The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-04-13

when he was taken to his work he was
forced to wear this ball and chain.
Victor Lacour was then five -and-twenty
years of age, and had been sentenced for
ten years. lie was tall and strong, and
handsome, and all up and down the valleys
and hillsides of the Lower Alps there was
deep grief on his account.
Not quite five months had Victor spent
in his cruel condition in the galleys when
he managed to make his escape. lie lurk-
ed in the house of true friend in Toulon
three nights and three days, and then I'M
der cover of darkness, in disguise, and with
false pass, he left the city and fled to the
northward, aiming for Switzerland. The
second night from Toulon brought him to
little hamlet i'll a retired vale, close by
Castelane. 1t was very neal the breaking
of day when lie appeared at the door of an
! isolated cot for succor. lie was admitted
| by the master, W hose wife was soon up and
/ dressed.
! 81 am an unfortunate man. he said,
''flecing from great danger. / have no
money, but if you will give me a crust of
bread and cup of water, aud shelter for
the hours of daylight, will bless you"
The peasant and his wife offered him all
they could give. They were willing TO give
| him protection without asking further
questions, and as for food it must be a
simple crust, since they had no more for
| themselves.
Victor saw plainly that the poor peasant
and his wife were in deep distress. Their
drooping, lusterless eyes, and wan, tired
faces, showed that they had not slept
through the night, and when, a little later,
the chidIen---five of them-:he oldest,
boy of twelve or fourteen and the youngest
just able to stand alone-when these came
in from their sleeping coop, Victor discov-
cred what was the matter. The mother
shed tears when she saw her children and
the oldest boy kissed her. and told her not
TO Grieve he was growing stronger and
stronger, and would work for her.
'Do not let our misery add to your dis
tress,' said the peasant, when Victor had
asked for an explanation. Suffering is our
lot, and we can better afford to suffer wrong
than DO wrong. You behold my family in
the old home for the last time. orfifteen
years my wife and have lived here We
took .he place when we were married and
have never failed to pay The rent until HOW :;
out this year we are unfortunate. Last
season our crops failed aud every sou that
we could raise has gone for food. Our rent
is not high, but were it not more than ten
flames, could not pay it. We have sold
everything we had to sell-all our trinkets
all our best clothing-iave sold them for
bread. All, Nanette, weep not. God will
provide in some way. Sec-our Victor is
not cast down"
'Nictor!' ~ cried the convict.
so we call our eldest boy, good sir 1t
is a brave name, and brave lad wears it."
"My name is Victor, too. Tell me, sir,
how..much do you owe for rent ?''
"F0r the whole year, sir, eighty francs
So much pay in money, and for the rest,
work at cutting wood. The work | have
done but the money / cannot pay. Our
! landlord has left us off month after month
and now he is offered more rent than we
pay by man who has the money"
''But if you bad the Nancy the eighty
francs-the owner would let you stay ~
YES, sir. We have been here so long.
He is a stern man, but just"
! Victor Lacour reflected. He could not
bear to suffering which he had power
10 relieve. He was fleeing for liberty, but
what would liberty be to him with the
weight of this poor family's sore distress
upon his conscience? How could he ever
enjoy freedom which he had secured at
the expense of the peace and comfort of
this devoted father and mother and their
helpless little ones ?-ror so lie put it to
himself. If he had the opportunity, and
exercised it not, the blame would.be bis.
, 'My good man." lie said. "cheer up and
take courage. l am Victor Lacour | es-
capped from the galleys less chan a week
ago. 4 reward of one hundred fraucs has
been offered fDr my apprehension. ! will
go-with you TO Castelsne, where you will
deliver me up to the sub plefect. and lie
will have to pay you one hundred francs.
That will be grand. You will have eighty
francs for your landlord, and twenty will be
left to buy you bread. Do you see? We
will set forth at once, for you must be here
with the money when the owner comes.''
The peasant and his wife gazed upon
| their guest with Mortified look.
, "Grdnd dieu :" cried the husband. -
'sDeliver up Victor Lacour i? l will die
: first Ask my Wife
.'No, no." exclaimed the woman, with
, equal warmth ''don'J ask me. We will
, both die irst. We canpot do SO base a
! thing
!, 4 But Victor Lacour was determined.
, ''See here" he said, with look and tone
that made the poor people renble-'if you
do not take me to the sub-prefect ! will GO
3 myself / swear to you that will not give
{ up my purpose. 1t will make NE very
, I hanyu q oiya won that Inpd-pi frames NJ