The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-25
Everybody knows the disastrous con-
81 hi of Ell

stedt we're fought. Almost in a single
day the Prussian army was routed, and
the humiliating defeat at Rossbach was
more than avenged.
Only Blucher's division, which had
performed prodigies of valor in the
great battle, made an orderly retreat in
northwesterly direction. But the
French corps under Marshal Victor,
flushed with victory, pursued him with
the utmost vigor.
The Prussian soldiers were half
starved and utterly exhausted when
they reached the ancient city of Lubbock.
There, after brief struggle, destitute
of ammunition and provisions, they
were compelled to surrender.
Blucher and most of his officers broke
their swords rather than give them up to
their hated adversaries.
The vanquished general was treated
in an almost barbarous manner. Having
refused to give his parole to the effect
that he would never again bear arms
against the emperor of the French, he
was confined in a dungeon in the base
ment of the city hall.
-Four days after Marshal Victor re-
celved from the Emperor Napoleon the
following laconic letter:
"Cause Blucher to make an attempt
to escape. Then have him court-mar-
tailed and shot. NJ"
Gen. Blucher, who was then already
sixty-four years old, was smoking his
pipe gloomily in his cell. Suddenly a
handsome young woman stepped in.
| Now the grim old Prussian general was
nything but hater of women. His
| enemies asserted that he fell in love
with every pretty face he saw, and when
his fair young visitor entered his cell
his face brightenedat once. He rose DO
| htely from his stool and offered it to
her.
Fair lady," he said, in his most
~ rteous manner, "what brings you to
F'.is dismal place7"
She answered him in French, telling
him that she was the daughter of Masil-
Ion, the celebrated pulpit orator of Ber-
lin, and that she had risked her life in
order to free him from captivity.
Her bearing toward the grim old SOL
dler was so seductive that he fell an easy
victim to her charms.
"We must fee from here tonight"
she whispered to him, as he held her in
his arms.
81 am ready" he replied. "But how
am to get out of this Internal hole7"
81 will be here again at setting in of
dusk" she said. "I have procured keys
for every cell here anda French uniform
for YOU" "
GA French uniform |" he exclaimed.
in dismay. CT shall not don a French
uniform. Never neverl"
But, general, is it not better for Won
to do that than languish here any more ?"
she asked, fondling his gray mustache.
Yes, my darling" he replied, "and,
besides, it will only be for few hours
- Won't it3"
Only for few minutes, general. As
soon as our carriage is out of the city
you may throw off the uniform of the
hat, invaders" she replied.
Sha lett him after fervent embrace,
and few minutes later the keeper of
tho Jail, a white headed German, with
an honest, open face, entered Blucher's
cell.
He bowed respectfully before tho
grim old warrior, and then said
General, may I ask you one ques.
tionl"
Why not, my friend2"
General, don't like to speak about
it, and hope you will not communicates
to any one what 1 am going to tell YOU"
=" What an idea I never betray my
fri. nds 10
General, let me ask you, then, do
yeu know the-the woman that came to
see you to day p
No. She said her name was Made
limo Masillon, the daughter of the Rev.
DR.. Masillon, of Berlin. Is she not
what she pretends to be e.
The old keeper shook his head.
"General," he replied, "her true
SC
woman-she is Marshal Victor's mis-.
tress."
Blucher sprung to his feet. geo.,
"What does the fraud she has prac-
ticed on me mean2" he exclaimed.
L do not know, general, but I saw
the marshal himself help her into his
carriage after she had left your CELL"
The general thanked the old keeper.
who went out.
He became very thoughtful.
At setting in Of dark, true to her
promise, the fascinating creature entered
Blucher's cell again.
Everything is in readiness" she
els it, Mile. Broisson ?" he asked,
GO Yes; make haste-the carriage is
waiting for US. But why do you call
me Broisson9"
because know you. Get out of
here! don't know what you are bent
upon, but know that it is mischief you
are nutting on foot. Begone! !"
She bit her lips, and hurried from the
CELL
Ne,t day a French general fell into
the hands of a Prussian regiment.
B'ncher was exchanged for him.
Nine years later the prophecy OF
Louise Lenormand, the great Partisan