St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-27
SAVED BY HIS WIFE.
Story of Count Layalette, Con
demned to the GuiIlotine.

demned to the Guillotine.
Youths Companion
One of the most touching stories in
the history of those French prisons
from which SO many political offenders
have been sent to the guiIlotine is that
OF Count Lavalette and his heroic wife.
Inc count was imprisoned in 1915 in a
Paris Drison-one of the many victims of
a reaction in political feeling. He
was condemned to the guillotine
Every effort was made by his
wire and friends to obtain his
pardon, but in vain. When he had but
Iorty-eight hours to live his wife came
10 MIN ana explained plan for his
escape. He protested against it. put
she was firm, declaring, when he spoke
OF the risk to herself, that she should
surely die If he persisted by the guiIo-
tine.
at O'Clock on the day before he was
10 be executed, the countess came to his
cell accompanied by their little daugh-
ter Josephine and by friend. Nine.
Dutoit. She wore long cloak and
brought with her a black skirt. She
said to her husband:
'"EverVthing is ready. These things
VIII disguise you perfectly. At 7 O'Clock
you must take Josephine's arm and
walk out. Step gently, and cover your
face with your handkerchief. Unfortu-
nately have not beed in the habit of
wearing veil here so dared not bring
you one lest it should excite suspicion.
BE sure when you go through the doors.
which are low, to benn your head SO
That your hat will NOT be diSarranged
You Will 60 little way in my sedan
chair. then you will be met by our
friend. M. Baudus. with carriage. and
ne Will take you TO place OF safety"
The next two hours were passed in
great anxiety. The family had to make
pretence OF eating dinner. Count La
vailette had to take leave of the friends
who came to bid him farewell. 1t was
decided that when tine jailer came 10 the
cell after the count, disguised as the
countess, had departed, the countess
should remain behind large piece of
furniture SO that the jailer could not see
her distinctly enough to see that she
was not the count OF course, discovery
must come soon, but little time gained
would probably save the count.
Disguised in his wife's clothes, and
supported on one Side by his daughter
and on the other by Nine. Dutoit, the
count left the cell. He held his hand
kerchief to his face, and bent his head
as II weeping. He had to pass num-
DER of prison officials. At one time he
had to face five jailers in a brightly
lighted room. He was shorter and of
heavier build than his wife, and he had
slight hope of being allowed to pass.
NO suspicion was aroused, however.
even when one of the jailerS conducted
him to the sedan chair, and he stepped
In. A heavy step. the slipping of his
nat to one side, remark from the
Jaller which would have compelled him
10 speak, would have betrayed him, but
nothing happened, and he was borne
swiftly away.
AT the appointed place the chair
stopped. Count Lavallette got into
carriage which was waiting. In the
coachman he recognized his friend,
Count Chassenon. In the carriage he
put on another disguise. In this dis
gulSe he entered the house of friend
who belonged to the. political party
whose leaders had condemned Laval
lette, and who was able 10 hide him for
TWO or three weeks unsupported.
There was great excitement over La
yallette'S escape, and the police made
dlllgent search for him, but his friends
were able to get him out of the country.
He lived i'll Bohemia six years. Then
he was pardoned by the king and re-
turned to France.
The sad part of the story has to do
with the heroic countess. When she
was discovered in her husbands cell she
had TO undergo a terrible ordeal of
anger, imprecations and cruel treat
ment from the jailers. She was kept in
prison and endured fearful hardships
for six weeks. Then Sue was able to re-
Join her husband. Her health, previ-
ousiy delicate, was injured past recov-
cry, and her reason was shattered,
though she was never really insane.