The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-03-12
THE ADVENTURE OF A RUNAWAY
KING.

A King running away from his king
dom, with all his courtiers and people
in hot pursuit to catch him and bring
him back! Did you ever hear of any
thing more absurdf
There was reason for it, too, or at
least the King thought so. The truth
is. this unfortunate monarch was embar-
raised by the possession of two king
doms at once, and it SO happened that
the kingdom where he was was not the
kingdom where he desired TO be, so he
made up his mind to run away.
Now l suppose, before l 60 any
farther. ] may as we'll let you into the
secret OF his name and country. If you
have not already guessed it. He was
Henry III. of France and Poland, SON OF
Catherine de Medicis, one of the wick
eldest Queens who ever ruled over any
country and brother of Charles k,
King of France. t
Only few months before his fight
from Cracow he had been elected King
of Poland. He had been received with
great magnifcence by the Polish mobiles
and the festivities had lasted many
days. After everything had settled
down into the usual quiet, Henry found
life in Poland rather dull; SO when he re-
ceived q letter from Queen Catherine an
nouncing the death OF Charles TX, and
saying that his presence in France was
very necessary to maintain his rights as
his brothers. heir, he was quite ready
TO abandon his Polish kingdom and
start ut once for Paris.
But it was very far from being the in
tention of the Polish magnates to let
him off so easily. They naturally con-
sidered the well-being of their kingdom
as Important them at least-as that
of France could possibly be. So they
voted an address of coincidence to the
King on the death of his brother. prayed
him to still remain King of Poland and
entreated him not TO leave the kingdom
without giving notice to the Senate and
first appointing some one TO act as
Viceroy.
Henry returned courteous but rather
vague reply, thanking the mobiles for
their good wishes, but giving them lit
tie satisfaction as to his Intentions.
In the meantime Henry's French at
PENDANTS were urging upon him the ne
cessity of returning st once to France,
lest he should lose the French crown.
His mother, Queen Catherine, sent mes
senger after messenger, urging him to
hasten, and his own inclinations were
entirely in favor of instant departure.
So during the night a council of the
French mobiles was held in Henry's
apartments, and it was settled that they
should arrange matters for secret
departure. They must go secretly il
they went at all, for the Polish Senate
was determined to keep their King in
the country, and the people were equally
determined not TO let him go.
Then the preparations began. In the
first place the French Ambassador. as
had been agreed upon, asked permission
to return Immediately to France. as his
mission had ended with the death of
Charles TX. Permission was granted,
and he left Cracow at once. He took
with him the Kings jewels and valuable
papers, and made arrangements at all
the principal towns ON his route for
horses and provisions to be got ready
for illustrious members of his suite. who,
as he said, were not able to leave as
soon as he did. Next the King sent off
NJ Chemerault (the messenger who had
brought him the news of Charles death)
on the pretense of carrying letters to
Queen Catherine, but really to wait at
q short distance from the capital until
the King could join him. He was to
act as guide and conduct Henry in safety
across the border.
Tho next step was rather unfortunate
for the King. A train Of ten mules
laden with Golfers was observed to
leave the city, and when it was found
that the baggage belonged to the Grand
Master of the Kings household, the
suspicious OF the people we're aroused
and they became wild with excitement.
1t was in vain that Henry assured them
that he had no intention of leaving the
kingdom. They did not believe him
and with very good reason-and the
tumult increased, until at last the SEN
ate ordered guards to be placed at all
the entrances to the palace, and gave
instructions to arrest any one who
should that night attempt to stir out,
not even excepting the King himself.
After supper the King retired, and
kept all his courtiers about him for a
long time, chatting merrily with them,
and appearing so easy and unconcerned
that he fancied he must have entirely
deceived the Poles, and then he made q
sign that he wanted to 60 to sleep. The
Chamberlain, Count Teuczin, drew the
curtains Of tho Kings bed, and page.
put his sword and candle on q table
close by-s ceremony which all under
stood IS . signal to leave the room, ex-
cept the Chamberlain, whose duty it
was to stand at the foot of the bed until
the King was asleep. It had been agreed
that the King and . few Of his mobiles
should meet 1t ruined chapel, half .
mile from the city gate. where one Of
Heny's equerries was to be waiting
with horses.
The mobiles su2ped together. and then
quietly left the palace. They were per-
mitted to PES the sentlnels on their as
surance that they were bound for