The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-11
COUNT VICTOR.

favorably in the autobiography OF the old
duchess of Orleans, mother of the regent
in the minority Of Louis XIV. Though she
befouled without scruple the memories of
the leading men of her own day, not spar
ing her own granddaughter or her own
son, she always speaks with high respect
of Casar Baudelot. Saint-Simon, too,
although he looked at human nature too
good word for Baudelot; and when in
1888 the war between royalists and repub-
licans broke out in La Vendee the De
Baudelot who was then head OF his house
was among the first to join those who took
up arms to curb the excuses of the revo-
luton. He fought as all his noble COM
rades fought with heart and hand. He
was the friend of Cathellneau, Lescure,
La Rochejaquelin, and the rest of their
gallant com pany. He went into battle
with light hearted grace cared nothing 70
discouragements or dangers, and his gay
spirits were almost gayest after fight, so
soon he had ceased to hear the groans and
outcries Of the field of battle.
What war was ever so ferocious as the
struggle in La Vendee? But l have no
painted it too often; some with their
brushes dipped in glowing hues, others
in darker colors. All have to do is to
tell you the story of Count Baudelot, who
one day was surprised in farmhouse,
together with detachment of twelve
royalists, by body Of Blues, as the re-
publicans were nicknamed in La Vendee
The count called out to his few men.
Retire immediately! The farm house
is about to be surrounded. Fly! Carry
off the women and children. I will stay
and defend the door; I can hold out ten
minutes. There are three hundred of
them! They will murder every one they
capture. Farewell, my gallant lads. Do
not forget me. 1t is my turn to die. to-
day-it will be yours tomorrow"
In those days of glorious heroism and
self-devotion nobody was surprised at any
instance of self sacrifice. Dramatic
heroism, common enough AMONG French
men in other wars, had no one to admire
it, to record it, to be surprised at this
war of determination and despair. It
was no time or place for any Qui1otic ex-
hibition of courage and devotion. Self
sacrifices were accepted as mere things of
course, and Baudelot's twelve soldiers i'm
mediately obeyed him.
The count remained behind after they
left, making all possible noises, harangu-
ing; disputing, giving orders. rafting
his gun against the floor and clicking its
locks. He made row enough for a whole
regiment at once, and the Blues were
cautious in their approaches. But after
while his voice began to fail, and, iudg-
ing that his men must by that time be
safe, the careless Frenchman cared no
longer to command an imaginary CON-
pany; and leaving off his orders and ex-
hortations, barricaded the oak door and
waited further action For some min
utes the door resisted the fresh assaults
of the enemy. Then it began to yield.
The Blues fired through the chinks into
thd chamber.
Count Victor was not wounded; and, as
he had been surprised when half through
breakfast, he sat down to the table
to finish his bread and cheese, saving
to himself with every bite, sit is my last
mouth1ul."
At length the strong door yielded-the
Blues burst into the apartment. 1t took
some little time to push back the OBJ
structions and to see clearly what was
through the smoke of their own volley.
They drew their swords, and, as the dim
ness cleared away, glared eagerly around
to see what had become of that large body
of troops who had resisted their entrance
for half an hour.
Imagine their surprise, instead of find
ing the owners of all those voices, they
saw only one young and handsome man,
tall, calm, and with a merry twinkle in
his eyes, eating slice of black loaf and
washing it down with the weak wine of
the country.
The soldiers of the republic paused in
establishment. This pause gave Victor
Baudelot time to toss off the last drop and
swallow the last mouthful.
"Your good health, gentlemen" he
cried, lifting his wine glass to his lips.
"The garrison is ruch obliged to you for
your kind consideration
AS he spoke he rose and went up to
their commander.
"Monsieur," said he, II am alone in
this house. You can shoot me behind
the shrubbery we see out yonder."
He paused, and to his great surprise,
was not shot moment after. It NAV
have been because his captors were re-
cruits new to Vendean warfare. It NAV
have been because they we're interested
by his handsome face, his gallant bearing,
and his cool indifference. Maybe thew
felt ashamed Of shooting in cold blood a
man who had defended himself against
three hundred of them.
They tied his hands behind his back
and, under strict guard, sent him to a
country house near Nantes, which had