The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-07-16
Charles and SuSanne.
A. REAL INCIDENT.

A REAL INCIDENT.
Some months after the battle o.
Waterloo, Captain Thiery, at eigh'
o'clock in the evening, was stand
ing in the court of the great post
house, one arm in a scarf and the
other loaded with a small trunk
which contained nearly all the for
tune of the officer on halfpay; fol
such was the condition of the cap.
tain, who departed in 'S9 from
from Caudebec, with a few crowns
| in his pocket, to enrol himself al
Paris, returned to his country. in
1915, no richer than he was twenty
six years before, but the bearer Of
most honorable badges of service,
covered with glorious wounds, dec
grated with the cross of the legion
I;of honor, and with the rank OF
captain. He was forty-fve years
old. The captain gave his little
trunk to the post-boy, and awaited
the moment of departure. The
conductor gave the signal, placed
everybody, then, opening the door
/ of the interior
"Captain 9hiery," said he, "Mad-
anne tile Marquise of Belle Chase,
and her waiting-maid.
The captain moved courteously,
| to let the ladies get in,' and then
took his seat. He braced himself
in a corner; and having placed bis
wounded arm in each a manner as
to suffer as little as possible, he
tried to sleep. The Marquise de
Belle Chasse was quite as silent on
her part, and the timid voice of the
maid was only. heard from time to
time, when she asked, els Madame
la Marquise well? Is Madame la
Marquise cold? Does she wish me
to put a shawl around her feet !
Does she wish her flask of ether p
"No, Lise," replied the Marquise;
"I wish for nothing; l am perfect
ly comfortable"
While trying to fall asleep, the
captain actually did so; and for
some hours he had forgotten the
marquise and her maid, when the
diligence suddenly stopped, and lie
awoke.
"Monsieur officer - exclaimed
the marquise, "save us!"
every willingly, madame" re-
piled the captain, throwing off his
cloak. "What's the matter?"
"Robbers, monsieur!'' said the
marquise: 'srobbers! They say we
are in the Black Forest.
The captain put his heat out the
door, and saw that the diligence
was surrounded by fifteen or twen-
ty gallants, we'll mounted and we'll
armed. The position was off his
horse, the conductor had LETT his
seat. and both were tied in such a
manner that they could make no
further resistance. Three or four
of these audacious robbers were
already in the imperial, and rifing
every packet Of its contents; 9th:
ers had cut the horses traces and
broken one of the wheels Of the
diligence, which, at any moment,
might lose its equilibrium, and
upset.
"Madame," said the captain, cit
is impossible for me to serve you
we are attacked in such fashion
that we must surrender without
blow, unless we. die like heroes
on the field Of battle; and [ con
fess to you it would be very pain
full to me, who all my life have
fronted the fire of the enemy't
soldiers, to perish on the highway
and that, too, by the hand of a rob
ber. Besides, I am unarmed, ane
wounded in the right arm"
Ho was still speaking when the
chief of the troop opened the door
and pegged the captain and hi
companions to have the goodness
to alight. -
"Gentlemen," said the captain
placing himself before the mar
quise and her maid, "there ar
two things which, living, Twill no
allow; one is, insult to ladies'; tn
other, this cross of honor to b'
|. taken from my breast, which [ hav'
gained with the price of my blood.
you keep your cross, monsieur,
said one of the robbers, politely
'but you will give US your watch.
Certainly replied the captain
drawing from bis fob a beaptifn
gold watch.
sAs' for the ladies' continued tn
! robber, they have nothing to feas
if they. are only reasonable; !
, they will give US their purses, thei
gold chains, and especially adde