Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-12-06

uOXs, anu III Wuosc huuots ho oooh'
were to lie found except an almanac
( and, perhaps, a treatise on farriery.
1t may be imagined what sort of fig.
ure a man like Mirabeau would presen,
man of education, genius and refine
ment-among these Nimrods, who, as
compared with him, were yet Of the low
est stage of civilization. To them he
was like meteor from the skies, his
vast head, of which the apparent bulk
was increased by an immense crop of
thick, bushy hair; his strongly marked
features beaming with animation; his
quick, dark eye, which keenly expressed
his tumultuous passions his mouth,
whose rapid motions betrayed every emo
ton; his costume, genteel, but extrava-
gant-all these made up whole which
amazed and confounded the rustics,
among whom he wasted his days and
hours, even when he was silent.
But when he spoke, and his sonorous
voice expressed the energy of his imagin-
alton, they thought themselves in the
presence of something better or worse
than man sometimes they were tempted
to throw themselves at his feet and at
Others to fly from his presence as from
that OF demon.
The mono,ony Of this existence soon
became wearisome. To escape from it
he would often set out, with gun and
book, to make long excursions among the
neighboring forests, from which he often
returned very late. Night scenes de-
lighted him and excited his vivid mag
| ination.
At this time there was much talk in
the vicinity Of the chateau Of highway
robbcries that had recently been COM
mitted. Several persons returning from
market had been ordered to give up their
purses, and all had obeyed, preterring the
loss of their gold TO the hazardous chances
of resistance. No discoveries were yet
made of the robbers; and there was moth
ing upon which the police could act for
their detection.
One night friend of the count arriy-
ing late from the fair was observed TO be
rapt in a profound and unusual revere,
very different from his habiiual manner,
which was that Of jolly companion.
He was almost a wag by profession, 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 10 know what it
was that had caused such change in his
manner, took him to one side after sup
per and begged TO know what made him
so grave and silent.
mo, no, he replied, you would not
believe me; perhaps. We should quarrel
about it.
What, them" exclaimed the count,
"is it something in which am myself
concerned =
"No, not exactly yourself, but"
A plague upon butts. What is it
Why will YOU tease me with these mys-
teries Tell me what is the cause Of your
silence
NO, no ; it is nothing"
MY dear friend, require it Of your
friendship to tell me"
"Well, then, since you will know, |
have been robbed within half league OF
the chateau
Robbed, and by whom
"Ah, that is what you must never
know; indeed, it was dusk, and | am
not certain myself"
Whom do you suspect" :"
Excuse ne; | cannot, | must not,
declare that
a. insist; were it my own son, | in
sist upon knowing.
" Ii was your brother-in- law
"Wha,. Mirabeau :"
"les, Mirabeau.'
{" Impossible; you mistake; yes, yes,
you have certainly made mistake"
" Perhaps SO. "
" Let Us nave no more OF TINS non
sense return to the supper room and re-
sumo your usual spirits, or | shall think
you mad"
Agreed"
And they returned to their compa anions
as if nothing had happened.
The guests soon became gay and lively
as usual, but the count strove in vain to
drive what he had heard from his though hts.
At length he again sought an interview
with his friend, and, after much conver-
sa,ion, plan was proposed arc agreed
upon: it was that the guest should say
nothing Of what happened, but take his
leave for week and return to the chat
eau on the eighth day at the same hour
at which he had been robbed. Their
measures were taken accordingly.
On the eighth day the hour appointed
arrived, but the guest had not yet made
his appearance the count was on thorns I;
Mirabeau, too, was absent. On sudden
the gate Of the courtyard is opened, and
the count flies to meet his expected
friend.
"Well," he exclaimed.
The other answered, II have been
stopped again it is he; there is no longer
doubt"
As before, he had beer ordered to
throw his purse on the ground by man