Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-15

intended concealing. The money was
divided in four leather bags, but much to
Gamain's surprise he noticed that in
stead of carrying them to cupboard. Durley
went thither always charged with small
packages of papers, and ne came to the
conclusion that the mention of money
was simply blind" The King asked
him if he would stay to the supper. but
he refused, assuring his Majesty that it
was already late, and that he wished to
get home as fast as possible to his wife.
who, knowing where he was and the risk
he ran, would certainly be much alarmed
if he prolonged his absence. Just as he
was about to retire. The declared in
his verbal declaration" the door opened
and Marie Antoinette entered. holding a
silver plate in her hand upon which was
glass of wine and a piece of cake.
Canaan was surprised to see her Majesty,
as he had been informed by the King that
she knew nothing about the cupboard.
The Queen begged of him in most friend
ly manner to partake of the refreshments,
saying that she felt sure he must be great
ly exhausted. He drank the wine, but not
being fond of smeetmeats he contrived to
slip the cake in his pocket with the in
tention of taking it home to his children.
A few minutes afterward the King shook
him by the hand and ne retired.
1t was then about o'clock in the even
ing. Canaan, wishing to allay the anxiety
of his wife, hurried homeward down the
Champs Elysees toward Versailles. He
had not been in Paris for long time, and
was amazed at the stiffness of the streets,
and to notice that no carriages were to be
pa rooI xrhiol o,,l,- 60
before, was invariably full of coaches and
other vehicles going to and from the city
to the court. About an hour after he left
pain $50 great that he threw himself upon
the ground in agony. At first he feared
that he had an attack of appolexy. His
mouth was so parched he was unable to
call for assistance. Presently, however,
an English doctor who CHANGED to pass,
came to his aid. Odd to relate, this gen
tleman had already formed Gamain's &c
qualntance some years previously. He
placed him in cart and took him TO a
chemist shop in the Rue du BAG, when,
feeling certain Canaan had been poisoned,
he administered a strong emetic. The
apothecary very kindly permitted Canaan
to remain in his house, and put him to
Oeu, WHpIe he stayed Tor Cnree days, DUR
ing the greater part of which he was de-
lirious. He, however, finally recovered,
but lost the use of his limbs and the sight
of one eye. In short, from being a hale
and vigorous man, he was reduced in
few days to the condition of an afflicted
and helpless invalid.
On reaching home he refused to tell
his wife what had happened for fear she
might repeat the adventure and get him
into trouble. In due time, however, he
did so, and recollecting the fragment of
cake, which was still in his pocket, tried
an experiment. by giving if to a dog,
which was instantly thrown into convul-
sions and presently died. Its vomit was
examined and shown to contain sufficient
quantity of poison to kill ten persons.
This fact proved conclusively to Canaan
and his friends that an attempt has been
made on his life. 1t was not until Novem-
Der 10 that he was able to come to Paris.
He then, being full of vindictive feeling,
went to the house of Roland, told him
what had occurred, and informed him,
moreover, of the existence of the iron cup
board. On the next day-November 20
the secret deposit was destroyed. and the
papers which it contained placed before
the convention. In the following year
both Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
were executed.