Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-01-03
Aiscellamp.
A Dashing Exploit.

Alexandra Dumas, then a very young
man, and seeing nothing in life but one
series of tableaux, took his share in the
more stirring scenes in the capacity of
skirmisher. He tells the whole story in
his memoirs and his account seems an
anticipation of the best portions of Ra-
balas. But his narrative of his expedl.
tion Soissions 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 bold scheme, and
proposed to the general to set off for
the Soissons,-a town he well knew
and seize on the magazine there. La
fayette laughed at the idea, but consent
ed to give him a pass to Gen. Gerard to
which Dumas coolly added, "and we
recommend his scheme to you" From
Gerard he, with some difficulty, obtained
t requisition addressed to the authorities
of the town for the owder. In this he
ingeniously interloped the words "min-
lister of war"-a rank which no one but
himself had conferred on the general.
With this official document he returned
to Lafayette, and persuaded the old pat
L e =,
duction to the citizens of Soissons, rec
ommending to them "Alexandre Dumas,
one of our combatants," as fit and
proper person to whom they should hand
over the powder. Then our hero-for
such he was on this occasion-prepared
bimself for as spirited and dramatic ad-
venture as can be found in the books OF
romance.
1t was about three o'clock in the af
ternoon of the 30th of July, 1880. As
he was hurrying away he met young
F.! painter named Bard, who was only nine
teen He asked him to join. Theothei
agreed with alacrity, and Alexandra
sending him back for his double-barrel
ed pistols and his horse, set off himsel
in cabriolet for lie Bourget, then The
first post on the road to Soissons, ano
which has since obtained such a disas
trous notoriety. Arrived there, he ex
I hibited his Lafayette and Gerard letter.
to the postmaster, and demanded chais,
and horse for his mission. The postmas
, ter was friendly, and even Impressed
and supplied at once for what he asked
He went out to buy some pieces of cali
co,--red, white and blue,-which wer,
sewn into tricolor flag fixed to broom
stick, which latter was tied on to tn,
chaise. With this ensign they started
in hopes of getting into Soissons abou
midnight. The postmaster shook hi
head but, as he sagaciously remarked
:. $50 many miracles had been performeC
during the last three days, that it nigh
be possible" As they hurried througl
the various villages the flag caused th
greatest excitement His fellow travel
er, delighted, declared that all was &C
Of ing splendIdly, but that they ought t
have some of cry"
"Shout away, then" said Dumas
"and while you are shouting I'll tax
some Sleep"
The only difficulty was, what was
), be the cry and with some hesitation th
9 now we'll worn and tattered Vive
Republique" was decided on. Accort
ingly, the young painter, his head out
the window, and his flag waving, roare
on On the high road they met chai'
going to Paris and a traveller some f
I'd. ty years old asked for news.
"The Louvre is taken the Bourbon
fed; Provisional Government establis
ce, ed, vive la Republique" the excite
painter poured out. The gentleman, f
ty years old, scratched his ear, and co
K. tinued his journey. For the next sta
r they had an old position, who persist
in going at steady trot, and at eve
remonstrance answered doggedly. LEA
it all to me. A man knows his own bl
mess best" Dumas at last, from t
chaise window, laid on the backs of t
horses with a stick and made them g,
lop. In rage, the man pulled U
swore he would unyoke the beasts, a
actually proceeded to do so. DUN
fred at him with blank cartridge, a
so scared him that he ro led on {
ground in terror. Alexandra then P
on the huge posting-boots, and, mou
ing, galloped on to the next post. Th
soon reached the old familiar Vile
Cotterets,-the whole town, as may W
be imagined, being thrown into inter
excitement by the appearance of
chaise with the tricOlor and the excit
Alexandra Dumas. Late as it was,
ore cry house poured out its inhabitants, v
rushed to the post-house. A thousa
eager questions were put to him,-wl
did it mean, this flag and gunsS
IL, II a.,