The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-04-02

| ne INVOKED the spirits OF BrutuS anC
Cato, and wound up by proposing thai
tho "patriots of Jougne form them
selves into battalion OF true republi
cans, and, placing Marie Antoinette oi
Austria in their centre, lead that arch.
traitress before the national tribunal.
Possessed as they were of her crown,
sceptre, globe, and royal manrle, they
could carry these emblcms of fallen
despotism in their triumphal proce =
sion, and offer them rs holocaust on
the altar of liberty"
An address to the national assembly,
stating their intention, and giving the
most minute details of the queens ar
rest, was forthwith written out and
signed by the entire conclave, and dis
patched Immediately to the capital. To
this letter was added n private one
from the queen herself, and so artfully
was it sealed that do what they could,
it was impossible for them to read a
single word of its contents. Having
dismissed the council, the mayor went
once more to the queen, to inform her
of what had been determined. Being
a kind.hearted man, however, he spared
her the knowledge of the manner in
which he proposed to conduct her back
to Paris.
While he was conversing with her
majesty, a gendarmc hurriedly entered
the chamber in state of great excite
ment:
an. le Marie i. le Marie ! we have
arrested Polignac or Lamballe !"
"Ah !" exclaimed the queen, cit is
that yOung man."
"What young man?' inquired the
mayor.
"a gentleman who followed our
coach, that is all, " answered she, in
some confusion, seeing that she had ev-
identity committed an imprudence by
this last observation.
"Let him be brought up here imme-
diateiy," commanded the mayor, and in
a few moments tall and remarkably
handsome young man was dragged into
the apartment by two guards. His
clothes were dripping wet, he had lost
his hat, and his soiled cloak dragged on
the ground behind him.
cit is the same" whispered Susanne;
"perhaps he may help us.
"Please God !" murmured the queen.
No sooner was this young gentleman
disengaged from the hands of his cap
tors than, throwing himself on his
knees, he raised her hand to his lips !:
" Pardon me, madame. Had but sus-
pected it was the queen Of France to
whom I presumed to raise my eyes, l
would have died rather than have so far
forgotten what was due to my sovereign,
in her hour of trouble. [ am
a gentleman by birth, the Count de Mil
lettes. Unaware of your majesty's
true rank, I followed your carriage,
struck by your surprising beauty aud
enslaved by its power, hoping through
persistence to be favored with one
glance of pity, if not of love. Now that
| recognize my error, as your majesty's
most humble servant and subject, my
life is at your service, and [ crave only
your gracious pardon"
"Oh, you have it, count I grant it
willingly, and only see in your con-
duct" answered the queen smiling, but
with an evident meaning, for she fixed
her keen eyes on the kneeling gentle
man IN q manner that forbade his an
swering-"I see, sir, in your conduct
only proof of your desire to serve an
unfortunate woman and fallen queen. !"
cit is well," broke in the mayor.
Notwithstanding all appearances to the
contrary, this young man evidently
forms part of your cortege, madame.
He is arrested and shall share your
apartments. The chamber at the end
Of the corridor, sir, is yours. You
have, however, free access to the queen
whenever she desires your presence.
Mesdames, I wish you very good
night Ctoycn, BON soir" and bowipg
civily the good mayor withdrew for the
night.
When the door was closed on the
mayor the count was about to withdraw
also, but the queen prevented his doing
50, entreating him to remain and par
take of supper with her, which was pre-
sently served. During this meal the
queen became exceedingly lively, and
the merry laughter of the imprisoned
sovereign and her new friend being
heard outside in the corridor, led the
guards, when changed, to announce to
the public "that her majesty was q
singu arly fearless woman, for, not.
withstauding the danger she was in, she
laughed like true daughter of Momus,
and was having fine time of it with
the prince, who was evidently hel
lover"
1t is unnecessary to tell how the i'm.
prisoned queen passed her time in hei
confinement at the Lion dor. We are
compelled, however, to record that hel
intimacy with the count became 50 great
that once the guard at the door, spying
through the kcy-hole, actually saw him
kiss her before retiring for the night.
The sixth and last day of her captiv
ity at last arrived The answer from
the national assembly reached Jougnt
toward noon, and the queen was a
breakfast with the count al d Susannt
when the mayor entered her presence
followed by the whole municipality ant
several guards. The good mayor was
flushed with excitement, and in hi
hand he held the as yet sealed docu
ment. Arranging all his colleagues nc
cording to their various official grades
in semicircle around him, he addressed
the queen, who rose to hear him, witt
a stately and majestic air: "Marie An
toinette of Austria, we have this morn
ing received the following answer from
the government of Paris, and hasten t'
communicate to you its contents" Herr
the worthy magistrate broke the seal
and read "Citizen mayor-Marie An
toinette is still in Paris, and has neve
left it. Let Mademoisel!e Sainval, ac
tress of the theatre Francais, pass oi
to Besancon, where she has an engage
ment."
Had the earth opened at his feet, th
mayor Of Jougne could not have looke'