The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-10-29

portion of these. The schools in Hartford
were, for the most part, closed during that
period, that the buildings might be devo-
ted to the accommodation of the strangers
who requited the kindness by teaching the
children of each household where they were
entertained, daily. ! was the chosen pupil
of madame. She soon impaired sufficient
kOwlcdge of the French to give her in
structious in her own language Never
was child biest with more gentle and
painstakiHg teacherl To a thorough course
i'll the simple branches of study she added
many delecate accomplishments then un-
known in our country, and the most pa
tient training in all matters connected
with dress and department. After lessons
she would hold long conversations with
me, more profitable than the lessons them
selves, awakening interest by suggestions
and inquiries tending to form habits of
thinking, as well as Of acquiring knowl-
edge. Then such wonderful fairy tales as
she wOuld relate | used to listen perfect
ly eDtranced. Never have | heard in Eng
liSh any fairy lore that would compare
with it. Translations we may have, but
the fairy charm of the original is lost.
At that time the spirit of infidelity and
atheism which laid the train for the hor-
rors of the French Revolution prevailed
widely i'll our own country. When too
young to comprehend their import | had
often listened to warm discussions between
my father, who was strongly tinctured
with those opiniOnS-whiie in politics he
was an ultra -demOCrat--aud my maternal
grandfather,' High -Churchman ANA Tory.
The latter always insisted-and II was ali
understood Of their conyersatious-that it
was impossible for a government founded
upon popular nnbeiief and insuboniina-
tIon to stand. lie was utterly hopeless for
ours not because it was democratic IN form
but because the people no longer rever-
cHced authority, bad ceased to be imbued
with thc first pr inCipal of loyalty to God as
Supreme Ruler, and to the '.povers that
be as his appointed instruments. These
subjects were themes of constant debate,
and were treated with a warmth that com
manded even the notice of children.
Some of our guests affected y gay and
careless indifference to ihe claims Of God
and man that amounted to a rejection of
both others vchcmcntly denounced all
religion as a figment of priest-craft; while
still another class met such questions with
the soiemnty arising from a conviction of
the tremendous temporal and eternal in
terestS which they involved.
It was refreshing to steal away from
these evening debates in the drawing-room
to the peaceful atmosphere of madame's
apartment. | frequently found her SAYING
her beads of which knew nothing ONLY
that they were exceedingly beautiful to the
sight, and composed of very costly mateii-
ais. | used to enter her room very quietly,
and take my accustomed seat in silence
until hcr dcvotions were closed. OF he's.
religion | knew no more than the name
but its evident influence upon every action
OF her life left al, indeiIbie impression upon
my mind that 1t was power above and be-
youd any OF the l,'crailing forms around
us. She never sp"<e expressly of her re-
hgion to me, but lie purely Christian tone
of her Instructions upon all the duties of
life, social and domestic, empiiiicd by
her own conduc:, proved abunddntIy that
it was more ti,a;s mere sentiment or n
name. | was too young at that time to
reason upon these lhingS, but, | have
said, they left an ;ii;ielIble i'm preston. and,
as life advanced, furnished food for many
reveiies which at length ripened into seri-
Gus thought.
How the weary months must have drag
ccd along for those cXiled unfurtunates
Yet the cicerfunesS, even gayety, with
which they endured their misf,Ituncs and
the tortu,ing suspense of their position,
WAS Il matter of constant marvel TO their
New England friends. They watched he
arrival Of every ship from France with in
tense anxiety, aud a renewal of grief and
mourning was sure 10 follow the tdings it
brought. Yet the Polite amenities and
courtesics of their daily life, which seemed
a part OF their nature, were never for a
moment abated, and in the widest storm
of grief even the women never lost that ex-
quisitc sense of propriety which distin-
guishes their nation.
And So the time wore on until = certain
memorable night in September, 1894. Ny
fathers residence was situated upon an
elevated street which commanded wide
view of the city and its envTons. How
we'll remember standing with my sisters
by the window OF our attic dormitory, look
ing out upon the quiet city sleeping under
the calm light of The harvest moon, on that
never TO be forgotten uight F, The contem-
plation of the scene was too plasaut to be
easily relinquisjed, and it was late before
we could turn away from its destinations to
ON rest. We were scarcely lost in sleep
when we were awakened suddenly 10y Il
thrilling shout i'll tho street, acc ompanlcd
by the wild huzzahs 0f an excited multi
tude. We hastened to the>lower rooms,
where we found the strangers gathered
around the open windows, from which
they were waving handkerchiefs, hats,
and scarfs, ard mingling their shouts with
those of the throng outside.
In the street the city cFier moved along
in advance of the crowd, mounted on a
tail white horse, and waving an immense
banner. At every crossing lie would pause
amt shout through q speaking trumpet,
''Rejoice rejoice RobespierTe. the ty
rant, has fallen has fallen - Then fol-
lowed the jubilant cheers of the rapidly
increasing crowd And so they passed on
through every street in the city.
/ sought madame's apartment, and
found her kneciing in the same reverent
attitude of humble devotion with which
had so long been familiar. Stronge to
say, my FIRST thought upon hearing the
news SO Joyful TO others was one of dismal
apprehension, and my irst emotion ono of
ineffabe sadness Quick as thought came
the painful assnraiice to my heart hat this
was the sigral fer my final separation from
, the loving friend, the gentle teacher, to
whom bad become inexpressib'y attached.
As she arose and extended her arms to-
wards me, threw myself into chem, aud,
hiding my face in her bosom, gave way to
burst of uncontrollable grief. Words