Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-04-17
Devotion in Danger.

The Marquis de Pelleport, short
time before the French Revolution, was
thrown into the Bastile for writing a
pamphlet against the Count de Vergen-
ness and the Sieur de Noir, entitled,
'Le Diable dams un Benitier"-The
Devil in Holy-Water Pot" His ami
able wife, who had been left with four
children with relation in Switzerland,
no sooner heard of her husbands cap
tivity than she flew to his assistance,
and spent six months in fruitless solici-
tation for his liberty, when she saw
herself left without resource by the
death of the relation who supported her.
Thrown into despair at the thoughts oil
her husband in prison, and her children
on the point of wanting bread, pre-
ferring death TO begging it from
strangers hand, and every day obliged
to reject offers which in acorrupt town
but too frequently puts virtue to the
blush, she knew not which way to turn
her eyes, when NJ. De Launay persua-
ded her to solicit tie Chevalier TO:
Paulet for the admission of her sons into
the Military Orphan School. The chill
dren were admitted, and Madame de
Pelleport had lodging provided for
her near the school, where she might
take care of her children. For four
years she employed herself in soliciting
the liberty of her husband and per-
forming the part of mother to the
Youngest children of the school, when
NJ. De villedeuil came into the Minis
try; then he, on the case of NJ. De Pei
leport being represented to him, OBJ
tanned from the king an order for his
release.
The Marquis, soon after his liberia
ton, returned to Paris, where he ar
rived the day before the Bastile was
taken, and had the misfortune to see NJ.
de Launay put to death and NJ. de Los
me dragged 10 the place of execution.
Struck with the sad spectacle, he re-
called the humanity of NJ. de Losme,
who had ever striven TO console the
prisoners, and had frequently shown
much concern for him. Listening only
TO the voice of friendship, he flew TO
the unfortunate Major, whom the en-
ragged mob was dragging along with a
fury that would have intimidafed the
stoutest heart, and, catching him in his
arms, cried out TO them to desist.
"You are going to sacrifice the wor-
thiest man on earth; five years was a
prisoner in the Bastile, and he was my
only friend"
These words reused De Losme: and,
lifting up his eyes with the GOODNESS OF
a spirit truly Roman, not to be expect
ed of man whom the mob were almost
tearing TO pieces, he said:
"Young man, what are you doing?
Withdraw; you will only sacrifice your
own life, without saving mine"
The Marquis de Pelleport perceiving
the mob were deaf to his entreaties, ex-
claimed: "Begone. will defend him
against you ALL"
Forgetting that he was unarmed, he
began to beat them off with his hands,
when he was attacked on all sides,
wounded by some with sabers. by 9th
ers with bayonets. He at length seized
a musket, and did much execution with
it, until it was torn from him, and he
was on the point of perishing; but by
renewed exertions he forced his way
through the mob, and escaped to the
Hotel de Vile, on the steps of which
he fell senseless. He was, however
conveyed to place of safety, and re-
covered from his wounds.