Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-04-20

u.
de Lavalette tried every means to soften
tho heart Of the king, but failed and re-
paired to the prison with plan of es.
cape. The doomed man had learned that
he was to die Oh a certain Thursday
morning. On Tuesday evening his wife
visited tho coll to dine with him and
laid before him this project, which,
with outside help, she had made ar
rangements to carry out: At 8 o'clock
the prisoner, dressed in his wife's cloth
ing, was to pass out OH the arm of her
usual attendant, enter her chair and
once outside place himself in the hands
of friends. This bold plan of jailbreak
and all its details had been devised and
was to be undertaken by women. The
madame, her young daughter and All old
female servant were to be the agents
Failure meant punishment for all, and
success would leave the faithful wife
prisoner in the hands of bittor enemies
Lavalette opposed the scheme strongly,
but finally consented after days post
ponemcnt. That brought it to the eve
Of tho day fixed for his death. A slip
would therefore be fatal
At o'clock on Wednesday the moth
or and daughter entered the cell, accom-
panied by the servant. Mime. Lavalette
then displayed her outer robe, bonnet
and the chief features of the disguise,
dwelling infinitely OH the way in which
the fugitive must net in the strange garb
and character. He must counterfeit the
part perfectly, yet not overaot. The ex-
change Of costume was about to begin
when warm personal friend of the
prisoner entered the cell to bid him
goodby, for the hour Of execution was to
be at daylight. Not moment was to
be lost; the unconscious intruder must
be dismissed at once. Lavalette lifted
his hand to enjoin secrecy and conveyed
to the visitor by ardent gestures the idea
that tho madame and the daughter were
ignorant Of the impending fate. The
ruse was successful, and the caller went
away.
Once more alone, the dressing was
soon completed by means of screen,
and this was to serve also to hide the
bogus count when the jailor or his at
tendant should look in to see that oil
was we'll Mime. Lavalette would then
remain hidden, moving piece of furni
ture or in some way making noise to
satisfy the watchers that the cell was
occupied. When all was ready, the pris-
oner pulled the rope of the jailer's bell
feebly, and his wife passed behind the
screen. The door opened and the count
stepped out, followed by his daughter,
the servant last. "After crossing the
corridor" says the count in his nara
tive of the escape, II came to the door
of the outer room. There was obliged
to lift my foot OH account of the door
head SO that the feathers of my bonnet
should not touch tho ceiling. Isucceed-
ed, but OH raising my head l found
myself opposite five jailers, sitting, lean
ing, standing, the whole length of the
way. held my handkerchief to my
eyes and waited for my daughter to join
me, as agreed. Tho child took my arm,
and the porter, coming down stairs from
his room, advanced toward me, and
placing his hand OIL my arm said, You
are leaving early. my lady He seemed
agitated and probably thought the wife
had bidden tho husband adieu forever.
They aftcrward said that my daughter
and cried aloud, although wo scarcely
dared sigh. At last came to the end
of the hall Day and night turnkey
sits there in large armchair, in space
narrow enough to allow him to place
his hands Oh the keys of the two gates,
ono al iron gate, the othor made OF
wood and called the first entrance. The
jailcr kept looking at me, but did not
open. therefore placed my hands be-
tween tho bars to mako him aware of
our presence.
AT last he turned his two keys, and
we walked out. Once outside, my daugh-
ter did not forget and took my right
arm. There arc IL steps to mount before
you get to tho court. but the guard o:
the gendarmes is stationed Mt the foos
of them.
About 30 soldiers. headed By an Of
ficer. stood three PAGES from me to see
Nine. Lavalette pass / at length reach
cd tho last step and entered the chair
which stood two or three yards OFF. But
tnero Wcro uo biBhS oI porterS OF horN-
ants. My daughter and tho old servant
were standing near the chair, the SEN
tinel ten PAGES of, motienless and turn
ed toward me. To my astonishment,
there succeeded violent agitation. My
eyes were fixed OH the sentry's gun as
those of serpent OH its prey. felt, go
to speak, tho gun between my clinchod
haAda At the sliphtast moyampnt tha
slightest noise, felt myself springing
OH this arm. This terrible situation last
ed about ten minutes only, but to me it
seemed tho length Of night"
One of tho chair porters was missing
and had caused the dangerous delay, but
the counts valet, who enjoyed the lih-
erty of the prison, brought another. The
al.air ..as Eftnl aud l.cr,,o tLl..