The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-03-10
THE ADVENTURE OF A RUNAWAY
.s--.,5 KING. s.f

sa.E KING. sf ..
A King running away from his king
dom, with all his courtiers and people
in hot pursuit to catch him and brine
him back! Did you ever hear of any
thing more absurd?
81 There was a reason for it, too, or a,
least the King thought so. The truth
is, this unfortunate monarch was embar
rassed 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 | suppose, before | 60 any
farther. l may as well let you into the
secret of his name and country, if You
have not already guessed it. He was
Henry Ill. of France and Poland, son OF
Catherine de Medicis, one of the wick
edest Queens who ever ruled over any
I country and brother of Charles TX,
King of France. a1t %
Only a few months before his flight
from Cracow he had been elected King
ofPoand. He had been received with
great magnificence 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-
: leeiveda 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 at 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
ilrst appointing some one to act as
Viceroy. =. aE.
Henry returneda 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
tehdants were urging upon him the ne
cessity OF returning at once to France.
lest he should lose the French crown.
his mother, Queen Catherine, sent mes
senger alter messenger, urging him to
hasten, and his. own inclinations were
entirely in favor of instant departure.
80 ;, during the night a council of the
ffench ! mobiles was held in Henry's
apartments, and it was settled that they
snouid arrange matters for secret
departure. They must go secretly if
they went at all, for the Polish Senate
y. was determined to keep their King in
ahe country. and the people were equally
ae,efmlned not to let him go.
Then the preparations began. In the
arst place the French Ambassador, as
aad been agreed upon, asked permission
.. return Immediately to France, as his
mission n,N had ended withe,the death of
onarles TX. Permission was granted,
ana ne left Cracow at once. He took
with him the Kings jewels and valuable
papers, = and made arrangements at all
,ne principal towns on his route for
norses and provisions to be got ready
lor iiiustrlous members of his suite, who,
as ne SAID, were not able to leave as
~ soon as he did. Next the King sent off
y. enemeraut Qhe messenger who had
otooSht him the news of Charles death)
Un the pretense of carrying letters to
saeeh katherine, but really to wait at |
. ! snort distance from the capital until |
me hing could join him.. He was to
~ as guide and conduct Henry in safety |
across no the border.
ne NEXT step was rather unfortunate
=. the skingg. a train of ten mules
auen with Golfers was observed to |
save \ the city, and when it was found
na. the baggage belonged to the Grand |
aas.ef OF the King household, the
of the people were aroused
Y taa they became wild with excitement. |
i = was IN vain that Henry assured them
lathe hadno intention of leaving the
.nagdom. They did not believe him
'ua with very good reason-and the
snut - increased, until at last the Sem
- so oraered guards to be placed at all
ne ~, entrances to the palace, and gave
as, to arrest any one who
=. .aia that night attempt to stir out,
"a ) ss Even excepting the King himself
Ai4ar supper the King retired, and
Il 'sp1 all his courtiers about him for
sag a time, chatting merrily with them,
~ ~ appearing so easy and announcement
aa' he iancled he must have entirely |;
viewed the Poles, and then he made a
III ri lht be wanted to go to Sleep. The
na. Count Teuczin, drew the
~ :. 'ains :. OF the Kings bed, and page
lasa Ls ms sword and a candle on a table
.ess .osS pY-a ceremony which all tnder-et
-, spN as q signal to leave the room, ex-
,as 's me Chamberlain. whose duty it
har = 20 stand at the foot of the bed until
a. T. tAlng was asleep. 1t had been agreed
ba.,a l.. ,ne h'ng and a few of his mobiles
sa'a ~ meet at a ruined chapel, half
~>sE lI0m The fsftu l