Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-11-21
A DASHING EXPLOIT.

more stirring scenes, In the capacity of
a skirmisher. He tells the whole story
in his memoirs, and his account seems
an anticipation of the best portions of
Rabagas." But his narrative of his
expedition to Soissons to seize some
powder will be found one of the most
stirring bits of adventure in modern
times.
He had heard Lafayette say that if
the King were to advance on Paris
there would be no powder to meet him
with. Alexandra conceived a bold
scheme, and proposed to set off for
Soissons-a town he well knew-and
seize on the magazine there. Lafayette
laughed at the idea, but consented to
give him pass to Gen. Gerard, to which
Dumas coolly added: "And we recon-
mend his scheme to you" From Ger
ard he with some difficulty obtained a
requisition addressed to the authorities
of the town for the powder. In this he
ingeniously interpolated the words
Minister of War;" rank which no
one but himself had conferred on the
General. With this official document
he returned to Lafayette, and persuad-
ed the old patriot to write himself a
sort of letter of introduction to the citi-
zens of fSoissons, recommending to them
Alexandra Dumas, one of our combat
ants" as fit and proper person to
whom they should hand over the pow
der. Then our hero-for such he was
as spirited and dramatic an adventure
as can be found in the books of ro-
nance.
II was about 3 o'clock in the after
noon of the 30th of July, 1880. AS he
was hurrying away, he met q young
painter named Bard, who was only 19.
He asked him to join. The other
agreed with alacrity, and Alexandra,
sending him back for his doubIe-bar-
relied pistols and his horse, set off him.
self in capriolet for LIE Bourget, then
the first post on the road to Soissons,
and which has since obtained such a
disastrous notoriety. Arrived there, he
exhibited his Lafayette and Gerard let
ters to the Postmaster, and demanded
a chaise end horse for bis mission. The
Postmaster was friendly, and even EN-
presse, and supplied him at once with
what he asked. He went out to buy
some pieces of calico-red, white and
blue-which were sewn into tri-color
flag fixed to broomstick, which latter
was tied on to the chaise. With this
ensign they started, in hopes of getting
to Scissors about midnight. The Post
master shook his head, but, as he saga
ci0usly remarked, $50 many miracles
had been performed during the last few
days that it might be possible" As they
hurried through the various villages the
flag caused the greatest excitement.
His fellow-traveler, delighted, declared
that all was going splendidly," but
that they ought to have some sort of
cry"
"Shout away, then," said Dumas /;
"and while you're shouting I'll take
some Sleep"
The only difficulty was, what was to
be the cry, and with some hesitation
the now well worn and tattered "Vive
la Republique" was decided on. Ac-
cordingly the young painter, his head
out of the window, and his flag waving,
roared on. On the high road they met
a chaise going toward Paris, and trav-
eler of some fifty years old asked for
news.
"The Louvre is taken, the Bourbons
fed, Provisional Government establish
ed. Vive la Republique I' the excited
painter poured out. The gentleman
fifty years old scratched his ear and con-
tinued his journey. For the next stage
they had an old position, who persisted
in going at q steady trot, and at every
remonstrance answered doggedly
"Leave it all to me. A man knows his
own business best" Dumas at last, from
his chaise window, laid on the backs OF
the horses with stick, and made them
gallop. In rage the man pulled up,
swore he would unyoke his beasts, and
actually proceeded to do SO. Dumas
fred at him with blank cartridge, and
so scared him that he rolled on the
ground in terror. Alexandra then put
on his huge posting boots, and, mount
ing, galloped on to the next post. They
soon reached the old familiar Villers.
Cotterets-the whole town, as may well
be imagined, being thrown into intense
chaise with the tri color and the excited
Alexandra Dumas. Late as it was, ev.
cry house poured out its inhabitants,
who rushed to the posthouse. A thou
sand eager questions were put to him
what did it mean, this flag and the gunsi
He knew all the townspeople, and told
the story of the last few days. 1t was
insisted that he should stay q short
time, and have something to eat, and
he was carried off to the house of an old
friend, where a hasty supper was got
ready. A number of old companions
who had been boys when he was in the
little town, gathered round, listening
eagerly es their old friend declaimed
and recounted between every mouthful
As he dashed in for them, which he
could do admirably, vivid sketches o.
these thrilling scenes, the rustics listen
ed with delight and wonder but wher
he came to explain the object of hi
present expedition" when 1 an
nounced that meant to capture, sin
gle handed, all the powder that was il
a military town, containing 5000 in
habitants, and a garrison of 800 men
they looked at him doubtfully, anc
thought he was crazed. This was, o
course, welcome to Alexandra, who al
ways delighted to put himself IN the
atrical attitude, and be the center of
dramatic situation. He turned to hi
companion, Bard:
"What were my words when propos
ing this expedition to your
"You asked" was the reply, "wa
inclined to get myself shot with you.
"And what do you say now2'
That am ready STILL"
All were confounded at such gallant
ry. One of his friends now stepped fol
ward, and offered to get him into Sois
sons, as he had friend at the gates
Then Alexandra, always anticipatin