The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-08-10

Gen. Maubourg, and De Pusy were re-
moved TO Silesia, and finally, upon the
conclusion of peace between France ana
Prussia, they were delivered back TO
Austria, and incarccratcd In separate
dungeons in Oimutz. Here they were
informed that they would never again
leave the walls Of the fortress, that they
would never again hear human voice.
that their very ngmes would never agar
be mentioned. that they would only be
known by the numbers upon the doors OF
their cells. The walls of these cells were
twelve feet thick; the air was admitted
by loopholes two feet square, which look
ed un0n a stagnant ditch, from which
was exhaled a poisonous effiuvium. In a
large hall without their doors, was sta
toned guard of five and twenty men,
who were forbidden 50 utter sound OF
any kind while on duty. Upon the out
ward walls were placed eight sentries,
with orders IN pain of hundred lashes
TO speak no b. nrd to the prisoners, and to
shoot them dea,i If they attempted to es-
cape. Each cell had two doors, one of
iron and one of wood, both covered with
bolts, bars and padlocks. Each day ev-
3 ery corner was examined with the ut.
most minuteness. Their very bread was
crumbled to pieces by the officer on
guard. To prevent the possibility of any
note being thus delivered A bed Of rot.
ten straw swarming with vermin, and a
broken chair and table, formed their
only furniture. When it raincd, the wa.
ter ran through the loop-holcs. and wet
Ted them TO the skin. In this horrible
abode Lafayette became wasted by dis
ease AT the same time his estates in
France were confiscated aud his wife
cast into prison. Thus did a grateful
Republic reward his services and sacri
hoes Lally Tollendal alone exertcd
himself in his behalf. and in 1893 engag
cd, in London, one DIR. Ballman, Han.
overian of great sagacity and courage, to
attempt lis liberation. AT this time,
however, not even the place of his con-
tinement was known, and Ballman's first
expedition TO Germany failed TO eluci-
date the mystery. A second, undertaken
III the following year, proved more sue
cessful. AT Vienna he accidentally en-.
countered a young American named Hu-
ger, 10 whom lie confided lis plans and
in whom he found a Keen and enthusias-
Tic ally. The two adventurers, under
the character of travellers travelling for
the benefit of their health, and 10 see the
country, established themselves in the
town of Olmutz. There they made
friends with the jailcr of the castle, and
CLEANED certain important particulars
from him concerning the habits of the
prisoners. The rigor of Lafayette's in
generation had been of late much relax
ed; he was permitted the use of books,
of pens and paper, and also, under an
escort, 20 take the air, even beyond the
walls. By permission of the iailer who
saw nothing suspicious in such a crcum-
stance, the two friends sent him some
books, accompanied by note, in which
they apologized for the liberty they had
taken, hoped the books would prove in
tcresting, &c. Suspecting, from the
tone of the letter, that more was meant
than met the eye, Lafayette carefully
examined the volumes and found them to
contain certain marks and words artfully
blended with the text, which acquaint-
cd him with the designs of the senders
A correspondence, which, from its very
openness, created no suspicion, was thus
commenced and continued, with the cx-
change of books. In his rides beyond the
walls he was now accompanied only by
AZ single officer and an attendant, who
usually Jagged some distance behind.
By means of a sympathetic ink Bolland
and Huger acquainted him with the plan
of escape they had devised, so that he
was fully prepared when, on certain
morning, as he was out for his airing.
they rode up to him on horseback, hold
ing n third horse by the Bride. "Seizc
this horse and you are free ~ cried HUI.
ger. The officer, now fully alive to the
danger of his position, drew his sword.
Lafayette seized him and struggle en-
sued. The CLEAN Of the weapon frighten-
ed the iidcrless horse, who broke his
bride and galloped away Leaping TO
the ground Huger heroicaily insisted UP.
on Lafayette mounting his horse, named
60 him. the place of rendezvous, fifteen
miles off, where cliaise was waiting to
convey them over the Austrian border.
and sprang up behind Bolland The two
gentleman had not galloped far when
their horse stumbled and threw Bolland
10 the ground, severely hurting him.
Once more Hugcr played the hero-re-
mounted his friend and trusted himself
10 the 1eetness Of his feet. But he was
quickly overtaken and captured In the
meantime Lafayette had unhappily mis-
'aheL The road, and, being purposelv
-nisdlrected by peasant, who, from his
manner and appearance, suspected him
TO be an escaped prisoner, after circuit
OF many miles found himself back in
OlmutI, where he was again made pris.
oner. Bolland alone reached the rendez-
vous, but hearing, after some days. of
the capture of his friends, he voluntarily
gave himself up to the authorities. Thus
The termination of this bold attempt was
10 place all three within the same walls
Bolland and Huger were released at the
end OF n twelve month. But all the old
rigors and crueltes were again imposed
upon the wretchcd Lafayette. In the
meantime his wife had been released
from her Paris dungeon, and. accompan.
led by her two daughters. mad proceeded
10 Vienna to beg permission to share her
husbands captivity Her PRAYER was
Granted. For sixteen months this noble.
hearted woman. with her daughters, en-
dured the horrors of the Oimutz dun
Seons. AT the end Of that time her health
gave way, and she wrote to the Emperor.
hegging permission to seek, for "A short
Time, purer air. The reply was that
she was free to leave, but not TO return.
Her answer may be anticipated. What.
ever might be the state of my health, or
the Inconvenience to my daughters. I
Mlil share my husbands captivity in all
its details ~