The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-01-29
HE GALLOPED AWAY.


New York World
Once upon time when Lamertine was in
the heyday of his fame, and was at Saint
Point his wife being in England, there
rolled into his court yard huge travelling
carriage with four horses, armorial bearings
on the panels, a courier, a footman and a
lady's maid, trunks OF solid sole-leather
everywhere, the equippage of a beautiful
and noble Partisan woman who had come all
the way from Moscow to see the author of
The Lake and the Harmonies" She fnuat
see Lamartine or die.
She was slender, fine, dainty, witty. spirit
ed, with delicious tosses of the head ard gra-
cious sweeps of her drapery, and the pref
test accent in the world, suave, silvery notes
dropping from an ivory eyboord.
One can readily fancy what banquet was
set for the poets yoracious selfesteem.
When, after having contemplated him
during an ecstatic half hour the lady rose to
command her carriage, the discovery was
made that, a. the order of her host, the
horses had been sent back to the post-house
and the carriage was peacefully installed in
the coach-house. What, Impossible, Oh,
dear, what an indiscretion. and what would
people say, ETC., but the Lady finally agreed
to stay till dinner time.
Till dinner time tomorrow, at least"
Implored the poet, and he added gallantly,
land then forever"
The afternoon passed in charming chat, in
sentimental recitations, in pIomenades in
the still, suitry AIR. Lamartine was fairly
intoxicated; the woman went to his head
like sparkling champagne.
An hour before dinner-time his beautiful
guest went into eclipse for the purpose of
her toilet The cook had been ordered to
distinguish herself, and the garden had been
plundered of carloads of flowers. While
| awaiting his guests appearance, the poet,
wandering aimlessly through the house,
| stopped before the housekeeper's door.
Il am so sorry We have none,'' his house
keeper was saying TO his visitors maid !;
| ARE you troubled with corns?''
Dear no." replied the maid, 'but my
| poor mistress-oh, she's a martyr some
times, poor thing; she can hardly set foot to
| the ground. l always bring corn plasters
with me when we travel, but this time I've
forgotten them, Mercy, me, what shall
| do?''
| Ten minutes later Lsmartine. mounted on
his fastest horse, was galloping down the
| road like madman.
| To Macon for corn-plasters?
| No; to Charme, the residence of the Count
de Rambuteau, with whom he invited him
self to dine and spend a few days. His valet
had been instructed to notify him when the
| fair Muscoyite had departed. For her he
had left the following note:
| Pity me, madame. A sufferer sends to i'm
plore my help. and fly TO his rescue. An,
| Duty, Duty, not till this moment have
| known how cruel and inopportune thou caast
| be! My house is yours. Dispose of 1t as you
! please--as you would for me. LAMARTINE.
The visitor waited till the next day at
| noon. Then, as she had received no news OF
her host, and as she was, after all a woman
| who, though she would throw herself at hez
favorites feet, would not remain there for
an indefinite period, she ordered her post
horses, left royal tip for the servants and
departed.