The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-07-23


A Story Of MIirabeau.
The worst. enemy of Mirabeau was
his father; it was to him that his son
was indebted for his abduction from
Holland and his captivity at vincen-
mes. A truce was 1t length estab-
lished between them, of which it
was one Of the conditions imposed
that Mirabeau should con6ne himself
to the Province of limousin, and in
pursuance of the agreement, he took
up his residence at the chateau Of
his brother ; in law, the. Comte du
Saillant.
His arrival was an event for the
whole neighborhood; the pretty land
holders of the vicinity. who had often
heard of him from his bfother-in-
law, a. . man not less remarkable
for his talent than for the vehemen-
ces of his passion, FASTENED to look
on q being respecting whom their
curiosity had been 90 much excited;
most Of them were mere sporting
gentlemen, who knew little besides
the names of the dogs, and in whose
houses no books were to be found
except An almanac, and, perhaps, .
treatise on farriery.
It may be imagined what sort Of .
figure . man like Mirabeau would
present. man of education. genius,
and MISUNDERSTANDING these MINI
rods, who, as compared with him,
were yet Of the lowest stage Of civ
ilization. To them he was like .
meteor from the skies; his vast head,
of which the apparent bulk was in
creased by an immenoe crop OF thick,
bushy hair; his strongly marked fea-
lures beaming with ambition; his
quick dark eye, which keenly ex-
pressed his tumultuons passion; his
mouth, whose rapid motions betayed
every emotion; his costume, genteel
but extravigant; al these made up .
whole which amazed and confonnded
the rustics, among whom he wasted
his days and hours, even when he
was silent.
But when he spoke, and his sonor-
ous voice expressed the energy of his
imagination, they though themselves
in the presence Of something better
than man; sometimes they we're
tempted to throw themselves at his
feet and ct others to fly from his
presence Us from that of . demon.
The monotony Of this existence
soon became wearisoIne. To escape
from it he would often set ont, with
. gun and book, 20 make long excur-
sions among the neighboring forests,
from which he often returned very
late. Night scenes delighted him
and excited his vivid Imagination.
At this time there was much talk
in the vicinity of the chateau Of high
way roberies that had recently been
committed. Several persons return
ing from market had been ordered to
give up their purses, and al had
obeyed, preiering ths loss Of their
gold to the hazardous chances oil
resistance. No discoveries were yet
made Of the robbers; and there was
nothing upon which the police could
act for their detection,
One night friend Of the Count,
arrived late from the fair, was OBJ
served to be rapt in 4 profound and
unusual reverie, very differedt from
his habitual manner, which vas that
of . jolly companion. He was al
most . wag BY protection; and this
made his present silence and gravity
more remarkable. The courage Of
this person was somewhat doubtful;
but this did not prevent him from
talking largely Of his exploits.
The Count. anxious to know what
it was that caused such . change in
his manner, took him to one side
after supper. and begged to know
what made him 70 grave and silent
mo, no." he replied. "you might
not believe me; perhaps We should
quarrel about il.
"What, then. exclaimed the Count.
'sit i something in which lam myself
conoernedf'