Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-02-15

monsieur, my playmates were those
whose bones are buried in heaps at
Marengo and Austerlitz, who lie deep
down in the blood-pits of the guillo-
tine. don't wonder you took me
for a ghost; why my mind ought to be
wandering about with the old Ba,
ron's; we've played together in life
many a time
The old mans voice trembled more
as he spoke the last words.
The old Baronn | exclaimed;
that is the father NJ. de Gaule, l
suppose? Why, what makes his ghost
walk more than the other De Gaule's ?
was he more wicked? Ah, and per-
haps you can tell me for what reason
he kept that ugly great coffin under
his bed?'
The coffin q? All, the great black
coffin ! repeated the old man slowly.
4 remember that time we'll
Tell US, grandfather, said Josette.
Its a beautiful night to tell a story
in the open air. Wait, and III give
you goutte to brighten your memory.
There Now tell US about the black
coffin under the Baron's bed 7
CHAPTER 1.-THE FAMILY FEUD.
| won't tell you, monsieur, began
the old man, about the grandeur Of
the old chateau at one time, about the
wealth and power of the De Gaules,
and about their long history of wick
edness. | dare say Josette has told
you enough about all that; but you
must try and bear it in mind, if you
would understand the story of the
old Baron's coffin.
1t was about theyear ga bloody
time. monsieur, when those that des-
served it and those that didn't met to-
geher and died by the guilotine; when
men were hunted about like wild
beasts by wild beasts; when there
was no peace or rest or safety in any
corner of poor wretched France when
brothers turned against brothers, and
parents feared their own children; it
was in the very thick Of these times
that Monsieur Louis was Baron De
Gaule. His father had died when he
was but little child, and he came by
the money and estates when it would
have been much better for him to have
been still under the rod of the school
master. He was tall, fine man; not
handsome, but Of a figure that looked
made for command. He liked COM
manding too, commanding not only
the servants about him, but his equals,
his brother and sisters, his friends
and elations-everybody about him.
1t was an unfortunate temper.
But in those times it was danger
Gus to displease the lower classes, and
monsieur, as he was called-for he
had dropped his title, like everybody
else who cared for his head-had to
restrain his temper at any rate to-
wards his dependents. Perhaps that
made him fercer towards his brother
and sisters. He certainly was tyr
ant to them, especially to Mons. Paul,
and no one was muca surprised when
one morning NJ. Paul went off to
Paris and joined the revolutionary
party. he was a very handsome
man, as different from his brother as
day is from night; but though he had
pleasant manners, and kind words
for everybody, there was something in
his eyes that told you the De Gaule
wickedness had found a hiding-place
somewhere about him. don't believe
he loved anyone, though he pretended
to like his proud tyrannical brother,
and to be sorry for his sisters. |
don't believe he loved even pretty
Ma'amselle Pauline, who almost broke
her heart when he went away, and
who was the only one of the De
Gaules who will ever get into heaven,
if what NJ. lie Curry says is true.
From the time NJ. Paul went to
Paris change came over monsieur
lie was gloomier than ever, but more
civil to those about him, and he seem
ed to take greater interest in all the
bloody work that was going on in
the dreadful city.
Till that time the family, in spite OF
its rank and wealth, had Jared well
enough. They had been forced to
yield up some of their property, but
otherwise the revolution had done
them little injury. 1t is true the ia
mily consisted of only the two bro
theirs and their three sisters, and they
all lived together in the quiet old
chateau, far away from even village
but in those times secluSion did not
insure safety.
Monsieur had always inclined tC
revolutionary principles; indeed. The
De Gaules. even in the most flourish
ing times of the Bourbons, had never
been famous for loyalty, and at tht
commencement of the revolution ht
professed open republicanism. HI
contented himself with "professing,
however, and abode quietly in his oil
chateau.
| have heard it said that NJ. Louis wa
learned that he read enough to turl
his brain; but | know that | neve
saw him with book in his hand. H
would stay for days in his room (tha
, called the Baron's); but whenever
went in to attend him, he was eithe
: sitting gloomily in his chair, or stand
, ing staring out of the window; an
, though books lay scattered about tn
room, not one did | ever see hiI
, touch.
= Web, monsieur, after NJ. Par
| weat to Paris, as l said before, Lou
, grew gloomier than ever, at first
r was quiet kind of gloom, and the
e it became restless and then anxious.
7 We all saw that; for NJ. Louis Wa
the head of the family, the master
D US all, in spite of the Revolution, an
D we used to watch him. and study b
! face and temper, as some people do