Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-24

be bad for you, Lazarre, and stood by
the door with my knife in my hand.
When the talk had gone on awhile heard
something like the dropping of buck on
the ground, and sprang in, and the men
drew their swords and the women scream
ed. The priest pointed at you and said:
God has smitten the pretender! Then
they all went out of the room except the
priest, and we opened your collar. 1 told
him that you had fallen like that before,
and the stroke passed of in sleep. He
said your carriage waited, and II valued
your safety 1 would put you in it and take
you out OF Russia. He called servants TO
help me carry you. 1 thought about your
jewels; but some drums began to beat,
and thought about your life
But, Skenedonk, didn't my sister-the
lady 1 led by the hand, you remember
speak to me again, or look at me, or try
to revive met"
mo She went away with the women
carrying her"
''She believed in meat first! Before
said word she knew me! She wouldn't
leave me merely because her uncle and a
priest thought me an impostor! She is the
tenderest creature on earth, Skenedonk-
she is more like a saint than woman!
Some saints on the altar are blind and
deaf" observed the Oneida. Il think she
was sick"
''I have nearly killed her! And I have
been tumbled out of Mittau as a preten-
der!"
"You are here. Get some men to fight,
and we will go back"
What stroke-to lose my senses at
the moment needed them most!''
''You kept your scalp!'
"And not much else. No! If you refuse
to follow me- and wait here at this post
house, 1 am going back to Mittau!'
1T go where you gop' said Skenedonk.
But best go to sleep now"
This l was not able to do until long
tossing on the thorns of chagrin wore me
out. l was ashamed like prodigal, baf-
fed, and hurt to the bruising of my soul.
A young mans chastened confidence in
himself is hard to bear, but the loss of
what was given as a heritage at birth is
an injustice not to be endured.
The throne of France was never my
goal, to be reached through blood and
revolution. Perhaps the democratic no.
lions in my fathers breast have found
wider scope in mine. 1 wanted to influence
men, and felt even at that time that L
could do it; but being king was less to my
mind than being acknowledged dauphin,
and brother, and named with my real
name.
1 took my fists in my hands and swore
to force recognition, If 1 battered a life
time on Mittau.
At daylight our post-horses were put
to the chaise and gave the position or
ders myself The little fellow bowed him
self nearly double, and said that troops
were moving behind us to join the allied
forces against Napoleon.
AZ once the prospect of being SHARED
among armies and cut off from all return
to Paris appalled, me as a greater present
calamity than being cast out of Mittau.
Adittau could wait for another expedition.
Ill 7 Tel f11a IN
France"
We met August rains. We were begged.
A bridge broke under US. We lodged Aus
trian troops. 1t seemed even then fated
thing that a Frenchman should retreat
ignomi Aiously from Russia.
Theirs Is devilish antagonism of IMAM
innate and senseless things, begun by dis
cord in ourselves, which works unreason-
able torture Our return was an abomina-
BILE journal which will not recount, and
going with IL was mortifying facility for
drawing opposite forces.
However, knew my friend the marquis
expected me to return defeated. He gave
me my opportunity as a child is INDUCED
with q dangerous plaything, to teach it
caution.
He would be in his chateau of Plessy,
cutting off two days posting to Paris. And
after the first sharp pangs of chagrin and
shame at losing the fortune he had plac-
ed in my hands, 1 looked forward with
impotence to our meeting.
1--WE have nothing, Skenedonk" ex-
claimed the first time there was occasion
for money on the road. How have you
been able to post? The money and the
jewel-case are gone!"
1--WE have two bags of money and the
snuff-box," said the Oneida. II hid them
In the post-carriage."
But 1 had the key of the jewel-case''
You are a good sleeper" responded
Skenedonk.
1 blessed him heartily for his fore
thought, and he said If he had known 1
was a fool he would not have told me we
carried the jewel-case into Russia.
1 dared not let myself think of Madame
de Terrier. The plan of buying back her
estates which had nurtured in the bot
tom of my heart, was now more remote
than America.
One bag of coin was spent in Paris, but
three remained there with DIR. Chantry.
We had money, though the more valuable
treasure stayed in Mittau.
In the sloping hills and green vines of
Champagne we were no longer harrassed
lodging troops, and slept the last night of
our posting at Epernay. Taking the road
early next morning, began to watch for
Plessy too soon, without forecasting that
1 was not to set foot within it's walls.
We came within the marquis boundaries
upon a little goose girl, knitting beside
her flock. Her bright hair was bound with
a wooden cap. Delicious grass and the
shadow of an oak. under which she Stood
were not to be resisted, so l sent the car
riage on. She looked open-mouthed after
Skenedonk and bobbed her dutiful, fright
ened courtesy at me.
The marquis peasants were by no means