pre-
pared disguiSe--a complete lubOrer's dress,
consisting of blue linen blouse and trowsers,
a dilapidated cap, rough wooden shoes, and
dirty apron The costume was completed by
LIackened eyebrows, a rough black wig hang
ing about his ears, painted face, and short
clay pine. In spite of the risk of keeping
about him papers which might betray his
identity, he would not part with n couple OF
letters, one from his mother, the other from
the Emperor. He might especially value the
latter from its containing the sentence: 81
hope that Louis Napoleon as he grows UP. will
make himself worthy of the destinies which
await him"
At seven in the morning the mnsons entered
the fortress to resume their work. Thelin
offered them something to drink, and having
got them together round the table in the
vestibuIc, ran TO tell his master that the mo-
mcnt was come. The Prince, shouldering a
plank, procured beforehand. walked down the
stairs, avoiding the vestibule where the men
were drinking. Thelin, dressed as for jour
ney, also stepped into the court yard, leading
his dog by string, aud walking a few PAGES
before the Prince. AS he bad obtained per-
mission the previous evening to 90 to st.
Quentin, the keepers wished him a pleasant
journey, at which he stopped to chat with
them, to divert their attention from the Prince,
who was gravely advancing with the plank on
his shoulder, held in such way TO screen
his face.
So impossible was it to guess who he was
that laborer. taking him for one of his com
rades, went up to him but TheIin, with great
address, directed his attention to something
else. 4 little further on he met an officer,
who. luckily, was busy reading letter. Then
he had to pass through group of thirty SOL
diers assembled in front Of the guard-house.
Finally, after having passed through all the
courts, he came TO the outer lodge. The
porter. fearing a blow from the plank, quickly
drew back his head. few PAGES beyond the
last sentinel. who followed him with his eyes,
the Prince dropped his pipe and picked ituP
again. The movement served to hide his
face. already half concealed by the plank
At last, crossing the two drawbridges, he was
free
TheIin rsn to fetch the cnbriolet he had
hired the day before. During his absence the
fugitive waited with feverish impatience, on
the road to St Quentin. Unconscious Of the
weight of his wooden shoes he soon reached
the cemetery OF St. SuIpice, nearly mile
outside of the village. He threw himself at
the foot of the cruciix, which rises in the
middle of the graves and thanked heaven for
the happiness vouchsafed to him. He saw
Theln advancing with his cabriolet, but
another carriage was following. He waited
till the latter had passed it; then, jumping
into the cabriolet, he threw his wooden shoes
the part of driver. \ few minutes afterward,
two mounted gentlemen rode on: of St. Sui
pice, but they took another direction namely,
toward Peronne.
Before entering St. Quentin. which is
busy manufacturing town, Louis Napoleon got
out of the cabriolet and walked through the
streets till ne left the town by the road to
Cambray, where Thelin was to pick him up
with another vehicle
He waited and waited no Thelin came
He sat down by the roadside, leaning his head
on his hands, and asking himself whether ne
was again to be made the victim of third
disappointment. He felt something gently
jogging his shoulder 1t was the dog that
Thelin had led out tied with a string, running
before the carriage, and coming to caress him
I'm few minutes they were sitting behind a
pair of good post horses on the road to Valen-