« • • 'x. "*^
\V «i*_ '^ -^^ „- .V-' -Q 4.
;> V * * • °' O^
°o
* ^"^
^^0^
^oV
>- ^^-V-
^ ^^^^^!^\/ \.*^-^/ ^^,^^^\/
\3 *v7^T' A
■^^^^^
^^-n*.
^-i. *
' He turned and "azod upon the dear scenes of his childhood." Pa;,'e 26.
French Exiles
LOUISIANA.
/
J. T. LINDSAY, .
Author of "Log Cabin Days of Illinois," Etc.
i/
NEW YORK:-
W. B. S MITH, & CO.,
Bond Street.
f
^^
Copyright, 1881,
By W. B. Smith & Co., New York
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TO
Every Friend of Liberty,
TO EVERY FRIEND OF HUMANITY,
TO EVERY HEART WHO HATH COMPASSION
FOR THE SORROWS AND MISFORTUNES OF MANKIND,
TO EVERY ONE WHO HATH CHARITY FOR OTHERS,
THIS BOOK IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
BY THE AUTHOR.
(6)
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
/ Leaving Home (In the Alps), .... 2
-' The Execution (View of Leghorn, Italy), . . . 123
'^ Uncle Louis Reading Paul's Letter, . . .191
^ The Insane Count's Return, .... 213
^ Achilles Murat makes Himself Known in Louisiana, 229
CONTENTS.
REFACE, .
.
.■
BOOK
I.
I.
II.
Paul Lorraine,
Gone,
,
•
BOOK
IL
I.
II.
Marengo,
Desaix,
BOOK
IIL
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Italy,
The Insane Count,
Lady Verono,
The Flower Girl,
•
•
BOOK
IV.
I.
II.
Paul and Annetta,
Prussia joins the K
»gs,
I. Jena,
BOOK V.
BOOK VL
VILANI PALACE.
I. A merciful King,
II. Count Vilani.
BOOK VII.
I. Iphi Betrayed,
II. Louis Dejon,
III. The Siren and Victim,
IV. The Voice from behind the Ta]>estry,
V. Midnight Hour, .
VI. The Two Sacks of Gold,
VII. Geno Makes Joseph promise to return the Gold,
BOOK VIII.
MUTINY.
I. " I Knew not what I did,"
II. The Arrest, .....
(7)
Page.
9
19
28
30
35
39
42
44
47
S3
57
60
64
69
7S
80
88
90
96
99
10:^
106
108
CONTENTS.
III.
Geno, . . . .
IV.
Murat, King of Naples, .
V.
The Sentence,
VI.
P'arewell, . . . .
VII.
The Execution, .
BOOK IX
I.
Tribunal of Justice,
II.
The ]]eggar,
III.
A Blessing.
IV.
Ambition's Triumph,
V.
Alonzo, . . . .
BOOK X.
LOUISIANA.
Captain Ethan Allen Smith,
BOOK XI.
BOOK XV.
THE STRANGER.
" 'Tis Strange, Because 'tis True,"
Page.
Ill
"5
117
119
122
126
129
130
134
140
144
I.
The Sacks of Gold,
• 153
II.
Alonzo on Trial for the Murder of Francisco
Vilani, 155
III.
I told You So, ....
. 165
IV.
The Insane Count again,
. 169
V.
Where the Gold came from.
. 171
VI.
Remorse, .....
• 174
VII.
The Good Angel,
• 179
VIII.
Francisco and Calvetti, .
BOOK XII.
. 181
I.
Murat, . . . .
. 184
II.
Sad Memories, ....
. 184
III.
Paul's Letter to Uncle Louis, .
. 186
IV.
Religion and Government,
BOOK XIIL
• 193
I.
The Exiles, ....
. 199
II.
Louisiana,
. 200
III.
" By Jmgo — Let's take a Drink,"
• 205
IV.
Francisco,
BOOK XIV.
. 207
I.
The Flower Girl again.
. 212
II.
Captain Ethan Smith, .
. 220
231
PREFACE.
Tyranny doth justice spurn,
Transforms a vase into an urn ;
Thanks, that from the blood of hero slain,
Liberty springs to life again.
The People vs. The King.
The Duke of Wellington cost England, in the shape of pay, pen-
sions, etc., the sum of fourteen millions of dollars. The parliamentary
returns of March 23, 1S47, give the annual direct cost of royalty in
England, the enormous sum of three millions eight hundred and forty-
five thousand eight hundred and twenty-five dollars. The whole
landed estate of England is in the hands of thirty thousand proprie-
tors ; Scotland, three thousand ; Ireland, about six thousand. The
lands belong to the aristocratic class, and are nearly exempt from
taxation. In the report of 1847, the whole amount of land tax in
Great Britain, was the sum of five millions nine hundred and fifteen
thousand dollars, while the merchants, farmers, and the industrial
classes, of every description, paid the sum of two hundred and forty-
seven millions one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. In the above
sum of money that is required to support royalty, there is an item of
over one million of dollars for the private purse of the Queen.
A verse from the national song of England :
God save the king !
Send him victorious,
Soon to reign over us ;
God save the king !
There are two chapters in the history of England that present two
pictures. The one is full of joy, the other sorrow. The one relates
that on the 19th of October, A. D., 1781, Lord Cornwallis, comman-
der of the King's army, now engaged in suppressing the rebellion in
9
lo PREFACE.
his majesty's American colonies, was compelled, by unavoidable acci-
dents, to surrender the army to a certain rebel, called George Wash-
ington, assisted in his disgraceful disloyalty to his King, by a certain
Frenchman, called Lafayette. That was glad tidings to man ; that
was the birth-day of the grandest Republic ever established for man-
kmd. What a priceless inheritance is here transmitted to us, and in
our keeping for posterity. Let the toiling millions of our beloved
land remember, that it is far easier to lose liberty than to win it back
from the clutches of despotism, by revolution.
The other chapter is mournful. Napoleon, trusting to the generos-
ity of the British nation, placed himself on an English vessel. On
his arrival, he asked of the prince regent the privilege of residing in
England, under the protection of their laws. He was not even al-
lowed to land, or to have any communication with the people on
shore, but was banished, imprisoned on a small rocky island, far
away in the South Atlantic ocean.
In the year 1847, the land tax of France was one hundred and six-
teen millions of dollars, against five millions in England, the same
year. The industrial class of England paid a tax that year amount-
ing to the sum of two hundred and forty-seven millions of dollars.
While the industry of France paid 'only eighty-seven millions.
A verse from the French national anthem :
"Oh Liberty, can man resign thee —
Once having felt thy generous flame ?
Can dungeons, locks, and bars confine thee,
Or whip thy noble spirit lame ?
Too long the world has wept, bewailing
That Falsehood's dagger tyrants wield,
But Freedom is our sword and shield,
And all their arts are unavailing.
To arms ! To arms ! Ye brave.
Th' avenging sword unsheath.
March on, march on, all hearts resolved
On liberty or death."
May, A. D., 1800. It was in a high degree fitting that Napoleon
should have inaugurated his grand triumph in the cause of peace,
liberty and self-government in the very dawn of the nineteenth cen-
tury. A century that up to 1879, has been marked by so many glori-
ous achievements in civilization — crowned with many victories of
PREFACE. II
peace — marked improvement in all the branches of useful industry,
laws, and government. The area of free thought and free speech has
been vastly enlarged, with the almost universal recognition of the
right of self-government in man.
The poet has given us new songs, filled with pathos, beauty, and
grandeur. The architect, sculptor, and painter, have all given a new
splendor even to their renascent work from the old masters of
antiquity.
The crowned heads of England and Austria, with their nobles, and
that unseen but omnipotent power behind the throne, well named the
"almighty dollar," united together in a cruel, unjust, and unholy alli-
ance, to crush out of France this glorious love of liberty and self-
government.
In justice it should be said that the noble industrial classes of both
England and Austria had no sympathy with these tyrannical acts per-
petrated against France. But such are the crimes of despotism.
The i^eople are hopeless and helpless. This despotism not only ex-
acts the fruits of toil, but demands the blood of their sons to main-
tain the thrice-accursed doctrine that God has appointed the king, to
rule and rob.
England said to the American colonies, " accept a king." Patriotic
hearts answered, —
" The Star-Spangled banner, long may it wave,
O'er the land o£ the free, and the home of the brave."
England and Austria said to France : " accept a Bourbon king ; "
and patriotic hearts answered : " To arms, to arms, ye brave ; the
avenging sword n.nsheath."
In March, 1S79, when writing these lines, a correspondent of the
"New York Herald." writes from Paris this, — "France has estab-
lished a Republic. Paris is all ablaze with enthusiasm. Bands of
Americans are parading the streets, singing the Star-Spangled Ban-
ner, while bands of Frenchmen are singing the Marseillaise."
It is grander by far to write the songs of a people, than to write
their laws.
The foundation of all governments are the producing classes, and
commerce that distributes the products of industry, either of hand or
brain, to places where they are wanted. It matters not whether des-
potism springs from the royalty of kings, exacting almost countless
12 PEE FACE.
sums of money, to maintain its wanton extravagance, or from the
unjust exactions of a concentrated money power, it falls with crush-
ing weight upon the shoulders of industry.
The well-to-do portion of the government foundation can endure
for some time, but the poorer classes of labor are soon driven to
despair. Then there is in the very vitals of the nation a smothered
and concealed volcano ; a spark is communicated, then follows wide-
spread ruin and desolation. The despair that is produced by the
pangs of starvation knows no law.
In the spring of 1792 some French soldiers, who had determined
to strike for liberty, said this to one another, " We love France; we
will die for her; but where is the inspired one who can put our enthu-
siasm in glowing words to move the soul.'"' Little did they think
that in their very midst was the inspired one who would write the
song that would make his name immortal on earth.
Roget de Lisle, a soldier in the ranks, went to his chamber, and
there alone in the solitary midnight hour, sang to himself the grand
Marseillaise hymn, that moved the heart of every man that loved
human liberty with inspiration. Across the sea in our own land it
was answered with joy by our own inspired song of the " Star-Span-
gled Banner."
Six hundred brave men, half fed, half clothed, half armed, in the
revolution of '92, started from Marseilles and marched to Paris,
singing the grand hymn, confronted the armed legions of despotism,
accepted a glorious death in the cause of liberty with De Lisle's song
upon their lips.
There are times when despotism drives the friends of liberty to
despair, and the infernal is invoked.
Robespierre was the most mysterious character in French history.
The most of hi-s life was spent in eloquent, stirring appeals in favor
of the merciful abolishment of the death penalty for all offences or
crimes. It is said, his writings and speeches were so brilliant and
powerful, that they gave him great prominence. What a ghastly ending
for such an exalted beginning. When in power, he caused tire guillo-
tine to run a stream of blood. The innocent perished with the guilty.
Friends perished with foe ; decrepit old age and tender infancy died
together. To be suspected by the monster was to die. A peasant
girl was heard humming a song in praise of the Queen, and was put
to death.
PREFACE. 13
The National Convention closed its blood-stained career forever.
The reign of terror was ended. If France has shown great virtues,
she has also been the theatre of great crimes. Her kings had been
cruel to the children of the people. The people turned and put to
death the children of the kings. In the name of liberty the Conven-
tion had committed countless crimes, clothed in the garb of virtue ;
the guillotine was the shrine of their idolatry. While the ensign of
man's equality was unfurled in the halls of the Convention, the
guillotine was behind the splendid image of liberty, where stood the
executioner with axe in hand to put to death alike the guilty or inno-
cent victims of his master. These scenes were too terrible to last.
Mercy could no longer endure the sight of the tears of pleading
innocence. The cry of anguish that went up from the stricken people
was heard by the Infinite, and Robespierre, the grand central figure
of this ghastly picture, fell a victim to the wrath of the fiend he had
evoked. The National Convention had passed out of existence, the
Council and Directory appeared in their stead, and in the horizon
appeared the man of destiny standing at the portals of the nineteenth
century with the avenging sword. The twilight of the eighteenth
century laid Robespierre in the grave. The dawn of the nineteenth
said to the grand captain of self-government, come. The close of the
last century placed Robespierre on the guillotine. The beginning of
the present placed Napoleon at the foot of the Alps with sixty
thousand brave men to strike for peace and liberty, for their beloved
France.
Napoleon.
The Council and Directory, now in power, organized three grand
divisions of the army. The division that was to cross the Alps and
conquer Italy was placed under the command of Napoleon. But
recently the author was reading a description of Julius Caesar. When
he sought dominion he believed that he was led by destiny. He left
behind him an exact account of his battles from day to day- These
commentaries form a large fund of authentic history, and are uni-
versally admired for their elegance of style. He was courageous,
self-possessed, clement, and generous. Although he was slender and
delicate in make, he was able to make long marches, seldom stopped
for repose — sleeping on the way in a litter or chariot. As a general
he was equal to the greatest commander the world ever produced ;
14 PREFACE.
indeed there was no one that could hardly be compared to him, ex-
cept, perhaps, Hannibal. As an orator he was second alone to
Cicero. In his personal appearance he was commanding, with an
open countenance, fair complexion, fme dark eyes, and said to be the
handsomest man in Rome. I was forcibly impressed with the re-
.semblance this picture bears to Napoleon. He believed that he was
ill the hands of destiny. His writings, his letters and orders, were
universally admired for their brevity and force, also for their elegance
of style. He was courageous, self-possessed, clement, and generous.
He was slender in make, and never stopped in his marches for re-
pose, sleeping on the way in his carriage. Indeed, I think it was
said of him that he could sleep while sitting on his horse, and could
sleep at any lime he desired. As a general he has no equal in
modern history ; as an orator no man could utter great truths and
splendid thoughts with more force and eloquence than Napoleon.
In his personal appearance he was commanding, with an open coun-
tenance, fair complexion, fme large dark eyes, and was exceedingly
hantlsome. There was this difference. Napoleon had a much
grander field of action than Cffisar ; his triumphs were by far more
brilliant, and had a much greater effect on the destiny of man. He
laid the foundation of a freedom of thought and speech that is des-
tined, in the course of time, to redeem all Europe from despotism.
One of the first acts of The Council of France, when placed in leg-
islative power, was to jnopose [)eace with England and Austria,
or otherwise to let France have peace, and the divine right of the
]5eop]e to estal:)lish for themselves a republican government. They
refused to comply with this just demand. What untold, unnum-
bered blessings of peace, happiness, and prosperity would have
been brought to the working classes of these three nations if this
demand had been grar.ted ! At the close of the Napoleonic war,
England had her people Inn IliLucd with a tax of over four thousand
millions of dollars, and millions of lives lost, the value of which can-
not be measured l^y dollars and cents. For what? To make the
workingmen of France accept a Bourbon for a king. Why did
England and Austria want France to endure the despotism of a
king ? The answer is that France, under a republican government,
with her great genius in all the departments, of industry, would have
been so prosperous, so happy, and the people so powerful in the
PREFACE. IS
triumphs of peace and liberty, that every throne and crown in Europe
would be in danger from such a grand example of self-government.
Thus it was that at the beginning of this century England and Aus-
tria taxed their workingmen money, and demanded of them the blood
of their sons, to prevent the workingmen in France from enjoying
the fruits of their own labor and the blessings of peace and liberty.
On the 6th day of May, 1800, an army of sixty thousand men were
assembled at the foot of the Alps. They were to cross at three
different points. Napoleon was with the main body of the army that
crossed at the great St. Bernard. These soldiers were composed
largely of Swiss and Alpine French mountaineers. Paul Lorraine
was an adept in climbing the mountain cliffs ; it was a part of his
early education, — indeed, it was so with two-thirds of the entire
force, — and hence the perfect success of this wonderful march, that
astonished the civilized world with its brilliant intrepidity.
The Austrians, hearing for the first time of the ambitious designs
of Napoleon to cross the Alps, treated it with scorn and contempt.
The Swiss, the mountain French, and the highland Scotch are alike
remarkable for their love of home and their love of liberty. They
seem to love their homes for their dangers. Their hard struggles
with a sterile soil gives them health, courage, and manhood. They
breathe the free, pure air of the mountain cliffs, and look with dis-
dain on those who dwell on the lowlands, as minions of arbitrary
power and despotism. The terrors of the glacier and avalanche to
them is enchantment. Go where they will, and their memory clings
fondly to these mountain homes. The Highlander rushed proudly to
the call of his chieftain to die in defence of the barren rocks. The
Swiss in distant lands, in memory hears the n;elody of the Alpine
horn, and the tears unbidden flow. Such an army with such a com-
mander, and battling for such a cause was sure to triumph.
You would say to one of these soldiers, "Can you cross the Alps
with those heavy guns, carriages, food, and ammunition ? It is not
possible ! " He would say, " Why, it is nothing. See, we can go
single along the glaciers, and most of the time double and treble ;
we will haul the guns on sleds, and pack the carriages on mules ;
we can carry some , provisions ; we will cut our pathway with axes
out of the ice. If there comes a storm, and loosens the avalanche,
or starts the glacier.probably we shall be lost." You would say again,
i6 PREFACE.
" When you'get into Italy, you will meet the greatest army in Europe,
veteran troops that have ever been victorious." He would say, " True,
but we have conquered nature and the Alps, and surely now we
need not fear man."
On the 1 6th of May the grand army broke forth with the strains
of the Marseilles hymn, and the march commenced. Soon St. Pierre
was reached and the road ended. Heroic band, march on, march
on ! You have with you the man chosen by destiny to vindicate the
eternal principles of justice and liberty.
The Alps, monarch of the mystic realm, seated above the Olympic
Jove of ancient days. To mortal man on earth's lower plains, thy
throne is placed among the stars. What earthly king can vie with
thee, in lofty, peerless majesty. How vast thy power I the dark
abyss thy dungeon and thy prison keep. Thy army the mighty
glacier that grinds to powder the massive granite hills. The ava-
lanche that with one fell sweep could send armed battalions to an
icy grave. Let loose the winds, the tempest, and the mountain
storms ; as well might man face the anger of Omnipotence. Mystic
spirit of the mountain, around thy throne appears thy vast empire !
Ancient Rome still sitting on her hills — the throne of Caesar van-
ished. Sons of Rome still dwell amidst her vine-clad hills and
fertile valleys, and her opulent cities, proud of ancient fame and
historic memories. There is Greece, still mourning over fallen
Athens and the tomb of Demosthenes. Far away in the distance
rolls the waves of the classic sea that has borne on her bosom the
commerce of forty centuries. There is the vast empire of the Czar,
still waiting for the sick man's death, to grasp his Crescent crown.
Here is dismembered Poland, still mourning for her exiled sons, and
decking with flowers the tombs of her heroic dead. There the
German, who in olden times crushed the grandest empire of antiq-
uity. Yonder the islands of the proud Briton, mistress of the seas,
forging chains for France. Here is chivalrous Spain ; she who dis-
covered a new world ; and the land of the renowned Cid, the formi-
dable foe of the powerful Moor. There is France pleading for peace
and liberty. Cruelly she has been betrayed into the hands of her
enemies. In olden times, when histoty commenced. Omnipotence
rolled back the waves of the sea, and the children of Israel passed
out of the land of bondage into the land of promise. The monarch
PREFACE. 17
of the mystic realm stayed the glacier, fastened the avalanche
bridged the abyss, silenced the storm ; and the Man of Destiny passed
unharmed in this march of triumph in the cause of liberty. It is
not strange that Napoleon, like unto Caesar, believed in destiny.
That his fate was in the hands of some unseen, mysterious, power he
could neither control or resist.
French Exiles of Louisiana.
BOOK I.
I.
Paul Lorraine.
In Provence, France, on the road from Digne to Brian-
9on, well up towards the mountains, there is a little valley
that has been occupied by a few families in succession, for
generation after generation, for centuries. This remote
and sequestered spot the traveller would name the Vale
of Peace. Yet war had reached out its arm and grasped
victims for carnage.
Jarvis Lorraine, an old resident, had fallen, while in the
army of the Convention, at the siege of Toulon. Widow
Lorraine is now dwelling with her son in that humble
cottage by the road-side. It is flanked by a gentle,
sloping hill, covered with a flourishing vineyard. The
sun sets behind this hill, and there the first shadows
of evening fall. The vines rejoice however, in the first
beams of morning light, then they have the noonday sun.
This is a good arrangement, as the culture of the vine
requires above all things the sunlight, and plenty of fresh
air to breathe. This keeps from the vineyard that terrible
scourge, the black rot, and to a great extent the ravages
of that parasite, the moth.
19
20 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
The cottage was covered with creepers and vhies.
Across the way was a small pasture field, where some
cows, pigs, and sheep, were feeding on the rich pasture.
Everything about this humble abode had the appearance
of neatness and industry.
Mother Lbrraine, as she was called, lived here with her
son Paul, in apparent peace and contentment. The in-
habitants of the valley, called her "mother" from the
promptings of genuine affection.
This humble woman in lowly life, had an abiding faith
in the goodness of the Infinite, and that in the end all
would be well. The atheist, perched upon his intellectual
throne, proud of his genius, and power to give even vice
the appearance of virtue, would scoff at this faith — call
it credulity, ignorance, superstition. Yet it cheered this
poor woman in the hours of her greatest bereavement.
To the most of those who may not trust in divine revela-
tion, it is a mystery they cannot altogether grasp or com-
prehend. It found' expression alike in the last hours
of the great Webster, and the dying slave, when, afar
off among the stars, he saw with faith a land of promise,
where there was neither tears or bondage.
Not far from Mother Lorraine lived her brother-in-law
Louis, enjoying about the same advantages in this world's
goods as his brother's widow, with two sons to help him
in the cares and labors of his pface.
Across the road near the warbling mountain brook,
that came down from the hill, was the home of ^Pierre
Gerald and wife, with their daughter, Annetta. The top
of the little cottage can just be seen over the spur of a
sharp hill that springs out into the valley from the moun-
tain.
PAUL LORRAINE. 21
This valley was the birthplace of Paul, and at the time
he was drafted in the army of the Alps he was about nine-
teen years of age. To have seen this peasant boy toiling
in the vineyard, with his homespun blouse, you never
would have dreamed that his life was to be one of such
strange events. He was everybody's friend. The children
of the valley looked upon him as a kind of divinity. A
little child slipped from the top of a steep crag, lodged
on the roots and limbs of a scraggy pine growing out
from the side of the ledge. What was to be done ? The
cliff was a perpendicular rock two hundred feet from its
base to the place where the imperilled child was lodged.
Paul was called for consultation. Paul was of light build,
but strong, acti^■e, and muscular, noble hearted and full of
courage. He says, the child must be saved. His mountain
pick was in his hand. He passed up to the top of the hill
where the child had fallen. Soon, and the anxious ones who
had gathered there, — among the rest the mother of the child,
— looking up at the heroic youth so prompt to save the life
of her dear one, saw him strike his axe into the crevice of the
rock, swing down on a lower ledge, pass along some distance
from the object of the daring task. Again he returns on
a lower shelf of the rock, and is now standing immediately
beneath the child. Soon, and his mountain axe is fast-
ened in the roots of the projecting tree ; he draws himself
up, and the child is in the strong arms of the daring boy.
There was one in that assembly of anxious lookers-on,
that witnessed the event with as much joy as the mother
of the child. It was Annetta. Paul was her idol. A
smile of joy was on that sweet, pure face, so guileless and
innocent. She said, " Fear not for Paul, he is so good and
brave, surely no harm can come to him." A rope was
22 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
passed down to Paul, fastened around his waist, he threw
his axe from him and was hauled up to the summit of the
hill. The child was soon in the mother's arms. Heroic
boy ! How blessed for this world, were it filled with such
hearts as thine !
At another time a horse ran away with a little boy, and
was dashing furiously down the slope of the hill on the
road. At the foot of the hill the road made a sudden turn
to avoid a deep ravine. There was some little barrier to
prevent accidents, but this little fellow was unable to
control the horse so as to make the turn and avoid the
precipice. Paul chanced to be near this bend in the road.
He saw the terrible danger that threatened the life of the
boy. He planted himself in front of the dashing animal,
not far from the precipice. It appeared that the fright-
ened brute was unable himself to change his headlong
course from a direct one. It looked as if the horse would
pass over Paul and trample him to pieces. When he
came very near, Paul gave him a little berth, seized the
boy, dragged him from his back, and the poor brute
plunged over the railing and was dashed to pieces on the
rocks below. Very many such events as this in the youth-
ful days of this young hero gave him an enviable reputa-
tion for courage and intrepidity far beyond his companions
and associates.
Paul and Annetta had grown up together here, in the
purity, love, and happiness of Eden. They say history
repeats itself ; doubtless the sad story of Eden has been
oft repeated. Peace, happiness, and contentment, destroyed
by the wily serpent, bearing with it the knowledge of vain,
idle pleasures, their allurements that lead to ruin and
sorrow. It must have been such lives as Paul and
PAUL LORRAINE. 23
Annetta's that proved to the mind of the great writer
on the law of evidence, Greenleaf, that the doctrine
of absolute depravity, or natural depravity, was not to his
mind proven. He says that a child tells the truth
naturally, and is taught to lie ; that truth is natural, lying
artificial. The truth is easily told, and it is very hard to
coin a falsehood that will pass current.
These children of nature grew together in virtuous
simplicity, never dreaming that the wide world was full
of crime, sorrow, and deceit ; there was nothing in their
thoughts they desired to conceal. They spoke to one
another in the simple language of nature and truth.
They worked together in the vineyard, a*nd in the fields,
dressed the vines, destroyed the weeds, and the para-
sites, worked among the flowers and vegetables, among
the fruit-trees. Paul was an adept in pruning fruit-trees
and grafting, and all the arts necessary to secure a good
return for labor. They worked alternately on the Lorraine
place and on the Gerald place. Annetta would have
made a soxrj figure in the gay, fashionable life of Paris.
Yet, her heart, her mind, and that sweet smile that beamed
forth from her kind, quiet face, v/as full of grandeur.
Paul would say to Annetta, " I love you as I love the
flowers."
" Why Paul ? "
" Because they are so beautiful, so pure, like the angels
my dear mother talks about."
Annetta would say, " I do love you so."
" Why, Annetta ? "
" Because, Paul, you are so good, and brave, and kind."
Oftentimes she would see Paul pass along the verge
of the rocky cliff with the agility of a mountain chamois.
24 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
She would say to herself, " I love him so, he is so brave."
Then Paul's constant care and attention to the old people
in the valley was so considerate and generous, that he was
endeared to every one. As Paul grew older he became
more thoughtful, and at times there was a sad tone to
his voice — perhaps he was thinking of his father killed in
battle at the siege of Toulon, or perhaps the day was near
when he would be required to leave his dear mother,
Annetta, and the children of the valley.
Annetta would say to him, "If you go from us, you
will surely come back to us, for you are so good and
brave, no harm can come to you."
"Yes, but Annetta, the good often suffer. Sometimes
we hear of the brave being put to death unjustly, and
I may be killed in battle."
"Yes," Annetta replied to him, "the good do often
suffer, but not long ; the good angels find them out and
lead them forth into the sunlight and happiness, and then
courage will oftentimes save your life in battle."
Paul was cheered with the words of this little philoso-
pher, arguing in her simple way of the power there was to
protect him from evil, by using the armor of virtue and
courage. He was thinking that when he was climbing the
lofty hills, passing over the snow-clad glacier or the brovv'
of the avalanche, that without firmness and courage he
would have been oftentimes dashed into the abyss.
"Annetta," he would say, "I may go into the army and
fall in the battle-field."
"If you die in the battle, fighting for our dear Franco,
how I would love your memory, Paul ; but I would not
live long. I would not cry or mourn, but I would feel as
if severed from earth, and, like the vine severed from its
PAUL LORRAINE. 25
root, fade, wither, and perish. I would die and go to
you, Paul ; for surely the good God would have you in his
keeping."
" But, Annetta, I would have you live and take care of
our dear old parents and the children in the valley. But —
well, well, Annetta, we will not talk of these sad events. I
believe I will come back to you safe and well, and I will
love you all the better, and together we will take good care
of our parents and the little children, dress the vines,
climb the hills, gather fruit, and take good care of our
cows and sheep ; and in the twilight-hour sing our beauti-
ful songs and be so happy."
At night they would sit in the cottage door and gaze
upon the stars, and wonder at their beauty and the cause
of their creation. There was one star that they had se-
lected for their future home. When at eve it sparkled in
the west, it received tlieir united love and adoration.
Paul's educational advantages were limited, but, like his
race, both ancient and modern, his perceptions were quick.
The Lorraine family, many years before this period, had
been successful merchants of Marseilles. Misfortune, per-
haps, drove this branch of the family into this remote
place. There were some old Greek and Roman books
translated into French, from which Paul had drawn a con-
siderable fund of knowledge. All he knew of. Napoleon
was from hearsay, and Napoleon lost nothing, in stature or
greatness, from the bright fancy of this French peasant.
The hour that formed the turning point in the strange
life of this interesting boy had been sounded. He was
ordered to join Napoleon's army, congregated at the foot
of the Alps, at the Great St. Bernard pass. He was pre-
pared, for he expected it. He was clothed in the garb of
26 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
a French soldier ; was to leave his kind mother, Annetta,
Uncle Louis, and the dear little children of the valley.
His good mother felt sad over this parting. Sorrow for
the death of Paul's father had left its bitter memory. Yet
she bore up against these sorrows with that strong faith and
assurance that God was good, and in the end would make
all well. To her this faith was an impenetrable shield.
Annetta was pale and tearless. Her faith was in her idol.
She said this : " I know he is good and brave. Surely he
will not be harmed by any one. Who could harm such a
one t So kind to all."
Annetta, Uncle Louis, and the children followed with
Paul far on the way of his departure, and then gazed after
him vuitil a bend in the road carried him out of sight. It
is the first act in his dramatic life. He turned and gazed
upon the dear scenes of his childhood. How his heart
did cling to the beloved spot, so full of sweet memories.
His life had been happy there in his home, for it had been
natural and truthful. To him it was a grand picture. On
one side the Alps towered up in the sky in majesty and
grandeur, its bosom veiled in the purest white, its summit
with its pinnacles, walls, and battlements, with their deep
purple shadows and golden lights from the rising sun. At
its base long lines of dark green forests at intervals ran out
into the valley then swept high up to the foot of some tall,
rocky cliff, again rolled off into distance and was lost to
sight. There was the cottage home, the winding brook,
still warbling along with its cheerful song, the little fields
and vine-clad hills, the winding road to Briangon, above
all, the loving hearts in those humble abodes. The objects
in this world that are dear or pleasing to the eye, are vastly
more precious to us when we are about to part with them
PAUL LORRAINE. 27
or lose them. Your dear friend is on his death-bed. How
much dearer he is to you in the last hour. You forget his
faults ; and his virtues are unfolded to your sight with ad-
ditional splendor. Go where you will, brave boy, and the
picture of yonder valley and the loved ones who dwell
there will cling to your memory. The impression will be
as vivid and as bright as if traced in line and coloring by
the hand of the Infinite.
Annetta to him was a beautiful being of dream-land.
His mother, who had been, in the long years gone by, the
personification of loving kindness, rose up at parting a
being possessing far more excellence than anything on
earth. To him his good mother possessed something akin
to divinity. When she parted with him she laid her hand
upon his head and said, —
" Paul, my son, God will bless you for my sake."
These words he believed. He believed that his mother
was merely a link between him and the unseen world. The
passing winds sighed to him a gentle, mournful farewell —
he is gone.
The night followed the day. The landscape smiled.
The mountain brook still warbled its song. The birds
filled the valley with charming melody. The sun poured
its golden light down upon the peaceful valley. All uncon-
scious of the sad hearts, throbbing in these cottage homes
— of the humble peasants.
28 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
II.
Paul's departure, was as if a shadow had fallen on this
happy valley, and saddened every heart.
Annetta came often to see Mother Lorraine, and comfort
her in the hours of sorrow ; and together, they talked
fondly of the absent one so dear to them.
Annetta loved to recall the many incidents that marked
Paul's faithful, loving disposition.
His life was a part of her life, for they were like two
beautiful, tender flowers, that had budded, and bloomed
into fragrance and beauty on the same stem.
The mother was doubtless resting on that promise that
flashed upon the cross at Calvary. All the sorrows of
this world could not make her for one moment waver in
her sublime faith. (I have no reasoning to offer, no logic
to bring forward, to prove that this faith was not well
founded. I will not undertake to argue with the atheist
or the infidel. If Divine Revelation is a failure, this myste-
rious quality of the human heart is beyond our grasp and
comprehension. All I can do is to record the fact that
this woman's whole life was a mission of love, and self-
denial.)
Mother Lorraine sacredly preserved every thing that
would bring to memory her son. In a little closet she had
his wooden shoes, his home-spun blouse, and his hat, that
he wore in his hours of toil — now cast off, to be exchanged
for the dress of the soldier of France. How good would
it be for this world if the rulers of kingdoms, and gov-
ernments, would walk in the same paths of honor and
rectitude, as followed by the feet that filled those wooden
shoes. How grand would it be if the robes of state always
PAUL LORRAINE. 29
covered a heart as full of love, charity, and mercy, as had
throbbed under that faded blouse. Oh, that kings, mon-
archs, and presidents, were as willing to give to honest
toil, the fruits of industry, as he who wore that hat, instead
of kingly crown.
EXILES OF LOUISIANA,
BOOK II.
I.
Marengo.
Paul Lorraine was in the army of Napoleon. His
training as a mountaineer rendered his service in the
march across the Alps of great importance. There was
no peculiar quality in the most humble soldier in the ranks
that ever escaped the quick observation of Napoleon.
Paul's agility and intrepidity in climbing the rocky cliffs,
his ready use of the mountain pick, in cutting pathways in
the glaciers, his sound, good judgment, in the choice of
proper passages for footmen and mules, was soon a matter of
observation, and he requested that Paul should keep near
the guide who led the mule upon which he was seated, and
direct him in his course, and make the pathway more
secure. On one occasion Napoleon said to Paul, " What
is your name.? " He answered promptly, " Paul Lorraine."
" Ah, it is a good name, and if my memory serves me
rightly, belongs to Marseilles. Where are you from, my
young friend ? " "From Provence, sire ; not far from Bri-
angon. My father's name was Jarvis Lorraine, sire, and
fell in the seige of Toulon."
Napoleon replied promptly, " Lorraine, and fell at Tou-
on. Ah, then you have lost your best friend in behalf of
France, and all that is left to you is your mother ? " "Yes,
sire, that is a good deal left ; my mother is the kindest of
MARENGO. 31
women. She thinks that God requires her to make these
sacrifices in favor of her country, that is so deeply injured
and wronged by other nations ; and she daily asks God
to protect France and her defenders."
" I know, brave youth, that you love your good mother ;
have you no other friends ? "
" Yes, sire ; my good Uncle Louis, and Annetta."
" Ah, Annetta ; who is this Annetta ? "
"Annetta Gerald, sire."
" She is more than a friend to you, Paul, I am thinking ? "
" Yes, sire, I love Annetta ; I love her for her virtues.
She is kind and good to every one."
This plain, candid admission of his love for Annetta,
without the least desire to conceal the secret of his heart,
and not the least show of false modest}^, was very pleasing
to Napoleon.
" I need not ask you, Paul, if Annetta loves you ? "
" Yes, sire, she loves me well ; and at our parting she
said I surely would come back to her, for no harm
could come to the good and the brave ; and said I might
fall in the battle-field, but if I fell in defence of France
my memory would be very dear to her."
" Paul, whenever you want a friend apply to me."
Paul started off on some duty he had to perform ; and
this tete-a-tete was closed. It had a very visible effect on
Napoleon, and dovibtless the conclusion in his mind was
that France, possessing such mothers, daughters, and sons,
would surely triumph over her enemies, and in the end
achieve peace and liberty ; that surely the Infinite would
hear the prayers of these earnest souls calling for help in
the hour of their tribulation.
The army is passing the hospital of the great St. Ber-
32 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
nard. The good monks, refresh long Hnes of soldiers as
they pass, with bread, cheese, and wine. The hospital of
St. Bernard is creditable to humanity. The good monks
pass their days in this wild, wierd solitude, to minister unto
suffering men, acts of mercy and charity. It is a grand
picture in life's weary way. Good is it that there are men
willing to dwell in this bleak, drear)'^, and desolate abode ;
listen to the howling storm and the wintry winds ; go forth
into the rushing tempest of ice and snow to save the dy-
ing stranger, warm him into life, and say to him, thou hast
paid us ; for charity pays him that gives, as well as him that
receives. And there, too, the noble dog of St. Bernard,
goes forth amid the pelting storm and rushing winds, at
the midnight hour, amidst the terrible danger of rock,
glacier, and avalanche, with unerring instinct, finds some
poor human soul who is dying far away from the loved
ones of home and kindred, takes him and bears him along
through snow and ice, along the rocky bridge, past the
abyss, places him in the hands of his kind master, and
could he speak would say, " warm him into life. I found
him perishing and in pity I brought him to you to save."
Thus this brute is trained to acts of kindness that would
add grandeur to the noblest acts of man. Far back in my
early schoolboy days, the recital of the deeds of self-
denial, and the noble acts of these men of mercy and
charity, and the faithful dog of St. Bernard formed a bright,
beautiful picture in my heart of man's charity for man,
that has clung to my memory bright and glowing through
all the long years of my life. The good monks blessed
the soldier as he marched on with heart resolved on liberty
or death. The soldier thanked the good monk and the
Infinite blessed them both.
MARENGO. 33
Paul Lorraine was still prompt and active in the dis-
charge of duty. His superior skill in mountain life was
pretty much recognized by all. Oftentimes he was sent
forward as a pioneer to detennine the most practical path-
way. Most of his time was occupied in the immediate
front of Napoleon, who seemed to rely strongly on the
sound judgment of this youthful soldier in determining
courses, and his ready skill in the use of the mountain pick
in cutting pathways.
The valley of Aosta is reached ; a long, narrow chasm,
through which the river Aosta rushes with violent force
barely leaving a pathway on the side for a horseman. Pre-
cipitous cliffs hundreds of feet high, rose up on either side
like lofty prison walls, defying mortal man to scale their
giddy heights. All at once consternation and dismay was
expressed on the face of the soldier. A lion was in the
pathway. In the very centre of this narrow valley was a
lofty pinnacle of rock inaccessible on the side the army
was approaching. On the top of this rock was the fort of
Bard, with cannon placed in position that commanded the
valley, through which Napoleon's army was advancing.
Was this the end of all this triumphant achievement in
crossing the Alps with this army and its heavy munitions
of war ? Napoleon saw the peril instantly, and passed to
the front. With great difficulty and clanger he clambered
on the side of the rugged rocks, concealing himself by the
stimted trees and bushes, until he got above the fort, and
could see down into it. He had a full view of the cannon
in position and the men in the fort, ready to use them when
the proper time came. He was looking for a position for
his artillery to send a plunging shot into the fort, and dis-
mantle it. This was among the impossibles. On a high
34 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
eminence, beyond the fort, there was plainly visible a road
winding in the hills. If his army could only reach that
road it was possible for him to pass, without the guns of
the fort being able to interfere with his march. Napoleon
returned and stated to Paul what he had seen on the distant
hills, and asked him to find a pathway from this valley
into the road. Paul promptly answered, " I can try, sire, and
with your permission will undertake it." His mountain pick
was in his hand. He crossed the rushing waters of the
Aosta, with the aid of a rope in the hands of soldiers,
passed along down the stream on the opposite side and
came back on a projecting ledge, until he was far above
the heads of the army in the valley, and gave them to un-
derstand that the many shots that had been fired at him
from the fort, had passed him unharmed. The brave boy
dashed on up the cliff, until he stood on the very summit,
and there he saw the road Napoleon had observed, and
that descended to the village of Aosta, in Piedmont, and
also back towards the hills, on the line of march which
the army had been passing; and thus, by returning he dis-
covered a pathway, that they might in safety reach this
road. He reported to Napoleon, and under cover of the
night the army passed the fort, without the least injury.
The Austrian commander of Fort Bard, reported that
the army of Napoleon, had passed in the night, but with-
out any artillery, as it was impossible for him to move his
guns on a narrow pathway upon which a mule could scarce-
ly walk. The army in Piedmont, the wonderful march is
accomplished.
It is truly said, that he who has justice with him is
doubly armed. This army represented what is generally
called in all countries the middle classes of France. They
DESAIX. 35
are the vitality of all people, and are in sympathy with the
lower classes, and protect them from the effects of despot-
ism to a great extent. This class in France are people
of a high degree of intelligence. They had seen from
the experience of centuries, that the old governments of
Europe, hereditary kings .supported by an extravagant,
wanton and corrupt nobility, could never bring peace and
prosperity. They knew that if France was left to act for
herself, she could establish and maintain a republican gov-
ernment. Never was there a grander achievement in the
cause of justice and self-government, than the triumphant
march of Napoleon across the Alps.
11.
Desaix.
The Battle of Marengo occurred June 14, 1800. All
battle-fields leave tragical memories. Marathon, Bunker
Hill, and Marengo are each marked with a mournful, pa-
thetic history. Each called forth a nation's tears, mourn-
ing for heroic sons, who had fallen in a struggle with
despotism and defending liberty. Marathon had C3'ncgi-
rus ; Marengo, Desaix; Bunker Hill had Wnrrcn. They
arise up to memoiy out of these sepulchres, sanctified to
human liberty, clothed with a radiant glory, grander by far
than any honor earth can bestow. At the battle of Ma-
rengo, for some time it was as if these brave men had
passed the horrible dangers of the mountain march, had
endured hardships in every conceivable form, \\\ vain.
That they had encountered all this suffering but to find a
grave upon the plains of Italy. The charge after charge
36 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
of the trained soldiers of Austria was terrible ; nothing
but the most heroic courage saved the defenders of France
from quick destruction. Desaix was anxiously expected
with reinforcements. Napoleon sat upon his horse with
that inexpressible serenity that seemed to say, I see the
end, and it is victory. The French army were as if strug-
gling in the last effort for supremacy on the battle-field, as
if saying, can it be that the cause of liberty is to perish
here ? Then a moment of supreme anxiety, verging on
despair ; but destiny decreed that France should triumph.
Hark ! there is floating on the air a dull booming sound,
like distant thunder. Thousands of tongues shouted the
name of Desaix! Desaix! It was the cannon of Desaix
announcing glad tidings. Napoleon said of him, Desaix
is of the heroic mould of anticjuity. He will decide this
contest on the side of justice and liberty. He rapidly
moves along in solid column, and passes on to the field of
battle. The Austrian is dismayed. Rapid, still more
rapid were the blows this athlete of war struck the serried
ranks of despotism. The whole entire army of peace and
liberty, with hearts renewed and resolved,' charged upon
the Austrian army; they wavered, broke into fragments, and
at last gave away, and the victory was with Napoleon.
To France this is a national sepulchre, sacred to the mem-
ory of the heroic dead. Marengo has a histoiy full of
moiu-nful pathos. Had yon have asked a French soldier
about Marengo, wilh tears he would have told you tliat
Desaix came to save and to die. That the cannon in the
distance that brought joy to other hearts, was but the
mournful funereal knell of the man who came to conquer
and to die. Had you have asked a Greek in olden times
about Marathon, he would have told you the sad, mournful
DESAIX. 37
story of Cynegims, who after performing wondrous deeds
of valor in the field of Marathon, was disarmed and cruelly
slain by Persians, while rushing to save Athens from the
invader.
Ask the American to tell you about the battle of Bun-
ker Hill. With touching pathos he would relate to you
how the noble Warren went to the front of battle and
said, " I am ready to die, if liberty can live, and have a
resting-place in the new world." The victory of Marengo
placed Italy in the hands of Napoleon. The dawn of the
nineteenth century witnessed the advent of the second
Caesar into Imperial Rome.
Paul Lorraine had been seriously wounded in the battle.
He fought side by side with a good, brave youth like
himself, Jean Gendron. When Paul fell wounded and
disabled, with the loss of blood, from a severe wound in
the head and musket-ball in the arm, Jean dragged or
carried him to a place of security, procured surgical aid
and had his wounds properly cared for. As Jean was no
longer wanted in the battle-field, he stayed with his friend
until rest and refreshments had brought him to a knowl-
edge of his situation. For some time he was unconscious.
The last incident that had clung to his memory was the
joyful shout that " Desaix v/as coming," and hearing the
distant sound of his cannon. The surgeon pronounced
his wounds serious, but not decidedly dangerous. When
his mind was returned, he thanked his friend Jean for his
constant care and kindness. The first thought that entered
his mind was his love for his dear old mother and Annetta.
He thought of the words that had comforted him so much
in his hours of danger. " If you fall in defence of France,
your memory will be so dear to me. The good and true
3S EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
never remain long in misery and distress ; the good angel
soon finds them and leads them out of the shadows
of misfortune into the glad sunlight of happiness and
joy."
Upon further examination of Paul's condition, the
surgeon reported that it would be a long time before he
would be again in a condition for service in the army, and
by a special order from Napoleon himself, he was well
supplied with means, and sent to his happy, peaceful
home in the valley on the Briangon road.
Little did Annetta or Paul think that the first time the
shadows of misfortune would fall upon him, Annetta
herself would be the sweet angel to bring the sunlight
of joy to his heart. Well will it be for him, if, in the dark
hours of tribulation, in the years to come, his noble soul,
stricken with agony and despair, God will, in tender com-
passion, send this same angel of love and mercy, to lead
him out of the shadows of misfortune, into the sunlight
of joy.
ITAL Y.
Book III.
I.
Italy.
Leghorn is situated on the Mediterranean sea, and
is the principal seaport of Tuscany, not far from Pisa
and Florence, the famous seat of art. There in Florence
originated the Florentian school, and the illustrious name
of Leonardo da Vinci. Here, too, is the poetic Valley
of Arno.
One of the main features of the excellence of the
old masters in art was in the management of shadows in
the background. The Chinese form some ver}'' good
foreground pictures, both in landscape and figure painting,
yet they seem to have had no conception of the superior
advantage in perspective and background shadows. The
old masters with Leonardo da Vinci in a very high degree
displayed wonderful skill in detaching the front figures from
the shadows. These background shadows were not of any
distinct color ; there is in fact no color that the eye can
detect. The colors with which these shadows are formed
are so blended, and laid on the convass, that the eye
is deceived into the conclusion that you are looking
through the shadows on more distant objects, while the
foreground figures rise up in front detached from both
shadow and object.
There are separate photographs taken of the different
personages represented in Da Vinci's painting of the "Last
Supper," and any person well versed in the character of
40 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
the disciples can readily tell the one which each figure
was intended to represent. Any one could select Judas.
This arises from the fact that the artist, it is said, selected
corresponding characters, as near as possible from living
models.
In the fore part of the present century, in the city
of Leghorn, not very far distant from the gate leading to
Pisa, there is a mansion (or palace, as the Italians call any
large edifice) belonging to a family by the name of Vilani,
connected with an old aristocratic family of Florence, and
was at this time occupied by Count Vilani, Lady Verono,
and a quiet, retired looking man, with the appearance and
dignit}' of a priest, whose name was Alonzo. It was gen-
erally understood that the family of Vilani was connected
with the celebrated family of the Medici through the
forefathers of Lady Verono and Alonzo. These children
of nobility are veiy numerous throughout the Italian
states, for the reason that titles of nobility descend to
all the sons of the family. They all like a life of splendid
ease. They detest hard work, and the largest portion
of them are driven to the very extremes of poverty.
The property descends to the sons, and is hereditary, and
cannot be sold, and thus you will often find a marquis,
renting out to strangers furnished apartments in his
palace, while he has a little shop in the basement, where
he sells oil, wine, olives, fruits, etc. An American marquis
would naturally take to the peanut trade. To an American
count the pop-corn commerce ^yould be most admirable. A
duke, the head and front of a first class saloon ! It is not
strange to see in Italy a real, genuine marquis or count,
begging for food or clothing. How strange it would
appear in our country to have a real marquis go to the
ITAL V. 41
back door of the kitchen department, say to the lady
of the house, " Something to eat, I am hungry."
She says, " I will give the noble marquis to understand
that he must first weed the garden, hoe the potatoes, and
clean the front yard, then his lordship shall no longer
hunger for food."
" Madame, what is all this ; why it is work, and my
ancestors would rise from their graves were I to use the
shovel, hoe, or spade. Good-day, Madame."
Or, " Noble duke, how is the pop-corn trade ? " or, " My
lord count, is the peanut trade lively? " In our hotels the
drummers of commercial houses would have the titled
nobility to serve them at the table — dukes, marquises,
and counts, to obey their orders. It would be a little
inconvenient to be using these sounding titles, but it would
pay in dignity. It would sound well to say, " Noble Duke
some warm potatoes ; " or, " Count, hand me a glass of water.
Marquis ! bottle wine, napkins, glasses, quick ! " Finally,
with a great deal of gusto, you order the marquis to black
your boots.
This reminds me of an artist of some prominence, but
exceedingly vain and self-conceited, who said to Governor
Ford, of Illinois, " I am well convinced, governor, that
gentlemen who are distinguished for talent and genius, even
in republican democratic Illinois, should be distinguished
by some title."
" Well," said the governor, " I am -willing, and as
governor of Illinois, I will commence on you."
" ^YeW, what title would you confer on me, governor."
" Count Jackaski."
Governor Ford was never afterwards importuned on the
question of a titled nobility.
42 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Those Italian counts and marquises who turn their
hereditary palace into some practical use, and thus earn
an honest livelihood, are a vast improvement on their
ancestors, who lived in splendid ease and luxury on the
earnings of others' toil and industry, and who formed a
class of nobility who gave strength, power, and endurance,
to an organized system of robbery, and plunder, of the
toiling masses, and with cruel mockery called this heartless
system a government. If the people complain they say,
"kings are divinely appointed to rule over you, and you
have no choice but to obey."
II.
The Insane Count.
With this Count Vilani there was a serving man, an
Italian, who went by the name of Geno, a most villainous
model of humanity. Surely no one could ever recover
damages against Geno for obtaining goods under false
pretences. To look at his face you would think of the
sign you often see at places where intruders are not
wanted, " look out for the dog." Da Vinci surely must
have met one of Geno's ancestors and took him for a
model of his Judas in the last supper.
These were the principal members of the household
of Count Vilani. They were, so to speak, the foreground
figures of the picture. In the background there were shadows
filled with vague images of injustice, like the dark shadows
of Benjamin West's painting of "Death on the Pale Horse,"
filled with indistinct images of terror. To the outside
THE INSANE COUNT. 43
world there was a cloud over the house of Vilani, arising
from vague and undefined hints of crime, that never had
assumed any direct or specific charge of acts committed
by any member of this household that the law would recog-
nize or seek to punish. Count Vilani had a cousin,
Francisco Vilani, who had become heir to a considerable
fortune. He was insane, and was for some time confined
in an institution for the insane, at Florence.
This Count Vilani, or Colonel Vilani, as he w^as some-
times called from his having served some years in the
army, had by his influence, and position, induced the
public authority to place his cousin Francisco, under his
charge, and urging the change upon the ground that he
could be better cared for under the immediate attention
and supervison of his relatives, Lady Verono, Alonzo, and
himself, they being the only relatives the unfortunate
Francisco had living. The insane cousin did not, however,
long survive the change. He gradually passed away to
his grave.
Soon gossip began to w'cave its dismal tales of slow
poison, or starvation, in a dungeon in the palace, and that
a vast amount of gold, diamonds, and precious stones,
were concealed and hid away in some secret place to be
used by the perpetrators of the crime. Colonel Vilani, of
course, accounted to the authorities for the property of the
deceased, but gossip would say, " shame ! shame ! "'
These tales, of course, soon passed away, and their
memory forgotten, leaving nothing but a very indistinct
impression on the public mind that something of the kind
was some years ago talked about among idling gossips.
Colonel Vilani was of fine, personal appearance, haughty
and elegant in deportment, tasty and fashionable in dress
44 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
There was one conclusion that any one would arrive at,
that there was a cold, sinister expression in his face, that
stamped him as a vain, heartless man. He was accused
of being a libertine, — and surely the expression of his face
was that of gross sensuality, — and that these charges were
founded on facts. But a nobleman in any part of Italy,
with i^lenty of gold to back his title and claim to nobility,
would be invincible against any charges of this character,
from the populace ; and Colonel Vilani could indulge him-
self in all his licentious acts with perfect impunity.
in.
Lady Verono.
Lady Verono, thus living with Count Vilani, her rela-
tive, alone apparently, in the palace, did not necessarily
involve her in an}' suspicion of improper conduct. It was
not unusual for relatives among the nobility, thus to live
together in family residences. Why she was called Lady
Verono, history does not inform us. Verono was her
family name, and she was regarded as the lady of the
palace household.
To the casual observer, this beautiful woman, with her
graceful ouavity, and polished address, challenged admira-
tion and affection. This splendid medallion had a reverse
side that was terrible. Here was one of the marked traits
of the house of Medici. The accomplished artist would
fondly trace those classic features upon the canvass, and
view his v;rrk with delight and admiration. Yet, when he
went away Ixom the subject and his easel, a shadow would
LADY VEKONO. 45
fall on his heart, producing a vague, undefined terror. In
his imagination there would arise the dim outline of a
fiend clothed in the garb of beauty and loveliness. Per-
haps the beautiful evil one that carried the poisoned
chalice into Paradise, was such a being, to have beguiled
Eve, so that she cast from her peace and happiness, and
was led into the paths of sin, to suffer the bitter pangs
of woe. Lady Verono was a lady of marked talent,
ability, and energ}^, and doubtless was the master spirit in
the household.
Annetta, the humble peasant girl of the Alps valley in
France, was beautiful, because her heart was good and
pure. She was loved, for her soul was true and lofty, and
full of grand thoughts and emotions, and because her
faith rested in an infinite God, who to her was the per-
sonification of goodness, mercy, and love. Her humble
garb and plain features added splendor to these charms.
Alonzo, the other prominent member of this Vilani
household, was not a marked character, judging from his
personal appearance. He had a quiet look, and was
retired in his habits, and seldom in public. He had been
educated for the priesthood, and why he did not fulfil
his holy calling we cannot say. He was a relative of the
family of Vilani; how, or in what degree, the writer is
unable to state.
This palace or mansion was erected after the style
of the buildings in Florence ; erected more with regard to
durability than the classic style of architecture.
The interior was furnished with costly elegance. The
carpetings, hangings, and tapestry, of the most expensive
material ; paintings representing events in the lives of the
apostles ; family portraits of members of the Vilani family,
46 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
who had been laid in the vault at Florence, centuries ago ;
beautiful landscapes of picturesque Italy, by Salvator
Rosa, decorated the lofty walls of the aiDartments. Here
and there were choice pieces of sculpture, marked with the
genius of Angelo.
On one side of this edifice there was a verandah,
adjusting itself to the projecting angles. The first story
had the appearance of dead walls, while the second story
in front was embellished with a splendid, lofty portico,
looking out upon the blue waters of the Mediterranean
Sea.
A wide area of cultivated ground surrounded the palace,
and was walled in with stone, archways, and hanging-gates
of iron at the entrances. The building was marked with
the age of centuries, and was doubtless erected long
before the struggle between Pisa and Florence, when the
chained harbor of Pisa was broken by the Florentians,
It was generally understood that the family of Vilani,
were connected by kindred blood with the Medici of
Florence, and that this relationship came by the ancestors
of the Lady of Verono.
The founders of this very remarkable family of Medici
were practitioners of medicine in Florence. Its history
begun, however, with Cosmo de Medici, born in 1389, who
became the head and principal in a commercial estab-
lishment, that had a counting-house in every commercial
city of any importance at that period, and- was said to be
the richest man in all Europe. He was generous, humane,
and enterprising, and during his time the Florentines
enjoyed the highest degree of prosperity and happiness.
But this vast wealth laid the foundation for a royal family,
whose career was marked with tyrannical cruelty and
THE FLOWER GIRL. 47
crime, connected with talent, ability, and energ}^, unsur-
passed. They added glory and renown to Florence, but
soon overturned the republican government, and estab-
lished a despotism. Catherine de Medicis, the mother
of Charles the IX. of France, was a descendant of Cosmo
de Medeci, and through her son, while in his minority,
ruled France with a reign of terror. The liistorian says
of her that she was distinguished alike for great talents
and great cruelty. The history of this family furnishes
a valuable lesson to the friends of liberty and self-govern-
ment : That the concentration of vast money power, in
the hands of a few designing men, is one of the most
deadly enemies to the peace, prosperity, and liberty, of the
people.
IV.
The Flower Girl.
Outside of the walls there are small farms or gardens
rented or leased to peasants, who are ver)^ industrious and
thrifty. They cultivate the vine, olive, delicious fruits of
all kinds, and vegetables for the city market. The daugh-
ters and wives of these gardeners may be seen passing
into the different gates of Leghorn dressed in their pictur-
esque style, with baskets on their heads, ladened with the
rich prodvicts of the garden and vineyard.
Not far from the Pisga gate, on the hill-side, tliere was
at this period, an old man, his wife and daughter, dwelling
in a cottage and engaged in cultivating a small vineyard
with fruits of various kinds, flowers, and vegetables.
They were industrious, prosperous and frugal. The old
man and his wife were skilled in gardening and in the cul-
48 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
tivation of rare flowers. They had eniigrated here from
some part of Greece years back, and were generally known
by the name of the Greek gardeners, and Iphi, their
daughter, had no other name than Iphi the flower girl.
The daughter, being called Iphi, was probably an abbrevi-
ation of Iphigene, that lovely virgin represented in a
beautiful work of art, when about to be sacrificed to
appease the anger of Diana. The goddess relented when
she saw her beauty, innocence, and tears, and placed a
kid upon the altar of sacrifice instead, and carried Iphi-
gene away from earth and consecrated her to Vesta.
The ancient Iphigene was not more lovely, though rep-
resented by the bright conception of artistic genius, than
this modern Iphigene, the humble daughter of the gar-
dener at Leghorn. Iphi possessed the classic beauty of
Verono, and the chaste, pure soul of Annetta.
The humble garb of the flower girl added charms to
her graceful form, while her innocence and sweetness of
temper beamed forth in every word and action.
Iphi was at this period, being four years since the battle
of Marengo, about the age of fourteen or fifteen, and had
been, for several j-ears back, actively engaged in carrying
fruit and flowers to the market of Leghorn.
Among her constant customers was Lady Verono, wlio
had impressed her with the idea that she was everything
that was good and true. Oftentimes stie would say to her
parents, "How kind, how good the lady of the palace is to
me. She oftentimes presses me to take more than I ask
for my flowers."
Thus it was that Iphi's life was a life of peace, love, and
gratitude. What joy to her to provide for her dear father
and mother, who had so kindly watched over her in her
THE FLOWER GIRL. 49
tender years of infancy. Alas, for us poor mortals ! these
dreams of happiness vanish. The sad story of Eden is
constantly repeating its woe. That beautiful fiend that
led Eve away from peace and happiness, is still abroad in
the world with the poisoned cup, pressing it to the lips of
virtue and innocence.
There was at this time a Louis Dejon, the son of a
neighboring gardener, who at times kindly assisted Iphi
and her parents, working in the garden and vineyard. As
Louis is connected with this narrative, even to its final
denouement, it would not be out of the way to say a few
words in his description.
He was more than an ordinary person, although the son
of a peasant. He was one of those characters you will
sometimes see, who are stumbling-blocks to the teachers of
phrenology and physiognomy. His face was expression-
less. In person he was short, thick-set, strong and muscu-
lar. His deportment reserved. When he spoke it was
rather sensible, firm, and resolute. If a dishonest man
wished his services to perpetrate some scheme of villainy,
Louis could make him believe he had his man, by his res-
olute, firm avowals, and nothing in his looks to deny his
words. There was nothing in his appearance attractive,
nor was there anything repulsive. To see him, he was
nothing ; to know him was everything. His perceptions
were strong and quick, a genuine heart, with dauntless
courage.
About this period, there was a garrison established
at Leghorn, with several regiments of troops, stationed
there in readiness for any emergency that might arise
demanding their service. When Napoleon became the
master of the Italian states, his policy was rcconcilia-
50 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
tion. They claimed him as an Italian, and not a French-
man. Very many of them were like the peasant woman of
the Alps, who said to him, " Sire we are willing to change
kings — you will be the king of the people — not the king
of the nobles." His policy was rather to break clown all
discrimination of Italian or French, and thus in the end
make all Italy French. Thus it was that Col. Count
Yilani was made commander of the garrison at Leghorn.
His power was local, and upon the removal of troops his
authority ceased. In one of these regiments was Jean
Gendron, who had saved Paul Lorraine's life at Marengo,
by carrying him off the field of battle, procuring for him
surgical assistance in time to save his life.
Jean was a smart, good-looking, clever man ; a trae
faithful friend ; a good soldier ; always ready and willing
to ^id a friend ; prompt and active in the discharge of
every duty. He became acquainted with Louis Dejon,
and through Louis, he first saw Iphi, and was at first sight
enraptured with her rare beauty, and cheerful, joyous,
happy disposition. Iphi also liked Jean, with his open,
frank kindness, and cheering words, so that Iphi said of
hiju, " He appears so friendly, and pleasant, that Louis, I
must say, I like your friend very much.''
Jean was oftentimes stationed at the garrison gates as
guard, and Iphi in her daily duty of attending market
passed this way, as there was a short street going out into
tlie market way from the avenue coming down from the
Pisa gate.
Jean would salute her in terms of tender affection, rest
her for a while of her burdens, and speak to her cheerful
words.
Iphi would say : " Ah, Jean, you are so good and kind.
THE FLOWER GIRL. 51
I know very well you are a true friend, and will not desert
me. Jean do you know that I sometimes think there is
trouble coming to me, and it makes my heart sad ; and yet
I cannot tell what it is or where it is to come from. I am
so happy with my dear father and mother, and every one
seems kind to me ; Lady Verono is such a beautiful lady,
and so good, that sometimes I think my happiness is too
great to last."
Jean says, " The Lady Verono is the person who lives
in the commander's palace."
" Yes, Jean, that is the person I mean j she is very
good to me."
" I dare say," replied Jean, " but, Iphi, the world is not
what it seems. You judge others by your own pure motives,
kind heart, and Avarm affections. I cannot see any motive
the Lady Verono could have in injuring so innocent a one
as you. Yet, Iphi, vice often accomplishes its purpose, by
using the credulity of innocence."
"Jean, dear Jean," she said, "when these sad thoughts
come to me, they are so cold and cheerless ; I think you
have come to guard me from evil. I know you are
true and faithful, for my heart says so, and that you will
be my good friend if troubles come."
" I will, Iphi ; should trouble come to you I will be
with you, with my very life to offer up in defence. These
nobility people of great families are not with us, nor of us,
nor do they sympathize with us — and their smiles and
favors have oftentimes some sinister meaning or motive,
that we cannot at all times detect."
Iphi's thanks to Jean for his kindness was so full of
love, truth, and sincerity, that his heart was touched with
tenderness for the poor girl, fer there was a dread that
52 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
some evil was awaiting in tlie dim, undefined future for
her as well as himself. She was very beautiful, and ex-
posed to the evil designs of others, and he bravely
resolved to do his best to protect her from harm, even
if it involved his life.
He kissed her hand and bid her a cheerful good-by.
Thus these two faithful friends met day after day, until
friendship ripened into the purest love. It was a love that
would have perfumed the shrine of virtue v/ith purity and
innocence. It was with Jean and Iphi like Paul and An-
netta.
How the poor and humble sympathize one with the
other. They help each other to carry the burdens and
sorrows of life along its rugged pathways. Their griefs
and cares are not the idle dreams of the imagination, but
stern realities, often realized in absolute want and destitu-
tion. There are in the humble walks of life cares and
sorrows and noble deeds of relief, that the proud, princely
members of the Medici family never dreamed of. In his
leisure hours Jean would call on the good old mother and
father of Iphi, and talk to them of many things appertain-
ing to the cultivation of flowers, vines, &c., also of the
political condition of Italy. The common people of Italy
were not by any means opposed to Napoleon. They com-
prehended the situation of Italy in her political condition,
and rather looked upon Napoleon with favor. He was
regarded as the friend of the people, instead of the nobles.
Austria was of course the lion in the path of perfect re-
concilation.
PAUL AND ANNETTA. 53
Book I v.
I.
Paul and Annetta,
A day of joy follows the gloom of night.
As the suu-light follows the fleeing shadow.
We will leave Leghorn with its pretty Iphi, the flower
girl, and its enchanting siren of the Vilani palace and go
back, after long years have passed away, to that peaceful
valley of the Alps in Provence. The horrors of that night
on the battle field of Marengo exist but in memory. Its
memories are sorrowful. But, thanks to the heroic dead,
they have given a new splendor to the image of Liberty.
Man's perfect freedom of mind and body lifts him up on
a higher plane of civilization, progress and refinement.
All free governments must be for the people.
Every possible encouragement should be given to indus-
try. Peace must also be maintained, and go hand in hand
with Liberty. Rigid economy must be the cardinal point
with all law-makers, and rulers ; so that above all things
the burdens of taxation may fall lightly upon the shoul-
ders of honest toil.
Paul Lorraine gradually recovered from the severe
wounds he had received at the battle of Marengo. Some
time elapsed, however, before he recovered that buoyancy
of spirit, robust health, and perfect freedom of action that
had marked his boyhood years. He was more quiet and
thoughtful, but his generous heart still retained all its
kindness to others. The watchful care of his mother,
54 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Annetta, and Louis, very much hastened his recovery to
health. Several years ago Paul had done as he had prom-
ised, — come back, and made Annetta his little wife. Truly
this was a union of hands and hearts, and their love was not
of self ; they did not continually plan and act as if their
own individual happiness was the sole, supreme object of
their lives ; it enlarged their affection and made them more
solicitous for the peace and happiness of others. They
fondly caressed that good mother that had so patiently
and fondly prayed and watched over them in the years
of their infancy.
Poor Annetta. Beyond yon sloping hill, that descends
rapidly into the valley, beneath the shadow of the Alpine
cliff and the solemn pines, there is a cemetery, with two
large, newly made graves, and a little one ; they are side
by side ; the young and the old repose together.
This cemetery looks so peaceful, so quiet and serene,
with its beautiful green lawn, and sequestered shadows, that
the aching heart might well be tempted to throw away its
pain and anguish, and lay down in peaceful rest. These
were the graves of Annetta's parents, father and mother,
and her first-born, that had passed away in the first year
of its infancy. It was good that Father Gerald had lived
long enough to rejoice over the glad victory of Marengo.
Poor Annetta she was not broken, nor cast down with sor-
row, or indulging in vain regrets, yet in her sweet voice
there was a touching, plaintive sadness, when she used to
say to the good mother, or Paul, or Uncle Louis, when
they sought to cheer her in her grief, " No, no ; I am not
sad or unhappy. I am not grieving over the loss of dear
ones who have gone before us. I ask how could I be
else than happy, with the love of my dear Paul, mother,
PAUL AND ANNETTA, 55
and kind Uncle Louis, and the children here in the valley.
No, no, I am not sad ; for sureh^ the good God will permit
us to live together again in a far better world than this.
Paul would say: "Annetta, this life here is to me sweet
and pleasing. Ever}^' object has its inexpressible charms.
The forest, the field, the warbling mountain brooks, the
grand old hills, the winding road with graceful curves, ris-
ing over hills, and falling in the valleys — every object is
clothed with hallowed memories of the past, sad and
mournful, joyful and happy. Annetta, I love to sit in yon-
der graveyard where sleep the beloved dead. I love to
think of their virtues, and think of our dear little one
resting so sweetly in the shadows of the pine and the
cliff, and I know full well, Annetta, that its soul, so pure
and unstained with the sins of earth, is among the angels
of the spirit world. And above all, here dwells our dear
mother so precious to us all, and makes us supremely
happy while we cheer her in the weary decline of life. I
love this place the best of all the eardi, for here we
learned to love one another. Here we were both born,
and here wedded in hand and heart for life."
" Paul," said Annetta, " do you recollect years ago
when we selected a star, as a meeting-place for us after
death ? It was when we were in our infancy, and yet I
recollect it, Paul, as well as if it had been but yesterdaj^"
" Yes, dear Annetta, I have never forgotten it. It was
Venus, as evening star, and I have never gazed upon it
shining so brightly in the west, over the vine-clad hills,
but the image of my beloved is present with me. When
in the army in Italy, it blazed with marvellous brilliancy
over the towering summit of the Alps, and seemed to tell
me that all was peace with the loved ones in this valley;
56 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
and I would say to myself, ' Doubtless Annetta is this mo-
ment looking upon this star, and thinking of the absent
one.' See, Annetta, it is yonder now, over the western
hills in its old place, as we saw it from the cottage of your
birth-place, when father and mother Gerald were alive to
love and bless their infant children ; see, Annetta, how
bright it is getting as the shadows of earth arise ! "
Annetta's eyes were dimmed with tears, and with a
plaintive tone, replied, "Yes, dear Paul ; I have often and
often looked at that star, and it recalled so vividly the joy
ful days of our young love ; and yet, Paui," —
" Well, Annetta, and yet what ? you hesitate."
"Well, dear Paul, oftentimes that star seems to say to
me that some great sorrow awaits us all in the years that
are coming. I cannot tell why, or what it is, and yet I
cannot dispel from my heart this sad foreboding of evil."
" Annetta, it is the sorrows of the past that cast this
shadow on your heart, and you mistake it for the shadows
of the future. Cheer up, my beloved one ; it will be well
for us yet ; we will see many happy days in this world. I
have often wondered what these stars were. There are
countless numbers shining and sparkling all over the sky.
What do you think they are, Annetta, love? "
There was a flash of inspiration on the sweet, calm face
of Annetta, as she answered, " Perhaps they are the beau-
tiful homes of the immortal in heaven. Perhaps God is
in the large stars that move across the sky, and guards the
good from evil. The falling stars are evil ones who are
cast down to earth for their sins. I know God made them,
for they are so beautiful and full of promise of a brighter
and better world than this. God made all these beautiful
things in heaven and earth to cheer us in our weary pib
FjRUSSia joins the kings. 57
grimage, and we must love Him, and have faith in Him as
our good mother says to us, He will in the end make all
things well for us, dear Paul."
Paul looked into the face of Annetta, beaming with love,
tenderness and adoration, and his faith in her words was
as great as the son of Ancient Israel when he gazed upon
the face of the prophet.
She continued, " It is because I love these things so
much, and have such faith in God's goodness, that I love
my dear Paul so much, and have such an abiding faith in
his love for me." She threw her arms around her hus-
band's neck and rested her head upon his bosom.
Let the atheist shatter this vase of faith and love if his
heart will allow him.
II.
Prussia Joins the Kings.
Prussia, the powerful and formidable Prussia with her
soldiers trained in a school of arms established by Freder-
ick the Great, one of the most remarkable characters that
ever figured in history, had declared in favor of Austria
and England against the people of France.
It was not vain ambition that prompted Paul Lorraine
to again join the army of France.
To him, Napoleon was a majestic figure, heroically stand-
ing in defence of justice. He saw that the despotism of
the allied powers were seeking to fasten on France the
tyranny of the past. He was prompted by patriotism,
love of home and country. His sympathies were aroused
58 EXILES OF. LOUTS I AN A.
by the silent appeals of a bleeding country. The thrilling
words of the Marseillaise, " To arms ! To arms," came to
him as the wailing cry of a nation, earnestly pleading for
her sons to fly to her rescue, in the hour of her anguish
and despair.
These solemn pleadings aroused his noble soul, to again
strike for justice, peace, and liberty.
Oftentimes he would say to Annetta, if only France was
at peace, and her people free and prosperous, I could dwell
so happy in this humble home among our dear friends.
Oftentimes, Annetta, Paul, and his mother, would talk
earnestly on this subject ; and their conclusions were
always the same, that the dictates of justice and right
should be followed, and leave the consequence to the
Power above.
Annetta said just as she said to Paul the first time he
was called to the army, " Surely he will come back to
me, for he is good and brave. If he falls, he dies in de-
fence of our dear France, and his memory will be very
dear to me."
That sublime faith in the goodness of the Infinite was
the sheet anchor of the mother. To assist others, make
them happy, and above all things, strictly to perform every
duty required of her in her humble life, was her supreme
happiness.
If the kings, rulers, law-makers, nobility, the wealthy
and powerful of all governments, were controlled in their
actions by such grand and lofty motives as influenced this
humble peasant woman, the husbands, fathers, and sons
would not be dragged off to be sacrificed upon the field of
battle ; and these dear homes, so full of peace, joy, and
happiness, transformed into homes of mournful sadness.
PRUSSIA JOINS THE KINGS. 59
Paul Lorraine, influenced by these motives, and the
kind, generous acts of Napoleon in furnishing means to
have him removed to his home when wounded at Marengo,
could no longer endure the reflection that his heroic coun-
trymen were struggling to defend the liberties of France,
while he rested idly, refusing to heljD in the time of danger
and peril. This movement of Prussia at the time, had an
ominous look, and Paul is again a soldier in the grand
army of France.
6o EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
BOOK V.
Jena.
Napoleon wliile defending France,
The crowned heads charge him with ambition.
Prussia is now in the arena of war, to meet France in
the contest of arms.
Frederick the Great, cku-ing his hfetime, had raised Prus-
sia up to the position of one of the most opulent and
powerful nations in Europe. Under his direction and
superintendence, the army of Prussia advanced to a j^osi-
tion of military skill and discipline, that was not surpassed,
if equalled, by the army of any other nation. There was
some decline in this condition of things during the reign
of his nephew, but William III, had again restored pros-
perity and power in Prussia.
This was the army that Napoleon had to encounter,
on the held of Jena, in 1806. Jena could not be called a
battle ; it was a duel between two gladiators of equal
strength, skill, and courage. The Prussian says, " You
shall perish on this battle-field." The Frenchman says,
" I come, resolved on victory or death ! Strike ! " This
condition of things made it an encounter of life or death,
between two of the grandest armies in Europe ; made it
one of the most terrible battle-fields in loss of life, com-
paring the numbers engaged on each side, recorded in
history.
It was the grim banquet of death, the goblets overflowed
vvith the red cm rent of life. The carnival was bril-
JENA. 6 1
liant with the flames of war. The music was the cannon's
roar, the clash of arms, and the cry of "Charge, brave
men, charge ! " Now the vaHant Prussian is jDressing down
the grand banners of France. Then comes, as if from
some dark abyss, a charge that strikes dismay to the Prus-
sian. Is this victory? No! The Prussian, like some
wonderful atlilete in the game of death, recovers from the
shock and is eager for the contest. The victory is poised
over the bloody field. Truly this was Greek confronting
Greek. Reserved troops had been marched into battle to
fill up the depleted ranks on both sides.
The man on horseback on the summit of Landgraph-
enberg was looking thoughtfully and serenely upon the
battle-field. Yet his fate is in the balance. Surely he must
be prescient. That mighty brain is calculating chances.
Nothing escapes his eagle glance. He is surrounded with
the Imperial Guards.
It is Jove on Mount Olympus. The Imperial Guard is
the thunderbolt, poised in his grasp, ready to strike when
the auspicious moment comes.
The Guard was mounted, and in order. At their head
was a man mounted on a black horse.
He is clothed in sable garments, with a white plume. It
is Murat. His face is pale, cold, and passionless. He
looks the classic personification of Mars, wrought from
marble by the skillful hand of supreme art. Cold as he
appeared to be in this moment of extreme peril, there was
in his breast a volcano of wrath. He saw the sons of
I'lance fall in battle, and his brave heart and strong arm
were not there to strike and save. The Austrian said of
him, " He is the fiend of war." The Frenchman said,
" No, he is the angel of mercy." Who would suppose that
62 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
cold face, so stern, so rigid in battle, had a heart often
moved to tears of pity and compassion, a heart that was
truly merciful. He said, " Never, never have I looked
upon a man, and then killed him. His image would have
embittered my existence."
The order came at last to General Murat to charge.
Like the mighty mountain torrent, down rushed the column
of armed heroes, sweeping on bravely to the contest. The
rising and falling of the hill and plain, in their undula-
tions, gave it the appearance of a vast serpent, with the
fleetness of the wind. There was a blow, a crash. The
Prussians received the charge with courage, but it was too
much for mortal man to endure. Wherever that dark fig-
ure with the white plume went, the guard followed. The
enemy disappeared as if confronted by the angels of death.
It is no longer a battle, but a carnage. Although the
Prussian army was driven, and absolutely forced from the
field, never, perhaps, in the world's history were they sur-
passed in the skill, courage, and true heroism they dis-
played on the battle-field of Jena.
Napoleon's victory at Jena was a decree against the
crowned heads of Europe interfering with the divine right
of the people of France, in their glorious struggle to estab-
lish self-government. Soon, and he was in possession of
the city of Berlin, and the tomb of Frederick the Great.
He accepted the surrender of the one, and with reverence
stood in the presence of the other. It was the supreme
majesty of life ; standing with reverential awe in the sol-
emn shadows of the tomb of the majestic dead.
This victory made Napoleon the master of the situation.
The king of Spain surrendered ; he placed his brother
Joseph on the throne. Joseph, having resigned the posi-
JENA. (>:,
tion of king of Naples, Joachim Murat, the husband of
Caroline Bonaparte, was placed on this vacant throne with
the title of king of Naples.
We have gone aside out of our pathway in speaking of
this battle of Jena, for the reason that, if Napoleon had
lost the battle of Jena, there would have been no occasion
to have written anything about the life oi Paul Lorraine,
He was with Jean Gendron on that fearful battle-field,
fighting with true heroism in defence of France. Strange
it was that, at this battle Paul was unharmed, and without
a single wound, while Jean was severely wounded. Paul
had now the chance to repay in part Jean's kindness at
Marengo, where he saved his life. Jean soon recovered
from his injury, and he and Paul being in the same regi-
ment, were in the battles of Eylau and Friedland, and
when the army of Napoleon moved south, they both, with
the third regiment, went into garrison at Leghorn, and re-
mained there until Joachim Murat was placed in the posi-
tion of king of Naples.
64 EXILES OF LOUISIANA,
BOOK VI.
VILANI PALACE.
I.
A Merciful King.
Liberty won a victoiy at Jena, yet the memor}^ of the
conflict is full of mournful pathos. Murat is now king of
Naples. He is the noble king of the people — not the
despotic king of the nobles. It was joy to his heart to
see a stately ship sail into the bay of Naples, bearing aloft
the proud ensign of the stars and stripes of the glad Re-
publicans across the sea. Right joyful would it be for such
generous souls, if the glad songs of liberty could be sung
to sympathizing hearts in every land. That the sunshine
of peace would drive away from every nation, from every
household, the dismal shadows of relentless war, and
kings, presidents, law-makers, and rulers, deal honestly
and justly with the people.
Paul Lorraine and his good friend Jean, are at Leghorn,
as their regiments were being garrisoned at that place,
with Col. Count Vilani as commander of the garrison.
His headquarters were established there. Iphi is still the
happy flower-girl we left at Leghorn a few years ago, acting
as the good angel to the declining years of her aged par-
ents. A little sad, perhaps, owing to the absence of her
Jean, as she called him, but his return had brought to her
A MERCIFUL KING. 65
face the smile of joy. This girl in the lowest walks of
life, had learned a grand philosophy in human happiness,
that is not taught in the female seminary, or in the college,
or any institution of learning. It did not come to her
through the study of ancient lore, the study of the dead
languages, the splendid songs of the poet, the eloquence
of the orator, or the brilliant pages of history wrought out
by the genius of the historian. Her innocent, untutored
heart said to her, " Iphi, the only true foundation for hap-
piness to us mortals, is by making others happy." Virtue
says crown all with smiles — vice, curse all with tears.
She still went to the palace of Vilani with flowers and
fruits, where she met the siren smile of Verono, the lust-
ful gaze of Count Vilani and the hard features of Geno.
There were times when this grand palace and its inmates
would cast a chilling shadow on her young heart, but she
was happy, her parents were contented. Jean had come
back well, and full of joy, and she never dreamed that
any one would do her harm, or: make her the victim of
base schemes and sinful purposes. Sad is it to think that
innocence and virtue, relying on the truth and sincerity of
others, are so easily betrayed.
Verono was the reverse of Iphi ; her secret hate for the
humble flower-girl was intense. Were Iphi upon the altar
of sacrifice, to appease an offended goddess, she would
have brought no offering to save. The tears of innocence
and beauty would but aggravate her passion of hate and
malice. She would save if the act would be instrumental
in the advancement of her lust for power and the unholy
flame of ambition, that had consumed every virtue and
every generous feeling of her heart.
Verono was Iphi reversed. The vase of life and joy
66 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
was reversed into an urn of death and sorrow. The poi-
son concealed in the head of the serpent, with its shining
diamond eyes, so skilfully wrought on the ring on her
finger was no more deadly to human life, than the poison
in her heart was deadly to human hajDpiness. Silently and
fatally, the serpent was charming the nightingale, so full of
sweet song, to destruction.
Verono, wrapt in her dark and terrible thoughts, was
seated in one of the most gorgeous apartments of the
Vilani palace, surrounded by every luxury and splendor
that wealth and art could procure. She was in the pres-
ence of Da Vinci's portraits of her ancestors, taken from
life. One of them was a female form, young in years, that
glowed with angelic beauty. Surely those eyes are alive
with the grand thoughts of a living brain. Surely those
lips will utter gentle words of love and affection. Were
you to gaze upon that picture, long would your heart wish
to linger and dwell in the presence of its exalted inspira-
tion. When you turn and leave it, that image with eyes
and lips so full of truth, sincerity and love, would ever
cling to your memory.
Yet all this did not move Verono from weaving some
dark scheme, that her fertile brain had wrought out, to
gratify her heart's deadly lust of power and ambition. She
uttered these ominous words : " There are too many wit-
nesses to the accursed secrets of my life. Count Vilani is
in love, yes, in love in his way, with that pretty, simple
face of the flower-girl. I will use the one to destroy and
blast the other. That wolf Geno, I will drag into the
meshes of the net, and cast him into the pit. Then there
is left Alonzo. Ha, ha, ha, right easily can I control the
simple Alonzo, and control him to my liking. Then shall
A MERCIFUL KING. 67
I be the grand triumphant mistress of this palace, and that
hidden wealth, concealed away in secret places, and cov-
ered with the dark pall of crime. Why is it that my soul
loves to dwell in these gloomy shadows ? It is because
they suggest to me vengeance, pov/er, and gratified ambi-
tion. I will be but avenging my wrongs. Vilani betrayed
me ; led me from virtue into crime. Nov/ to me, there is
enchantment in the gloomy realms of iniquity. Doubtless
the evil spirit that turned the happiness of Eden into
anguish and woe, had fiendish delight in its work of ruin,
and longed for more victims to drink from the poisoned
cup, I must have victims to appease the cruel demon en-
shrined in my soul. Henceforward, there is nothing left
for me but ambition, proud, lofty ambition, to rule and
to ruin.
"These plans may leave myself and Alonzo alone; I
the mistress, he the slave. Should he dare to disobey me,
or spurn my least commands, how easily that little talis-
man [looking at the ring] could forever silence the last
witness of my shame and crime. Its slightest sting is
death. It is said by some wise ones, that my ancestors
used such instruments to open the pathway for the triumph
of ambition. If so, why not I ? "
Alonzo enters with a meek and suppliant air, and sa^-s, —
" I hope I am not intruding on the privacy of my lady,
or disturbing her meditations. If so, I ask pardon."
" Pardon is surely 'granted my best friend. Really there
is no intrusion. I was this moment thinking of summon-
ing you to my presence, Alonzo. I have some thoughts
to suggest ; you are surely most welcome."
" Do you know that I was right in m}" conjectures," she
continued, " that Vilani had fallen in love with the pretty
63 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
face of this simple flower-girl ? ha, ha, ha ! How ridicu-
lous ! how absurd ! But Alonzo, this dull, monotonous life
we are now leading, with that dread mystery hanging like a
cloud over us, with Vilani's licentious smile, and Geno's
villainous looks makes life here in this palace dull, insipid^
and tasteless. I have resolved to gratify his passion after
his style, or rather Vilani's plan of dethroning virtue —
with the mockery of the sanctity of marriage. You have
made for him an excellent priest on several occasions, and
I propose to have you try your skill by uniting the noble-
man with the peasant girl, Iphi. Alonzo, I have a keen
relish for this interesting performance, for well you know
that I was myself a victim : and it would please me so
much to see others fall before this hypocritical monster ;
ha, ha, ha! It makes you tremble; surely my Alonzo is
not a coward ? "
" Pardon me. Lady Verono. I was thinking that this
might lead to the disclosure of secrets, that we might all
wish to conceal."
" All folly, man ; there is nothing to conceal. What do
I care for the cowardly, craven gossips of Leghorn, or all
Italy. I could fell them with frowns. I tell you this
leads to power and wealth. Listen, — do my bidding.
All you are required to do is to say nothing — look and
act by instructions. You may have to put on priestly
robes ; take the holy book, mumble some blessings and
prayers ; just as you have often done before to please
Vilani, and this will also be to him a pleasing service."
" Lady Verono,-! fear — yet I must obey your commands
to the letter. Instruct me when the time comes, and I am
your humble, obedient servant and friend."
" Good Alonzo, I know that to do my bidding is to thee
A MEECIFUL KING. 69
a pleasure, and I shall be sure and quick in rewarding you
for your friendship and kindness. I will see to it that you
have proper instructions to perform your part, so that this
drama will result to our liking and gain. You know that
while this palace is hereditary in this family, yet to a very
great extent you and I are mere tenants. It matters not
now that I should tell you my plans, for I must look well
to the events that may arise in the progress of things, and
if my good Alonzo has perfect faith in my tact, skill and
daring, he will follow and obey orders." Alonzo expressed
himself as having his fate in the hands of Verono. He was
well aware that he dare not deny this proud, cruel, and
talented woman perfect supremacy over him in all things.
He knew full well that in that wonderful brain and heart
there was a will and ambition that would hesitate at noth-
ing to accomplish a purpose. He knew from the experi-
ence of former days, when terrible acts were committed,
that he dare not even argue the feasibility of her schemes,
that she had adopted with regard to Vilani and Iphi, and
that to interfere with any suggestion or objection would be
to hazard his own existence.
11.
Count Vilani.
Colonel Vilani had his headquarters in the garrison
under his control and command. In this garrison was the
regiment to which Paul Lorraine and Jean Gendron were
attached. It is known to many persons that the soldiers
in the ranks always form a correct conclusion of the
70 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
character of their commander, or the pecuUar traits of
character of each prominent officer. Col. Vilani was
very despotic and unreasonable in many of his rules and
orders. He was also of that temperament that he could
not conceal his prejudices. Pride and vanity were ex-
ceedingly prominent. He was continually guilty of little,
petty acts of tyranny towards this regiment to which Paul
Lorraine was attached, on account of its complete French
character. When he had the appointing of subordinates,
he selected men of the same cast of character as himself,
and generally Italians. He was cunning enough, however,
not to commit any overt act, upon which could be based a
charge with any possibility of maintaining it. In fact, his
peculiar friends and associates would swear him out of
any difficulty whatever. Thus it was that there was a
silent, growing hatred in the regiment for Vilani. Paul
Lorraine had been raised to the position of second lieu-
tenant, and had been always jDrompt to allay any feeling
against him, for fear that it would break out into open rup-
ture. Louis Dejon had been drafted into one of the regi-
ments in the garrison that was stationed in the immediate
control of the officers at headquarters, and had been, on
account of his friendship for Iphi and her parents, a
good, sincere friend of Jean's, and also of Paul Lorraine's.
Although Louis was an Italian, these three young men
became very sincere friends and companions, and doubt-
less would stand by one another in any emergency or
danger. Oftentimes they would relate to one another the
events -of their lives, and those connected with them, so
that there soon was formed a bond of union and affection
that added much to their individual happiness and con-
tentment in the dull hours of garrison life.
COUNT VILANI. 71
Time moved along; the Lady Verono still bestowed
upon the flower girl her smiles and patronage, and Iphi's
life was still tranquil in the performance of affection and
duty. Verono seemed now at times more inquisitive, and
her searching questions would at times startle Iphi, as
having some sinister motive in this curiosity.
She said to her on one occasion, "Iphi, you have a
good friend besides your parents. Have you not ? "
" Oh, yes, lady, there is Louis Dejon, who is to us a
good friend, and has been so for many years ! He has
labored for us in the garden, and is a good hand a*-
flowers and vegetables. He is now in the army and in the
garrison."
" Have you not others ? "
"Oh, yes; there is Jean Gendron, who is my best
friend, and he is so very good, and noble, my lady, and
I love Jean very much."
" Then Iphi, I see this Jean is your sweetheart, and you
are lovers. Well, is this all your friends ? And Jean is a
soldier, I suppose ? "
"Yes, my lady, and these two — Louis and Jean, have
formed a friendship with a noble-looking French soldier,
whose name is Paul Lorraine, who is a good friend to us
all."
" Paul Lorraine ! The name indicates good lineage,
and he is a soldier. Well, Iphi, you have an army at
your back — so many gallant soldiers — and one of them
a lover."
" Yes, my lady, but I put no reliance on that. I do not
like the necessity that calls so many good young men in
the army to be killed. It were far better they were em-
ployed in some useful industry, than wasting their time in
72 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
camps, marches, battle fields and garrisons. I treat every
one kindly and justly, and every one seems to be my
friend. I do not know any one who would harm or injure
me. I know not of even one that I have cause to
fear."
" Iphi," replied Verono, "you are but little versed in
this world's ways — its passions and its ambitions."
Thus the time passed, until one day Verono invited
Iphi up into one of the fine apartments in the palace,
and she was highly pleased with the works of art, and the
splendid furniture and embellishment that surrounded her.
The most humble Italian peasants have excellent taste, and
a just appreciation of the beautiful in art. They inherit
this fine taste from their ancestors. If an Italian buys a
piece of sculpture or painting, or builds a house, or fits up
apartments or rooms, he evinces excellent taste, and his
judgment in such matters is artistic.
Verono says to Iphi, " Would you not like to reside in
this fine mansion, among these beautiful things, ride in a
carriage, have your servants, and live like a grand lady in
fine style, and have plenty of money, and buy your parents
a nice farm and home. I ask you this, for Vilani is will-
ing to make you his wife. He loves you dearly, for you
are so beautiful. Then you will be mistress of all this
house and servants, and every one will obey your com-
mands."
'' Oh, my lady, you are but jesting, or it is perhaps a
piece of mirthfulness on your part ; or is it a mockery of
my humble condition ? "
She gazed intently into the face of lady Verono, and
saw to her dismay that her words had a terrible meaning.
For the first time her trembling heart was shadowed with
COUNT VILANL 73
the dark spirit of evil, vaguely outlined to her sight, but
none the less terrible.
The beautiful form of the Lady Verono, that she loved
so well, seemed to pass from her, and left her in the
presence of a stern, relentless fiend. For a a moment she
thought she was in a horrible dream, and the terrible
abyss that was yawning in her pathway was but the delu-
sion of a feverish brain. In a moment she regained her
senses, and saw her terrible situation.
Lady Verono changed her tone to one of tenderness
and compassion and then said :
" Iphi, hear me. This is the proposal of Vilani. Be
composed, and do not be so startled and terrified ; gather
your senses about you and act calmly."
'• I will, my lady, and I will answer your question calmly
and sincerely. You asked me if I would not like to live
in this palace, have carriages to ride in, and servants, and
be the mistress of all this wealth and elegance. I say no,
my lady — I was born among the poor, raised among the
humble ; and, like Jesus, ' I love the poor.' He said the
humility of this earth should be exalted in heaven. And
when he said, * suffer little children,' he called the child of
the cottage as well as the child of the palace. The
Infinite said, through the holy One who died on the cross,
'love one another.' Lady, the splendors of earth beget
pride, envy and ambition. The humble cot where lives
those dear ones of my heart, is to me the dearest spot on
all this earth. I would not cast from me the happiness of
parental love, were you to give me in exchange a crown,
sceptre, or kingdon. My parents are happy because their
wants are few, and what little they have of this world's
goods they share with those in need. And my lady, if
74 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
you only knew how grateful they felt for your kindness to
me, and how they have prayed so fervently for your happi-
ness, you surely would love them. I'here is my dear Jean,
I would not cast him from me for all the grand things you
could do for me in this world. He is so good, true, and
noble. It would break his heart ; and you yourself, dear
lady, would pity his grief and sorrow. Were you to wit-
ness the agony of my poor old father and mother, were I
to desert them for a life of splendid dishonor, it would
move you to tears. The song of the bird is sad, impris-
oned even in a cage of gold. The lamb at nightfall seeks
the parental fold, and the young bird the nest where
loving wings are spread for its protection — so Avould I
away to yon humble cot, to bask in the love of those
good hearts, who have watched with tender care over me
all the years of my life. Oh, my lady, it cannot be, it
cannot be."
Lady Verono, unmoved by the tears and the pathetic
appeals of Iphi, says, " Why, simpleton, can it be possible
that any one in this world is so void of ambition ? The
story of the cross is a myth ; Jesus, lover of mankind, a
delusion. This woeful tale of crucifixion will pass away,
like the Egyption worship of Isis and the Grecian worship
of Jupiter, into the shadows of the past, and vanish like
the brilliant conceptions of poetic dreams. Why, you
would drag the church, with all its grandeur and magnifi-
cence, its pride and ambition, down to a level with Beth-
lehem — its manger, its outcast people, driven from the
splendor of Jerusalem. What folly ! Money, gold, will
cure the wounded hearts of the parents As to this foolish
love of your Jean, the world scorns the paltry sentiment.
Let your Jean march off to the battle-field ; you be proud
COUNT VILANL 75
and ambitious. It is your fate. Accept it and be con ■
tent."
" My lady, these cruel words you have spoken are
terrible. These vain, idle worships of antiquity, I know
not of, nor do I care for them. Jerusalem, with all its
splendor, was destroyed through its vanity and ambition.
Yet, Jesus sorrowed for it, with all its crimes and misfor-
tunes. The religion of Jesus has an imperishable gran-
deur : it is love for all mankind, and will be with him for-
ever ; follow him in all his wanderings in life. Leal his
wounds, cure his anguish, and dry his tears. It cannot
perish, until every noble impulse, every grand emotion of
love, truth, and mercy shall perish in the human heart.
You ask me to forsake my parents and my dear Jean.
When my heart ceases to love them with a holy, tender
love, it will cease to throb in this world. Sooner would I
die than to say I have ceased to love them and they are
no longer dear to me." Iphi could see no consolation in
the stern, unfeeling look of Verono. This woman, whom
she had all the time loved so well for her kindness, was
now to her terrible and appalling. " Then you have no
pity for me. You cannot say to me, with kindness and
compassion, ' Go, Iphi, go and seek happiness in thine
own way ? ' "
" No, foolish girl, all I can say is, it is your fate ; accept
it and be content;" and she left the apartment.
Poor Iphi ! the dark abyss was before her ; how terrible,
that this pure and lofty soul should be the victim of such
cruelty and wrong ! She clasped her hands together, and
in the deepest tones of agony and despair, exclaimed,
" O God, I am lost, I am lost. My poor father, my poor
mother, and my Jean. Oh, how their hearts will bleed
76 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
for me." She could stand no longer, and sank tremblingly
upon a seat with her face buried in her hands, until a
flood of tears for a time soothed the aching heart.
These two human souls had come to earth in the same
Christian land, the same fold, the same church and
creed, yet how widely different in thought, character, and
action. Iphi, like the wise men of the East, when the
star of Bethlehem led them to the infant laid in the man-
ger, and appearing thus in lowly life, were not dismayed
or disheartened, but worshipped him as the holy one, and
said, " The splendors of earth are nothing in the balance
against the glory of the Infinite."
She had received in her young heart all that fine inspi-
ration that comes from great virtue connected with perfect
humility, so prominent in the life of Jesus. She loved
his name, for it was full of the glad memories of acts of
charity and mercy. His life among the lowly, the poor,
and the outcast, came to her view clothed with ineffable
grandeur.
She practiced to others, charity, kindness and mercy ;
and the happiness she brought to them, filled her life
with perfect joy. She was ever the good Samaritan, to
turn from her pathway to heal the wounds of the dying
stranger.
Lady Verono was the reverse of all this. She could
not conceive how any one could be enraptured over a life
of humility. This wonderful feeling of love for Jesus and
parental affection, manifested in the action of Iphi, was to
her mind the very extreme of folly. She looked upon
this story of the Cross just as the Egyptian looked upon
the story of Isis and her lost Osiris, or the Greek upon
his Jupiter, enthroned in grandeur on Mount Olympus.
COUNT VI L ANT. 77
She did not accuse the church with misrepresenting the
teachings of Jesus, for she admired the church for its
pride, power, splendor, and ambition.
She would have justified the archbishop of Pisa, in
removing by assassination the Medici, even to give place
to the Pazzi ; if this act resulted in addition of power and
splendor to the church. She would, of course, justify
Catherine de Medicis of France in all her acts of ghastly
cruelty, if she realized the lofty aims of her towering am-
bition. She would have passed on the other side, where
lay the wounded and dying stranger, for she knew no
prompting of pity or compassion.
Verono's great talents, wealth, and high social position,
made her life brilliant, and drew the admiration of man-
kind.
Iphi had none of these things to offer. She was poor,
humble and content. All she had to offer to this world's
homage and praise was a grand soul, formed and fashioned
in the image of God.
78 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
BOOK VII.
Iphi Betrayed.
The She])hcrd goes to the wolf,
To seek the lamb that is lost.
The parents of Iphi were much alarmed at her absence.
They watched for her through the twiUght and the mid-
night hour ; the dawn of day came and passed away with
the bright morn sliining on land and sea, yet she came
not. This was sorrowful. Surely some calamity had
befallen tliis child, the prop of old age, the joyful light.
There was to them a strange, fearful foreboding of evil.
Year after year, Iphi had returned to her home as sure
as the night follows the day. They could make no possi-
ble conjecture of what had happened her. She had no
enemies. It was not possible that this innocent child
could be the object of any criminal purpose, that there
was any one so base and cruel as to wrong or injure their
darling child. They knew nothing of the j^erils of a
world they had seen but little of. The first suggestion
that came to their minds, was to send to the palace to see
if anything could be learned as to her absence.
One of the kind, sympathizing neighbors volunteered to
look up Louis and Jean, and also to go to the palace and
make inquiry of the whereabouts of the lost Iphi. He
returned, bringing both Louis and Jean with him. He
had also been to the palace, and came with the report from
IPHI BETRAYED. 79
the servant that she had been there, but had departed
at about the usual hour.
Jean and Louis urged the father and mother not to de-
spair. They firmly believed that she would be found
unharmed, and that nothing would be left undone to find
her out and rescue her. They both felt anxious to see
Paul Lorraine, to consult with him, and advise about the
best way to act in this sorrowful affair. Poor Jean con-
cealed his agony and tears. His alarm was far greater
than any one could discover by his outward action. He
had within him a dreadful, vague impression that the vil-
lainy of Colonel Count Vilani was in some way the cause
of Iphi's abduction, and when he, Paul, and Louis got
together and talked over the matter, Louis said that sev-
eral times when Colonel Vilani had his carousals, he over-
heard his contemptible vain boast of the number of his
conquests in the court of love.
Paul saw with dismay, that there was, alas, to much truth
in the conclusions of Jean and Louis, that poor Iphi was
in the power of Vilani. He was the commander of the
garrison, prominent among the nobility, wealthy and influ-
ential. The whole entire police force in the most of the
Italian States, are the willing tools of the nobility. Surely
so when there is money to bribe -and corrupt. Paul saw
that no charge could be made to any authority, with the
mere surmise that he was the man who was at the bottom
of this villainy.
If Paul had any evidence whatever, he would have
applied to the king of Naples for redress.
But there was nothing upon which to base a charge.
He therefore resolved to save her at the peril of his life.
He thought of his own dear Annetta so far away from him.
8o EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
yet she seemed to be present urging him to rescue Iphi.
Paul saw that some plan must be adopted to enter the
palace, and find out if the poor girl was in fact kept
imprisoned there against her will, and if so, he would
take enough force with him, to rescue her at all hazards,
and depend on the justice of the cause.
He thought of Louis : he knew that Louis was acquainted
with Geno, and believed he could manage Geno, so that
he would divailge something that would lead to the
.knowledge they desired.
IL
Louis Dejon.
Louis was not long in throwing himself in the way
of Geno.
" Well, comrade," says Geno, upon meeting Louis,
"what's the word, good or bad?"
" Bad, faithful Geno, very bad ; I am suffering with
poverty, poverty ! I see others enjoying themselves, while
I, poor soul, have not wherewith to buy a glass of wine.
If I had some gold, I would know how to spend it, and
live a jolly life."
" Louis, I have ever looked upon thee as an honest
knave, and true to a comrade. Wilst swear by the holy
cross to divide, truly and faithfully, with an honest
friend ? "
" I will swear Geno, to divide all the gold I get by thy
council and direction ; does that suffice ? "
"It is enough, Louis."
"Then by my holy faith I am your man, but listen,
LOUIS DEJON. 8 1
if you betray me, my dagger seeks your heart : remember
this, my motto, ' dead men are silent.' "'
I'iiese words, spoken so firm, with that look of deep
resolve, made tlie cowardly heart of Geno tremble.
" Never fear me, good Louis, we are of the same kind,
and comrades, and musi needs stand together."
" Now then, Louis, to the gold. A comrade in the
palace, a servant of Vilani, his name Joseph, he and
myself, have at different times found gold in unsafe
places in the palace. We have gathered it and divided
it into two sacks, marking the sacks in this way. My
sack is fastened with twine, his with a wire ; they are con-
cealed in a waste-room, on the northeast angle, on the
third floor of the palace, in a closet, at the bottom, under
some rubbish."
'• Well, Geno, what is to hinder you from taking the
gold yourself."
" I will tell you Louis why. Joseph and myself are on
the watch and guard together. Before we go on duty,
Joseph examines the concealed treasure by himself ; we
will be together in the morning and examine. The gold
is gone. I say Joseph you have robbed me. When you
came alone to examine on last evening you done it. I
threaten his life, he is terrified, and trembles, pleads for
mercy, and promises, to soon steal enough to make good
my loss. I am convinced he is honest, and say poor
Joseph, I forgive you this time, now see to it that you pay
me. Thus you see, I put him in the place of the wrong
doer, and I honest Geno, the sufferer. Now this is my
offer: I will give you the key of the postern gate that
leads to a secret passage, landing on the third floor of the
palace, through a sliding panel at the head of the stair-
82 EXILES OF LOUISIANA,
way. On the inside of the postern gate you will find a
dark lantern, with match, etc. You will bring with you
both sacks, and conceal them in some safe place, until
to-morrow, when I will see you, and divide with you
Joseph's sack of gold. Is it a bargain ? "
" It is a bargain, honest Geno, and I accept and swear;
but now tell me, why this watch and guard duty of yours
and Joseph's ? "
" That, Louis, does not concern the gold ; that is a
private affair of the count's, and you must not descend to
the second floor, or you will surely be discovered, and get
into trouble."
" But, good Geno, what is this little private affair of the
count's ; surely you can trust a friend, and tell him this
much, when it is of little importance."
" Well, it is a love affair of the count's, and you surely
can get no pay out of such trifles as that ; get the gold,
and let the count and the lady go to the devil. Let the
count fall in love, and we will see to his gold."
"Is that all, good Geno ? and then I will surely not dis-
turb the noble count in his love matters."
Thus it was, that Louis in his blank face and fine talk,
had obtained from Geno, the cunning rogue, all he de-
sired. When Geno left him, Louis said to himself,
" what a villian he is ; he even robs a partner. I must
now see Paul and Jean, and arrange our plans."
After consulting with them, it was agreed that at
midnight, Louis should enter the palace, and discern,
if possible, the ex^ct position of things, and then to
act upon his information, and to be prepared at any
moment to enter the palace, through this passage, and
rescue Iphi by main force if necessary."
LOUIS DEJON. 83
Accordingly, at the midnight hour, he entered the
postern gate, and found the lantern, and then proceeded
to the secret entrance, mounted the stairway with the aid
of his lantern, and came to the sliding panel. Here he
took the precaution to darken his light, and then with the
utmost caution he moved back the panel, and stood in
what seemed to him a passage, having at the far end from
where he stood a large window, covered with a curtain,
through which the light was dimly shining. He stopped
and listened, and he certainly heard voices, in conver-
sation, but could catch no words spoken. Soon, two dark
figures moved across the disk of the window, and they
appeared to be approaching the place where he stood.
At length he caught the name of Paul Lorraine quite
distinctly.
He at once concluded that it had some reference to
Iphi. Yet he could not hear enough to make any con-
nection in the conversation, they being some distance from
him, but evidently coming near.
He reflected a moment, and thought his best course
was to lie prostrate, close to the wall of the passage, and
far enough from any side entrance, in case they should
pass out.
Soon they cam^e quite close to where he lay concealed
by darkness. He heard the words, " Alonzo, do not rest
secure in your position in the palace, on account of any
generosity on the part of Vilani, for he is base, cruel, and
heartless. That peasant-girl in his power, he would
despoil her of virtue, then command Geno to assassinate
her, and conceal his crime. He will soon be bringing to
the palace a wife from nobility of a century's growth, and
compel you and I to take positions of servitude, base
84 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
menials, to await the pleasure of the Count and Countess
Vilani."
" You know Alonzo that in case of his death I am the
sole heir of the name and fortune of the house of Vilani
— and the offspring of a legitimate marriage, would for-
ever debar me from the inheritance."
" Why not you, my lady, wed Vilani, and become the
countess, and all will then end well."
" I did, in the days of my innocence, wed him in good
faith; but you know the horrid mockery on his part, and
the cruel betrayal."
" Oh, my lady you have forgiven me for the part I took in
that accursed crime ; for I was driven by desperation to
commit the deed, and thought it best, to save you from a
Avorse fate. Forgive him, he is anxious ; and has often
expressed a desire to unite the only two living lineal
descendants of the house of Vilani, in marriage,"
" Wed him, Alonzo ? I would just as soon wed the serpent ;
his very look is loathing, his very touch is contamination.
Wed Count Vilani ? I would far sooner send him after the
murdered Francisco, and cast his body in the vaults be-
neath this palace. He would in order to pander to his
lust, or his ambition, go before the Tribunal and charge us
with the murder of Francisco ; procure false witnesses,
bribe the police and the courts, and have us both put to
death, for a crime committed by his own orders and com-
mands. Yes Alonzo, sooner than again submit to his
loathing embrace, the fatal talisman shall do its evil
work."
" Oh, my lady that is cruel ; pardon, pardon and forgive
him ; but when is this mockery of marriage to be con-
sumated ? "
LOUIS DEJON. Z^
" To-morrow night, when the cathedral clock strikes the
midnight hour, and you Alonzo, are commanded to per-
form the act of profanation."
Louis thus received more intelligence than he supposed
was possible. He was horrified with Lady Verono's state-
ment of the crimes perpetrated in this house. Her de-
scription of the infamous Vilani was terrible, Iphi was in
great danger. He saw that she must be rescued from her
situation and that no time was to be lost.
Lady Verono and Alonzo moved back towards the win-
dow, and were out of distinct hearing ; but soon returned,
with the apparent intention of separating. They were not
now moving as close together as when first they came in
range of the window light. He heard Alonzo ask some
question as to Iphi and the marriage ceremony, to be per-
formed between her and Count Vilani, and caught these
words distinctly from Lady Verono's lips :
" To-morrow night when the cathedral clock strikes the
hour of twelve — "
For some time Louis lay rapt in thought. He was per-
plexed. Should he retire and bring back with him Paul
and Jean ? or should he wait until the hour of twelve to-
morrow night, and come prepared to carry Iphi away from
this accursed den of guilt and infamy, at all hazards ?
The question of the money, and returning the key to
Geno on the morrow, perplexed him. If he left the
money Geno would conclude he had betrayed him, and
might think and act so that it would interfere with his
plans in retaining the key to the gate, as well as the
secret entrance into the palace.
He waited for some time, until he thought everything
was quiet. He had heard the retreating footsteps of
86 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Verono in one direction and Alonzo in the other. Then
he walked along close to the wall until he approached the
door leading into the room described by Geno. The door
was unlocked, and he stood inside of the room, and
for a moment listened to catch any sound. It was as
silent as a tomb. Light struggled into the apartment
through the partly closed shutters ; he could see no objects
in the room distinctly. He closed the door behind him
opened his dark lantern, and passed its light slowly arounu
the room. It was as Geno had said, a rubbish or waste
room. It had a dismal and dreary appearance. Among
the old rubbish of the apartment there were some cast-
aside paintings, among which Louis discovered the por-
trait of a strange face, taken in boyhood. On the back
of the canvass was written the name of Francisco Vilani.
This, then, was the name connected with crime, spoken of
by Verono but a few moments since ; when all at once the
dark stoiy of the life of Count Vilani, and his insane
cousin came to his mind. " Ah ! this is where this gold
comes from that keeps this palace shining in such splen-
dor. The very gold that I have taken upon myself to
carry away is part of the fruit of this accursed crime."
He went to the closet, and there beneath the rubbish
lay the two bags of gold. The mouth of one sack was
closed with some thin wire, the other with twine-string.
What next ? He seated himself and thought of his
next course. Will he go below and grope around, and
find the place where Iphi was imprisoned, go after Jean
and Paul and rescue her .'' In case he should be discov-
ered, he would ruin all. He felt sure now that no violence
would be offered Iphi, until the hour of that mockery of
marriage that Verono spoke of — when the cathedral
LOUIS DEJON. 87
clock strikes the hour of midnight. He also concluded to
take the gold with him, and convince Geno, that his
designs were not to interfere with anything further in the
palace, and he would make some plausible excuse for
retaining the keys of the gate and secret entrance into the
palace. With these conclusions he took the two sacks of
gold and was about to depart on his way through the
panel in the wall, the secret stairway, and out of the gate.
But on turning around the light of his lamp fell upon the
dark form of Alonzo, gazing upon him in perfect amaze-
ment. Louis instantly grasped his stiletto, not to make
an attack on Alonzo, but to defend his life at all haz-
ards.
Put up thy weapon, rash man. You are in my power.
In one moment of time I can arouse assistance, and you
will be beyond all earthly power. I have fixed the sliding
panel, so that were you to attempt to open it, you would
spring an alarm that would insure your destruction. I
have discovered you in the commission of a crime that the
laws of the land punish with death.
Noble Louis came to rescue Iphi from the grasp of the
monster, and will himself fall a sacrifice to his merciless
vengeance. He came to save, and is cruelly lost
When Alonzo left Verono in the passage she went in
the same direction that Louis had to go to reach the
waste chamber, where this gold was concealed. Alonzo
took the other end of the passage that led to another
angle of the palace. Alonzo heard, or thought he heard,
some person moving on the floor, and chanced to turn and
look back just at the moment Louis raised himself up in
an upright position and passed between him and the
dimly lighted disk of the same window where Louis had
88 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
first seen the dimly- defined forms of Alonzo and Verono,
approaching the jDlace where he lay concealed against the
wall.
Alonzo glided, softly back heard Louis open the door
and close it after him ; saw the flash of the lantern as it
passed the door, and when Louis stooped down and took
the two sacks of gold out of the closet he saw him plainly,
as the closet was in the opposite side of the room and
nearly in a direct line. He gently opened the door and
stepped into the room. The noise drew the attention of
Louis. He raised himself up, turned the light in that
direction, and there stood Alonzo looking at him in the
very act of robbery.
in.
The Siren and Victim.
We left Iphi in the power of Verono, left her in despair,
with a heart suffering the pangs of sorrow. It was not
for self she grieved, but those blessed ones in yonder cot-
tage, upon whom this blow would fall with crushing force.
Surely their hearts will break with the loss of their Iphi.
Verono had returned to her, and, with that mysterious
transformation of tone and manner, was addressing with
ajDparent affection, her helpless victim.
" Iphi," she says, "your cottage, your flower-garden, and
vineyard, you love so well, will soon look to you as unim-
portant and contemptible. Your petty dreams of hap^Di-
ness, and contentment are vain and childish fancies. In
the course of nature your father and mother, must soon
jDass away, and leave you alone in the world. What you
THE SIREN AND VICTIM. 89
call virtue, will soon be to you a fanciful image, clothed
with the roseate hues of a youthful, joyous imagination,
but empty, shining bubbles, that disappear with the world's
rude touch. Your dear Jean, as you call him, will either
fall in battle or be cast away as a mere waif, floating on
the world's wide sea. You thought me charming and
delightful, and yet I am but a sample of the world's de-
ceit and ambition. The world awards a premium to suc-
cessful ambition, while it uses virtue and credulity as
instruments to accomplish its purposes and designs. To-
day those you love seem happy and joyous, to-morrow
they are tossed helplessly upon the waves, with none to
help, save, or pity. Soon, very soon you, with your beau-
tiful face and fine form, will fall a victim to some one's
passion and treachery. Act for yourself. Here is a pal-
ace and wealth, and fine apparel for you to wear. You
will be a lady. Gold is our best friend. Cast away these
idle fancies of youth, called morality and virtue. Face
the world with courage, pride, and ambition."
To Iphi these words, though uttered in a friendly tone
and with apparent sincerity, were strange and dreadful.
Her heart was so stricken that it almost ceased to throb.
Her love for her parents, her Jean, as she called him, her
charity for everyone, was as true and sublime as that char-
ity that said to the thief dying on the cross, with all his
crimes upon him, "This day thou shalt be with me in
Paradise." It was strange that when she raised her eyes
to the wall, they rested on that angelic face and form,
traced there by the hand of De Vinci. To her it was a
heavenly friend, who came to save. The smile on that
beautiful face — so calm, so serene — was to her full of
faith and love. This picture, taken from life centuries
90 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
ago, nerved the heart of the poor flower girl, like the
presence of a .loving friend. It nerved her to stand firm
and steadfast in the cause of truth and virtue.
She said : " Lady, you draw the picture of a world
without God. A world that has no part in the goodness
and loving kindness of Jesus. No, my dear lady, I want
none of these things ; neither palace, gold, or fine apparel.
They are suited to the noble and those born to fill high
places. No, I will never forsake my parents, my Jean,
and my humble life. My gifts of charity that I give to
the poor and distressed are as pleasing to me as the costly
gifts bestowed by the hand of wealth. My heart says, —
You have done your duty ; you gave all you had to give.
No, no, my lady, the happiness that comes from those I
love, is not the enchantment of an idle dream, but real,
true, and perfect in its joy. Oh, how 1 delight to be with
my parents and my friends, in our humble cot, and look out
upon the sea, the hills, and the beautiful landscape. So
bright and cheerful it is for me to hear the sweet songs of
the birds, and the glad, joyful laugh of the working peas-
antry, and when I can say to my own heart, the good God
has done all this for thee and thine in loving kindness."
Lady Verono cast upon her a look of contempt, re-
marking, — "I have nothing to say, except that you are
very simple and foolish," and left the apartment.
IV.
The Voice from Behind the Tapestry.
In this world, where there is an endless warfare between
jood and evil, if a sin is committed that is unpardonable,
THE VOICE BEHIND 2HE TAPESTRY. 91
it is when vice, armed Avith wealth and power, tramples on
virtue, and smiles upon the wounds it has inflicted.
Lady Verono was gifted by nature with brilliant talents,
combined with a beautiful person. The shrine of virtue
in her soul had been demolished and consumed by the
fires of hate, malice, and ambition, or she would have
fallen in adoration before this grand image of virtue and
piety.
Iphi now found herself a prisoner, surrounded with
splendor, and those beautiful objects which charmed her
so much when they came as the offering of friendship :
when offered her as the price of virtue, they were hid-
eous, save alone that lovely face so full of faith and love ;
and although a silent witness of her sorrow, spoke of hope
and consolation.
Often Verono came to her prison-chamber with appar-
ent friendship and interest for her welfare ; but in this
there was no consolation or hope for Iphi, for it was too
plain that she had betrayed her with some evil purpose in
view, which Iphi could not at present discern.
Soon Count Vilani was introduced to her presence, and
with his shrewdness and tact, acquired by experience
in these cowardly acts of villainy, assumed a manner and
air of truth and friendship, and Iphi was for a moment
thrown off her guard by the wily seducer. He passed
towards her, took a seat by her side, and said in most
affectionate tones, —
" Iphi, you are so beautiful, that I cannot live without
you. I love you, and all I have, this palace and all this
wealth, I will share with you, and you must learn to love
me."
" Count Vilani, this is impossible ; nothing can induce
92 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
me to forsake my parents, nothing can induce me to cast
aside my friends, to accept even an honorable life in this
palace; and sooner than submit to dishonor, I would wel-
come death as my best friend."
"I am told," said the Count, "there is one who loves
\ou ; some base born peasant presumes to aspire to the
love of one who should be the wife of a nobleman.
Your parents shall be well provided for. I have had them
already infonned of your safety, and not to sorrow for
)'Our absence. As for this lover, I will have him sent to
the battle-field, and you will no longer be troubled with
him. No, Iphi, you must be mine, and mine only. See
how grandly the Lady Verono lives. So admired, feared,
and worshipped. You shall be placed above her as far as
your beauty and loveliness is above hers. My Iphi shall
be exalted above Verono."
Iphi replied : " This cannot be. The base peasant, as
you call my Jean, and who has my love, and who has a
right to aspire to my hand and heart, has never been
appointed or decreed a ijobleman by the king. God made
him noble. He is worthy of my love and affection. Far
sooner would I wed this base peasant, as you call him,
than to wed you with all this grandeur and wealth. For-
tune has placed in your hands power to defend and pro-
tect the poor and oppressed. How sad to think that you
should be the first to commit acts of cruelty among the
defenceless poor. What ! love you, and discard Jean ?
God would forbid it. Sooner would I perish."
"Why, brave girl, yovi but increase my love, my passion
I am resolved to subdue you to my will. This night, when
the cathedral bell strikes the midnight hour, in this apart-
ment, a holy priest shall unite us in the sweet bonds of
THE VOICE BEHIND THE TAPESTRY. 93
marriage, and thou slialt be the Lady Vilani. Submit to
destiny ; it is thy fate."
Here then was the abyss in which they had planned to
cast her soul • to despoil her of virtue by a mock marriage.
How horrible the thought. The deep schemes of Vilani
and Verono were now terribly apparent. In agony of
heart, with piteous tones, she plead with Vilani, to have
at least compassion for her aged father and mother ; they
would die broken-hearted • that she never could return to
them except with that spotless innocence she possessed
when first beguiled into his power. " Pity me, for I am
nothing but a poor peasant girl, while you are a great noble-
man, and can wed with one who can far better fill this grand
position of the Countess Vilani. Have mercy upon me, for
the time may be near at hand when thou shalt ask mercy
of others. The cruelty you now inflict on me may soon
return to you."
*' Iphi," he said, "I love you and cannot part with you.
I am to be pitied."
Iphi stood confronting him. She was still clad in her
humble, modest garb of the flower girl. She had the
armor of truth and virtue ; she looked grand and ma-
jestic. The heartless Vilani for a moment trembled in
her presence.
What a mockery of this grand attribute of the heart for
the libertine to say to virtuous innocence, " I love you!"
Perhaps when the generous emotions of the soul are per-
verted by a life of crime, the base, selfish passion that
seeks to gratify its own desire is mistaken for love.
Jean's love for Iphi exalted him. It was Iphi's happi-
ness that brought joy to his heart. It was the grand salu-
tation of love to joy. Love and joy met and embraced.
94 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
Virtue seeing this sweet union of love and joy, blessed
both, and crowned them with bliss.
Vilani's love debased him. It brought as tribute to the
altar, desire, jealousy, and crime. It was born of vice and
darkness, its offspring, misery.
Vilani could have, with cruel jealousy, put Jean to
death, for his love of the object of his desire. Had he
loved Iphi in truth, and sought her love for her sake, for
her happiness, Jean, with his noble soul, would have
loved him.
Louis Dejon, generous and true, was Jean's best friend,
because he sought with earnest solicitude to promote the
happiness of Iphi.
Vilani's love was like the perversion of the charity and
mercy of the cross into bigotry and hate. It was chang-
ing the joy which perfect liberty brings, for the woe that
despotism offers.
The one was Promethean fire kindled at heaven's altar,
the other was the consuming flames of the angel of
darkness.
When she heard the words, " Iphi, I love you, and can-
not part with you," the words " 1 love you," were revolt-
ing, and appeared to give her nerve to resist this villainous
outrage upon her person, to thus imprison her, and thus
force her to a union that would blight her life and bring
unutterable misery and woe. There was an impressive
look on this noble girl when she iiad resolved to die rather
than be dishonored.
Gladly at this moment would she have accepted the
altar of sacrifice, the cord, knife, flames, rather than the
altar of marriage with this base fiend, who had betrayed
her into his power to destroy her, both body and soul.
THE VOICE BEHIND THE TAPESTRY. 95
" Base, cruel man ; you ask me to love you while plan-
ning my ruin. How could I love you ? "
Vilani looked upon her with astonishment. He sup-
posed he was dealing with a common peasant girl, who
would soon yield to one of his commanding position.
He rushed towards her to clasp her in his wanton em-
brace. At that moment there rang through the apartment
the stern words, —
" Beware ! Beware ! "
" What can this be ? " Quickly he called Geno. Geno
answered the summons.
" Geno," he said, " some enemy is lurking in the palace.
Who can it be ? "
" My lord, no one has entered the palace ; who would
thus dare to intrude t "
"Well, Geno," call Joseph, and search well in every
nook and corner, and find, if possible, who is thus acting
as an enemy and a spy upon me."
They all left the apartment, and poor Iphi sank ex-
hausted upon a seat.
Lady Verono concealed behind some tapestry, near the
front entrance of the apartment, had witnessed this inter-
view between Vilani and Iphi. With feelings of anger
and contempt, she heard the words of Vilani, " I will
place my Iphi above Verono." She said to herself, " No,
no, my Vilani ; never will you reach the hour to place a
mistress in the palace to rule over Verono." When Vilani
rushed to embrace Iphi, she thought her plans might be
frustrated, and changing her voice so that she could not
be detected, she uttered the words, "beware, beware," and
silently glided out into her chamber.
After making a full search, neither Vilani, Geno, or
96 EX TLBS OF LOUISIANA.
Joseph, could discern any person concealed in or about
the apartment, so that this affair was still to Vilani, a
strange mysteiy.
He went in person to Verono's chambers, and found
her resting on her couch in profound slumber.
Midnight Hour.
The time designated for the consummation of this
marriage ceremony had arrived. Here was ihe apartment
in this palace. Here was heaven's livery, designed to
give sanctity to holy bonds of marriage, to be used in
the perpetration of the crime of crimes.
Here a priest clothed in the sacred robes of the high
office of God's servant on earth. There the alter, the
burning tapers, the Holy Book, in which is written the
life of the man of sorrows, yet a life, replete and perfect, in
the virtues of charity, and mercy.
The obscure outlines of the apartment, the solemn air
and dignity of the priest, the dimly burning tapers, the
subdued light of the chandelier suspended overhead, the
midnight hour, the deep measured tones of the cathedral
bell striking the hour of twelve, — gave to the scene the
gloom of sacrifice, instead of the joy of marriage.
It promised the joys of marriage, but was designed as
the sacrifice of virtue, and innocence. There is the altar
and here the victim.
Iphi had hoped that relief would come before this crisis
in her fate would be upon her. She had prayed in vain.
MIDNIGHT HOUR 97
She stood now upon the very verge of the horrible abyss
that had for so many long, weary hours threatened to
engulf her.
Often had she asked her hard-hearted persecutors to
pity her, to have mercy on her. They were unmoved by
the tears of pleading innocence, and she yielded in hope-
less, and helpless despair, and became in their hands, a
passive victim to work out their cruel will. They had
robed her in costly apparel. Vilani spoke to her words
of comfort and consolation.
In this hour of sorrow there was still left to her one ray
of hope. When she was led to the altar, she fell upon her
knees before the priest, and said, —
" Holy man of God, have mercy on me and save me.
All earthly splendor and wealth to me are as nothing with-
out love and virtue. Nothing in this world so dear to me
as my mother's love. Do with me as you will, but do not
rob me of virtue and honor. Far sooner would I die."
Her heart was so full of anguish, the tones of her voice
so full of touching pathos, that even these ruthless perse-
cutors paused in their work of inquity.
This poor flower girl, humble, unprotected, pleading
with the representatives of a family of high and noble birth,
who dwelt in a lordly palace, surrounded with all the
splendor that wealth and art could bring to adorn, to
have mercy, and spare to her a life of purity, and humility,
was a touching picture of the grandeur and majesty of
virtue.
Flashes from the cross of Calvary filled her soul with
divine inspiration ; and she was the personification of
everything that was beautiful, grand, and noble in mankind.
98 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
She says, " You hesitate. Are there none to pity, none
to save me ? "
These words had scarcely passed her lips, when Paul
Lorraine advanced and confronted Count Vilani. It was
his manly form and dauntless bearing. He was crowned
with the majesty of justice.
He said, " This innocent girl asks for pity, for mercy,
you will not grant to her even that. I ask for nothing ; I
came here to demand a release of this helpless victim of
your cowardly cruelty."
Vilani looked upon Paul Lorraine with derision. He
said, " What presumption for a base-born peasant to enter
by stealth the palace of a nobleman and command him to
obey his will ! I will teach thee courtesy, at -least," and
quick as thought, whi]3t out his sword from the belt and
made a deadly thrust at the heart of Paul, who, with con-
summate skill, warded off the blow.
Geno sprang and grasped Paul by the shoulders, and
the next thrust from the sword of Vilani would have been
fatal ; but Louis came like the bound of the leopard, saw
Paul's danger, and struck Count Vilani on the breast with
a stiletto, and he fell bleeding to the floor.
Iphi was bewildered with surprise, joy, and terror.
Jean flew to her rescue, and with the assistance of Louis
and Paul they carried her away from the place where she
had suffered so much, and now all appeared like the
awakening from a hideous dream.
Geno was about to alarm the servants of the palace,
and then to flee after Paul, Louis and Jean, and arrest
their escape. Verono said, "Stay, Geno!" The priest
had left the apartment when the violence commenced.
Verono and Geno were alone in the apartment. They
THE TWO SACKS OF GOLD. 99
went to the piostrate form of Count Vilani, who was
bleeding profusely ; and yet the wound did not seem to be
mortal. He soon regained his senses, and in a low tone
of voice requested Verono to send for surgical assistance.
She gave him a cold, heartless look.
" Oh, Verono, I am dying : do not look so cruel upon
me. Pardon me; forgive me; have mercy, and pity me."
" Oh, why ? The peasant girl is not only beautiful, far
above Verono ; but she is also a prophetess, for no longer
than yesterday she said to you, ' The time may not be far
distant when you may ask for pity and mercy and it be de-
nied you ! ' With her rare beauty, she is also able to foretell
events. It is not surprising that you would place your
Iphi far above Verono in this palace, and make a descend-
ant of the Medici a base serving maid to a low born peas-
ant girl, because she has a pretty face."
Count Vilani uttered the words, " Oh, pity ! forgive and
have mercy on me," and fell back faint with the loss of
blood.
Verono said to Geno, " The supreme moment of my life
has come ; do now my bidding, and any request you make
of me shall be gratified."
Geno sprang upon the prostrate form of the unfortunate
Vilani, grasped his throat and held him until he had
ceased to breathe.
VI.
The Two Sacks of Gold.
For the present we leave Vilani to his tragical fate and
return to Louis, where he was confronted by Alonzo in the
waste room with the two sacks of gold in his possession.
loo EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
His first thoughts were of Iphi and this sad defeat of his
plans to save her. Paul and Jean knew that he had en-
tered the palace by the secret way, but could do nothing
to help either Iphi or himself from this perilous position.
He stood detected in the commission of a crime that in-
volved his life. He was a robber. He had entered this
mansion at the midnight hour by force and violence.
These reflections to him were appalling in the extreme.
He had resolved, however, to use no violence except in
defense of his life.
Alonzo says to Mm, "Put up your weapon ; you are in
my power, and escape is impossible. I have taken the
precaution to fasten the panel by which you entered. It
is not my desire at present to injure you if you convince
me that your presence in this mansion is not for an evil
purpose, but for a good purpose."
Louis was much surprised by this declaration, and
promptly answered that he did not come here for the base
purpose of taking this paltry gold; that the gold was a
mere pretence to save an innocent girl, who had been be-
trayed into this palace and here detained for purposes of
the darkest villainy, and he was here solely by the prompt-
ings of justice and mercy to save her from dishonor.
Alonzo then asked him how he had obtained entrance
into the palace.
Louis then related to him in full the agreement he had
made with Geno to carry off this money, and that Geno
was to divide with him Joseph's share of the stolen gold.
" Then you were concealed in the passage and heard the
conversation between myself and Lady Verono. If so
state what you heard as near as possible. If you are can-
did with me I will assist you ; if not, I will have you
THE TWO SACKS OF GOLD. loi
arrested here, and the consequences to you will be the loss
of life through the tribunals of justice. Is not your name
Louis Dejon ? "
" That is my name. I heard in that conversation the
name of Paul Lorraine. I heard you state that the false
marriage was to be perpetrated at the hour of midnight on
to-m.orrow. I also heard it stated that Francisco Vilani's
death involved the crime of murder, and committed in this
palace."
"Were you not examining that picture when you first
came into this room ?"
Louis answered promptly, "that he had been."
" Now listen to me. Swear by your God and your
hopes of salvation, never to make use of the facts which I
will relate to you, to the injury of either Vilani or Verono,
and I will also assist you to secure Iphi from dishonor,
and also save Vilani from a crime more detestable even
than murder."
Louis answered : " 1 swear never to betray your confi-
dence or to say anything that may injure you or your
friends. I came here, not for the purpose of finding out
family secrets, but for the sole purpose of rescuing that
poor girl from a cruel fate."'
" Then you will be silent on the death of Francisco
Vilani.
" He possessed immense wealth. The vain, ambitious
and licentious lives of Vilani and Verono are artfully con-
cealed by the glitter of wealth from the eyes of the world.
They could not await the death of this unfortunate man,
but in order to have full control of all his possessions, all
his great treasures, consisting of gold and diamonds of
great value, they used this wolf in human form, Geno, to
I02 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
end his days by slow poison. They had no fears that Geno
would betray them. His interest kept him still, and he
knew himself that his looks and actions would have no
possible influence with any one, and for him to attempt to
tell his story would insure his swift destruction.
" My position in this household is one of great peril.
I dare not interfere in the least with their designs. I do
not desire, either, to have them convicted in a court of jus-
tice and die a disgraceful death.
"Did either of them know that you were in this man-
sion, and possessed of these facts, your escape would be
impossible ; your death sure and- swift ; your body cast
into a vault, and if the officers of the law attempted to in-
vestigate through your friends, they would soon be
silenced, by gold and false witnesses, to swear that it was
impossible for j^ou to enter the palace at midnight, or they
would prove that you came to steal this gold, and that
Geno killed you in the very act of robbery. Fortunate was
it for you that it was I who detected yoxir presence, and
am here alone with you. Take this gold with you. Do
with Geno just as you agreed, so as to avoid any interfer-
ence with our plans. He is a cunning villain, and will
quickly detect you if he sees that gold was not your object
in entering the palace. Take this key for the postern
gate ; this for the entrance to the secret passage. When
you arrive on the second floor of the palace, to your right
on the platform there is what appears to be a panel in the
wall ; this key inserted in a small aperture at the base of
the facing of the panel moves a spring, and the panel is
easily moved back. You enter a passage, the first door on
the left hand side leads you to the apartment where this
mockery of marriage will take place. Be there with Paul
THE TWO SACKS OF GOLD. 103
Lorraine, Jean Gendron and yourself in that passage, so
that you can enter the chamber when the Catliedral clock
tolls the hour of twelve. This may result in the death of
Vilani, or yourself, or friends ; but it will save this poor
•girl from cruel sacrifice. If you are compelled to use a
weapon in self-defense, disable or disarm Vilani, but spare
his life if possible."
Louis closed his lantern. Alonzo led him to the secret
passage, opened it, and Louis departed to seek Paul and
Jean, and relate to them the strange turn of fortune that
took place in the palace of Vilani.
Geno was so busily engaged the next day, obeying his
master's orders, that he did not find time to seek Louis to
get his gold and a return of the keys to the postern gate
and secret passage. He seemed, however, satisfied that
Louis had the gold, and would act in good faith with his
friend, who had introduced him to so valuable a treasure.
It brought supreme joy to the heart of the gardener and
his wife that their precious child had been restored to
them. With tears of gratitude they thanked her deliverers
and earnestly prayed to the Infinite to bless them.
VII.
Geno makes Joseph promise to Return the Gold.
The morning after Louis had carried off the concealed
gold, Geno says to Joseph, " How is our money, Joseph ?
was it all safe and secure when examined on yesterday
evening ? "
" That it was, Geno ; all right, my good comrade ; al'
right."
104 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
"I have not gazed upon our shiners for some time,
Joseph ; let us go to our hidden treasure, and enjoy the
sight."
"Go thyself, good Geno, go thyself."
"Why not thee go with me, Joseph ? I should think it
strange if thee refuse, and think you had done something
amiss when last you had handled those precious sacks."
Accordingly they went to the place where their money
was concealed. Joseph removed the rubbish, but the
money sacks were missing.
" What is the matter, Joseph ? "
Joseph was amazed. The sacks of gold were gone.
Geno looked upon him with a stern and threatening man-
ner, saying, " Base villain ! thou hast robbed me. I
doubted thee when reluctant to come to look upon our
gold. Now I see by that guilty stare upon thy face, cursed
villain, that thou hast taken and hid my sack in some other
place to rob me. Confess, and tell me where they are, or
I strike you dead where you stand."
"Geno, honest Geno, if I hope for salvation and pardon
of my sins, I have not taken the money."
" Thou liest, base wretch, and thus to rob a friend. It
was I who told thee of the place where money could be
got, and thus you repay me for my kindness. Come, con-
fess or I will kill thee."
" Have mercy, Geno. I took not the gold. I will swear
by the Holy Cross and all the saints that I took not the
gold."
"Joseph, then thou wouldst add perjury to thy many
crimes. This is dangerous gold; it has been stained with
crime — now thrice stolen. And now, guilty wretch, thou
art willing to damti thy soul to perdition, by swearing to a
JOSEPH'S PROMISE. 105
lie upon the Holy Cross. This I will do with thee ; swear
by the cross and saints that in one month's time thou wilt
have this loss made up to me."
" I swear, good, noble Geno, to have it here in value^
either in gold, jewelry or precious stones. I will truly do
my best to make this right with thee, my good and gener-
ous friend."
" Well, see to it, villain. I will keep an eye upon thee,
and if I find thee false thou hadst better never been born.
If you did not steal this money yourself, where can it be .''
How do you say it has been taken away ? "
" I have but one thing to say, that about the midnight
hour, wliile you and I were on the watch below, I heard
footsteps and low conversation on this floor of the palace,
and knowing it to be Alonzo and the Lady Verono I said
nothing, as it was of no importance, and was not any part
of our duty to make note of it."
" Do you think, Joseph, they could have found the gold,
or is this but an idle story of thine to clothe acts of vil-
lainy with apparent innocence, and to wrong thy good
friend of his honest money."
" Geno, I am innocent ; but as I live I shall make it
good to thee, and restore all you have lost."
io6 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
BOOK VIII.
MUTINY.
I.
Forgive me, my brain was on fire
And I kneiv not -what I did.
Paul Lorraine rejoiced at the deliverance of Iphi, j-et
to him the ending was tragical and sorrowful. He regretted
that Louis had been so hasty, for he believed that he could
have cast Geno off, and warded the thrust of Vilani's
sword, and saved the shedding of blood. Louis assured
him that his blow was not necessarily fatal, which was
true ; for Vilani's life would have been saved with surgical
aid, and the flow of blood stopped. If he had lived, how-
ever, with his wealth, power, and influence, Paul, Jean,
and Louis, could not have escaped his vengeance. Paul
saw the sombre shadow of evil falling on his pathway.
We all feel at times as if under the hand of destiny. This
mysterious connecting of events in human life seems be-
yond our vision. Our happiness is so often disturbed by
what others have done. Let any one examine his past
life, and he will see small, unimportant events, changing
his entire life, and having a direct bearing on the fate of
others. This appears more mysterious to us, when the
fate of nations is changed and effected, by what appears
trivial and unimportant. Victor Hugo, in his matchless
description of the battle of Waterloo, gives a very striking
MUTINY. 107
illustration of this. Blucher asked a peasant boy the road
to Waterloo. Had the boy said, take the left instead of
right, Blucher would not have reached the battle-field in
time to have saved Wellington from defeat. Napoleon,
victorious at Waterloo, would have changed the map of
Europe.
A ship is lost at sea, valuable lives and cargo all sink
beneath the ocean wave. The human mind can form no
idea of the vast amount of evil that event produced to
many- thousands of human beings, running through hun-
dreds of years. Suppose Columbus with his ships, his
men, and his enterprise, had been lost at sea, and left no
vestige of this wonderful event in the history' of the human
family. Could any mind, save the mind of Omnipotence,
form any conception of the consequence of such an event
to the whole human family ?
If Joseph had been devoured by wild beasts, as his
brothers had represented to Jacob, his father, and the
blood upon the coat of many colors had been the blood of
his beloved Joseph, the children of Israel would never
have suffered Egyptian bondage ; Jacob and his descend-
ants would have dwelt forever in the land of Canaan.
Pharoah's daughter would have never preserved the life
of the infant Moses. He would not have evoked the
thunders of Sinai ; he would not have written the com-
mandments ; he would never have led the. children of
Israel out of the land of bondage, into a land overflowing
with milk and honey ; and we would not have been in-
formed in the nineteenth century, after four thousand
years had passed away, that Moses — the founder of that
wonderful people of ancient and modern times — had
made many blunders and mistakes.
io8 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
These wonderful and startling discoveries in science,
philosophy, and astronomy, appear to us often as the re-
sult of mere chance, while they are the logical result of a
chain of events, directed by an Infinite intelligence to
their final development. We see the result, and yet the
motive or the designs of the Infinite mind in adopting
these modes of development, is far beyond our grasp or
comprehension. It leads us to this conclusion, that in
the womb of future there are still grander developments
to spring from the Infinite mind, to startle and astonish
mortal man with his power and wisdom.
II.
The next morning at the usual hour the regiment to
which Paul and Jean belonged was out on parade, when a
sergeant, with a file of soldiers, came from the headquar-
ters of the commander, demanding the surrender of Paul
Lorraine, Jean Gendron, and Louis Dejon, charging them
with leaving the garrison against express orders, and
breaking into the palace of the commander at the mid-
night hour, for the purpose of robbery and murder.
Paul, Jean, and Louis, all promptly came forward, will-
ing to surrender up to proper authority, and have these
charges investigated. The entire regiment demurred to
the surrender of these men to any of the servants or
friends of Vilani. The officers on both sides were con-
sulting as to the proper authority to investigate these
charges. Every man, almost, in the regiment felt con-
vmced that if these men fell into the hands of their ene-
mies their doom was sealed. Unfortunately for all con-
MUTINY. 109
cerned in this trouble, some one concealed in one of the
angles of a building near by, fired at Louis,
The ball grazed his head and killed a soldier in the
ranks, standing back of him. Louis saw the person who
had shot, and he believed it to be Geno, and that he was
preparing to fire another charge. He rushed toward him.
Paul followed, then Jean. A large portion of the regi-
ment, smarting under repeated acts of petty cruelty, and
understanding pretty well the origin of the charge of rob-
bery and murder, followed Paul, Jean, and Louis.
The officers made every efi!ort to prevent this movement.
Their commands were disobeyed. To add to the unfortu-
nate condition of things, the file of soldiers that came to
arrest Paul, Jean, and Louis, fired on the advancing ranks,
killed and wounded several of them, and then fled to
where the main body of their regiment was stationed.
Paul Lorraine afterward said, " I knew not what I
was doing, for my brain was on fire." He was enraged
to that degree that his judgment and self-control were com-
pletely gone. The ordeal which he had passed through
for the last twelve hours, in witnessing the most cowardly
villainy, drove him to a condition of frenzy. He led ; the
regiment followed, and every man who resisted the move-
ment was driven from the garrison. He and and his fol-
lowers were in absolute possession.
It is said that the calm follows the storm. To Paul
Lorraine this calm was one full of terrible reflections. He
knew full well that, as far as his acts were concerned, in
the rescue of Iphi, he could have been easily vindicated ;
and that he had acted according to the promptings of
right and justice. But alas, here was an offense of an
entirely different character. He had led these men into
no EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
an act of mutiny and insubordination, that some one
■would have to answer for with life. There could be no
pardon for such a breach of discipline. To let such an
offence go short of the severest punishment all order and
discipline in the army of Italy would be at an end. The
emperor himself could not allow such a flagrant act of
mutiny pass without some marked degree of punishment.
He might himself be pardoned, either by the king of
Naples or the emperor, but it would be cowardly and ig-
noble for him to escape and allow the men, who followed
him to protect him, suffer instead. This thought was more
bitter to him than to die. He said to himself, " I have
disgraced the army of France." To him this thought was
agonizing. He had crossed the Alps with Napoleon, and
had performed his duty so well, so nobly, and so bravely,
that the great commander had congratulated him with
kind words and smiles of approval. . He was in the battle
of Marengo, and fell bleeding in the righteous cause of his
country. He was in the battle of Jena, where the army
of France confronted the grand army of Prussia, and
achieved an imperishable fame. He was now passing
through gloomy desert ways, and drinking the bitter waters
of despair. How dear was his mother and Annetta to
him at this time. The words of Annetta that he was good
and brave, and no harm would come to him, and that the
good angel would find him out and lead him out into the
paths of peace and happiness, added to his sorrow and
grief. And yet he did not accuse himself of crime. He
asked himself what fiend had led him into thus violating
a duty to his country. He bravely resolved to die, if his
country demanded this as an example to maintain the
order and discipline of the army of France. Ready was
MUTINY. Ill
he to make the sacrifice by offering all he had to offer in
this world — his life.
His heart went out to that far-off home in the Alps val-
ley, the happy, joyful scenes of his youth. There was his
mother, his wife Annetta, his uncle Louis and all his dear
old friends. There still was the grand mountain ^ cliff
with the dark green forest at its base, the warbling brook,
the cottage home, the small, well-cultivated fields and vine-
yards, the Briangon road, the little cemeteiy reposing in
the shadows of the pines and cliffs, where sleep the beloved
dead. At this hour the peaceful landscape was smiling
beneath the rays of the rising sun. The birds singing
their morning songs in praise of the God who ever looked
with tender compassion upon the sorrows of the children
of men. In this dark hour of his fate this scene of joy
and happiness was to him but a bright, glad dream of life,
that was soon to vanish from his sight forever.
When Paul Lorraine thus reasoned in his calm moments,
when this storm of passion had subsided, and left this
wreck of his happiness, and the peace of those he loved
so well, his estimate of his situation and perils when Napo-
leon was heard from proved correct.
IIL
Geno.
The news upon the streets of Leghorn the next morn-
ing after the death of Count Vilani, was that the villainous
Geno had led three soldiers into the palace for the pur-
pose of robbery; that Count Vilani while defending his
112 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
life was disabled by a blow from one of the robbers.
Geno, seeing that his master had detected him in his vil-
lainy, murdered him to conceal his crime, thus hoping to
escape punishment. But it was fortunate for justice that
the Lady Verono saw him commit the deed, and fled to
save herself from this terrible monster who had murdered
the kind friend who had fed him and protected him for
years. It was also stated that Geno was in prison await-
ing his trial before the tribunal of justice.
It was also stated that an attempt was made to arrest
these three soldiers, and they being protected by the regi-
ment to which they belonged, fired upon the officers sent
to arrest them. And thus it was that the whole regiment
stood in open defiance to the established authority of the
garrison and were guilty of mutiny, and that when the
emperor and king of Naples were informed of these
crimes they would be punished. The next day the Lady
Verono had the officers of justice ordered to the palace.
She stated that she left Geno alone with Count Vilani,
and fled in terror to her own apartments. They exam-
ined the body, and it was found that he had died, not
from the wound on his breast, but from strangulation, and
evident marks of a bloody hand were found on his throat.
These circumstances pointed to Geno, and they went to
his room and found that he had changed his apparel,
which showed that when he had the unfortunate man by
the throat his knee was on his breast, and there saturated
with blood. There was, of course, evidence of other acts
that led to unpleasant inquiries that did not suit the
countess ; and as these faithful servants of the public
desired, above all things, to act in accordance v/ith the
wishes of one now so wealthy and powerful, they humbly
GENO. 113
rested, and were content to drag the villain of£ to prison,
to answer for his crime before the tribunal of justice.
When Geno appeared in the morning he congratulated
himself on his success. He had not yet received the gold
from Louis ; but that was sure, as he had the confidence
and friendship of Verono. Those words of hers were
charming — "Geno, obey me, and all thy wishes shall be
gratified."
When the officers of the law arrested him, and said,
'■You are charged with the murder of Count Vilani," he
smiled and said, " Surely this is but a little pleasantry
thou art playing on me."
They showed him their authority and order of arrest.
He then begged to be taken to the Lady Verono, but was
informed that the lady was so distressed at the death of
the count, that she could not see any one, and sent Geno
word that on the day of trial she would be present, and
aid liim to the extent of her power. His cowardly heart
trembled for a moment, but he gathered courage again by
assuring himself that it was not possible for the Lady
Verono to betray him into the hands of the law, when he
was but the instrument in her hands in the commission of
this crime, and other crimes in this palace.
This artful rogue had lost his cunning. W'hen Verono
had bribed him with promises to commit the deed they
were alone; what good for him, with his villainous looks,
to charge the countess with being his accomplice in crime ?
What would his word be against the now powerful and
v/ealthy Verono ? Nothing, The people, the officers of
justice, would laugh at him, jeer him, scoff him, call him
lying dog. Thus, when in his cell, these thoughts came
into his mind, and he concluded he was in the snare.
114 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Yet better keep a silent tongue, and rely on the generosity
of Verono to save him, who had been so useful to her
in her career of ambition.
The wily villain, with all his cunning, had not the wis-
dom to see that because he had been useful to her in a
career of crime, to gain her present position, was the sole
and only cause for her seeking his destruction, and, like
the assassin, would wish to conceal the tell-tale dagger,
covered with the life-blood of the victim he had destroyed.
The success that comes of cunning, instead of wisdom,
brings with it the seeds of its own destruction.
Count Vilani's remains lay here in state, ready to be
conveyed to Florence, to be deposited in the family vault,
to lay down in death among his fathers, some of whom
have slept there for centuries. In a few days they were
removed, with all the pomp and ceremony of so distin-
guished a personage.
He is beyond both the praise and censure of mankind.
Well is it for the memory of erring man that the tomb
covers our faults, if it does not speak of our virtues. It
is a pleasing reflection, that we all feel towards the dead a
desire to forget and forgive their faults, and enlarge on
their good qualities.
When we have sympathy for the condemned on the
scaffold, or confined in the walls of the gloomy prison, we
do not sympathize with his crimes, but sorrow for his mis-
fortune.
MURAT, KING OF NAPLES. 115
IV.
MuRAT, King of Naples.
The emperor Napoleon, when officially informed of this
unfortunate mutiny, was aroused to the highest pitch of
anger. His orders to Murat, king of Naples, were im-
perative and wrathful. " No court martial. Put R)
death every man engaged in this violation of order and
discipline if you decimate the entire regiment."
With the emperor, there was no offences so unpardona-
ble, as those that led to demoralization of the army.
What he disliked most in this affair, was the national as-
pect, it had assumed ; bad feeling between the French and
Italian soldiers. He punished with instant death the man
caught in fraudulent acts in the commissary department.
Shoddy contractors and commissary robbers found no
safe place in the army of France, under his control.
It was these inflexible laws, and the prompt punishment
of everything that led to demoralization, that made the or-
der and discipline in his army almost perfect ; and kept his
army united and powerful.
It was this kind of discipline, introduced into the army
of Prussia by Frederick the Great, that gave it its marked
superiority even up to the present day.
When Joachim Murat, king of Naples, received the em-
perors orders to punish this mutiny with such severity, he
was struck with consternation and dismay. He knew that
many of these soldiers had shared with him both danger
and hardship, on many a battlefield. He was attached to
the soldiers by feelings of pure affection. Oftentimes, he
had said, that he hoped the day would never come when
ii6 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
his duty would compel him to issue an order to have a
French soldier put to death. The day had come, and
brought with it sorrow and regret.
He proceeded to Leghorn to obey the orders of the em-
peror. The regiment vv?as assembled in the garrison to
receive him. His stern and commanding presence, the
severe tones of his ringing voice, with his fiery, impetuous
manner, struck the entire regiment with terror. He re-
pressed his feelings of sympathy, and stated to them the
imperative orders of the emperor, and said, that his duty
to his country demanded that these orders should be en-
forced to the letter.
The regiment was now confined in the garrison and sent
a deputation to Murat, to ask for clemency and mercy ;
swearing that they would die on the battle-field under the
very eyes of the emperor. Murat's heart, with this ap-
peal, was touched with pity and mercy. Well he knew
that every man in that regiment would consider such a
death acceptable under any circumstances. At length he
said to them, in tones of compassion, " I will accept three,
to be chosen by the regiment in such a manner as they
may determine, to die for the rest ; and thus make an ex-
ample that no such breach of discipline in the army of
France can go unpunished. And I will thus far take upon
myself the responsibility of modifying the orders of the
emperor."
The regiment being in the condition in which we have
described, Paul, in the cool hours of reflection, when the
brain was not fevered with the wild passions of hate and
vengeance, saw with clearness that their offence could not
be wholly pardoned without some example to deter others
from such mutinous conduct so demoralizing to good
MURAT, KING OF NAPLES. 117
order. They received Murat's order of clemency with
feehngs of gratitude. They at once proceeded to make
arrangements to cast lots, for the three who were to suffer
death, to atone for the rest. Paul Lorraine stepped for-
ward and said that he was prepared to die, and that he
had finally resolved to suffer the penalty of his own folly,
in allowing himself to be betrayed into this mutiny. He
said there would be no joy, no happiness to him, to live,
with such bitter reflections that he had led any fellow-
being to such a fate. Jean Gendron stepped forward and
stood bravely and manfully by his side. Then came
Louis Dejon, last, though not least in those qualities
that make the real and true man. The soldiers who stood
around these brave, dauntless men, were moved with deep
compassion, and the entire regiment was in tears.
When Murat was informed of the action taken, and
these three men had offered themselves to suffer death on
behalf of the regiment, it added to his regrets. The act
had something so grandly heroic, that the king of Naples
was moved with intense feeling. Gladly at this moment
would he have renounced crown and sword if he could
with duty say to these brave men, " You are free."
V.
The Sentence.
At the solemn hour of midnight, Paul, Jean, and Louis,
were conducted before Murat, King of Naples, to receive
the sentence of death. He said to them, "To-morrow
evening, near nightfall, outside the Pisan Gate, on the
ii8 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
glacis, you will be shot. I know you are brave men, and
are willing to die. France asks of you this sacrifice. It
was noble in you to offer your lives, thus to save others
equally guilty; but it is the only way for you to wipe from
memory, dishonor to your names. I rejoice with you that
you are so noble, in your last hours. I rejoice with you
that you are so heroic, to accept death rather than
dishonor. I will charge myself with the duty of transmit-
ting your last farewells, your last regrets, to your fathers
and your mothers. Have you thought of your poor
mothers ? " Sobs stifled their voices " These poor women
would have been proud of you, had you fallen in battle
confronting the enemies of France. It is unfortunate
that you should die thus. It will be a consolation to
them to know that France demands a sacrifice to save
the discipline and order of her Grand Army; and that
you w^ere so heroic and brave as to say, we are prepared
to die for our country. Your parents shall not want
for support while I am able to assist them. A good
priest shall be with you to offer all the consolation of re-
ligion. Think of God, your country, and your mothers ;
you no longer belong to this world."
They cast themselves weeping at the feet of Murat, not
to ask him for pardon or mercy, but that they might have
forgiveness before death from their commander, whom they
loved so well.
" Poor souls, I forgive you. I pity you, and could
weep with j^ou." They were conducted from his presence.
He could no longer restrain his emotions of sorrow.
THE SENTENCE. 119
VI.
Iphi and her parents had been alarmed for the fate of
Paul, Jean, and Louis, from the first time they had heard
of this unfortunate mutiny. The news of the death sen-
tence, almost paralyzed the heart of Iphi when she first
heard it. They had rescued her from a fate worse than
death ; and that noble act was the cause of their misfor-
tunes. This made her sorrow intensely bitter and hard to
endure. She had compassion even on Count Vilani, as
cruelly as he would have wronged her.
There was no despair, or wailing cries in her sorrowful
plaints, but the outpouring of tenderness and tears of a
grand heart, that saw infinite love, away and beyond the
dark shadows of earth's gloomy pathway.
She wept and sobbed, and said, " God will be with them
when they pass through the valley of death."
Despair never comes to the grand soul that feels in the
hour of agony, that God is still present with infinite love.
Tears may flow, the heart be steeped in pain and grief, yet
there is still that shining star of faith, that ever beams
bright, clear, and radiant, with the golden promise of God's
love and mercy for mankind.
Even nature opened her lips and spoke to her. Why
so concerned about death ? it is but one of the natural
phases and conditions of the immortal life of the human
soul.
Amidst her tears she would say, in broken sobs, I must
not weaken myself with sorrow, I must keep strong, now,
and not allow this sad event to break me down , for God
I20 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
has given me a duty to perform, to care for and provide
for my dear old parents, when in the infirmities of age.
She nerved herself and went to see Paul, Jean and Louis,
for the last time.
The meeting between Iphi and Jean was most pathetic
and touching. Her love for Jean was strong and endur-
ing, for she loved him for his virtues of truth, sincerity, and
justice. She bade them all a final farewell, and gave to
each love's parting kiss on earth, firmly believing that she
would meet them all in a better world beyond the grave.
The king of Naples had made an investigation of this
affair at the palace, and Vilani's death, and regretted very
much that he had not been informed of Col. Vilani's des-
potic conduct over the garrison, as he would have removed
him and prevented this calamity.
He heard of the meeting of Iphi and Jean, and was
touched with pity for their sad fate, and sent for Iphi,
hoping he could speak to her some words of consolation.
He told her he was aware of the cruelty that was at-
tempted to be perpetrated upon her, and the part these
brave men had taken to rescue her, and that it nearly
broke his heart to condemn them to death. Maiden, they
are not stained with crime, they are dying like true, brave
heroes. That he would gladly save their lives if he had the
power. That he had written to the emperor the modifica-
tion of his order to punish all engaged with death, by ac-
cepting three to suffer for all.
" I regret, maiden, that your friends offered themselves
instead of drawing lots as I suggested. Yet I honor ihem
for it. They die now in honor, not in dishonor. They
die a glorious, heroic death, and in all my life in the armies
of France I have not witnessed grander acts of heroism.
THE SENTENCE. 121
Do you understand me, maiden, in what I say, and my
position ? "
"Sire, I do understand what you say, and O, how my
poor humble heart thanks you for this kindness. And I
know, sire, God will bless you, and I will pray for you all
the days of my life ; and my good old father and mother
will pray for you, pray God to bless you in this world and
in the world to come."
" Maiden, console yourself with this reflection, that Joa-
chim Murat, king of Naples, will record the truth, that
these brave men died in honor, not in dishonor. And I
say in conclusion, that I would resign all positions in life,
if my duty and honor to France would allow me to set
them free."
" Oh, sire, how I thank you for these words."
" Now, dear girl, farewell ; and when you need a friend
apply to Joachim Murat, king of Naples."
Iphi departed to convey these good words of the king
to her, parents.
On the day of this unfortunate occurrence, Paul had
taken the precaution to write to Annetta and his mother,
in order to prepare tiieir minds for the worst. After he
was sentenced he wrote the sad intelligence with sorrow
and tears. He plead with Annetta not to mourn and
grieve over him, but to kindly remember her dear Paul.
He reminded her that her mother needed her care and
consolation, and recommended them both to the care of
good old Uncle Louis, and gave his last farewell to his
dear friends.
In a few days the king of Naples will write you a letter
of condolence. He concluded by saying, fa,rewell wife
and mother, the best beloved of all the earth, we surely
will meet in heaven.
122 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
VII.
The Execution.
It is the evening of the 19th June, A. d. 1808, well
on towards nightfall, and these three unfortunate soldiers
of France are to suffer death, to maintain the rigid and
inexorable laws of military discipline, in the French army
occupying Italy.
The shadows of the hills are cast far out on the sea ;
the earth, the waters, and the air, and the busy hum
of commerce, on the mart of Leghorn, are all silent in
this solemn, twilight hour, as if uniting in a few brief
moments, to pity these victims of misfortune, who so well
deserved a better fate. The golden light of the setting
sun still lingers on the sea, beyond the long shadows
of earth, as if it would fain light their pathway through
the valley of death. See! there comes out of the wide,
open gate of the garrison, a regiment of soldiers, march-
ing to the tap of muffled drums. At the head of the
regiment, inside of a hollow square, is Paul, Jean, and
Louis, on the way to execution. How silent, how solemn,
with heads bent, and flags draped in mourning, they
march along, with slow measured step. They are veterans
who passed through the lire at Marengo, and the flames
of war at Jena, yet every cheek is moistened with
tears.
They march along through the wide avenue, lined on
either side with mansion and palace, towards the Pisan
Gate, and many a kind heart in these mansions and
palaces are throbbing with pity for the unfortunates ; for it
THE EXECUTION. 125
has gone forth that the king wept when he condemned
them to death.
They pass though the Pisan Gate, and halt upon the
glacis. A platoon of soldiers is marched out of the
ranks.
Each one of the condemned is placed at the head
of his coffin, twenty paces from the platoon. The ser-
geant having the execution in charge takes each one by
the hand, kisses him on the cheek, and says, " Farewell,
brave men, are you ready to die ? " The answer is in the
affirmative. The word to fire is given. They fall, are
laid in their coffins, and are carried to the cemetery on the
hill for interment. The regiment is marched back to the
garrison, and this sad drama of life is closed. Night
comes with her shadows, and silently falls on land and
sea. The shining stars are soon out with radiant splendor
in the clear, blue sky; there they sparkle in countless
numbers, with a transcendent glory far beyond and above
all the grandeur and glory this dull earth has to offer to
the admiring gaze of mortal man. They are eloquent
with a language that speaks of infinite goodness and
wisdom. They sing the song of praise to that God who,
the humble mother of the Alps valley said, " In the end
maketh all things well." The dawn of the next day
disclosed three new made graves in the cemetery on the
hill, overlooking the wide, open sea. They lay side by
side. Alas, for thee Annetta, and for thee Jphi ! The
days of joy that are past and gone will never return.
Good is it for both, that thy faith is steadfast ; that there
is a blessed One in heaven, who tempers the wind to
the shorn lamb, for this world has no consolation ade-
quate to thy bereavement.
1 z 6 EXILES OE LO U I SI ANA.
BOOK IX.
TriBUNAi. OF Justice.
The day appointed fur the trial of Geno, for the
murder of Count Vihmi, arrived. Tribunals of justice,
in States under imperi:Alism, clothe themselves in all the
paraphernalia that inspires awe and terror. When the
criminal is on trial, the executioner is present with some
insignia of his office. The judge assumes far more the
looks of the avenger than the merciful. This is, per-
haps, the case in all governments that are ruled by im-
perialism. They wish to have the people look upon their
rulers and masters with fear and trembling. In republican
governments, the judge exacts respect by a dignity that
arises from a proper appreciation of his truly important
position. He is not the enemy of the unfortunate man
who stands in his presence on trial for his existence, but
the true, merciful friend, who sees to it with ceaseless
vigilence, that the presumption of his innocence, which
the law throws around every one, is not removed until it
is proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he merits the
punishment which the law has affixed to his crime.
Geno had all the time relied ^on the hope of the
assistance of Verono to save him in the last hour. When
TRIBUNAL OF JUSTICE. 127
brought into the presence of his judge, with the officers
of the law as his accusers, even with his evil appearance,
now so friendless, so unprotected, with the stern, defying,
and threatening look of the judge and accusers, it is strange
that even Verono was not herself moved with at least
some pity for the poor wretch.
The countess and Alonzo appeared as witnesses.
Geno had an advocate to defend him ; paid and selected
by his enemies. The officer of police testified to the
marks on the throat of the deceased ; that the wound
on the breast was not the cause of his death, the mark
of the bloody hand on the throat, the blood on his
clothes where the knee had been placed on the breast
of the dead, his guilty looks and actions. Some questions
were asked as to the persons who entered the house and
made the assault upon Vilani ; but a look from the court
silenced all inquiry upon that subject.
The lady Countess Verono, came forward and testi-
fied. The court w^as all humility and obeisance to her
ladyship, while Verono repaid him with one of her most
gracious smiles.
" What does your ladyship desire to state with regard
to the prisoner } "
" Nothing, my lord ; except that when this dreadful
encounter took place in the palace, T fled from the room
in terror, and sought safety in my own chambers, under
the protection of my attendants."
" Will your ladyship state if you knew anything of the
whereabouts of Geno, when you left the room? "
" Nothing, my lord ] except I left him alone with
Count Vilani, and knew nothing of the matter until the
next morning, my attendants finding it necessary to
128 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
soothe my disordered, nervous condition with powerful
narcotics.
'" I was very much shocked' with the lamentable and
tragic ending of Count Vilani, while attempting to force
this innocent girl into marriage. Alonzo and myself
made every exertion in our power to persuade him from
it, but all in vain. At length, from pure pity and com-
passion for the girl, we had enough of her friends intro-
duced into the palace to rescue her, and carry her off
and injure no one, and had it not been for the unfortunate
interference of Geno, all would have been well ; the poor
girl saved, and the life of a nol^leman preserved."
Geno, at best had a villanous look, but now his face
was absolutely hideous. It was livid with rage, agony,
and resentment. He turned to speak, but his throat sent
forth a horrible and unearthly sound. The judge prompt-
ly silenced him with a command, ''Silence, guilty wretch ! "
He looked at the executioner, and he returned the look to
Gene, with an angry scowl that made him tremble. He
saw now his doom was sealed ; the gibbet was before him,
with all its horrors. He saw there was no hope, no par-
don for him ; he realized with dismay that Verono had
planned his destruction to conceal the evidence of her own
guilt. He again and again tried to speak, but was stunned
with a blow from an officer.
Alonzo and Verono were politely excused from further
attendance upon the trial. After their departure, the
court, in a solemn and awe-inspiring manner, condemned
the unfortunate Geno to death. He was immediately
carried to the hall and ironed, and on the next day he suf-
fered the extreme penalty of the law.
THE BEGGAR. 129
II.
The Beggar.
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and it will be opened unto you.
Sometime after the events of the last chapter ; towards
night-fall, when they were about to close the City Gate
leading out on the glacis, there passed out of the city a
beggar, clothed in the ragged garb of poverty, the cast
off raiment of some nobleman. He was old, infirm, and
very wretched. His form was tall, and bent with age.
His features were cadaverous, and blotched with dark, pal-
lid spots, while his eyes burned and glared with either fa-
naticism or insanity.
He would have been hideous, were he not grotesque, or
grotesque if not hideous.
No one seemed to notice him, except some kind ones
who gave him alms. They perhaps had seen him often-
times and knew him well.
He had under his arm a sack in which were some crusts
of bread and meat and gifts of charity given him by some
kind good heart that had pitied his misfortunes. He
walked bent, and used what seemed to be an old worn-out
spade as a support to his tottering frame.
The sky was dull and leaden in its aspect, and covered
here and there with blotches of inky clouds, except along
the western horizon there were long lines of gloomy crim-
son light, the last reflections of the s'.etting sun. Had you
followed after this man in the darkness and noticed him
when he reached the summit of the hill, between you and
the glimmer of the horizon, you would have noticed that
I30 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
he no longer walked bent, but was standing erect and
turning himself around as if looking for something.
He passed down the hill, on the opposite side, and was
now crawling on his hands and knees, along the inside of a
broken wall, the remains of some ancient structure that
had long since fallen to ruins. There were some old
stunted trees, that grew by the side of the wall, and from
his action you would suppose that he was measuring the
distance these trees stood the one from the other, and how
far each tree stood from the wall. The broken spade is
no longer a walking stick, but is used for the purpose de-
signed. What is the beggar doing ? Surely he must be
looking for concealed treasure. Perhaps he is no beggar,
but a robber, who hides in this deserted place his stolen
goods.
He has now found the object of his search. It is
placed in his sack and slung over his shoulder, and it be-
ing now quite dark he assumes an upright position, and
gropes his way out of the ruins.
III.
Not far from this place is the dwelling and home of Iphi
and her parents. At this very hour they were talking of
the sad fate of their good friends. Iphi still has that
cheerful, contented smile. She is not broken down with
sorrow, for she knows well that her duty in this world is
still to struggle, and bring happiness and contentment to
the living. She has not lost one particle of her energ}^
and industry to procure every comfort for her dear pa-
rents. She loves to dwell on the memory of her dear
THE BEGGAR. 131
Jean, and believes that in the other world he is happy,
and cared for by One who is able to bless him with a joy
far above all earthly kindness, and that in the world
to come they will be together again, never more to separ-
ate.
They were at this time, praising and blessing Murat,
king of Naples, for his generous and noble bounty. He
had heard of the conduct of Jean, Louis, and Paul, in
rescuing Iphi from the villainous plot of Vilani. He pur-
chased for them this cottage and the grounds, upon which
were planted their vineyard, their garden for flowers, and
the small fruit orchard. He gave them to understand,
that the death of these brave men was no dishonor to
their names and memory, — that France had demanded
some sacrifice, so as to save her armies from demoraliza-
tion, and these brave men came forward, and offered up
their lives to save others who were equally to blame for
this unfortunate calamity.
Murat, agreeable to his promise, had written to Mother
Lorraine, in substance what he had written to Iplii's and
Jean's parents, and as well to Louis' parents, who resided
close to the same place, to see that none of them were
in want for support, as long as he had the power and
means to aid them.
While they were conversing of these things, there was a
step at the door and then a gentle knock. Iphi said,
" Come in ! " The door slowly opened, and the beggar that
we saw passing out of the Pisan gate, stood in the door-
way. In the full light that fell upon this man, his face
was more haggard and care-worn, his garments more tat-
tered and ragged, his step more feeble, and his body more
bent than when first we saw him. Everything about his
132 EXILES OF LOUISIAI\JA.
miserable appearance seemed to say, I am poor ; pity me,
help me !
Iphi said to him, " Poor man, come in. This house is
ever open to tire poor." He sat down on a seat, and laid
his sack on the iioor. The old spade he had perhaps con-
cealed or thrown avv'ay.
Iphi had frequently seen this man on the streets, and at
the market-place in the city, and recollected seeing him
several times at the gate of Vilani Palace, talking to Alon-
zo, but who he was, or from whence he came, she knew
not. Iphi kindly asked him if he needed help in any
way.
He said in reply, "I came not to beg: I am present in
this house of prayer in the name of God, to bring gifts to
the poor." His earnest manner, strange, wild appearance,
and above all, that terrible energy that flashed in his eyes,
and was apparent in the deep, earnest tones of his voice,
carried conviction to the hearers that he was in earnest
in what he had said.
He continued in the same impressive manner. "In the
midnight hour, an angel of God came to me and said :
' You know where there is gold that has been cursed with
crime ; you need it not. In the hands of charity, it will be
a blessing to the poor, and thus atone for the evil it has
wrought. There is in your midst, one whose heart is full
of the grandeur of Jesus. It is Iphi. The Greek flower
girl. Take it to her in the name of God, and with her it
shall be blest in deeds of charity, and mercy.'"
This scene was so strange and solemn, and this state-
ment of the appearance of the Angel, and the words spoken,
that all were inspired with reverential awe. The beggar
rested his head on his hands in an humble attitude, as if in
prayer.
THE BEGGAR. 133
Iphi at last broke the silence by saying that for her to
be in possession of gold, would make people talk evil of
her, that it was not honest that she had so much gold to
give to the poor.
" What matters it, noble maiden. God knows that thy
heart is pure and truthful, and full of loving kindness."
Iphi was still fearful that some evil would come of this,
but what coukl she do ? Was this some temptation, or
was it some move to entrap her into peril and danger ?
She could determine nothing ; she knew not what to say.
At length she spoke to him. '" If I refuse to accept
this gift would you take the gold with you when you de-
part and use it yourself in purposes of charity ? "
In a firm voice he said, " No ; it remains when I go
hence. I obey the orders of my master. I dare not take
it. When I go, it is without it. You can return it to no
one, no one owns it. You know not now, nor never will
in this world know, who brought this gift to you. The In-
finite has given you this gold for deeds of charity and to
save the lost and ruined. You need never attempt to dis-
cern from whence it came, or who I am ; for never in this
world will you know. Accept it and use it ; for it is the
will of the mighty one that you should do so."
He thrust his hands into the sack and drew out two
sacks of gold. One fastened with a string the other with
a piece of fine wire.
He arose from his seat, placed the empty bag under his
arm, and said^ in a solemn voice, " May God ever bless
the dear noble hearts who dwell beneath this roof, where
abideth love, charity, and mercy, and is exalted far above
the palace where pride, vanity, and ambition, hokl liceu-
tious revelry."
134 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
These good people entreated him kindly to stay until
the light of morn would show him his way.
He said nay, and passed out into night and darkness
and they saw him no more. It was very evident that
nothing whatever would change this man from his purpose.
Any one to have witnessed his appearance, his words and
actions, would conclude that he was acting in com-
pliance with what he firmly believed to be the command
of God.
Now, what were Iphi and her parents to do with this
gold, evidently a large amount in value ? It was to them
a novel position, and that night there was earnest prayer
for divine guidance. They sat it away in a safe place
with the intention of awaiting events, and perhaps some-
thing would come to light, and explain the mystery.
The father and mother both suggested to Iphi to see
Alonzo, and perhaps he could give them some instructions
what to do. Iphi now recollected that she had herself giv-
en this beggar small pieces of coin as alms, and had
seen others do it ; and how was it possible that he could
have all this gold honestly. Yet his sincerity and earnest
truthfulness seemed beyond question. If he had stolen
this gold as a robber, why should he bring it to them to
give to the poor. It was a mystery, aiid they concluded
not to use it until they became convinced that this money
was honestly his to give away in deeds of charity.
IV.
Ambition's Triumph.
The lady Countess De Vilani, was now the star of fash-
ion. The picture she drew to allure the humble Iphi was
AMBITION'S TRIUMPH. 135
marked with poverty in comparison to the actual splendor
and extravagance of her own present life. She seemed to
be ambitious to cast in the shadow the princely style of
royalty. Her equipage and attendants were queenly in
their style and numbers. The world, or at least the fash-
ionable part of it, worshipped her with adulation and
praise. They said. We adore her for her proud, lofty spirit,
her great ambition, and above all her splendid fortune
and success, and the possession of all the things in this
world that can be desired to make one happy and pros-
perous.
She paid these sycophants and flatterers well for sound-
ing her praise. She added greatly to the adornments and
style of the palace, and there she gave them fete after fete,
with the most lavish expenditure. These festivals at the
Vilani Palace were the admiration of the nobility far and
wide, and it seemed as if the Countess De Vilani was far
from being any discredit to the grand fame of her ances-
tors, the wealthy and powerful Medici.
At these festivals, all ablaze with light and splendor —
her classic features, elegant form and magnificent apparel
— she looked the very queen of beauty and fashion. She
possessed the most consummate skill in address, and act-
ed well her part that every one would exclaim, " What a
charming lady is the Countess ? " With all this success,
these votaries of pleasure at her very feet, this immense
wealth, great talent, personal beauty, surely the Lady Ver-
ono, Countess Vilani, must be supremely happy. There
are now no living witnesses who can bear testimony to the
dark secret of her life, except the quiet, retired Alonzo,
who she but seldom sees or thinks of, as he takes no part
in this dashing life of pleasure. From him, therefore,
136 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
there is no danger, and besides he knows of no crime ex-
cept the one in which he was himself an accomplice.
Tliere was no witness to the part slie took in the mur-
der of A^ilani, except Geno ; and her scheme for removing
Count Vilani and casting Geno into the pit had succeeded,
and left no evidence of crime against her.
She had no God to fear, for as Iphi told her, she dwelt
in a world that had no God, and took no part in the loving
kindness of the Jesus she loved and worshipped. There-
fore she must be happy, for all her wishes were gratified,
crowned with success, and she the proud, triumphant mis-
tress of her own destiny. What more is there to kindle
the flames of ambition ? Nothing. Then is she truly
happy and content.
There are times when mysterious moans come out of
darkness, as if violated justice was struggling for utter-
ance and vindication, and no one to hear her or to answer
her demands. It is one of the convictions that sometimes
exist in the public mind and heart that is ever struggling
for utterance, and yet cannot find expression to declare its
judgment.
The vast show of wealth, and the magnificent display in
the present life of the Countess De Vilani, revived the old
gossip of the secret disappearance of Francisco, the in-
sane cousin. It found its way among her friends and ad-
mirers. They would often want the countess to know what
sincere friends they were to her, by denying the accursed
slander, and again and again these tales w^ould come to
her ears, until there was a secret dread in her mind that
perhaps some one had witnessed the dreadful part she
took in the murder of the count.
The talk among the gossips and news-mongers in Leg-
AMBITION'S TRIUMPH. 137
horn now was that the Countess De Vilani, had been by-
some unknown persons, most cruelly slandered in being
accused as an accomplice in the crime of the murder of
Francisco,, and these slanderers had better beware or they
would be severely punished for such baseness towards the
noble countess.
The story now afloat and current and not denied, was
that Alonzo and Geno were the guilty parties, that there
was positive proof among some of the servants in the pal-
ace, living here at the time the crime was committed, who
stated that they knew that Geno carried the poison and
. gave it to Alonzo, and that he administered it to the un-
fortunate Francisco.
These charges, not being denied by the ardent admirers
of the countess, became more positive and direct. The
quiet and amiable Alonzo was not disturbed by these ac-
cusations, although oftentimes informed of them. This
calm indifference of Alonzo to these positive and direct
charges of a crime so heinous, with a penalty so terrible,
was to the countess strange and unaccountable.
She could not silence these tales, but found to her ter-
ror, they increased instead of diminished. There was no
telling where they came from. No one knew, or could
tell. No one knew why the people believed in such a
thing, nor had they ever heard any one say any thing posi-
tive about it. To add to her uneasiness about this trouble,
there was a perceptible change in Alonzo. Fie was more
thoughtful, and absented himself more from her presence.
He was more punctual in attendance on the confessional,
and at times, would slightly speak of repentance, and
atonement, and being sorry for acts committed in the past.
There were times she thought it possible, that when Geno
138 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
made his confession of guilt at his last hour, he might
have included her in his confession, as paiticipating in his
crimes. Yet she knew that this was not the source of the
public gossip and talk, that was constantly coming to her
ears, and so repugnant to her feelings. The powerful and
wealthy countess found to her regret, that her frowns
would not even silence the gossip of Leghorn, let alone
all Italy.
Could it be possible that Alonzo was, through his infat-
uation on repentance and making atonement, betraying her
to her ruin. These reflections, run.ning in her mind, kept
increasing her anxiety to find out the true origin of these
reports, and with one bold act, set them at rest forever.
She had lost none of her daring and courage, but the idea
of a public trial, condemnation, and a disgraceful death on
the scaffold, was to her pride horrible in the extreme. To
be tried in a public tribunal of justice, as Geno was tried,
and so condemned, and so executed — she could not for a
moment endure the thought of such a ghastly spectacle.
If perchance some daring one should charge me with
the crime, and drag Alonzo into court to testify, how
would this simple being act. This new-born fanaticism
of his in the cause of Christianity and piety, and confes-
sion, for the sake of pardon for his sins, would drive him
to sacrifice both me and himself, to save his soul from the
flames of perdition.
The penitent Alonzo will yet prove more dangerous to
my safety and security than the villanous Geno. Fool
that I was, that I did not clear them all away from my
pathway. Can I use this talisman (looking at the ring on
her finger with the serpent's head) ? The danger at this
time, when the public mind is full of suspicions against
AMBITION'S TRIUMPH. 139
me, would render such an act dangerous and full of
peril.
Francisco Vilani, it can be proved, died in Alonzo's
charge, and when they were alone, Geno carried the poi-
soned food, gave it to Alonzo, and thus he was, in fact, the
actual perpetrator of the crime. How can he connect me
with Ms guilt. No one except Geno or Vilani could have
done that. Then I have it. I will forever wipe this slan-
der from my name by having some friend charge Alonzo
as being the real perpetrator of this crime, and send him
after Geno. He will become penitent, confess his crime,
and die willingly, and thus the public mind will be put at
rest forever on this troublesome affair that mars my pleas-
ure and enjoyment. I will think of this ; it seems my
best and only plan.
If he must die, the deed must be done by myself, for I
will have no more witnesses. Let me reflect.
First the report was current, that the Countess De Vila-
ni was strongly suspected as an accomplice in the murder
of Francisco. The act would have an ugly look.
Her friends had started the report that Alonzo was
alone the guilty party, as Francisco died while alone with
him, and in his special charge.
This changed the current of opinion, and it came to
light that there were witnesses in the palace who knew that
Geno and Alonzo were in fact the guilty ones.
Then Alonzo dies suddenly. The conclusion v/ill be
poison, or that he had committed suicide. Perhaps it can
be made to so appear. But this plan of throwing the
crime on Alonzo, has brought to light the fact that Fran-
cisco was murdered by Count Vilani's confidential servant,
Geno.
I40 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
Then why is Lady Verono the head of the household,
enjoying this wealth ? How is it possible for her to es-
cape with these facts proven. There is but one way.
Have Alonzo charged with the crime in the tribunal of
justice ; prove that he and Geno committed the crime,
that no one else knew anything about the matter, that
Alonzo reported him dead, and that he died in his sole
charge.
Thus I am resolved to remove Alonzo from my path-
way. And I will use the law to work my ends, and thus,
in the end, be the suprenie mistress of this household,
the mistress of my own fate, the architect of my own
fortune.
V,
Alonzo.
She determined at length to question Alonzo on the
subject, and ascertain if possible his views and intentions^
and see if he in any manner suspected her of having any
part in starting these accusations.
Accordingly, at her request, Alonzo was informed that
she wished to see him in her apartments, on matters of
importance. Alonzo, prompt to answer the request, ap-
peared in the presence of the countess. His manner and
appearance was more humble and obedient than ever.
His look was much more care-worn and anxious than
usual, and if possible, more quiet and reserved.
Countess. — Good day to you, my faithful friend Alonzo.
I have not had the pleasure of your company for some
time. Why so distant and reserved of late.
ALONZO. 141
Alonzo. — You can be assured my lady, that it is not
that I am indifferent to your welfare and happiness, for
that is vastly more important to me than any other con-
sideration in this world.
Countess. — It has grieved me of late that the gossips of
Leghorn are so unjust as to charge you with crime, and to
drag before the public gaze the old forgotten slander of
the cause of the death of the unfortunate Francisco.
Alonzo. — I am willing to meet my fate, be it what it may.
I am in the hands of the Infinite, who is above all, and
worketh out his own will. I am ready and willing to stand
before my accusers in the tribunal of justice. If con-
demned by the laws of my country, I am willing to suffer.
It is my destiny. So be it, if it is decreed that I shall
suffer. Human life is wrapt in mystery. We cannot
judge God's motives or designs. We cannot say to him
that this and this is right, this and this is wrong. But we
can place ourselves in accord with him, by taking to our
souls the lessons taught by Jesus and the prophets of old.
' Be charitable and merciful to all mankind, and unspeak-
able joy will come to thee in the end.'
Countess. — Well ! well ! Alonzo, you have been taking
lessons from Iphi. I hoped that all this nonsense about
humanity and charity, love and mercy had come to an end,
and that you were prepared to meet your enemies face to
face, with pride, courage, and defiance, and be true to the
fame of your ancestors.
Alonzo. — My lady I fear not ; for myself, I am content.
It is for you that my soul is troubled ; it is danger that
threatens you, that brings this gloom upon my heart.
Countess. — Fear not for me, Alonzo ; the only thing that
I fear is, that some busy body may charge you with
142 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
the crime before the tribunal of justice, and I be com-
pelled to bear witness in the trial against you, which I
would well desire to avoid.
Alonzo. — Fear not for that, my lady. I will confess to
all my crimes that are true, and charged against me.
Thus the conversation ended. Alonzo departed, and the
Countess Vilani sat musing intently on the strange condi-
tion of things, and the fearful joart that threatened her
very existence.
" Ah ! " she said. " I have removed the least dangerous
witness. Geno's villany and cowardice was far more safe
than Alonzo's fanaticism and willingness to confess and
suiTer. I see my danger and peril.
" Soon he will conclude that, to save himself from the
punishment in the future world, he must expose all. Let
me reflect. Does he know of his own knowledge that I
had anything to do with the murder of Francisco, accept
as a silent witness of the act of Vilani by his servant
Geno .'' Does he know that I induced Geno to close the
career of Vilani ? He thinks it, doubtless. He knows that
I was instrumental in that affair with Iphi ; but that can be
explained, that I was coerced and driven into that by
Vilani.
" He will not be likely to include me in his confession of
guilt, only upon actual facts of his own knowledge. He
will not expose me when guilt is only presumed.
" He says, ' It is for you I fear. I am not concerned
about myself.'
"Can it be that he knows of the part I took in the death
of Vilani ? It must be so. I now see my danger.
" J must have some one to consult in this dilemma. Let
me think over my long list of lovers, and admirers, and
ALONZO. 143
see who I can best trust. It must be one who is wealthy,
and does not need gold. I need not confess my guilt ; I
will but just hint to have Alonzo arrested, and have my
name disconnected with this crinie, by a decree of the law-
tribunal. I can trust my best friend, the Marquis De
Vaubert. I will get him to proceed in the matter."
A few nights after this, she had a splendid banquet in
the palace of Vilani, and consulted the marquis in her pri-
vate reception-room.
The marquis, with his keen perception, at once saw the
design and the wish of the lovely countess.
The next day one of the marquis' willing, suppliant
tools, charged Alonzo in the tribunal of justice with the
murder of Francisco Vilani. He was arrested, and the
day of trial fixed to appear and answer the charge of
murder.
i 4 4 EXILES OE LO UISIANA,
BOOK X.
LOUISIANA.
I.
Captain Ethan Allen Smith.
Louisiana at one time belonged to France, and was
settled in an early day largely by French emigrants. The
majority of the population of New Orleans, in the fore-
IDart of the present centuiy, were decidedly French, who
jDOSsessed that business tact, energy and enterprise of the
same class of business men in Paris.
At this period, there was in New Orleans a commission
merchant by the name of Pierre Lavasse, who was very
prosperous and successful. His place of business was
where most of the commission houses were situated, on
the levee. Pierre was a Frenchman, pure and unmixed.
He came from Marseilles, and was exceedingly proud
of his grand France, and the fame of Napoleon. He was
an ardent, wann fiiend in the cause of liberty, and his
constant wish and desire was that France should have a
republican government.
When lie heard of the downfall of Napoleon, and that
he had been exiled on the island of St. Helena, the good,
generous Pierre was moved to tears.
It was very sad and mournful for him thus to see the
grand idol of his earthly adoration, in the power of his
ruthless enemies.
Pierre v.'as wealthy, notwithstanding his many losses,
for he had a weakness in never refusing to endorse the
CAPTAIN E THAN ALLEN SMITH. 1 45
paper of his numerous friends. Eveiy time Pierre lost
he had a particular oath. "By Jingo ! I never sign him
again ! " But Pierre being utterly unable to say no, violat-
ed that oath oftentimes. From the kindness of his feel-
ings, he still signed, still paid, and would still swear. " By
Jingo ! I no sign him again — sure dis time ! " It never was
any consideration in these acts of kindness that he expect-
ed compensation, and yet to a very great extent he was re-
warded, for every one of any influence seemed to be inter-
ested in his prosperity, and his business was very exten-
sive and profitable. He had great redeeming traits about
him, he lived plain, substantial, and prudent.
Pierre had one friend that he would have endorsed with
his purse and life. It was Ethan Smith a Yankee sea
captain, who commanded a merchant vessel engaged in
trade between the Mediterranean ports and New Orleans,
His vessel was named The Lafayette of New Orleans.
Captain Smit, as Pierre called him, was the counterpart
of Pierre. He was continually boasting of the Yankee
nation, and on the question of the Rights of Man, they
were in perfect accord, and many a jolly bumper did they
drink together to the success and prosperity of their re-
spective countries. Captain Smith was a brave, noble-
hearted Yankee sailor, and always on the side of the help-
less and injured. He did all of his New Orleans business
with his friend Pierre, and had done so for years.
Just as soon as Pierre was notified of the arrival of the
Lafayette, he was on board to welcome his friend, Captain
Smith.
" Captain Smit, you came from de Meditteraneyon,
ha?"
"Yes, Pierre, I did; but I think the climate will be too
146 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
hot to return with a merchant vessel. John Bull, has
commenced his bad tricks on American sailors ; and the
States will bring him to task for this impudence, and take a
little of the sea pride out of the old fellow, I am thinking.
When the Lafayette goes to sea again, she goes armed,
Pierre. How are the exiles, Pierre ? "
" Well, and hearty. Captain Smit ; good men ; very good
men."
"All safe, Pierre.? Mums the word. You say they are
good men."
" Yes they are good men. They are the best metal I
ever saw put up in human shape. They are iron, and
rock ; and true as steel."
" See here, Pierre. If I had some iron bull dogs on
those decks, and some food to make them bark and bite,
and had her manned with such men mixed a little with
Green Mountain, damned if I wouldn't face any two
ships John Bull could float on the seas. If war does
come with the States and England, the Lafayette sails
into the fight. I have money enough to spare to make
her all right. All I will ask Congress to do, is to give
me the iron barkers. She is a capital sailor, none better
on the ocean. I swear by the gods, the Stars and
Stripes shall never come down by American hands. When
the flag comes down it goes with the ship. They sink
together."
" Ah, Captain Smit, by Jingo I know you never surren-
der."
" Not much, Pierre, by Moses. I have some of the best
French on board, Pierre. It is fit for gods and heroes, or
men with big souls ; and damned if that don't fit you,
Pierre. We will, drink on this our first meeting, to our
first loves, the Tri-Color, and the Stars and Stripes."
CAPTAIN ETHAN ALLEN SMITH. 147
"Yes, Captain, we must drink to that sure."
'• Pierre, Napoleon is still uppermost fighting the kings.
He is knocking them old thrones in Europe like foot balls.
He will bring John Bull to terms before he finishes up.
He has the best army ever organized. He has the best
marshals that ever drew blade. He must let the States
alone. He has the love of the people who are in favor of
a republican government. If he attempts to play fast and
loose, the people will mistrust his democracy; and besides
that, we are able to give him some hard blows on the seas.
He must hands off, on the Yankee Nation. By Moses,
he must hands off. '
" Ah, Captin' Smit, Napolyon have very good soldier,
and is one grand general ; but see, now, he never fight
wid dis country. He friend to dis country. Pierre La-
vasse, don wid Napolyon when he fight dis country ; he
will whip de English very bad."
Captain Smith said to Pierre : " I like the English well
enough in their place, but, by Moses, they must keep their
hands off these States, this side the big pond. My good
old father w'as born in England ; but I say this, if I was
to tackle an English man-of-war, and my good old father
was on the English deck, with British uniform, and under
their flag, I would give the old man notice to go below
deck, or by Moses, he would get hurt. See here Pierre,
my name is Ethan Allen Smith. My good, old mother
was a kin to Ethan Allen ; and she was just like him, by
]\Ioses. My mother, God bless her, made cartridges in
the war of the Revolution, and my old father shot 'em,
and if his aim was as good on a red coat as on a deer in
full sweep, the red coat went down, by Moses. Did I
ever tell ye, Pierre, about Ethan Allen and old Fort Ti-
conderoga? "
148 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
'' Yes, Captain Smit ; when we get a little dry, then you
tell me about him, and see now, we go into cabin, take a
drink, and den. Captain Smit, you tell him again sure."
"Well and bravely, Pierre."
" I was talking of Ethan Allen. He was solid timber —
the tall pine that had stood the storms and blasts of many
Varmont winters. In the war of the Revolution he got to-
gether some Green Mountain boys and says to 'em, ' I am
going to yank the Britains out of old Fort Ticonderoga, and
if you brave boys will follow me we will do the job up in
quick time.' They answered him with a shout. They
went and soon they scaled the fort, and took possession.
The old commander of the fort was at the time snugly
housed, thinking there was no danger from a set of wild,
raw soldiers from the Green Mountains, and he thought
he would turn over and take his morning nap. Ethan
Allen says, ' I believe I will go and wake up the old gen-
tlemen, and inform him what us boys have been doing.'"
Captain Smith's voice became a little husky, and Pierre
suggested a little more of the brandy, so they took a
drink.
" Well, now, Pierre, the balance of the event is soon
told. He went to the entrance of this inner stronghold,
and struck the hilt of his sword, against the iron bound
door, and made everything tremble. The old gendeman
could not rest under such a noise as that. He came to
the door in his night-clothes, with a lamp in his hand, and
there stood the tall, strong, and rough form of Ethan
Allen, with his sword in hand. ' Who are you, and what
do you want ? ' said the old Britisher.
" '■ I want you to surrender this fort ! '
" ' To whom, and in whose name, am I to surrender this
fort?'
CAPTAIN E THAN ALLEN SMLTH. 1 49
" ' I demand possession of this fort in name of Jehovah,
and the Continental Congress ! '
"Pierre, by Moses, he was good timber, sure as you
live \ let's take a drink."
" Captain Smit, he was one grand man, sure ; well, by
jingo, we take a drink."
Captain Ethan Smith was a good representative of
Ethan Allen, according to the description of that remark-
able personage. He was physically strong, rough, rugged,
brave, generous and noble, — loved liberty, and hated
oppression.
" Captain Smit, I wish to say one thing ; my business
have increase, and I must have a good clerk, here on ze
levee, and in ze office ; what you say to dat captain t "
" You want a good clerk, Pierre ? Do you want a man
just coming into prime of life ? A good penman ? Speaks
French, Italian, Spanish, and English ? Has been several
years in the same business in New York city ? Smart as
men are usually made? Far more honest, (true, and
brave) than they are usually made, Pierre ? A man who
is as faithful and just as the exiled brothers, Frank
and Claude Harrold .'' A man for whose worth and in-
tegrity I will put in pledge my word and honor ? "
" My God, captain, where you get such a man as this
what you speak of ? Ha, by jingo, it is better zan I expects
to find ! "
" I have him here, right on this ship Lafayette."
"Where you get him, my good friend ? "
" Direct from New York, Pierre."
Captain Smith rang a bell, and a negro boy came to the
cabin-door, and he ordered him to bring Mr. Convors to
the cabin, that he desired to introduce him to a friend.
When Mr. Convors appeared, there was nothing in his
150 EXILES OF LOUISIANA,
personal aiopearance, except an easy, graceful temper,
showing that he would readily adjust himself to any con-
dition in life, to which duty called him, that would strike
the observer on first sight. He was evidently a man
that would wear well, and this Pierre Lavasse saw at once.
"Charley," said Captain Smith, "this is my friend Pierre
Lavasse, the gentleman I have spoken to you about.
Pierre, this is Charles Convors."
Pierre grasped his hand, and said, " Mr. Convors I
want you for a clerk in my counting-house, and on this
levee ; I am commission merchant. You will suit me, for
Captain Smit says so ; and he never makes mistakes in
men, by jingo ! He did make one mistake, when he fell
in with Pierre Lavasse."
" That is true, Pierre, by Moses, for you are a damned
sight better than I supposed you were ; now let us take a
small drink on that."
" Well, just as you say, captain ! Will Mr. Convors
join us ? "
" Excuse me, Mr. Lavasse, I never indulge in the
social cup. I never use even wine. I hope you will not
consider me unsocial. I refuse because I think it is better
for me, and better for my friends, for I can perform my
duty in life much better without it."
" Excuse you, !Mr. Convors, excuse you, ha, by jingo !
You goes into my counting-house, and command your
ov,'n price. See, ' Mr. Convors, you commence this day.
You marks on ze ledger the amount of your own salary.
Do you understand me.-' "
" Yes, Mr. Lavasse, I understand you perfectly, and I
am under great obligations to you. I will strive to do my
duty, and serve you to the best of my ability; and as
CAPTAIN E THAN ALLEN SMITLL 1 5 1
to salary, I will accept no more than is usual for such
service."
" Pierre, when I invited you to chink, I did not include
Charley. He never touches strong drink. Charley you
are at liberty to leave us, if you desire to do so ; perhaps
you would like to take a ride or stroll around the cit}-."
"Stay, Mr. Convors," said Pierre. "I must go w^ to ze
house, and get things ready there for ze reception of my
friend, Captain Sniit, and his young friend. I will send
carriage down for you, and then you can take ride around
the city, do you see ? Mrs. Lavasse, and my daughters
will be delighted to receive you at ze mansion."
On their parting, it was understood that Captain Smith
and his young friend were to go to the Lavasse mansion,
and there to remain until it suited their pleasure.
That night Captain S^nith and his friend were safely
and snugly housed in the good, old, comfortable mansion
of the Lavasse family, Mrs. Lavasse was a French lady
of culture and refinement. I'he foundation of her char-
acter was remarkable good sense, and all of her actions
were the prompting of charity and affection for every one
with whom she was connected. When her husband in-
vited any one to the mansion, she treated them in her
kindest manner, with marked respect, without ever making
an enquiry as to their opinions on politics or religion, or
their condition in life. One would suppose that the
rough, blunt, unpolished sea captain, with his "by
Moses," and occasionally a little stronger expression,
would be offensive to a lady of refinement. But it was
not so. Her good judgment, clear discernment of char-
acter, saw at a glance that he was an honest, noble-hearted
man. And she knew further that her husband v.ould
152 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
never have become so iirmly attached to him as a friend,
if he had been otherwise.
She was a living example of the fact that the only way
to secure obedience and good conduct, from the sei-vants
or slaves in her household, was to treat them with the
greatest degree of kindness possible. She was neither an
advocate for slavery, nor was she in favor of their imme-
diate, unprepared emancipation. This was her argument :
He who loved mankind with a charity that was infinite,
commanded us to be charitable and merciful to all man-
kind. What was the result of such a life ? It drew
towards her the love and affection of all. Her happy
home was full of glad sunlight and ]oy. It went forth
into the world to cheer the hearts of others. The negro
slave, that was the absolute creature of her will, would
have died for her willingly and freely.
Mrs. Lavasse had two daughters approaching their
" teens," named Eva and Carolina. Eva was the elder of
the two, and they were both examples of the fact that kind
treatment of the child gradually and gently moulds the
young heart with love, truth and fidelity towards the parent.
Both Pierre and Madame Lavasse had been raised in
the Catholic faith, and what their opinions were on creed
or theolog}^ I do not suppose that any person could ever
tell from their intercourse with the world, but there were
manv that had felt the joyful influence of their putting
into actual practice the virtues of Christianity.
THE SACKS OF GOLD. 153
BOOK XI.
ON TRIAL FOR THE MURDER OF FRANCISCO VILANI.
I.
The Sacks of Gold.
We are back at Leghorn. We did not get here on
board of the good ship Lafayette, sailing under the proud
banner of the Stars and Stripes, under the protection of
the brave, gallant Captain Ethan Allen Smith, We are
here on the wings of thought and memory.
Iphi is still faithful in the performance of duty, still
working for others with a cheerful heart. The days of
her joyful love for her Jean, and sweet friendship for
Louis, cling to her memory like a beautiful dream that
has vanished, and left with her a memory that is full of
melancholy pleasure.
Her parents are still living in the dear old home on the
hillside. The two sacks of gold delivered to them by that
strange man are still to them a profound mystery. Who
was he ? Whence came he ? Whither did he go when he
went out in night and darkness from that threshold ?
Iphi says to her parents, I have never seen that man
since. Although her father and mother had lived in, or
near Leghorn for many years, they had never seen that
man before the night he entered their humble cottage.
He had told them that they never could find out who he
was, and that it would be useless to make search or in-
154 EXILES OF LOl/ISIAI^A.
quiry. There was no effort on his part to disguise his
face; his dress was that of the most abject poverty, and
they naturally conckided that it was assumed, as he was
evidently in possession of wealth to a great extent.
Where would they go to find him. Alonzo knew noth-
ing of him. Iphi had made inquiry of him. She never
again saw that strange, haggard face, so full of sorrow
andsadness, yet so truthful and earnest, and that flashing
eye so full of the nervous energy of frenzy or fanaticism.
She was positive that if she again saw him, she would
remember him. " What shall we do, dear father, and you,
mother, in this strange affair ? " asked Iphi.
"Daughter," said the venerable father, "we will not
make use of this gold at present, perhaps something will
come to light that will disclose and direct us in our duty.
If the good God has sent this man to us, he will in due
time lead us in the proper course to pursue. I notice that
these sacks of gold have been hid in the ground, for there
are marks of that upon them." They finally set them in
a secret place, concluding for the present at least to await
events. When they moved it, however, there was a paper
closely rolled and attached to one of the strings. They
opened it and it contained in substance, what the man had
said to them. "This gold is mine ; I give it to you; in
your hands it will be blessed. It has been cursed with
crime by others. In your hands God will sanctify it,
bless it, and thus it will atone for the evil it has done in
the world." There was no name signed to this note,
nothing to reveal the mystery.
TRIAL OF ALONZO. 155
II.
The morning of the day set for the trial of Alonzo had
arrived. There in that ancient hall, venerable and majestic
with age, and the gloomy, heavy architecture of the Tri-
bunal of Justice, sat the stern judge, with the power to
turn the scales on the side of life or death.
This was the same tribunal through which Geno had
passed on his way to the grave. It had the same awe-
inspiring authority. Here were the grim attendants, who
executed the mandates of the judge. Here the one who
brought the prisoner ironed into court, from his gloomy
cell. Here the one who carried him to the place of exe-
cution, and put him to death.
On entering the vestibule of this temple, on the morn-
ing of the trial of Alonzo, there sat, on one of the stone
steps that led into the hall of justice, a strange-looking
personage, clad in the garb of a pilgrim. His long staff
and scrip lay upon the mosaic floor at his feet. It was
the beggar we saw pass out of the Pisan Gate, and that
carried the two bags of gold to Iphi, — gave them to her in
the name of God, to be held in trust for the poor, and to
be used in charity and the salvation of souls. His face
had the same haggard and mysterious look. He repre-
sented in his apparel a different personage. He wore a
slouched hat, and his hair fell down on his back in masses
of gray. His person was enrobed in a long, loose robe,
with sandals on his feet. The casual observer, would not,
perhaps, have recognized him as the same person ; even
Iphi or her parents would not have known him, unless
they had scrutinized his features very closely. He paid
156 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
no attention to any one that passed in or out of the hall
of justice.
Alonzo, led by the officers of the law, with chains on
his limbs, into this tribunal, did not attract from him the
least attention. The elegant lady, Countess Vilani, with
her attendants, Joseph, and his companions, who were to
testify against Alonzo, passed in, and yet he did not no-
lice them. His eyes were intently fixed on the floor, or
looking off in space, meaningless and expressionless.
Alonzo stood in that dismal enclosure, where thousands of
miserable humam beings had stood before, to listen to the
decree that sent them to the grave. No eye, save the eye
of the Infinite, could measure the amount of human agony
and suffering, endured in that little enclosure, during the
long centuries that have passed over this ancient edifice.
Alonzo still maintained that stolid indifference to his
fate that he had all the time manifested. He was looked
upon by the court and bystanders as a hardened wretch,
that would soon meet his just punishment.
The Potent Seignior was all courtesy to the Countess
De Vilani, who sat surrounded by her maids in attendance.
There sat Joseph, who was now released from his contract
to steal a sack of gold, to make good the loss of Geno.
This Potent Court had annulled that contract by con-
demning Geno to death.
Joseph's testimony was positive and direct, that Geno
procured the poison and gave it to Alonzo, who in turn
gave it to the deceased. In this testimony he was sus-
tained by one or two old servants of the household, who
had detected the same thing.
The countess assumed an air of deep sorrow and regret
over the sad fate of her dear friend, Alonzo, as she called
TRIAL, OF ALONZO. 157
him, while her feeHngs were exultant over the success of
her plans of getting rid of the last witness of her crime
and shame. She was a little disturbed, over the apparent
indifference manifested by Alonzo, when his conviction
and condemnation was so certain ; but she concluded he
was willing to die, and that he would not now expose her,
either designedly, or through religious fanaticism.
The court, with a solemn voice and manner, asked
Alonzo if he was prepared for trial. He answered,
meekly, that he was.
The charge, in usual form, was read to him, and in sub-
stance charged, that between certain days and year, in
the Palace of Vilani, he had put to death Francisco Vilani,
then Count Vilani, by administering to him poison, and
that he was guilty of the crime of murder.
"The court then asked him if he was guilt}-, or not
guilty ?
Alonzo replied, *'I am not guilty, my lord, nor is any
one guilty of murder ; for Francisco Vilani, or Count
Vilani, was not killed or murdered, but is still living, and
within the sound of my voice."
" Wretched, guilty man," said the Seignior, " what means
this folly.-* The procurator has, in this tribunal, the wit-
nesses who will swear, direct and positive, that he was
murdered by your own hands. That Geno procured you
the poison, but that the crime was, in fact, committed by
you."
" Most Potent Seignior, that they will so testify is true.
They are honest in their statements. Geno did bring me
poison to take the life of Francisco Vilani, but I detected
his crime and intent, and saved the life of Francisco, and
at this moment he stands in the presence of this Tribunal
of Justice."
158 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
All eyes were turned, and there in the centre of the
hall, stood the tall form of the pilgrim, with his long staff
in one hand, and his scrip in the other, looking with
amazement upon the majestic form of the Potent Seignior,
clothed in his robes of office.
" Who are you ? " demanded the judge, in a stern voice.
" I am Francisco Vilani, who died to the world, many
years ago."
" Do you claim to be Count Vilani ? "
" Titles of nobility, are but vanities of earth. If I deal
justly and charitably with all men, God cares not if man
calls me count or beggar. I would have been glad to
remain unknown to the world, but a good man was to
suffer death for destroying my life, when he had saved it,
and thus I am before you.
"The Count Vilani whom Geno murdered in his last
hour, called on man to pardon him, to save him, to pity
him. Had he called on God, he would have been par-
doned and saved. The Lady Verono and Joseph know
me "
The court called on Joseph ; he being the witness to
testify against Alonzo, declared under oath, in presence of
the court, that this was, indeed, the Francisco Vilani who
was supposed to be dead.
The countess was then called upon to state her knowl-
edge of this personage. She arose, and in a clear, dis-
tinct voice, said, " Potent Seignior, it is Francisco Vilani."
The judge then stated that it was passing strange that
this man, who was supposed to be dead for many years,
should be produced on the trial of a man accused as his
murderer, and asked Alonzo why he did not state, when
he was arrested, that Francisco Vilani was living:.
TRIAL OF ALONZO. 159
" Potent Seignior, it is thus : If 1 had so stated, still
would I have had to appear in this tribunal and make my
defence good by witnesses. Francisco desired above all
things to remain unknown. Nothing in this world would
have induced him to have thus acknowledged his identity,
except to save me from a disgraceful death. It is one of
the strange features of his insanity, that he wants the
world to think him dead.
"And further, my lord, I wished to publicly, in open
court, forever put at rest the slander against the Countess
Vilani and myself." When attention was thus called to
the countess, there was observed a deathly pallor on her
cheeks, that spoke of intense mental anguish.
The court intimated to Alonzo that he might proceed
and explain the extraordinary result of this trial, and how
it was brought about that he had saved the life of Fran-
cisco.
Alonzo thus proceeded : " Francisco Vilani lost his
parents when in infancy. The only relations he had at
the time, were the late Count Vilani, Verono, and myself.
He was considered insane in his boyhood, and kept in
close confinement, and treated as an insane person, and
did not possess any legal existence. He was Count
Vilani to the exclusion of every other claimant, and the
owner of immense wealth. All this was under the control
and management of the late count.
" In the course of time it was concluded to remove him
to the palace, and place him under my care and manage-
ment, where there was a private communication in and
out, known only to a few persons besides myself. He
had been under my care but a short time when I dis-
covered that it was not absolute insanity, but an extraor-
i6o EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
ordinary decree of eccentricity. He had a perfect passion
for mingling with the world under assumed characters.
For instance, he would clothe himself in the most ragged
apparel, and go forth and beg for days ; and every cent he
could gather he would carry home with him. The next
step would be to clothe himself in citizen's dress, and in
the character of a gentleman of benevolence, distribute
this money among objects of charity. He would also, at
times, go forth as a pedler, selling fruit, toys, and works
of art, and use the proceeds in the same manner. At
times, he would assume the dress of a pilgrim, as at
present, and distribute money among the poor and
destitute. When Alonzo spoke of his dress as a pilgrim,
he induced several persons to look toward the place where
the pilgrim stood, but he was not to be seen, he had dis-
appeared as quickly and suddenly as he came."
" What has become of Francisco Vilani ? " demanded
the court. The officers made search for him, but could
not find him, stating that he had been taken away by some
person in a carriage.
Alonzo, however, proceeded with his narrative. " He
had assumed different characters that he did not recollect;
but in all these fancies, and eccentricities, he believed
firmly that he was following the absolute, and unqualified
command of God, and was perfectly harmless, and was
really good, kind, and noble, in his thoughts and actions.
I was at first a little fearful of indulging him in these
wild freaks, but I found out that it improved his health,
and made a very marked improvement on his mind ; and
I also concluded that his being confined in almost a
solitary cell, even from his infancy up to manhood, had
been one of the main causes of the unfortunate man's in-
TRIAL OF ALONZO. i6i
sanity. He had never been allowed to have any com-
munication with his fellow-beings. I found that when he
was allowed to live with men, and was at liberty to act for
himself, that there came to him a decided and marked im-
provement.
" I reported that the day was not very far distant when
Francisco would recover, and would be considered noth-
ing more than a very eccentric person, but far from being
insane.
. " After some time had elapsed, Geno brought a mixture,
which he said had been prescribed for him by a very
eminent physician, and that I was to give it to him in
certain proportions. I did so, and soon found out that he
was rapidly failing in health, and if not soon stopped,
he would soon be in his grave.
" I accused Geno of the crime, and told him I had
detected him in his purpose.
" This was stopped, and Francisco recovered. Soon I
detected another strange change in his appearance, pro-
duced by the food brought by Geno. On one occasion,
when this effect was very marked, Geno was present. I
locked the door on him, and then said to him, —
" ' If you do not tell me now what this means, and who
is engaged with you in this accursed plot to destroy his
life, I will kill you.' "
Verono heard this part of the statement of Alonzo,
with terror and dismay. She said to herself, " He will yet
betray me. He is now the master, and I the slave. Fool
that I was, thus to put in motion this accursed trial that
ends in my own ruin and downfall."
Alonzo proceeded : " Geno confessed, and gave me the
name of his accomplice ; and as he suffered on earth for
1 62 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
his crime, and is now beyond the reach of all earthly tri-
bunals, I shall not mention his name.
" I told Geno I would spare him if he would assist me
to make the world believe that Francisco was dead. He
promised. I knew that fear of his accomplice on one side,
and fear of me on the other, would keep him silent.
" I purchased a comfortable residence in a very retired
place outside the city, and procured the assistance of a
firm, and a reliable friend, to take charge of the house and
Francisco.
" I told Francisco about all I had done. He under-
stood the situation well, and it pleased him ; for he said he
did not want the world to know him as Francisco Vilani,
but a servant of God, looking after the poor and mis-
erable.
" Geno, myself, and my friend, placed him in a coftin,
and had him carried out of the palace to the house I had
procured for his reception. The empty coffin was fixed in
such a manner as to be easily taken to the cemetery and
interred without any danger of detection.
" He remained in charge of his attendant without any
danger of being recognized ; for there are but a very few
persons in the palace that had ever seen him to know him
as Francisco Vilani. While in and around Leghorn, there
were none that had ever seen him as that person. He
often visited my apartments in the palace disguised ns
a monk, pilgrim, or pedler. He was, as he said, in the
palace on the night that Geno murdered Vilani, and gave
as a reason for not interfering in the behalf of Count
Vilani, that God was using Geno as an instrument f.f
divine justice, and that he, Geno, would soon fall in the
same manner by violence."
TRIAL OF ALONZO. 163
(The Countess Vilani had her face veiled. Her soul
was writhing in agony and despair.)
Alonzo continued : " Francisco regretted very much
that he was now compelled to go before a court and
be identified as Count Francisco Vilani ; that he would
prefer to have the world say, Francisco is dead. But he
very readily understood that the testimony was sufficient
to convict me of his murder, and then he said if he thus
allowed me to suffer a disgraceful death as his murderer,
when I was his good friend, and saved his life, that God
would cast him out from his presence forever.
" I, myself regretted this on his account, for I have dis-
covered that the more his wishes are gratified and he has
perfect liberty of action, the more reason he has. He
never seems to have any desire whatever to injure any one.
He is insane on the wish and desire to help every one.
" His attendant, Calvetti, has been very faithful and kind
to him, and has been able, having plenty of means fur-
nished him through myself, to humor him in all his excur-
sions, always being near him and watcliing him without his
knowing it. They often, however, drove around the coun-
tr}'^, Francisco being dressed in such a manner as would be
consistent with his being in a carriage. . He was often
told that his face resembled a beggar or pilgrim, or monk,
or pedler, that had but a short time since passed that
way, but that did not annoy him much ; he paid no particu-
lar attention to such remarks. As long as he was not
known as Francisco Vilani, he cared nothing about it."
This strange recital of Alonzo, almost paralyzed the
countess with horror. Francisco was alive. Had been
present at the murder of Vilani, concealed behind the
tapestry of the apartment. Had just stated that if Count
1 64 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Vilani had asked God to pardon him and have mercy
upon him, instead 'of man, his prayer would have been
granted. She had been the cause of this accusation, in
order to liave Alonzo put to death to screen herself against
punishment for crime, and it resulted in bringing to life
the real Count Vilani, the actual owner of all this vast
wealtli. Alonzo was more than vindicated, and had all
the time been her true and only friend, and had been
shielding both her and the late Count Vilani from just
punishment. He knew, of course, that she was connected
with the attempt to poison Francisco. He knew that she
had compelled Geno to murder Vilani.
Where, now, Verono, is thy pride, courage, and ambi-
tion, to turn aside the decree that condemns every human
soul who defies the inexorable law of justice? Where,
now, thy lordly palace, shining in splendor, filled with lux-
ury, ease, and grandeur? It has passed away like a
dream, and the place of execution, with all the ghastly
horrors of a disgraceful death, is there instead. The gay
crowd of fashionable flatterers and sycophants that were
wont to gatlier around thee with smiles and false praise is
changed into a low, \ uigar crowd of howling demons, who
mock you, and jibe you in your agony, while suffering the
pangs of a disgraceful death. How sad to think, that you
may stand where Geno stood, and die where Geno died.
In this dark hour of her fate, she thought of Iphi, so
truthful, nol)le, and good. She remembered when she
said to her, your faith in God is a myth, and like the wor-
ship of Isis and Jupiter, will pass away like a dream. She
remembered, too, that Iphi said, that the faith, hope, and
charity that came to the world through Jesus and the
prophets of old, would exist as long as there was a human
soul to love, to forgive, and pity fallen man.
/ TOLD YOU SO. 165
Verono, so cruel-hearted, could no longer endure this
mental anguish ; she wept. She moaned so pitifully, that
the stern judge and the grave executioner could not re-
strain their tears.
Alonzo is discharged, Verono is taken away by her
attendants. The pilgrim has disappeared, and this mel-
ancholy scene is closed.
III.
I Told You So.
The gossips on the streets of Leghorn never had so
rich a theme of exquisite relish, as the facts developed in
the trial of Alonzo for the murder of Francisco. The
most of the wise ones knew all this years ago, and said,
have I not oft told you so.
First Citizen. — Tush man ; I have often told thee, Fran-
cisco was not dead, but was wandering around in the dif-
ferent characters so well explained by the good Alonzo.
Ye have no memory to keep what is told thee.
Second Citizen. — Well, well ! I will swear that never to
this moment, have I heard it so stated.
First Citizen. — Tush man; thou art dull of mind, and
also of discernment. Thus it was given out, that Fran-
cisco was insane and dead in law; and the dull, simple
fools took the legal fiction for the fact, and said, therefore,
Francisco was dead, and soon the shallow pates had him
murdered. Tush man, thou art dull of comprehension,
and must hereafter mind what is tolc' thee.
Second Citizen. — Well ! well ! I have nothing more to
1 66 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
say, except, I have seen this strange-looking beggar, and
often times, for pity sake, gave him charity, and I ha\e
have often times seen the same strange face in hermit
garb, with staff and scrip, and the same as pedler, deal-
ing in pictures and toys and trinkets, and yet I did not
think the one man represented all these characters, and
never did I dream of its being Francisco Vilani.
First Citizen. — Tush man, it comes from a want of dis-
cernment ; thou art stupid. To me it was all plain that
it was Francisco Vilani.
Second Citizen. — Well ! well ! How is it they say that
the lady. Countess Vilani, is just as guilty as any one,
and that in the tribunal she was struck with conscious
guilt ; what sayest thou ?
Fii'st Citizen. — Tush man; what folly ; surely thou art
insane. Wept with conscious guilt ? She but wept with
joy, — kind-hearted countess, — in thus seeing her kinsman
alive, after years of mourning for his death. You must
live with the nobility to learn their ways. I served for
many years as serving-man to an honorable marquis, and
T thus learnt these things.
Second Citizen. — Well, I see thou art well learnt in these
things. I did but tell thee what others said. Tell me
this, why did Geno kill the Count Vilani? and why did
not the countess call for help, instead of fleeing to her
chamber, while Geno was murdering the count .''
First Citizen. — Tush; what foolish questions thou dost
propound. Geno had his accomplices in the palace to rob
and plunder. The count was about to kill the wolf, and
he turned upon him, and with the aid of his companions,
he killed the count to save his own life. Dost see into it .''
Second Citizen. — It looks that way, indeed it does.
/ TOLD YOU SO. 167
First Citizen. — Your other question is answered easier
still. Dost think a countess has a voice like a milkmaid ?
She fainted and fell with terror at the dreadful sight, was
carried to her chamber senseless by her waiting maids.
Dost see it now ?
Second Citizen. — Well, thou art very sensible about these
things. It is a good school, to live with the nobility and
learn their ways. They say that Alonzo was a cunning
knj.ve to keep Francisco travelling around as beggar, ped-
ler, and pilgrim, while he used Francisco's gold to live at
ease and have all these fine livings to himself , how is it ?
First Citizen. — Tush man ; hadst better keep a silent
tongue on such matters, or it may fare ill with thee. Dost
know the danger of thy slander of these people ? If you
do not, I give you heed to keep a silent tongue. Mind
me.
Second Citizen. — I thank thee for the warning, for there
may be danger in thus speaking of great folks. I think
so, indeed, since you have told me of it, and will look to
it. But how is it, they say that the countess was acting
with Count Vilani, in that shameful act in beguiling the
innocent, beautiful Iphi into the palace, to drag her to
ruin and destruction. How is that, neighbor ?
First Citizen. — Thou art at it again ; tush man ; why
wilst give utterance to these idle gossips on the street,
and say they say. Thou art a fool ; ye have no discern-
ment ; dost not see it ? It was all a piece of pleasantry,
like an act upon the stage in the theatre, for the noble
countess to amuse herself in the dull hours of palace life ;
hast no sense left? Good-day, good-day! I no longer wish
to talk to babbling fools such as ye.
Second Citizen. — Good-day. Excuse me. I did but ask
of one who well knew all these things. Good-day.
1 68 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Citizen Giulia (meeting second citizen). — Good-day, Ig-
nati ; hast heard the strange news ? Francisco Vilani was
not murdered but the noble Alonzo has saved him, and
yesterday, in the tribunal of justice, in defence of the charge
of murder, he produced the hving body of the supposed
murdered Francisco.
Second Citizen (Whose name appears to be Ignati). —
It is not strange to me, Giulia, for I have known it
these many years. Gabuzzi, the grocer, has oft told me
that Francisco was still alive, and wandering about the
country as pedler, monk, beggar, and pilgrim. You see,
Gabuzzi has served amongst the nobility, and knows their
ways quite well, and can tell it quite glibly, you see ; and
I have been true and kept the secret well.
Giulia. — What ! Ignati has received this news from
Gabuzzi the grocer, who sells to the palace of Vilani, for
the servants of the palace, spoiled groceries and tainted
meats, and at double price ? Gabuzzi art a vain, babbling
fool ; heed him not.
Ignati. — Thou art very sensible ; Giulia, I will think
of this ; perhaps the cunning Gabuzzi, is but playing
smart with me.
Giulia. — Heed not such babbling boasters. Ignati, I
will tell you of this man. When Geno was alive, Geno
was, with Gabuzzi, the perfection of honesty. When
Geno was forsaken to his fate by the countess, he was the
murderer of Francisco as well as of the count. When the
Lady Verono, as it was whispered around the streets, was
connected with these crimes in the palace, Gabuzzi was
among the first to charge Alonzo as being the accomplice
of Geno in the murder of Francisco. Thus it is, Ignati,
wherever the Countess Vilani has cast her gold you will
THE INSANE COUNT. 169
find many such as Gabuzzi to swear that she is all perfec-
tion. Good-day, Ignati.
Ignatl. — Good-day, Giulia. Thou art truly sensible and
wise. I will think of this, and will not listen to such as
Gabuzzi. Now I have said to Gabuzzi, thou art smart and
wise; also have I said to Giulia, thou art sensible and wise;
and both have told me different tales of the palace folks.
If they are wise, then I, Ignati, must be a fool. Well, well,
I will think of this.
IV.
The Insane Count.
Shortly after the hermit was missed from the hall of
the tribunal, a chaise passed out of the Pisan gate. It
contained two persons, and took about the same direction
the beggar followed when he searched for the two sacks
of gold in the old ruins. It proceeded to the cottage on
the hillside where Iphi and her parents dwelt.
I phi and her parents were sitting in the cottage, talking
of the sad fate of Paul, Louis, and Jean ; of the terrible
death of Vilani, and of the ordeal through which Iphi
herself had passed. They Irad heard of the arrest of
Alonzo for the murder of Francisco, but knew nothing of
the trial and what its probable result would be.
A stranger came to the door who they supposed was a
nobleman, who wished to purchase some flowers. The
chaise stood at the gate and the driver still sat in his seat.
There was something about the face of the stranger
that startled them all very much; for it had the same
strange, haggard, vacant gaze that marked the beggar who
I70 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
left with them the two sacks of gold. But that was hardly
possible. The beggar was far in advance in years of this
gentleman.
He wanted some flowers, and Iphi was to select them
for him to suit her own taste, while he seated himself in
the cottage and soon fell into a reverie with his eyes fixed
upon the floor, raising his head occasionally and looking
off into vacancy.
Iphi and her parents had noticed this strange peculiarity
in the beggar. Yet they feared to say so, for they were
not certain of his identity. The flowers were selected
with great care, and at his request were placed in the
chaise.
Iphi returned to the cottage, and the stranger still sat
there in meditative silence. At length he said :
'' Maiden, here is thy pay," handing her a gold piece.
She attempted to hand him the change but he said, —
" Keep it ; and if you need it not, give it to the poor. I
come to this humble abode to ask for favors far more
precious than all the gold on earth. I come to this cot-
tage to ask of one whose soul is in accord with Jesus, to
save a human soul that is about to be lost. I was led here
by the star of Bethlehem. It was such a place where
Jesus loved to rest from his toil — where humility and
virtue were so eloquent in the sublime praise of the In-
finite." The tones of his voice, and the earnest, impres-
sive manner, were the same as the beggar's.
Iphi had now resolved to ask him some questions, Vi'ith
regard to the tv^-o sacks of gold, that had been left with
them so mysteriously.
He appeared to anticipate her, and quickly said^
" Maiden, ask me nothing of the past, my face is turned to
WHERE THE GOLD CAME FROM. 171
the future. I have a favor to ask of thee, which is beyond
all earthly consideration. Listen ! in the palace of Vilani,
there is the Lady Verono, Countess of Vilani. Cruelly
she meditated a deep wrong upon you. I knew it all, and
was ready to save if others had failed. God would not
have allowed the accursed wrong to have gone unpunished.
The time has come, when mercy pleads for her. For now
she is suffering the torments of the lost. I have compas-
sion on her. I want you to ask God to pity and forgive.
I heard her moans, and I thought a human soul had fallen
into the abyss."
Iphi and her parents were moved to tears, at the sad
fate that had fallen on the Lady Verono. They knew
nothing of the cause of this strange statement of her con-
dition, but the deep, earnest, and impressive manner of
this mysterious person, had deeply moved their pity and
compassion.
He arose from his position, and earnestly asked a
blessing on this household ; got into the chaise, and was
driven out into the country, av/ay from the busy city.
V.
Where the Gold came From.
The day following this event, Iphi, while in the city
performing her regular duties, in furnishing her customers
with flowers and fruits, had gathered enough to learn
that the condition of the Countess Vilani, was deplorable.
She heard, also, the result of the trial of Alonzo, and
that Francisco Vilani was still alive, and that he had been
in the habit of appearing in the character of beggar and
^^2 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
hermit. She saw at once, then, that the sacks of gold left
with her, were left by Francisco Vilani, thus disguised as a
beggar, and, that he it was who had on the previous day
bought flowers of her. She had also heard the part that
Alonzo had taken in preserving the life of Francisco, and
had kept him concealed, and away from the power and in-
fluence of the late Count Vilani.
She now concluded, further, that Alonzo had been
instrumental in her being released from the power of
Count Vilani, and it further explained to her what Louis
Dejon had said to her before his execution, that he could
not explain anything that took place at the palace, on the
night he had entered it for the purpose of her release, as
all that had been clone and said was under the solemn
sanction of an oath. Seeing now the whole matter,
she concluded to go to the palace, and tell Alonzo of the
two sacks of gold that had been left with her, and
describe the person who left them, and also to state that
she believed the person to be Francisco Vilani. When
Iphi returned to the cottage, and related these strange
events to her parents, the"y were much astonished, and ex-
pressed great sympathy for the unfortunate Lady Countess.
Iphi explained to them her intentions of going to Alonzo,
and getting instruction what to do with this gold in their
possession, and they approved of the wisdom of her
course.
Accordingly, she went to the palace, and had an inter-
view with Alonzo. He was sad and mournful, over the
events that had just passed, saying to Iphi that the
Countess Vilani was delirious. That she had several
times sought to take her life with poison, and it required
constant watchin"; to restrain her from self-destruction.
WHERE THE GOLD CAME FROM. 173
Iphi wept, and mentally prayed for the recovery of the
unfortunate lady. Alonzo was moved with the charity of
this girl, and said to her : " Noble maiden ! Thou art an
honor to humanity, thus even to love and forgive thy
worst enemies." Iphi answered him by saying she could
easily forgive, for she never had hated any human being.
She then explained to Alonzo, the event of the beggar
leaving with her two sacks of gold, and that since that a
person dressed in citizens dress, had come to the cottage
and requested her to pray for the Lady Countess, and de-
scribed as exactly as possible the face and manner of the
beggar, and the strange gentleman.
Alonzo then explained to her the history of the two
sacks of gold, that Louis had taken them, at his request,
to avoid any suspicion from Geno of his real motives
in entering the palace on that night ; that Louis had
concealed the money the next day in the old ruins
whence Francisco had taken it, and carried it to the cot-
tage of Iphi.
From some cause, Geno did not get to see Louis, so as
to claim from him the money and the keys of the postern
gate, and seemed to rest on the good faith of Louis
to make it all right with him. On the day following,
Geno was arrested for the murder of Vilani, and Louis
was with his regiment confined in the garrison, but found
some means to communicate to- Alonzo the place where
he had concealed the money, so that he could at any time
recover it. Alonzo explained this whole transaction to
Francisco, who at once determined that Iphi should have
that gold, to do with it as she deemed best, and that it was
the will of God that he should use this gold in this way,
so that it might atone for the curse it had brought on
others.
174 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Alonzo then told her that the money was the actual
property of Francisco ; that he had the undoubted right to
give it to whom he pleased ; that it was now her property
honestly, justly, and fairly, and to do with it just as
she deemed proper and best. That Francisco Vilani
would never take it back, nor would he ever allow her to
question him on the subject ; and that her mind might be
at rest, that he knew the money : he said one sack was
fastened with thin wire, while the other was tied with
a string.
Iphi was bewildered with the statement of Alonzo.
She was as much at loss now how to act, or what to
do with so much money, as she was before perplexed
about the thought that there was some evil design in thus
bestowing upon her so much wealth gratuitously. But
time and her natural good sense made this gold atone for
the evil it had done in tempting others to the commission
of crime.
VI.
Remorse.
Weeks and months passed away, and Verono was still
confined to her chamber. She required ceaseless care
and attention by her attendants. Often in her wild
delirium, would she call upon the innocent Iphi to save
her, to pity her, and pardon the evil she had done her.
When these wild paroxysms of frenzy would pass away,
she would fall into a condition of perfect stupor, from
which nothing could arouse her to conscious existence.
She had the best medical attendants, but nothing could
REMORSE. 175
be done for the unfortunate. A year passed away, and
no change ; except an increased physical prostration.
There was this marked trait in her condition, and Alonzo
knew well the cause, that when she did to some extent re-
cover her reason, her mind was so full of appalling re-
ilections, that life was to her a burden, and she wished to
die. For this reason Alonzo wanted to save her life,
believing she might yet be restored to happiness. He
knew all the secrets of her past life, the murder of Vilani,
and the attempt to remove him by a conviction of crime,
and thus silence forever the last witness of her guilt.
Alonzo's life had ever been retired, and without ostenta-
tion. Sensible, discreet, and philosophic, he knew that
if this last act of her life was exposed to the public, she
would receive neither charity nor merc}^, and be held up to
the vilest contempt and execration. He knew that her
whole life, as a unit, was far more competent to decide
her fate than any angry and misguided public senti-
ment.
He often times appeared himself as the instrument
of Vilani's cruelty and crime. He preserved his power,
however, to heal the wounds, if he could not save the
victim. He knew that Verono had been betrayed, and had
no sympathy for Vilani, that he had thus fallen a victim
to his own treachery. Had the last act committed by
Verono been exposed, the public would not have known
that Vilani had in fact been the cause of her ruin, and
thus extend to her charity and mercy. It is one of those
cases where the victim suffers the punishment due the
criminal. Sad is it that often times the one who has thus
betrayed an innocent victim, is called a gallant gentleman,
guilty perhaps of a few indiscretions, while the poor victim
176 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
of his base passion, is dying in all the agonies of despair,
with- none to pity, in the dark hours of her misfortune.
The unjust decree of public sentiment, without charity,
without mercy, condemns the poor victim to the most
fearful punishment, while the actual criminal is pardoned,
even without the command, " Thou art free, go sin no
more."
Alonzo had made the firm and noble resolution to save
her life, and with the aid of God to restore her to happi-
ness. He had noticed that oftentimes, when her mind
was partially restored, she called on Iphi to pardon her
for the wrong she had done. To him this was very
hopeful.
Iphi often called at the palace to inquired after the
health of the countess. Alonzo in one of these visits,
informed her that Verono often called on her to pardon
and forgive her.
" My noble benefactor ! " exclaimed Iphi, " none but
God knows how I would rejoice to save the countess, and
restore her to a life of peace and happiness. Myself and
my dear parents pray for her restoration. I have noth-
ing to pardon or forgive her for ; I never felt towards her
any resentment or ill-will."
Alonzo said to her : " I believe if you were present
when these intervals of partial restoration of reason
occurred, you could save her, and lead her back to life
and happiness."
Iphi thought of the generons and noble conduct of
Alonzo, in saving Louis from the perilous jjosition, and
also in rescuing her from the power of Vilani, and her
heart was moved with gratitude, and she replied that
there was no earthly comfort or pleasure that she would
not forego to restore the Lady Verono to happiness.
REMORSE. 177
Alonzo was the complete master of the entire house-
hold. He stated to Iphi that if she would come to the
palace and take charge of the countess, and the manage-
ment of the household, that everything should be at her
command. That rooms would be arranged for the re-
ception of her parents, and every comfort supplied them.
That he would employ good and faithful gardeners to
take care of the cottage, and see to it that everything
was kept in order, and with her approval and directions.
This was, in truth, a great sacrifice for her to give up
her sweet, pleasant life with her parents in their humble,
but loved home. But the appeal was to her generosity,
her charity, and mercy, by one who had shown to her
all these favors. And after consulting her parents, the
arrangement was made, and Iphi, in fact, became the
mistress of the palace of Vilani.
Her whole time and attention was devoted to the
restoration of Verono. She was constantly by her side,
except when she was obliged herself to rest from the
weary task. The countess appeared to continue in that
same peculiar condition, occasionally waking up as from
some terrible dream, and would then act and talk as
if she was struggling to escape some horrible doom
that threatened her. Iphi at such times was moved with
compassion for her, and oftentimes would soothe her
to rest with tender words.
She managed with the most exact economy and care.
The servants of the entire establishment, respected and
loved their new mistress, and having a good example set
before them, they also became attentive, careful, and
industrious. The dishonest Joseph, who had been one
of Geno's tools and confederates in crime, was given
178 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
to understand by Alonzo, that he had detected him in his
crime in stealing tlie gold referred to; Joseph plead so
earnestly for pardon, that Alonzo told him he would
now watch him closely, and if he detected in him the
k-ast act of villiany, would hand him over to the officers
of the law for punishment.
Iphi's parents led a quiet, retired life, but it was not the
pleasant cottage life they had been used to, but their
beloved child was following in the course of duty, and
they really felt happy in making this sacrifice to please
her.
The shadows of evil that had clung to this palace
of Vilani, had passed away to a great extent, and if Iphi,
in her mission of love and care for the unfortunate
countess, should be successful in restoring her to life, one
of the greatest desires would be accomplished. When
the countess would lay in apparent death-like stupor, and
then arouse to consciousness, she was so miserable and
hopeless, that poor Iphi almost despaired. At such times
the strange, weird image of Francisco, when last she saw
him, would rise up before her, pleading in his impressive
manner, to save a soul that was about to fall in the dark
abyss, to cling in mercy to the unfortunate Verono. She
was nerved to stand fast in this mission of love that
demanded her charity and mercy.
The countess had mocked her faith ; yet, she loved her
none the less, for she pitied her unbelief. The countess
had, with the most unfeeling cruelty, trampled upon the
dearest feelings of her heart, used her as a base instru-
ment to perpetrate crime and iniquity. Yet she never felt
for her the least resentment for these wrongs, but would
say, " HovvT sorrowful to think that God has forsaken tliis
THE GOOD ANGEL. 179
lost one. Oh, how I would rejoice if he would save her,
and restore her to a life of peace and happiness ! "
VII.
The Good Angel.
The sun arose in splendor from the waves of its ocean
bed. Soon, and the glad waters and the smiling land-
scape, were basking in the radiant glory of an Italian
morn. The air was laden with the sweet perfume of
the orange blossom, the blossom of the purple vine, and
the blooming flowers. The sequestered and perfumed
shadows of the orange and citron groves were filled with
the sweet melody of birds. The busy hum of commerce
came up from the shore, the market-place, and the thronged
streets. It was the freshness and vigor of morning life.
The palace of Vilani was wrapt in gloom, for the shadows
of death fell upon its portals. He did not enter, for God
had decreed life ; the prayers of Iphi had reached the
mercy seat.
Iphi, sat watching with intense interest, every change
or motion of the Countess De Vilani. True to her noble
nature, she would rejoice greatly over the salvation of the
one that was supposed to be lost. It was like that tender,
holy love, of the- fond mother, over the wayward, apostate
son. The love is great, for pity and compassion melts the
heart into extreme tenderness. The countess sighed, and
attracted Iphi's attention. The classic features of Verono
in former days so marked with majestic beauty, so com-
manding and attractive, were now expressive of a plain-
i8o EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
tive, thoughtful sadness. She spoke to Iphi in an audible
tone. Iphi looked at her with amazement ; the look
of terror that had often been partially veiled by the
radiant beauty of Verono, had disappeared, and left a
smile that was full of faith and love. Iphi mentally
asked herself, " Oh, can it be jDOSsible, that heaven has
blessed my prayers, and realized my fond hopes ? "
The countess said to her, " My dear Iphi, you have
come to me at last. You are the good angel to bring me
pardon. How my poor heart has longed for this hour,
when Iphi would come and drive away the specter
of despair. Blessed maiden, I have found out in my
dreams, that the worship of Isis and Jupiter were but
the brilliant images of fancy, and things of earth and
time. But the Faith, Charity, and Mercy of Jesus
connects the soul with the Infinite, who is supreme over
all things of time and eternity. God has sent you to
me, dear maiden, with pardon and love."
" Dear Lady ! I have never ceased to love you. I have
been with you long ; and have ever prayed, and fondly
hoped for the coming of this blessed hour. I have not
the power to pardon ; but how thankful I am that God
has pardoned you." She pressed the lips of the countess
with the kiss of love, while her tears of holy joy fell
upon the pale, wan cheek, so marked with long suffer-
ing.
The arms of the once proud, lofty, ambitious Countess
De Vilani clasped to her embrace the Flower Girl, who
had said to her in days past, the religion of Jesus is im-
perishable, for it teaches us Love, Charity, and Mercy.
She clings to Iphi, as if her only salvation was to anchor
to this grand being, who was now to her the only link
FRANCISCO AND CALVETTI. i8i
between time and eternity. They were alone in this
apartment, in this peaceful, happy morning hour. The
shadows of death, in search of a victim, no longer fell
upon the portals of the palace. And, doubtless, this
Greek maiden, with the genius of her race and the in-
spiration of the hour, heard the angels, song and felt
the presence of Infinite love.
VIII.
Francisco and Calvetti.
*' What has become of Francisco ? " was often asked
by Alonzo and Iphi. Neither he nor his attendant had
been heard from for many months. Alonzo now became
alarmed, and regretted that he had not paid more atten-
tion of late to his movements. He had every confidence
in the integrity and good sense of the person he had placed
in charge. They had both left the house occupied by them,
and the chaise was there ; but the horse had been left in
the care of one of the neighbors, with instructions to keep
him until their return.
What most astonished Alonzo, was that the attendant
did not inform him of his departure, but he at length con-
cluded that it was some fancy that had seized Francisco,
that no one except himself and his attendant knew what
he was doing. There was no person in Leghorn who had
ever seen him to know him since he left the Hall of
Justice, on the day of Alonzo's trial. He had been seen
by rumor, for every beggar who was unknown, or pilgrim,
or trading pedler, was declared to be the insane count,
appearing in different places at the same time.
i82 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Alonzo's anxiety was at length relieved by receiving
a letter from Calvetti, Francisco's attendant, informing
him that Francisco had taken a notion to go to Palestine,
and the Holy Land, and that when they left Leghorn,
Francisco had commanded him in the strongest terms, to
inform no one of his departure ; he left in the character
and dress of a pilgrim ; Calvetti took means enough to
defray expenses; that he had taken good care of him,
and watched over him carefully, and that nothing had
occurred to interrupt them in their travels.
Francisco had given as a reason that he could not remain
satisfied at Leghorn, and if his plans had been known,
some one would interfere with his designs. Francisco was
content, as he had left Verono in the hands of Iphi, that
no evil could befall the good Alonzo, and that he was
now writing to him with Francisco's consent. He further
stated that in one of the ports of the Mediterranean they
had fallen in with an American merchant vessel called the
"Lafayette," commanded by a captain of the name of
Smith, and that Francisco was much charmed with his
description of the Great Republic, where the people ruled
and had no king. This Captain Smith was almost as
strange and eccentric to me as my ward Francisco. He
would often say to me : " Calvetti ! by Moses, this man of
yours has more good sense mixed up with his insanity
than any madman I have ever seen in my born days."
" This sea-captain was so much taken with Francisco's
strange manner that he was exceedingly anxious to learn
his history ; but, of course, Francisco would have forbid-
den me giving it to him. He was satisiied, however, with
me telling him he was a nobleman who was supposed to
be insane; but the few persons who knew him well, be-
FRANCISCO AND CALVETTI. 183
lieved that it was nothing more than a great degree of
eccentricity, and that he was under the influence of a wild
ungovernable fancy that he must act for the happiness
and benefit of the human race; that he possessed a noble,
generous heart, but visionary in the practical application
of his good intentions.
" Francisco's attachment to Captain Smith daily in-
creased, so that, at length, nothing could induce Iiim, when
he arrived at Leghorn, to quit the vessel and return home,
and rest for a time. Captain Smith assured me, that if
he insisted on staying with him, he would be amply pro-
tected and cared for, and that everything he could do
to make him comfortable and contented would be clone.
Francisco insisted on me going ashore and arranging for
funds necessary to pay expenses to the United States and
return, with the further injunction that I was not to make
it known to any one where he was going." This letter to
Alonzo was dated at Marseilles, and written on their way
to see the Grand Republic that Captain Smith had de-
scribed in such glowing terms.
Alonzo was satisfied with this account, for he was well
convinced that nothing could be done to change his inten-
tions, and that if he was to use force or violence on Fran-
cisco to keep him confined, and deprive him of self-reli-
ance and liberty, it would have a very bad effect on his
mind, and perhaps reproduce absolute insanity; and there
was that strange fancy, that seemed to have entire posses-
sion of him, that he wanted no one to know who he was.
i84 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
BOOK XII.
ANNETTA.
I.
MURAT.
Murat, King of Naples, maintained his power by clem-
ency, even after Napoleon's downfall and imprisonment on
the Island of Elba. But when the Emperor had escaped,
and again returned to France, Murat, in his effort to assist
him to regain his lost power, was betrayed by pretended
friends into the hands of his enemies ; and on the 19th of
October, a. d. 1815, he was put to death by the order of
Ferdinand.
What greater praise is there for the memory of the
dead than to say he was brave among the bravest ; that he
was a hero, confronting in battle the heroic ; that his heart
was moved to pity and compassion for every human being
that was stricken with sorrow ; that he was merciful even
to the merciless .'' Splendid as were his achievements as a
commander, they were surpassed by the grandeur of his
magnanimity, his kindness, his charity.
II.
Years have passed away — years that have been marked
with the most marvellous events in the history of Europe.
MURAT. 185
Napoleon has escaped from Elba, and is again preparing
for that final contest on the bloody field of Waterloo.
The historian has well described these grand historical
events ; we have a more humble theme, by taking the
Alps valley, the birthplace of Paul Lorraine, and speaking
to you of the virtues of the humble and good. It has
changed but little since we last saw it. Paul is still there,
in the memory of thehearts who loved him so well. There
is the boy — now almost a man — that he grasi>ed from
the jaws of death on the verge of the abyss. He loves to
tell people how good Paul Lorraine was. The little chil-
dren who followed him with sadnass and sorrow when
first he left for the battle-field, now grown up to be men
and women, talk with touching pathos of their dear
Paul who had gone from them, never to return. There is
still the grand old mountains, the forest, the fields, the
brook, and the cemetery where the beloved dead repose in
their lonely graves. There is still the Lorraine cottage ;
the good old mother and Annetta. There, too, is the cot-
tage where Annetta was born and where her parents died ;
and there is still that vine-covered porch from which Paul
and Annetta oftentimes watched the stars and selected one
for their abiding-place in the immortal world. Uncle
Louis now had charge of this property, and, with the aid
of his two sons, had spare time to assist Annetta and
the good mother in the care of their place. It was still
a beautiful happy home ; yet there are many things to
remind them of their sad bereavement.
Annetta has oftentimes thought of what she had said to
Paul, " If you were to die, I feel as if I could not live.
I would not grieve and mourn uselessly ; but I would feel
as if severed from earth, and like the vine severed from
1 86 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
its root, fade, wither, and perish." She oftentimes thought
that if it was not for her old mother and uncle Louis, she
would gladly go to the star Paul and herself had chosen
as their abiding-place in the other world. Although Paul
had died the death of a condemned man, the generous
Murat, in his last letter of condolence to them, declared
that it was a noble, heroic sacrifice, to save the armies of
his covuitry from demoralization ; that it was a voluntary
offer to save the lives of others, equally, if not more to
blame for the unfortunate calamity than he ; that he was
betrayed into it through his noble conduct in rescuing an
innocent girl from a most cruel fate. Annetta had heard
detailed the generous conduct of Paul in rescuing Iphi,
and her heart rejoiced in the brave and noble conduct of
her dear Paul. When she looked out upon the lofty cliffs
of the Alps, and, in memory, saw him pass along on their
craggy heights, with eyes dimmed with tears she would
exclaim, "Oh ! he was so good — so true and kind to all
— surely God will take care of so good a one."
Mother Lorraine was greatly consoled with the state-
ment of Murat, that his death was in honor ; not dishonor.
She saw that this act did not involve any criminal intent,
and that God would pardon him for this, when his whole
life was so full of love and kindness for others.
IIL
Uncle Louis Lorraine was still, and had ever been, the
true and faithful friend of the good old mother and An-
netta. One day Louis received a letter. It had been
postmarked at Marseilles. He opened it and it read as
follows : —
MURAT. 187
"Dear Uncle Louis, — I am still living. Oh! my
clear mother ! my dear Annetta ! How my poor heart longs
to embrace them. I have thus written to you, so that you
might, with your good sense and discretion, gradually con-
vey to them this intelligence. I would have written this
to you long since, but I was fearful that I might in some
way compromise the position of my dear preserver with
the Emperor Napoleon ; and I would suffer death gladly
before that should occur. Even yet, Uncle Louis, you
need not make this public. You will, in a short time,
receive word to be at Marseilles at a certain time, where
arrangements have been made to have you all come to me
— mother, Annetta, yourself and sons. Tell mother and
Annetta to keep strong, so that they can endure a long
journey. God has been good to me, and he will yet allow
me to see once more on earth the beloved ones of my
heart. Li love. Paul Lorraine."
Louis sat down and wept tears of joy. Could it be
possible that God, in His infinite goodness, would again
permit them once more on earth to clasp to their hearts
the happy, good, brave boy, that left them so many years
ago, and whose death they had mourned so many sorrow-
ful daj's and nights. Louis saw that his task was one of
difficulty. He had to converse with mother and Annetta
about Paul, and at the same time conceal his feelings,
when his heart was full. It was about the usual hour for
him to visit the cottage, and he concluded to go at once
and commence on the subject by degrees. Annetta had
endured so many sorrows — the death of her parents, her
infant, and her husband, — that it had marked her pale
face with sadness, and given a touching, plaintive tone to
her voice.
i88 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
Louis commenced forthwith, and said that he sometimes
thought he would yet see Paul.
Annetta said, " Since I have looked at you, Uncle
Louis, you look a great deal more cheerful than common,
what does it all mean uncle ? tell us ; do, pray ? "
" I was thinking over a certain clause in the letter
which the king of Naples wrote you first, and I am now
convinced that he intended it for a hope. He said, ' Do
not sorrow too much, for in the end it will be well/
What did he mean, in the end it will be well ? Well, in
this world, or in the world to come ? "
" Oh, Uncle Louis ! do not say anything that would give
us hope, Avithout any possibility that it will be true ! The
disappointment would be so hard for me to bear."
" No, no, Annetta ! God forbid that I should trifle
with your feelings, but I have often thought much about
this matter, and I tell you Annetta, that I do believe that
Paul is still living."
"Oh, Uncle Louis! I do not know what to think
of your strange words, and you cannot conceal a joyful
look on your face, that has not been there for a long
time. And I am not able to tell why it is so."
Uncle Louis addressed himself to the mother, to
procure him Murat's letter, informing her the first time
of the sad fate of her son. The letter was procured, and
the sentence was as Louis had said, " Do not sorrow too
much for him, for in the end all will be well."
"Annetta, now listen to me. The king of Naples was
ordered to execute every man in the regiment who had
participated in the mutiny. Murat, of his own accord,
mitigated the positive command of the emperor, in agree-
ing to accept three who should suffer death as an example
ANNETTA. 189
to others. Paul was not chosen by lot, but volunteered
to suffer for the balance, so also did his noble, brave com-
panions. This very act had moved Murat with such
admiration of the heroic conduct of Paul, Jean, and
Louis, and knowing too, at this time, the generous part
they had taken in the rescue of Iphi, that he resolved at
all hazards to save their lives, and have the emperor
believe he had executed his order. If it was believed by
the whole entire army, that they had suffered death for the
offence, the example to deter others was thus accom-
plished. Paul could not risk even writing to his rela-
tives or friends, for fear of compromising his noble,
generous preserver. And thus it is, my dear Annetta, and
dear mother, that I believe that our beloved boy is yet
alive."
The good old mother sat silent. Her heart was full
of prayer and thankfulness. To her it was apparent that
God had put it in the heart of this grand man to be merci-
ful to her dear son, and save his life. Her heart was con-
\inced that she would yet see her darling boy, and with
tears of joy dimming her aged eyes, she thanked the
Infinite goodness that had spared his life.
Annetta's heart was almost bursting with emotion. She
said, " Oh, dear Uncle Louis ! can it be, can it be, that our
dear, dear Paul is yet alive ? I always thought he was so
goo'd, true, and brave, that every one would be merciful to
him and save him from evil, and that the good angel
would guard him. Oh! Uncle Louis ! is Paul still alive.-'
Can it be ? can it be, that the dear one yet lives ? "
Louis saw that her emotion was intense, and he said to
her, "Dear Annetta, calm yourself. Excessive joy is
quite as dangerous as excessive grief. If Paul is alive.
190 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
it will require all your fortitude and strength to go to him,
for he is far away. Would it not be better for me to call
again, and we will talk this matter over when you have
become more composed."
" Dear Uncle Louis, I know what your kindness means.
Vou know something that you have not yet told us. I
have more fortitude, more strength, than you think I have.
Uncle Louis. I could travel to the utmost parts of the
earth, to see my beloved. God will give me strength to
go to him, be he where he may. Were you to leave me
now, I could not rest, with the belief that you had some
knowledge of our dear one, that you have feared to tell
us, and my anxiety would be too fearful to bear."
Louis saw the force of Annetta's remark, and for a
while was silent and thoughtful. Annetta had thus far
showed a strength and fortitude that he never dreamed
she possessed. He looked upon her pale, thin face, and
saw at a glance that there was a will and resolution that
amazed him.
No one can properly estimate in others, the power and
grandeur of this firm reliance on the love, charity, and
mercy, of a supreme being. We know nothing of the
power of this faith on the hearts of others. They cannot
themselves explain this wonderful conviction of feeling,
that nothing can change or weaken. It was this faith that
Louis could not see or appreciate, and this was the source
of the' strength of Annetta, that to him was marvellous.
He therefore drew from his pocket the letter, and de-
liberately and slowly read it to Annetta and Mother
Lorraine. Annetta, without saying a word, took it and
read it, then kissed it, and bathed the precious letter with
a flood of tears. Each one was silently returning thanks
UNCLE LOUIS READING PAUL'S LETTER TO ANNETTA AND
MOTHER LORRAINE. Pago 190.
RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT. 193
to God,, and the merciful king, who had been so good to
their son, and charitable to them all.
It was that kind of pure, exalted, and holy gratitude,
that was acceptable to heaven. How the kind heart of
the merciful king would have rejoiced in the sweet incense
of this praise offered up to him from the souls of these
humble peasants. The grandeur of his victory, on the
field of Jena, was nothing against the sublime act of
mercy that saved the lives of these heroic sons of France,
Man praised the victory of Jena, but God blessed him for
his charity and mercy.
IV.
Religion and Government.
We have not the desire to assail any creed or theology.
They are taught in the schools, and are, to a great extent,
known best to the learned and educated. But faith in
the existence of a supreme intelligence, hope for im-
mortality, and charity for mankind, are attributes of the
human soul, that, in the words of the atheist, have been
evolved by the operation of cause and effect.
They are not produced by education, but are improved
and enlightened by education, and sad is it they are often
perverted by the s-ame cause.
Every human soul has been moved with faith in a power
above man and earth. Every human soul has been glad-
ened with hope. Every human heart has been touched
with love and sympathy.
It is this that has made the teachings of Jesus of Naza-
reth imperishable. Primitive Christianity will survive all
194 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
creeds, all theology, all the doctrines and teachings of the
schools.
Shakespeare and Burns awakened these feelings in the
human heart, touched that tender cord of union and
sympathy in the human breast, and made their names
immortal. They are not only admired, but they are
loved.
We do not see God with physical or mental eye. We
do not reason ourselves into the belief of his existence.
We do not believe in his existence on account of miracles
performed. It is the genius of the heart that makes us
feel, rather than the mind to think, that there is, over and
above all, a supreme inlelligence, whose wisdom is far be-
yond our finite comprehension. There have been men of
that cast of genius, that they feel great truths rather than
see them. Robert Burns, with his grand heart, with its
force and power, made millions of human beings feel
great truths, with greater force than reason or logic could
have done. He felt great truths to exist, and he made
others feel their force and beauty, so impressive, that they
never forget them. The human heart feels, outside of
revelation or miracles, that there is a supreme intelligence
above man. Martyrs who have died for their faith, or
have fallen in the cause of human liberty, died believing
that they v>ere in harmony with the Infinite. Robert
Emmet, the grandest exaniple of martyrdom, in the cause
of liberty, in the history of man, felt in his last hour that
God was present with him. Not that he was with him in
a personal sense, but his soul was in accord with the
divine attributes of the Infinite.
The human heart cannot rest satisfied with the belief,
RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT. 195
that in all these vast realms, countless, endless, unnum-
bered worlds, that man on this little earth is the only being
that thinks, knows, or feels. The astronomer, by figures,
facts, and logic, tells us that there are in the heavens
shining stars whose light is thousands of years traversing
the space between them and earth. And they are no
nearer the end of creation than we, for there is no end.
The atheist tells us that man is evolved, by cause and
effect, from the very lowest order of creation. The athe-
ist who stands in his lofty tower, with his wide, expansive
horizon for his view, and can see no God, is himself a
god of the first magnitude^ and looks with scorn upon
both Moses and Jesus, while the grand army of love
and charity, who go with man in the dreary walks of his
pilgrimage on earth, to cheer him in his sorrows, bring joy
to hearts in despair, teach him Faith, Hope and Charity,
are but little pigmies, groping in darkness, for they can-
not see the light. Every Pagan martyr had hopes of
immortality, when he perished for his faith. Every Jew-
ish martyr died in the firm belief that there was a God
who would reward his sufferings. Every Christian martyr
felt in the hour of his death, the inspiration of immortal
joy. Socrates, whose life was said to be pure and good,
was willing to die rather than live, denying the existence
of one supreme being who was above all things of time
and eternity.
The splendor of the orations of Demosthenes and '
Cicero, are enduring monuments of the grand inspiration
of genius. But the Sermon on the Mount is above them
all, for it was inspired with the love, charity, and mercy of
the Infinite.
196 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Infidelity of this period is uncharitable, for the church
of the fourteenth century is not the church of the nine-
teenth centur}'. The bigotry of this present period is not
so dangerous to the downfall of liberty as tbe bitter,
uncharitable partisan, who would sacrifice country for
party, and would sooner gain a political triumph, than to
secure liberty and establish justice.
History proves another thing that infidelity will not
admit. In all ages, while bigotry and intolerance were
cursing the world with unnumbered, countless acts of cru-
elty. Christian charity went forth in its mission of love to
heal the wounds made by this ruthless hate. With the
tender touch of loving hands it has cooled the fevered
brow of the dying Pagan, Christian, Jew. It has kissed
the tears from the cheek of dying Infidel — for Jesus said,
" love even thine enemies." In the last hours loving lips
have whispered words of hope and consolation. Thanks
to this grand army of charity that have so blessed suffer-
ing humanity in all ages. Thanks to these noble souls
who have so often, with tears of pity, moistened the pillow
of the death-bed of friend and foe.
The bigot, or the hypocrite, has not one-half the power
to destroy liberty and the rights of man in the nineteenth
century, as the demogogue or the unjust partisan, who
slanders his opponents on the one side and, with infamous
hypocrisy, conceals the villany of his own partisans. In
truth, since our Fathers so wisely divorced church and state,
there is no danger of a subversion of the state by the
church, but there can be no constitutional barrier against
the demagogue, if he can, with his eloquence, deceive and
betray the people to ruin.
The love of liberty is natural in the human heart. The
RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT. 197
demogogue opens the pathway for the ambition of the
despot. Bigotry and intolerance produce the infidel and
the atheist. The first are the silent, unseen assassins of
faith, hope, and charity, while the latter are the open
and armed enemies of all religion. They are both dog-
matic, presumptuous, intolerant and void of charity. They
carr}' in their pockets rules to measure other men's in-
telligence. The bigot has a narrow creed or theology
to judge men's faith in a religion that is infinite in its
magnanimity and grandeur. The infidel measures all by
a materialistic view, and all that do not come up to his
standard, are fools or knaves ; and thus, they both are
waging relentless war on faith, hope, and charity.
The political partisan, actuated by ambition, is the
deadly foe of liberty.
The bigot and the intolerant are the deadly enemies
of faith, hope, and charity.
We do not love liberty less, we do not love faith, hope,
and charity less, but we love them more, for they have
been betrayed by their pretended friends.
Bigotry and intolerance, void of charity, with their
narrow creeds, have filled the world with woe. Their
pathways have been marked in all ages, with agony and
tears. Often has Christianity been assassinated in the
house of its friends, and thus put arguments in the
mouths of its open enemies to destroy its virtues. Had
it not been so, long centuries back, faith, hope, and
charity, w^ould have blessed the nations of the earth.
The great mind of Napoleon gave utterance in sub-
stance to this thought. Alexander, Hannibal, and Ccesar
conquered empires, and were renowned in antiquity, and
their names have survived the centuries. Jesus is above
198 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
them all, with a life of perfect humility. He is remem-
bered for his love of mankind; surely he was more than
mortal. Here then Napoleon struck the living, vital
principal that is imperishable, and will survive as long as
human heart throbs in human breast.
It is the faith, hope, and charity, offered to man in
his dreary pilgrimage on earth.
THE EXILES. 199
BOOK XIII.
I.
The Exiles.
Napoleon is imprisoned on the Island of St. Helena.
Mysterious destiny. Are the marvellous triumphs of this
peerless man to close forever? Such was the decree of
the Supreme will. Why this was so we" know not, the
Infinite mind alone knows. Perhaps he had violated
some supreme law of justice, for which there was no
pardon. Perhaps there was a period in his strange,
wonderful life, when destiny gave him the power to
choose between good and evil, and said to him, here are
two roads in thy life, choose for thyself.
The one is Josephine, and the love of the people,
Marengo, Jena, Austerlitz, Victory, Liberty, Republic for
France, and the doctrine of self-government, secured to
his country forever, the love and praise of mankind, the
approval of divine justice, with a triumph unsurpassed in
history.
The other was divorce from Josephine, and wed the
queenly Louisa, and get a throne among the kings, furnish
France with a line of kings ; betrayed and imprisoned on
the Island of Elba, escape, again betrayed on the field
of Waterloo, again exiled on the Island of St. Helena, to
die in despair.
When he divorced Josephine perhaps he divorced his
good angel as well as the hearts of the people. Who
knows ? God knows.
200 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
II.
Louisiana.
In the fore part of this century there were two Frencla-
men, by the name of Harrold who purchased and moved
into a small plantation not very far from the city of
New Orleans.
They were represented as brothers. The younger one
was named Francis Harrold, the elder one Claude. Francis
was very lively and cheerful, while Claude was much more
thoughtful, and at times looked and acted as if some sad
and sorrowful memory was resting upon his heart.
He was very reserved, and had but little communication
with his neighbors, and in fact, never, without he was
engaged in performing some act of charity or friendship.
There were many of their friends who nrade inquiries
with regard to Claude, that did not arise from mere selfish
curiosity. They did not think that this man was sad from
remorse, or conscious guilt.
They would say this : " He is a good man, I am sure
of that. I would like to know why he is so sad at times,
for perhaps it is in my power to assist him, which I would
like so much to do."
He was very industrious, worked hard, both himself and
Francis. They lived well and comfortably. The planta-
tion was small, and everything was in order and looked
neat and tidy. The house was a one story cottage, with
four rooms on the first floor, and with one or two sleeping
rooms in the other story formed by the high peaked
French gables. Back of the house, there was a long line
LOUISIANA. 20 1
of high, dense forests of oak, Cyprus, and wahiut, inter-
spersed with magnolia. It rose up clear cut from the
cultivated fields, and at the dim twilight hour looked like
an army of mighty giants standing as sentinels over this
happy home.
The interior of the house was plain, neat, and com-
fortable, in its outfit. The walls were decorated with
French lithographs of scenes in France. In one of the
rooms there was an oil painting of great excellence as
a work of art. It was the picture of a French officer on
horseback, dashing along on the shore of a sea. In the
back ground was a perfect representation of a volcano,
sending forth its lurid flames.
The person represented was no ordinary personage.
His appearance was peculiarly impressive. And the lights
and shadows of the burning volcano gave the whole work
a cast of gloomy grandeur.
They made frequent visits to New Orleans to see their
friend, Pierre Lavasse, and a very special kind one he
had been to the brothers, both Francis and Claude.
The city of New Orleans was very much indebted for
her great prosperity to the enterprising Frenchmen who
had emigrated there. Every commercial city of France
had its representatives in all the departments of commerce
and industry.
Our friend, Pierre Lavasse, referred to in a former
chapter, and the friend of Captain Smith, had been
instrumental in procuring this, plantation for the brothers
Harrold, and bad also sold them a negro boy, called
Tom, who was of great value to them every way.
When the neighbors failed to draw from either Claude
or Francis Harrold where they came from, and some clue
202 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
to their former histor}^, they commenced to question Tom
on the subject.
Tom would say, " I cum from New Orleans, sar, and
dar I fus met massa Harrold. He axed me, 'Tom, you
go wid me to plantation ? ' I look at him face, and I says,
' Yes, massa, Tom go wid. you sure.'"
When they asked Tom where he came from, he gave
them all the information on that subject desired.
"I cum from New Orleans, sar; been raised dar.
Belong to massa Pierre Lavasse. One day, dis long ago,
massa Pierre, he say to me, ' Tom, you be one good boy,
by jingo, and he say, I want to sell you Tom, but I no
sell you 'cept you want to go wid de man what want you,
Tom.' Den I sa}^, ' Who am de man, massa Pierre ? ' Den
he say, ' massa Harrold am de man.' Well, den I says,
' massa, him all right. I go wid massa Harrold.' So you
see Tom am here."
Tom lived here with perfect equalit}', .as far as comforts
of life were concerned. His yoke was easy, and his
burdens light, but no man knows so well how the human
soul longs to be released from bondage, as he who has
been enslaved. And how the heart throbs when he sees
the dawn of his emancipation. And no one knows the
joys of liberty, so well as the heart that has felt the
warmth of its generous flame,
If Tom had even been emancipated by his master
Harrold, he would not have left him. There were
thousands of negroes who fled from comfortable homes
and kind masters, far away into the cold, cheerless climate
of Canada, and thus rent asunder the dearest ties that
cling to the human heart, the love of home. And when
far, far away, their hearts were ever turning to that dear
LOUISIANA. 203
place where the old folks stay. You may think it
strange they should leave when well treated, and loved
their homes ; the place of their birth, with all of this
attachment, so very strong and natural with the negro.
The cause was mainly owing to the dreadful fate that
hangs over every human being in bondage.
When I say that a love of home, kindred, and friends,
is natural with the negro, I mean to be understood as
asserting that no people in this world are more strongly
attached to the place of their birth, or have more love,
attachment, and gratitude, for those who treat them
kindly, than the negro race.
The French people, as a class, were not hard task-
masters, when you compare them with the emigrants from
the Northern States, in the South.
It was generally conceded, that emigrants from the
Northern States were more exacting, and cruel, with their
slaves, as a class, than the native-born slaveholder.
But it is a joyful thing that legalized bondage no longer
exists in any State in the Union. Glad, and full of thanks,
should we be that it is ended, and we hope forever.
The price paid for this emancipation, however, was
great. It has left sad and mournful memories in
thousands of once happy-homes, North and South. The
money and time wasted and thrown away, was nothing in
the balance, against the lives of thousands of noble,
heroic men, who fell on the battle-fields.
They were all our countrymen, both North and South.
Noble hearts, that had throbbed in unison, at the very
name of Bunker Hill, fell in battle as foes ; engaged the
one against the other, in deadly strife. It was brother
slaying brother. Countrymen against countrymen. It
was the horrible, ghastly picture of national suicide.
1
2 04 EXILES OF LOUISIAI^A.
It is vain and idle to talk about who was to blame for
this calamity.
The North exercised no degree of charity towards the
South, and the South became frenzied with passion, and
rushed madly to their destruction.
The demagogues, both North and South, actuated by
ambition, absolutely seized these wild passions of the
people for selfish purposes, and led them into war, and
disunion.
There never was a time when, if the North and South
had have acted together in a patriotic and charitable
spirit, and taken the advice of such men as Clay, Webster,
Lincoln, and Douglass, the Union could not have been
preserved in peace, and the gradual emanciiiation of the
negro secured in the end.
I say Lincoln, because he never was in favor, in prin-
ciple, of any other mode of emancipation, except gradual
emancipation on the basis of peace. No man ever heard
him utter any opinions or sentiments that were calculated
in any way to arouse the passions of hate, or enmity,
against any section of the country.
And yet it is passing strange that even at this day you
will find men of great and commanding talents, for base and
selfish purposes, still striving to keep alive the fires of hate,
malice, and revenge. And some of them think that recon-
ciliation, charity, and patriotic forbearance, and peace, are
of far less consequence than securing the spoils of office,
by a party triumph.
It .would be far better to inform the people of this
country what were the mistakes made that produced this
terrible loss of life. What were the mistakes made that
have postponed peace and reconciliation, and have preserved
LOUISIANA. 205
the Union, only in name, with a cold, lifeless form, void
of heart and soul.
In future times, the uncharitable dealers in vituperation,
North and South, will be regarded as the disturbers of the
public peace. And though, perhaps not always designedly,
they were, in fact and in truth, acting as absolute enemies
to the peace and prosperity of the Union.
III.
The war of 18 12 with England is over. The conflict was
short and decisive. The victory of Andrew Jackson, over
Packingham, here at New Orleans, was one of the grandest
achievements in our history. The naval engagements were
marked, on the part of the Yankee sailor, with a heroism
unsurpassed.
Captain Ethan Allen Smith had done what he said he
would. He placed his gallant ship, the Lafayette, on a
war footing ; received some iron dogs from the govern-
ment ; took Charley Convors as first lieutenant ; entered
the service, and struck many a valiant blow on the side
of justice and liberty. The war over, the Lafayette is
again engaged in legitimate commerce.
Our good old friend, Pierre Lavasse, is still in New
Orleans, the same honest, sincere, open-hearted French-
man, as when first we saw him on board the Lafayette, greet-
ing his friend. Captain Ethan Smith, on his return from
the Mediterranean. They still indulged a little in their
bumpers, by the way of toasts to the respective flags
of the United States and France. On their first meet-
ing and last parting, they were not, however, intemperate
2o6 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
in their habits. Madame Lavasse was still the kind,
amiable wife, mother, and friend, still presiding, with
graceful dignity, over the old-fashioned mansion of
Pierre Lavasse.
On one occasion, when Pierre met Captain Smith, he
said to him, "I tell you Captain Smit, you'r best judge
of a man in dese United States sure, by jingo."
" I really believe you'r right, Pierre. When I see a man
sailing over the waters, I can tell if he will answer the
helm of duty, and come up square to the work laid out for
him to do. Let us take a small drink to the health of
these Exiles I have brought over the waters to this land
of liberty."
" I will drink to that toast sure, my best friend, Captain
Smit. But let me tell you how you be good judge of man.
Good many years ago, before ze war, I ask you to get me
good clerk."
•'Well, Pierre, did I not get him for you ? "
"Yes, by jingo; listen! You git me good clerk. You
git de United States good soldier. You git Pierre Lavasse
good partner. You git my dear daughter Eva a good
husband. By jingo. Captain Smit, Charley Convors good
for everytings ; best boy in dis town."
"I knew it when I recommended him. And Charley
and Eva are married, Pierre ; well done, God bless them,
Pierre 1 And now, Pierre, the only thing I regret is, that
I was not present at this marriage. But Mrs. Lavasse,
Caroline, Charley, and Eva, are all well, are they ? "
" All well. Captain Smit, very happy, and all looking
anxious for our old friend. Captain Smit ! "
" Well, Pierre, we must drink the health of Charley and
Eva, for it is the best news I have heard for some time."
FRANCISCO. 207
" We feel indebted to our good friend, the captain, for
this, and I send the boy and carriage down to the ship for
3'ou to come to mansion and stay with us as usual."
" Thank you, Pierre ; thank you. I will avail myself
of the great pleasure of spending a large portion of my
time with your amiable and happy family."
IV.
Francisco.
It is now far advanced in the year 18 16. Claude
Harrold is still living on his little plantation, where
everything is cheerful and blooming with industry, econ-
omy, and thrift. The faithful Tom is still with him, and
strongly attached to his benevolent master. Francis is no
longer with him, and he has in his place his mother and
wife. The neighbors no longer ask the question, " Why
is such a good man so often sad and sorrowful ? "
They say now, that it is strange he should have lived
so long without them, and as this subject is never intro-
duced by Claude himself, it has passed away with the
years that have gone.
What had become of Francis, was a question that was
often asked. This question was generally answered by
the knowing ones in this way : —
" About a year ago there came to the city of Ncav
Orleans, with Captain Smith, a strange looking Italian
nobleman, whose general appearance indicated either in-
sanity, or a remarkable degree of eccentricity of char-
acter. He had with him an intelligent, smart man, who
2o8 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
acted as secretary, companion, and servant. There was no
lack of money, and he had a perfect passion for doing
deeds of kindness and charity. No one knew his name,
and he was designated as the strange Italian count. The
name of his companion was Cah^etti. They were well
acquainted with Pierre Lavasse, and Charley Convors,
and Claude Harrold. It was stated that when this
strange Italian count left the city of New Orleans on the
Lafayette, commanded by Captain Smith, Francis, Claude's
brother, went with them on the same vessel, but where
he or the count went, no one knew, or by the most diligent
curiosity could ever find out."
Questions were sometimes asked Claude where his
brother had gone, and he answered by saying that Francis
was a young man, and had gone out into the world to seek
his fortune.
There were no great changes made in this pleasant
home as to style or adornment. Everything was neat,
tidy, and had a happy look.
As to inmates, the change was remarkable. An elderly
lady, with a pleasant, neat appearance was there, re-
presented as the mother of Claude and Francis.
There was also a middle-aged lady, with a sweet, plain-
tive smile on her face, said to be the wife of Claude
Harrold. The joy of the mother and wife appeared to be
in their love and devotion to Claude.
Negro Tom was delighted with his old missus, and the
young missus. This sable son of Africa, stood ready at
all times, with the gratitude of his race, to do or to make
any sacrifice for their comfort and happiness. Tom was
often sent to New Orleans for suiDpIies for the house, and
he never failed to go to the Pierre Lavasse mansion, to see
his c'ood old masser and missus.
FRANCISCO. 209
The lives of those who dwell in this cottage was like
a long summer day, full of joy and sunlight, with perfect
peace. Nothing occurred to disturb this serene and quiet
mode of life, until about the year 1825 or '26.
Well on towards night-fall, Tom came into the cottage
all excitement and alarm. The white of his expanded eye-
lids gave him a look of terror.
"Mass Claude," he said, "I believe de harry cane is
comin', sure."
" Why do you think so, Tom," said Claude.
" I tell you, massa, de sea am gone up in the sky, and
de sky am green as the sea. De sun am gone away
behind de big green sky, der am no black clouds massa,
and it am so berry still you can hear a pin drop. By and
by you hear him roar ober in de woods yonder ; den he
bery soon bust up eberyting. Down come de cotton, de
corn, and de big trees, and maybe de house. Hope not
massa. Listen massa, hear him comin'."
Claude looked at the sky, and as Tom said, the sky had
the strange, peculiar tint and appearance of the ocean at
rest, with a deep, blue, greenish cast. The setting sun
was concealed, not in the usual appearance of a clouded
sky, with the storm outlined ; but the whole sky was cov-
ered with this peculiar tint.
He listened, and as Tom had said, he heard distinctly
over the woods, and off in the west a moaning sound, that
was evidently growing louder, and drawing nearer.
A frightened deer came out of the forest, pursued by
the huntsman's eager hounds ; passed through the field,
and fled towards the distant bayou ; and night and dark-
ness came, and with them the howling tempest. It was as
if the demon of the air had let loose his armed myr-
2IO EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
midons commanding them to destroy and desolate the
earth. The angry^ winds swept the fields, destroyed the
promise of harvest, and dashed to the earth at times
the majestic forest trees. The rain fell in torrents. The
thunder rolled, and the lightning's lurid flash blazed
athwart the sky.
Hark ! a cry for help ! Ah, Claude Harrold, little do
you at this moment dream of the loved one, who, amidst
this beating storm, calls on you for help ! Never, never in
your life will you forget that cry for help ! Little do you
dream that for the one who cries " Save me, or I perish ! "
you would gladly quit fortune, life, and everything on
earth, but honor, to save him from death. The quick
discernment of the slave Tom was the first to hear, even
above the roar of the wild storm, that agonizing cry for
help. And little did he think that from that moment
destiny had decreed, that the chains of bondage had
fallen from his limbs, and that no man on earth could call
him slave again.
It was the hour of his emancipation. He says, " Masser
Harrold, I hear some one out yonder towards de wood cry
for help,"
" Is it possible, Tom, that any poor unfortunate can be
out in such a tempest? "
He listened, and above the noise of the fearful storm,
he heard a wailing cry for help. Claude had by accident
set a light in the window looking out towards the forest,
and the lost stranger who cried for help, had been long
and bravely trying to reach this light in the window, to
him so full of hope in this hour of peril.
Claude looked out of the window, and when the flash
of lightning was vivid and bright, he saw a human being
THE FLOWER-GIRL. 211
struggling with the elements for the last time, for while he
looked the man fell forward on his face, apparently ex-
hausted. Claude, quick as thought, caught an object in
the forest to mark the line where he fell. He and Tom
rushed to the place, regardless of the elements that
appeared to be engaged in a war of destruction. They
reached him, and found him exhausted and helpless, and
apparently lifeless. Soon he was in the arms of these
two stout, brave men, and was carried safely and tenderly
to the place of refuge, where kind hearts would watch
over him with unceasing care, until he was warmed back
into life, hope, and joy.
The life of the hunter is saved, and it is hoped that the
poor fleeing deer has escaped the fangs of the ruthless
pursuing hounds.
The stranger was so exhausted in his efforts to reach the
cottage that he was near his last hour, and far from being
conscious of where he was, or what had happened. His
clothing was completely saturated with the drenching rain.
Claude, with the aid of Tom, soon had him laid on a soft
couch with dry clothing. Then came the tender, loving
charge of tlie good old mother, and the wife, so true, so
loving, with a heart that had through years and years
of service, with faithful charity for all who suffered in mis-
fortune, for all whose sad life appealed for pity and com-
passion.
Soon it was evident that good nursing was restoring him
to life^ animation, and consciousness. With gentle slumber,
and sweet repose and quiet, and the stranger passed the
night, and did not awake until the morning sun with
golden beams, proclaimed the glad tidings that the storm
had ended, and once more there was peace on earth.
212 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
BOOK XIV.
PALACE VILANI.
I.
The Flower-Girl,
When Phidias wrought out of the dull marble, the won-
derful figure of the Olympian Jupiter, he made a fame that
was imperishable. The inspiration of his exalted genius
gave immortality to every touch of his supreme skill. He
worked far better than he knew,
Iphi, the Greek flower girl, without ambition, without
pride, had become the absolute mistress of the Vilani pal-
ace. Not by force of human genius, but by that power,
born of truth and love, crowned with the never-fading
laurels of victory.
She had dispelled the sombre shadows of evil that had
in former years gathered around this household. She had
saved a soul that was on the verge of the abyss. She had
saved a human being from the ghastly death of the gibbet,
and placed her in the arms of the angels of charity and
mercy, who hailed her as a new born sister, and breathed
into her soul the joy of an immortal life. She wrought
better than she knew.
It was not like the triumph of the genius of art or of
v.ar ; it was the triumph of virtue, working by the inspira-
tion of the Infinite on a human soul on earth, dwelling in
accord with his attributes of love and m.ercy.
THE INSANE COUNT'S RETURN. Page 215.
THE FLOWER-GIRL. 215
About the period of time that Uncle Louis had received
a letter from Paul Lorraine, well on towards the close of
day, the Lady Countess De Vilani and Iphi, were on the
grand portico of the palace, enjoying the delightful breeze
wafted from the sea. The countess was seated on a capa-
cious arm-chair, fashioned somewhat after the seat Phidias
had carved for his Grecian Jupiter. Iphi was standing
leaning with an arm resting gently on the shoulder of the
countess, occasionally looking out on the glad waters with
golden, rippling lights, and azure shadows ; again upon
the happy, joyful Countess De Vilani, whom she loved so
well. She had the heaven-born tenderness of a mother's
love. The lost had been found. The sea of despair had
thrown up upon its shining shore the priceless pearl that
vice had thrown into its dark waters. Iphi's love was like
the love of the good-hearted father, who killed the fatted
calf for the returning prodigal, coming back to the hearth
and home of his childhood years.
The faith, hope, and charit}^, that now glowed upon the
classic features of the countess, made her charming. The
base flatterers, who in her days of pride and ambition,
had bowed to her the knee of heartless praise and adula-
tion, had departed far away in the distance, and knew her
not; while to the good, the true, and the virtuous, she was
as a priceless jewel that had been returned to its casket.
Had Angelo carved from marble the image of Iphi,
with her face so radiant with love for her dear countess,
the work of art would have passed down through the com-
ing ages as the poetic ideal of the good and the beautiful.
With joy, Iphi exclaimed, " Oh, my dear lady ! I see
such a beautiful ship coming into the harbor. It has such
a beautiful flag on the top-gallant mast. It must be a good
ship, my lady, for it sails so proudly over the waters. I
2i6 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
will go get the large telescope, and will make out what is
the name of the ship, and the country of the flag."
" Well, dear Iphi, just as you please," said the countess.
Soon Iphi returned, arranged the telescope, and fixed it
upon the advancing ship.
" My lady," exclaimed Iphi. " It has thirteen stars on
an azure field, on the upper corner, next the staff."
" What else is there on the flag ? " asked the countess.
" It has stripes running horizontally, alternating with
red, white, and blue. And, my lady, the flag is so beauti-
ful ! The ship moves along on the waters so gracefully
with its flag of shining stars. It looks like a ship of dream-
land, coming out of the sky upon the joyful, dancing
waters, of tlie sea."
" Dearest Iphi, it is the flag of the young Republic across
the western sea. Each star represents a state. The red,
the white, and the blue, are emblems of liberty, equality,
and fraternity. The stripes, or bands, are emblems of
cruel oppression. The brave sons of this land of freedom,
assembled together as brothers upon the broad plan of
equality and said to one another, ' We will be free. No
longer shall the tyrant rule over us ; we will strike imtil
every band is riven. Our battle-cry, liberty or death.'
They were victorious, and now, instead of stripes and
bondage, they are free and among the constellation of
nations. These states, are in truth, stars."
" Oh, my lady," exclaimed Iphi, " is that not beautiful.
This then is the land of the star-spangled banner. ' The
land of the free and the home of the brave.' Surely God
must have been with them, when they were so weak and
helpless, and struggling with the most powerful nation in
the world."
THE-FLOWER GIRL. 217
" Yes, dearest Iphi, God was ever present with them and
their commander and chief, Washington. Can you tell the
name of the ship ? "
" I will look, my lady, and as the ship has got much
nearer to us, I think I can find the name."
After a little time, Iphi discovered the name on a
streamer pendant from the same mast to whicli was fas-
tened the flag. It read, " The Lafayette of New Orleans."
"My lady," exclaimed Iphi, "the ship is called 'The
Lafa3-ette of New Orleans.' "
" That is so appropriate, Iphi, it is in honor of that
brave and good man who went from France to those States
with an army of Frenchmen, to assist them in their strug-
gle for liberty."
" Then, my lady, they must love and honor Lafayette
and France, for such noble, generous aid, in the hour of
their great adversity."
" They do honor Lafayette, and such noble and brave
people are always grateful. Whenever the artists of Italy
paint a picture, or carve a statue of Washington, they
make one for Lafayette, for they were twin brothers in the
cause of American liberty."
" Oh, my lady, you have made me love that country so
much. I believe it is designed as an asylum for the op-
pressed of ev^eiy land. How I would like to go there and
see those people, whose actions have been so glorious."
"Yes, Iphi, this Republic is grand and glorious. It has
a golden promise of greatness far beyond, and brighter
than the ancient republics of Greece and Rome. Their
government to-day, as far as a government can make
mortal man feel that he is a man, and exalt him to the
proud position of a perfect freemen is far, ^ ery far ahead
2i8 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
of any government that has yet appeared on earth. It
has filled the whole western sky with radiant splendor.
The good and the true everywhere, in every clime and
country hail it as the morning star of promise to all
mankind ; that the day of complete redemption from
all and every kind of bondage has been inaugurated on
earth."
Iphi threw her arms around the neck of the countess,
exclaiming, " Oh, my lady, how I love you for these noble
words. How I thank our heavenly Father that you are
now so true and good, and that you have gifts of beauty,
talent, and generous love, and mercy for mankind."
The countess kissed the cheek of the flower-girl, and
for an instant tears of gratitude sparkled in her eyes.
" I have just thought of it, Iphi ; you recollect that
Alonzo has been telling us how finely Francisco and Cal-
vetti have been getting along, travelling all through the
United States, and that he could not tell what moment
they would come home and settle down in retirement, and
further, that Francisco was much improved since he left
Leghorn, and who knows but they may be on this very ship
that has just arrived in the harbor. I will take the tele-
scope, dear Iphi, and see if I can determine anything fur-
ther about this American ship, that has been so very inter-
esting to us both." The countess took the glass, and
after examining the vessel for a little time, she said to
Iphi, " She has cast anchor." The boat is lowered, and
the passengers are preparing to go ashore. I see the cap-
tain of the vessel, with the dress of an American sea-cap-
tain. He is a large, commanding man in person, and
looks like a brave, noble man ; fit representative of such
a people as the Americans. T see a passenger descending
THE FLOWER GIRL. 219
to the boat; mercy! I believe it is Francisco Vilani, and
there stancHng in the boat to receive him is Calvetti.
Is it not strange. There is a third man whom I cannot rec-
ognize, standing beside Calvetti. You take the glass, Iphi,
and see if you can make out who this stranger is, who is
evidently a companion of Francisco and Calvetti."
Iphi took the glass, raised it to the proper position.
'' My dearest lady, I see the strange-looking man who
came to our cottage to plead with me to come to the pal-
ace, and dwell with the Lady Verono, to be to her a sister
and friend. Although, my lady, it is many years ago, yet
I readily recognize him as the person."
" And oh, my dearest Iphi, how I do thank thee and
him, that you made the promise and have kept it so well."
" And, dear lady," said Iphi, '' God knows you have
more than paid me, by love and affection, for any favor I
may have bestowed on you."
Iphi then turned the glass on the stranger. Oh, how
unspeakable was the joy in Tphi's heart, when she recog-
nized in the stranger, her long loved, long mourned, long
lost Jean. It seemed to her that God spoke and said to
her, Iphi, did I not tell thee in the hours of thy deep
affliction, that I would never forsake thee, and that it
should ever be well with thee and thine ?
Iphi's heart was so full that she could say nothing. She
sank upon the seat, buried her face in her hands, and tears
of joy relieved the deep emotion of her heart.
The Lady Countess was bewildered and amazed. She
fcxclaimed, " Oh, dearest Iphi, answer me, pray tell nie,
my beloved, what means it ? "
The Lady Countess caught the words, " It is my Jean,
my dear, long-lost Jean."
2 20 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
Then she knew all, saw it all. She threw her arms
around Iphi and said, " Iphi, has not our Father in heaven
been sjood to us ? "
II.
Captain Ethan Smith.
It was the good ship Lafayette, with our friend, Captam
Ethan Allen Smith. When the ship was approaching the
harbor of Leghorn, Frank Harrold, whom Iphi had recog-
nized as her long-lost Jean, was standing on the forecastle
deck, talking to Captain Smith.
"Well, my dear boy, here we are back to Leghorn,"
said the captain, to Frank ; " some changes have taken
place since you and I sailed out of this harbor. The
crazy count has told me all about the noble girl, Frank,
you left behind you, and we have fixed up things nicely for
you. By Moses, Frank, she is equal to the best Vermont
girl that can be produced. I am proud of you, Frank,
and I am proud of your girl, she is the genuine stuff,
Frank, I will stand to you and her all my born days. You
see, Frank, the count, and his' man Friday, and myself,
have fixed all this in our own way, my boy, and never took
your advice."
"Oh, my dear friend," said Frank, "you have done so
much for me, and for my brother Claude, how can I ever
repay you ? "
" Frank, j^ou are at the old story ; never can pay me.
What pay do I want my boy ? Nothing Frank, nothing.
Ever since that night, Frank, you remember my boy — not
CAPTA IN E THAN SMITH. 2 2 1
very far from here — you have taken hold of my old
weather-beaten heart right along."
" My dearest and best friend," said Frank, " I thank
you so for your kindness. I do not know — "
" Stop ! stop Frank ! " said the captain ; " don't say that
word again, about pay ; hold up. By Moses, Frank, you
have paid me a thousand times, by filling my old weather-
beaten heart full of love for you, my boy,
'* Now, Frank, listen here ; this is the conspiracy formed
against you. Before this ship leaves this jolace, up in that
palace there you are to marry the best, the prettiest girl in
all Italy. By Moses, that is the long and the short of the
yarn. Frank Harrold, in connection with Pierre Lavasse
& Co., of New Orleans, will establish a Commission and
Forwarding House in Leghorn, to run in connection with
the New Orleans House. This craft will run in connec-
tion with these two houses, besides a new craft that is on
the stocks at New Orleans. She will be a spanker. Do
you know what her name will be, my boy? "
" No, my best friend," said Frank ; "surely I do not."
" Well, Frank, she is already named * Iphi ; ' do you
understand, my boy ? It is all fixed, Pierre, Claude,
count, and his cashier, are all in for it, and so is
Charley."
'• My dear friend, I am so thankful to you for your
ceaseless kindness to me."
"That is all right, Frank, I know all -about that, you
know I do, but don't say pay any more, as if I was
selling favors as a merchant buys and sells goods. I do
not want any pay; would not take any pay, Frank. You
see, Frank, I have no kin in this world living ; all gone.
I love my country, the sea, and my three boys ; you know,
222 EXILES OF LOUIS/ANA.
Frank, what I mean ; yes, you will marry the pretty girl,
live here in Leghorn, right in the big joalace, I will travel
the sea, with my pet children at each end of the voyage ;
here I will have Frank and Iphi, over yonder I will have,
— you know Frank, — Charley and Eva, Claude and wife,
do you see, my boy ? won't that be joyful ? to have my
old weather-beaten heart so full of love for my adopted
children ? Now and then we can take sea voyages for
pleasure and amusement, and this old tar will close his
days full of happiness, until he slides over the vessel into
the deep, deep sea to his final rest."
" My dearest friend, your every wish shall be granted.
I will be guided in all things, to render you happy."
Calvetti stepped up to Captain Smith and said, " Mon-
sieur Captain, the count go along with me to the palace,
enter Alonzo's apartment by his own way. I will go with
him and prepare the way for your reception."
" Sensible to the last, my noble Calvetti ; humor the
count by all means. When you humor him and let him
have his own way, he acts and talks as sensible as any one ;
all right. Calvetti, humor the count, he has more good
sense than two-thirds of the people who call him insane ;
that he has. I have always noticed that he loves freedom
of action, or in other words, he loves liberty, and I am
thinking, if he had have had liberty, and social intercourse
in his youth, he would have had more sense, and more
genuine manhood than the men who kept him confined
to brood over his misfortune."
It was well on towards night, and it was concluded that
they would all go ashore, — Francisco and Calvetti, to the
palace, and Captain Smith and Frank, would return on
ship board, and in the morning, call on the inmates of the
palace.
CAPTAIN E THAN SMITH. 2 2 3
The plain seaman, Captain Smith, was embarrassed
with the idea that he was going to pay his address to an
actual countess, when he had never spoken to one.
Servants were waiting for them at the gate, and at the
entrance into the grand hall, from the portico. Alonzo
and the countess were ready to receive them in the draw-
ing-room. Alonzo advanced, and extended his hand to
the captain and Frank, in the most kind and cordial
manner, with a heartfelt welcome.
The captain seeing that a countess was just like other
very pretty women, stepped towards her and said, " Noble
lad}^ I am Captain Ethan Smith, of the ship Lafayette."
" And my friend," said the countess ; " I know you well,
you are most welcome to this house. Your good ship
carries that beautiful flag, the stars and stripes; ensign
of the grandest nation in the world. No one can be more
welcome, here in this house, than you, Captain Smith."
"Madam," said Captain Smith, "you are, perhaps, too
complimentary to an humble, rough seaman. But 1 thank
you a thousand times for the compliment you pay my dear
country and her flag."
" Never mind, Captain Smith, we all know 3'ou are a
good friend ; Francisco, Calvetti, and Alonzo here, have
told us about your kindness and generosity, and we are all
as happy to see you as if it were an old acquaintance. And
this young gentleman, is our dear, long-lost Jean. There
is a noble, true heart in this house, that will welcome Jean
with a joy that is unutterable."
The Countess De Vilani opened the large folding door
to the adjoining apartment, and Iphi, dressed in the plain-
est, neatest manner, appeared as beautiful and sweet as the
fresh-blown rose with its radiant beauty. She was the per-
224 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
sonification of nature's harmony and perfect simplicity.
Every one who saw her, mentally exclaimed, " Is she not
beautiful ? "
Her face was glowing with perfect joy. Jean moved
towards her. Iphi saw no one in the room except this long-
lost idol of her heart. She laid her hand upon his shoul-
der, and with a smile of love in her bright, beaming eyes,
and playing upon her sweet lips, said, " It is indeed, my
beloved, my long-lost, long-mourned, Jean. My best be-
loved, has not God been good to you and me, in the long
sad years that have passed away, thus to unite us again on
earth, that we may journey together to that better world,
in the future."
" Dearest Iphi, God alone knows how thankful I am for
the love of so true a heart as thine." And he kissed from
her cheek, the tear of joy that glistened there, as the em-
blem of the purity of her love and her gratitude for the
supreme happiness of this moment.
Captain Smith could not restrain himself, he was so much
overjoyed with the appearance of Frank's pretty girl, — as
he called her — that he came forward, grasped her hand,
and said, " Frank is my son, you are my daughter, you are
for all the world just like a very pretty American girl,
you are, by Mos — yes, that is a fact, and I am going to
have a kiss, Iphi, and I don't care the snap of my finger
if Frank does get^ jealous of me."
Frank replied by saying, " My dear friend, if you only
linew the fine things that Francisco and Calvetti have been
telling Iphi and the countess about your kindness and
generosity, to all their friends, you would see that I have
more cause to be jealous than you are aware of."
"Really, my boy," said the captain, "you have talked
CAPTAIN E THAN SMITH. 2 2 5
so much to me about Iphi, that I was in love with her be-
fore I saw her."
" Iphi, I have built a new ship, larger and better every
way than the ' Lafayette.' And what name do you sup-
pose I have given this fine ship ? "
" My dear friend, of course I cannot tell."
" I have named her ' Iphi, of Leghorn,' after the best
and prettiest girl in all Italy, by Mos — yes that is her
name."
" And this new ship you have built and called after me,
will carry the stars and stripes ; what an honor you have
paid me, our good friend."
' Yes, Iphi, she will ever carry aloft the starry banner, and
never shall that flag be taken down by the hands of an
American sailor at the bidding or command of an enemy.
They may sink her with shot and shell, but flag and ship
go down together."
"Oh, I am full of thanks to you for your kindness to
our dear friends, Captain. I have in the last few hours
learned all about your noble, generous actions, and I am
very grateful to you."
" Never mind about that, Iphi, it is nothing. I have
been paid and repaid a thousand times. Frank is a good
boy, and dear to me as if my own son. Never mind
about that, Iphi, I am nothing but a rough, weather-beaten
sea captain."
Frank and Iphi sat down and had some talk to them-
selves, not intended for other ears, while the countess,
Alonzo, and the captain, gathered off in one end of the
apartment, and were consulting and planning the welfare
and happiness of Jean and Iphj. Captain Smith seemed
anxious that Frank and Iphi should be married forthwith,
2 26 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
as the Lafayette was to depart in a few days for other ports
in the Mediterranean, before returning to New Orleans.
So it was concluded that the wedding should take place
that very evening. I'hey informed Frank and Iphi of their
conclusion, and the captain and Frank went out into the
city to make arrangements accordingly. That evening the
splendid apartment selected for this happy marriage was
beautifully decorated. There was present the aged parents
of Iphi, full of thankfulness that their lives had been pro-
longed to witness the marriage of their darling child to
her first love. They rejoiced that Jean was so worthy of
her, and had been so true and faithful in all things. They
had rejoiced in the good news that their favorite Louis
was doing so well.
Francisco was present with his strange, weird look, but
no one was more pleased with the happiness of these
young folks, than he. While sitting there and thinking
of Iphi, how nobly she had clung to Verono and saved
her, and that Verono was so happy and joyful, and so
miich changed for good, he mentally exclaimed, " Thanks !
thanks to this noble maiden, so full of true generosity ! "
Calvetti was jDresent, and to him it was a joyful occur-
rence ; he thought tliese events had worked wonders in
favor of his charge and ward, Francisco.
The priest was present, ready to perform the ceremony
at the ai^pointed hour. Jean and Iphi, accompanied by
Captain Smith and the countess, came into the apartment,
and Jean and Iphi were thus united in marriage by the
names of Frank Harrold and J phi V^ilani, as had been
agreed upon for certain reasons suggested by the good
sense of Calvetti and Captain Smith. Frank was to go
into business here in Leghorn, and it was deemed ad-
visable for him to use that name.
CAPTAIN E THAN SMITH. 227
It was further intended that Frank and Iphi would be
heirs to the greater portion of the family wealth, and then
his name would be changed by law to that of Vilani.
Thus virtue has triumphed, and these two faithful hearts
;have been crowned with all the earthly bliss that usually
^' fall to the lot of mankind.
The two sacks of gold, the one fastened with wire, the
other with a string, were in a few days opened and used as
a basis of starting the Forwarding and Commission House
in Leghorn, styled, The House of Harrold, Lavasse &
Co., composed of Pierre Lavasse and Charles Convors,
of New Orleans, and Francis Harrold, of Leghorn, and
connected with the House of Lavasse & Co., of New
Orleans.
These sacks of gold had remained for so many years,
that Iphi's good fortune had given her other means to help
the destitute, and the unfortunate, and it now formed the
basis of a commercial prosperity that blessed many a
human being with happiness.
The lives of the good old parents of Iphi, closed with
all the peace and harmony of a serene, cloudless sunset.
There was nothing in their lives that was marked with the
splendors of earth, but doubtless the portals of heaven
were swung wide open to receive them, and the angels of
love crowned them with wreaths of unfading splendor.
The Countess De Vilani and Iphi dwelt together with
the love of sisters. Jean was faithful in the discharge
of his duty, prompt, honest, and correct in all his business
transactions, and of course successful.
Francisco and Calvetti spent all their time in reforming
the outrageous abuses in Insane Asylums, and helping the
poor.
228 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
Alonzo was not idle, he had the means, the will, and
the nobleness of heart, to aid suffering humanity.
Iphi, the flower-girl, selling flowers, fruit, and vege-
tables in the market-place of Leghorn, to make a support
for a good old father and mother who had watched over
her in her infant years, and instilled in her young heart
the grand principles of truth and love, had turned this
palace of wealth, splendor, and crime, into an abiding
place of virtue, honor, truth, and love. She found it
darkened with the shadows of sin, she brought the
sunlight of perfect joy. It was the triumph of faith
and virtue. Her majestic soul was illumed with Prome-
thean fire from heaven's altar, and when in years back she
said, " I would sooner die than suffer dishonor," she had
put on the armor of Achilles, and defied the weapons
of the ruthless, merciless enemies of mankind.
This palace was the home of Iphi ; she was its sunlight,
its joy, its glory. She was like a column, carved with
peerless elegance and beauty, standing alone in grand sol-
itude, amidst the crumbling ruins of some ancient temple,
that had long since fallen, and left this solitary mark of its
departed grandeur.
ACHILLES MURAT MAKES HIMSELF KM^OWiC IN LOUISIANA. P:i-e2r 2.
THE STRANGER, 23]
BOOK XV.
THE STRANGER.
" 'Tis strange, because 'tis true."
The Stranger rescued from the tempest by Claude and
the negro boy Tom, arose at a late hour in the morning, re-
freshed and invigorated by sweet repose. He looked
around the neatly furnished little bed-room, and saw from
the pictures on the wall, and the fashion and form of
everything, that he was in the hands of his countrymen.
After he had made his toilet, Tom came into the apart-
ment with coffee and refreshments and said, " Massa, I
bring you something make you feel better, sure. "
The stranger thanked Tom for his kindness and fol-
lowed his advice, and found, as Tom had said, most excel-
lent viands for refreshment.
Claude, his mother, and wife, had assembled inthe sitting-
room adjoining the chamber, to receive the stranger and
pay him their addresses.
When the stranger advanced into the room, Claude met
him, grasped his hand and said, " Monsieur, you may
think my question somewhat indiscreet, but pardon me ;
your fac3 impresses me so strangely that I cannot refrain
from asking your name."
" My friend," he replied, " this is the only question I
cannot answer. I might give you a false name ; but he
232 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
who bears my name cannot lie, and I prefer to be silent;
and now I cannot consistently ask the name of my bene-
factor who has saved my life."
" The name I bear in this country is Claude Harrold.
I am not ashamed of my name in France ; but there are
reasons why I should be silent."
"It is the same with me," replied the stranger. "This
is your mother, and this lady is your wife.-'"
" Yes," replied Claude."
" I will never tell my name," continued the stranger,
" except to those who deserve to know it. I see you are
exiles from our beloved country, France. I see further,
that you are friends and will not betray me. I am Achilles
Murat, son of the late king of Naples."
At the mention of this great name, they bowed their
heads in love, veneration, and gratitude, and wept.
The prince being at this time a citizen of the United
States, seeing this excessive emotion, evidently beyond
control, was struck with great amazement. He stood
silent, thinking of this strange event. He was an exile
from his native country; had been out hunting for amuse-
ment ; a terrible storm came upon him. He saw a light
shining in the window of this humble cottage, and while
struggling to reach it, fell helpless and exhausted, and
his life was in peril. They heard his cry for help and
saved him from death. What can all this mean }
When Claude had become calm, after the astonishment
at the name of the stranger, he took him by the.hand and
led him to the picture we have described in a former chap-
ter, and drawing aside a veil that covered it, he said to the
prince, there is the picture of your glorious father. It
was a large painting, and represented the king of Naples
THE STRANGER. 233
on horseback, dashing along the shore of the sea, with
Vesuvius in the distance, belching forth lurid flames.
"Yes, it is your father, he is the divinity, the saint of this
household. To us all, he is next in devotion to the One
who is above all things of earth. All I have, he gave me-
I was condemned to death ; he gave me life. I was poor,
and all I have of property or goods, he gave me. And
now, if his son needs my arm, my property, my life, they
are his."
"Generous, noble man ! " replied the prince; "it is the
image of my beloved father. But in the name of heaven,
tell me ! who are you that thus worship the memory of
my father.? And yourself, your good old mother, and
wife, cannot refrain from tears, at the mention of his
name. Who can )'0U be .-* tell me.'"'
" I am Paul Lorraine. This is my dear, old mother.
This, my beloved wife, Annetta."
" Why, that cannot be ! Let us be seated, and I will
tell you. My father often spoke with great tenderness of
Paul Lorraine, Jean, and Louis, who were executed at Leg-
horn ; also of your good mother, and your wife Annetta,
and of a Greek maiden, called Iphi, who loved Jean ten-
derly. I was so much interested in this event, that I ex-
amined the record of the garrison at Leghorn, and it was
recorded, that on the 19th day of June, a. d. 1808,
Paul Lorraine, Jean Gendron, and Louis Dejon, were shot
for mutiny and insubordination, with a note on the margin,
in my father's own handwriting. These young men died
heroic. They died more in honor, than dishonor. ^I hey
deserve to be honored, for they accepted death rather than
dishonor. How can it be, that you are Paid Lorraine?
Perhaps you can explain this strange mystery?"
234 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
" Dear brother ! I call you dear brother, for you are as
dear to me as a brother. 1 told you that your father had
given me life when I was condemned to die. On the even-
ing of the 1 8th of June, a. d. i8o8, we were led into the
presence of your father, then king of Naples, to receive
the sentence of death. Your father could hardly restrain
his sorrow for us when he was condemning us to death.
He seemed to be moved with intense pity and compassion.
We left his presence with no other thought than to prepare
for death on the following day. We never thought of
pardon, for that was impossible, as your father had, on his
own responsibility, modified the absolute commands of
the emperor, to put to death every man who was acting in
mutiny, without even a court martial. We were marched
to the place of execution, prepared to die. I noticed
that the officiating sergeant did not belong to the regi-
ment, and was unknown to me. The two men who brought
the coffins on trunnels, were also strangers, and were act-
ing as undertakers. We were placed at the head of our
respective coffins, while a platoon was marched out of the
regiment. We stood facing the platoon, twenty paces dis-
tant. When all was ready, the sergeant took us by the
hand, and while kissing us on the cheek, quickly and dis-
tinctly said to each of us, fall at the word fire. Saved.
We saw at once what it meant ; that your father had
planned to save our lives ; keep the good will of the em-
peror, and set an example to the army, that such breaches
of discipline had to be punished with death.
We fell at the fire of the platoon. The two strangers
came forward, and, with the assistance of the sergeant,
we were placed in the coffins. The platoon was marched
into the regiment, and the regiment marched back into
THE STRANGER. 235
the garrison. Being on the outside of the Pisan gate, we
were not far from the cemeter}-. By some kind of
contrivance, the lids of the coffins were fastened, yet
we could with some difficulty breathe. By this time it
was quite dark. When we reached the cemeter}^ g^te,
there was some conversation which I could not hear
distinctly, but we moved on again, and soon were at the
place where three graves had been dug to receive us.
We were hastily taken out of the coffins, and our dress
as soldiers of France was taken off, and we each put on
the blue uniform of American seamen, while our French
uniforms were put in the coffins and buried in the graves.
The sergeant gave us each a paclcage containing one
thousand francs, with an order to the officers in charge of
the ship, Lafayette, laying in the harbor, to receive us as
employees. This order was signed by Captain Ethan
Smith. We also had a pass from the king of Naples,
with instructions to destroy it when safe on board of
ship.
We could not read these orders, for it was quite dark,
but were informed of their contents. Then we were led to
a back passage of the cemeter}^, with directions what
course to take to reach the vessel in the harbor.
When on board the ship, we recognized Captain Smith
and the mate, as the persons who had assisted in the exe-
cution and burial of the empty coffins.
When we were out on the sea, and under way with full
sail, you can form no idea, my dear Prince, of the love and
gratitude that Louis, Jean, and myself, felt towards your
father for thus preserving our lives.
It was very sad and distressing for me to leave my
molher, and my wife, and my dear native land ; for Jean
236 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
to leave Iphi, whom he loved so well ; and Louis his dear
jDarents. But we were young and full of hope ; and thanks
to our heavenly Father that our- hopes have been realized.
Captain Smith informed us that on the morning of the
day of the execution, your father sent for him, desiring
very strongly for him not to fail, as he wanted to see him
on pressing business. When together it was planned that
one of the king's faithful attendants should attend to the
execution, as a sergeant of his body guard. Captain Smith
was to bring an assistant, and to come with coffins as
undertakers, with the dress of an American seaman in
each coffin, to be exchanged in the cemetery.
Captain Smith, in relating this inten'iev\', said that
when your father told him what kind of boys we were,
he said to your father, "By Moses, he would see the boys'
through; take 'em to New Orleans and set them up."
The prince heard this strange recital with astonishment,
and saw in it a new development of the noble-hearted
character of his father. " He performed this act of mercy,
to gratify the goodness of his heart, and thus conceal it
from the world. Is it not very strange that I should have
been in a storm, my life in peril, and you, of all the men
on this earth, should come to me and save me from death ? "
Annetta, in her sweet, plaintive tone of voice, said
to him, " Dear Prince, it is not strange ; you were sent to
us so that we could express to the son our love and grati-
tude for the father who saved the life of our dear Paul.
God said to Paul, there is one dying in the tempest, whom
you love with a brother's love, and you would give every-
thing to save him from death. Put a light in the window
to lead hirn to this house of refuge, under the protection
of a love that will endure beyond the grave. God surely
THE STRANGER. 237
has done this all for us." The voice and manner of
Annetta was so full of pathos that tears stood in the eyes
of the prince as he listened to the sincere and earnest
avowal, that God had directed him to this humble cot
for pi'otection.
The prince now inquired of Paul, where this Captain
Smith was at the present time. Paul informed him that
he was still engaged in the shipping business, between the
ports of the Mediterranean and New Orleans ; and the
last time he saw him in New Orleans he informed him that
he expected to die on the sea. That the ship on the
ocean had been his cradle, and the waves should be his
winding-sheet and grave. During the late war with Eng-
land he had command of a war vessel, and was a terror
upon the sea. " He is brave, generous, and noble-hearted.
He had, after all danger of compromising your father was
passed, made arrangement to bring my mother, wife. Uncle
Louis, and his two sons from Marseilles to New Orleans;
arrangements having been previously made for them to be
at Marsailles on a certain day, to meet him there with his
ship ' Lafayette.'
" Uncle Louis and his two sons are in New Orleans, and
doing well. Louis Dejon is there, a successful merchant,
under the name of Charles Convors ; he became the part-
ner of Pierre Lavasse, and the husband of his daughter.
Jean Gendron, under the name of Frank Harrold, went
back years ago, and married Iphi \ went into business in
connection with Louis at New Orleans, and has been very
prosperous and happy. Captain Smith has ever been a
good friend to us all, and every time I think of him, and
what he has done for Louis, Jean, and myself, my heart is
filled with gratitude and love for him. And now we would
all like to hear of the last days of your father."
238 EXILES OE LOUISIANA.
The prince in reply, said his father had been " betrayed
by his pretended friends, into the hands of his enemies.
And on the 13th day of October, 1815, he was put to death
by the order of Ferdinand. The 13th of October has
been a day of mourning for us all, as each year brings
around its sad memories. He was kind and generous to
every one. When he heard that Paris had surrendered,
and the emperor was a prisoner in the hands of his enemies,
he wept tears of sorrow, and said to my mother, ' Caroline,'
all is lost.' ' No,' said my mother, in that lofty, imperial
spirit of her brother. ' No, all is not lost. We have pre-
served honor, and constancy remains to us in adversity.'
He listened with composure to his sentence of death,
and sat down and wrote these words, — I have a copy of
this letter, but every word is engraven on my heart and
memory' : —
" ' Dear Caroline. — My last hour is sounded. In a few
moments I shall have ceased to live, and you will no
longer have a husband. Do not forget me. My life has
been stained by no injustice. Farewell, my I.etitia ; fare-
well, my Achilles; farewell, my Lucian ; farewell, my Louisa.
I leave you without fortune or kingdom, in the midst of
enemies. Be united and prove yourselves superior to mis-
fortune. Remember that my greatest suffering is dying
far from my children. Receive my blessing, my embrace,
and my tears. Preserve, ever in your memory, the recol-
lection of your unhappy father. Joachim.'
" My beloved father asks us to remember him. How
dear his memory has been to us all ! He is ever present
with us in memory. Each year, as the 13th day of October
comes around, I spend the day in silence and tears.
THE STRANGER. 239
" He said, in the last hour of his Ufc, that it was to him a
sweet consolation, that he never saw the face of a man
who fell by his hand ; for if he had, his image would have
rendered his life miserable. He was brave, kind-hearted,
just, and merciful. Yet, in the hour of his cruel death,
there was no one to pity him, no one to show him pardon
and mercy."
The prince could no longer control his emotions, and
was silent for some time, when good Mother Lorraine
said to him, " Mourn not, my son. For he had the mercy
and compassion of one who was able to save, far above
all kings of earth. He died in peace. He had ever
been just, loving, and merciful. Fear not, my son ; God
never has, nor ever will forsake such a one as he. When
this good soul left earth, the outstretched arms of the
great Shepherd led him through the shadows of death,
to the kingdom of the blest."
" Good mother, I do believe he is in heaven, for he was
good and just. When he stood before his enemies to die,
he said, ' Do not darken my eyes,' He smiled on the weap-
ons of death, and said, ' Fire at my heart ! ' and clasped to
his bosom the image of his wife and children.
"^ His eyes were fixed upon the clear, serene Italian sky,
and doubtless, far away in the azure depths, he saw the shin"
ing throne, and hope heard the sweet songs of the angels
of charity and merc3^"
The last words of the prince were uttered in broken
sobs. They all bowed their heads and wept in silence.
The prince and the peasant wept together.
If ever the immortal soul. that has passed the barriers
of earth comes back to receive the sweet and holy incense
of love, gratitude, and adoration, offered on the altar by
240 EXILES OF LOUISIANA.
unselfish hearts, the majestic soul of Joachim Murat was
present with them in this humble cottage home.
The sun had arisen high up in the sky with golden
beams, proclaiming peace and joy once more to the storm-
beaten earth. The passing wind sighed mournfully over
the ruin and wreck of field and forest.
The prince and the peasant lived and loved as brothers.
Negro Tom, who had ever been faithful, was emancipated,
as he was the first to hear the cry for help. Paul Lorraine
said to him, "Never more shall man call thee slave."
Years have passed away. Not far from this cottage, on
the roadside leading to New Orleans, in a cemetery there
are three graves, side by side. They are covered with
marble slabs. On one is carved the name of Annetta.
One is the grave of the peasant soldier, who pointed the
pathway to the greatest commander of modern times in
his triumphant march across the Alps, in the cause of jus-
tice and liberty. The other is the grave of the good
mother, whose sublime faith ever said to her heart, in the
end all will be well. They rest beneath the cloud, rain-
bow, sun, and stars. The shadow of the Cyprus, pine,
magnolia, and the vine, redolent with the incense of blos-
soms and flowers, falls gently and lovingly upon their last
resting-place.
Three grand souls passed this way from earth to heaven.
Their lives had been poor and humble, without pride,
without ostentation, but embellished with the splendid vir-
tues of love, charity, and mercy.
THE END.
American Historical Novels.
Large izmos, cloth extra.
FEENCH EXILES IN LOUISIANA. By J. T. Lindsay.
Illustrated. 240 pp. $1.00
LOG CABIN DAYS OF ILLINOIS. By same Author.
In Press.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, OR, LEGENDS OF THE
WEST. By same Author, In Preparation.
THE BUCCANEERS. Vol. I. By Capt. Randolph
Jones. 551 pp. S1.50
THE BUCCANEERS. Vol. II. By same Author.
In Preparation.
^
American Sunday Library.
Religious and Non-Sectarian Stories and Biogra-
phies. For Families and Sunday Schools. Large
12mos IN Leatherette and Cloth extra.
A SUNNY LIFE. By Robert Broomfield, Author of
"Little People," "The Flower by the Prison," etc.
A Biographical Narrative. $1.00
THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER. By William McMi-
CHAEL. A Story. 151.00
1^^ Other Volumes will follow at short intervals.
W^. B. SMITH & CO., Publishers,
27 Bond Street, New York,
For Sale by all Booksellers, or mailed by the Publishers on
receipt of price.
\V. B. S. & Co. publish the LARGEST LIST of Popular American
Nove;,s of Any House ix the World. 72 pajc CatArogue free.
'47 HON I) STREET, NEiy YOIiK.
¥. B. SMITH & GO'S LIST OF BOOKS.
E^" W. B. Smith & Co. will send any of the following books bymail, prepaid, to any
part of the United Slates, on receipt of the pi-ice.
Analytical Processes :
Or, The Primary Principle of Philosophy. By Rev. Wil-
liam I. Gill, A. M. , author of ' ' Evolution and Progress. "
The third volume of the International Prize Series. Imitation
morocco, fine paper, uniform with ' ' Evolution and Progress,"
483 pp., i2mo. . . . . Price, 2.00
A work which the committee cannot describe without seeming to exaggerate. It is
marked by extraordinary depth and originality, and yet it is so clear and convincing as
to make its novel conclusions appear likj familiar common sense. — From ihe Report of
Committee of Prize Award.
It contains a vast amount of able and conscientious thought and acute criticism.^
Dr. McC'osh, Pres't Princeton College.
A specimen of robust thinking. lam very much gratified with its thoroughness'
acuteness and logical coherence. — Dr. Anderson, Pres't Rochester University.
Shows much acuteness. — iV. T. Independent.
The author has already gained fame by his " Evolution and Progress." — San Francisco
Bulletin.
An important aid toward the ultimate reconciliation of science and religion. — New
York Mail.
Will interest thinkers of a philosophic turn. Its author is a close student who does
his own thinking. — iV. Y. Graphic.
Has established his position as a strong and keen thinker. The supremacy of logic
has never been more ably maintained. — N. Y. Methodist.
This work, like the other from his pen, gives abundant evidence of great familiarity
with metaphysical speculation, and also of independence and acuteness. That those
who study his writings will be instructed I do not doubt. — Ur. N. Porter. Pres't Yale
College.
Will add to the writer's reputation as a profound and ingenious thinker. The object
is to establish a fundamental law on which all philosophical theories or systems must
bs built — to supply an analytical principle which may ssrve as a compass to guide the
barks of all who venture on the boundless deep of philosophical inquiry. . . . The
development of the author's argument necessitates a critical comparison of the views
of Descartes, Hegel, Kant, Locke, Cous'jl, Mill, Spencer, Mansel, MoCosh and other
founders or followers of philosophic schools — a task which ho fulfils -with equal learn-
ng and acuteness. The ttiree parts into which the work is divided are concerned re-
spectively with the rigorous application of this analytical principle to Logic, On-
tology and Mathematics. . . Is thoroughly worth the study of all who are fond of
^he branch of investigation which it ably represents. — X. I'. World.
Mr. William I. Gill, the author of a work entitled "Evolution and Progress," the pub-
lication of which led to his trial for heresy before the Methodist Conference of Newark,
has issued another and still more startling philosophical work. . . He moves
straight forward. Rather than watch the headlands and follow the sinuous track of
expediency, or to take counsel of fear, he prefers, whatever be the result, to trust his
compass and to take the unbeaten track across tlie deep. He therefore never hesitates
to push a principle to its utmost results, and any supposed principle that will not
endure this test he rejects without remorse, preserving absolute and ultimate consist-
ency at any cost ; and he resorts to no expediency to save a theory or to destroy one.
. . The work thus undertaken must attract very general attention among thinkebs,
to whom the book is dedicated. It is a valuable coatributioa to the literature of pMl«
osophy. — N. Y. Post.
It presents, clearly and stronglj', some of those ^reat central truths concerning which
so many minds are in doubt or uncertainty, and from ^vhich others shrink away in
hopeless bewilderment. The work shows careful study, keen pliilosophic insight ard
conclusive reasoning. Read it.— Evangeiica' Messenger, C'lcce!and, 0.
Ill)
13 W. B. SMITH & CO'S DESCRIPTIVE LIST.
Tiio su])i'enincy of lo.ijic haa never been more ably maintnined Mr. Gill baa esti-.b
lidho:l bis yosition'as a strong and free tbiuker. — Xcw York ILctlwcllst.
Wo have elsewhere noticed the work of Mr. Gill upon sub.staiitial!y the same topic,
or, ratlier, Mr. Gill's tliesis includes that of Professor J!irk. We advise the readina: of
t'le two together, if for no other reason, to measure the Cambrid-:;e Profes.sor alongside
of the New Jersey Methodist minister. The Eiii^lisbman does not gain by the com-
parison — Neio York Methodist, notice ofBirk's "Fatalism and Evolution.'"
It will ser\e to clear up much that is vague and unsatisfactory in the present
methods of philosophical thougbt. . . . Mr. Gill has laid aside all cumbersome and
useless theological armor, and goes into the arena equipped only with the weapons of
l.)gic and pure reason. . . . A valuable contribution to the science of philosophy,
and ai! important aid toward the ultimate reconciliation of science and religion. Mr.
Gill is a Methodist minister, and wo congratulate the Methodists on having in their
rauk.'i one of the best logicians of the present day. — New York Mail.
Uy "Analytical Processes" he understands deductive processes, — whose supreme
principle is the law of non-contradiction. The present work falls into three books, of
which the first treats of logic, the second of ontology, the third of mathematics as
founded on the supreme principle named. Wo can not give a brief verdict on the work
i.i .a happier manner than by quoting the words of Dr. McCo.sh: "It contains a vast
amount of able and conscientious thought and acute criticism." The work is written
in ail earnest but popular style ; is stimidative of thought, and busies itself with tl'.o
vital questions which thinkers must settio fiist on their way to a comprehensive theory
of the worlds of man and nature. We look with interest for the second volume, oil
the Pbiloso^jhy of Synthetic Processes. — Journal of Speculative Philosophy, St. Louis.
Evolution and Progress:
An Exposition and Defence. The Foundation of Evolu-
tion Philosophically Expounded, and its Arguments (di-
vested of insignificant and distracting physical details)
succinctly stated; together with a review of leading op-
ponents, as Dawson and Winchell, and quasi-opponents,
as Le Conte and Carpenter. By Rev. William 1. Gill,
A. M., of Newark Conference, N. J. Tlie firat volinne
of the lalernational Vrize Scries. Third Edition. Cloth
extra, iinitation morocco, fine paper, 295 pp., 12mo.,
Price $1 50
Each volume in this series was awarded a prize of Two Hun-
dred Dollars in addition to copyright, in a competition which
was open one year to the world, and where over three hundred
manuscripts were submitted and read.
DESCRIPTIVE OPINIONS OF EVOLUTION AND PROGRESS.
One of our most candid and thoughtful writers. — Dr. Crane.
He is a clear and strong reasoner. — Cincinnati Christian tStandard.
I rejoice in all attempts of this kind, made in a spirit like that which
prompts your work. — Herbert Speyicer.
His writings are marked by strong cominoii sense, sound logic, and
clear demonstration. — Methodist Home Journal.
He strikes with no velvet glove, but with a steel-clad hand, dealing
his blows with equal profusion and impartiality. — New York Tribune.
Olearly and succinctly states the foundatioit and arguments of Evo
• utioii, and reviews its leading opponents. — Neiu York Mail.
It is ably written. Ho builds his doctrinal house on philosophical
J) iiK'iples. — /^/-oo/,;/.)/-)*. Union.
Presents wliat must everywhere be acknowledged as a ]>arti( u' >
<i;n)ni.v arguiuent.- Evansvillc (/ud.) Ptiify Journal.
W. B. SMITH & go's descriptive LIST. 13
His effort Is earnest, able and bold It presents, in all then
aaked strength, thoughts and arguments whicla will have to be mei
und answered.— The Methodist, Neiv York.
Mr. Gill possesses the rare faculty of investing an abstruse subject
with the graces of a flowing diction, clear expression, and manly
strength. — C. W. Habner, author of Wild Flowers, etc.
. The autlior is evidently an independent tlainlcer, and writes with a
good degree of force He slaslies right and left, and goes straight
Forward to his objective point. — iVew York Christian Advocate.
It is a work of careful thought, clearly setting forth the foundation
and arguments of evolution, and reviewing its opponents ; and is com-
manding a large sale. — JPoughkeepsie Eagle.
Tliougli an orthodox clergyman, he accepts tbe theory of evolution.
The attitude of Mr. Gill, and his courage in maintaining it
tive worthy of note. — New York World.
A very original production, and will mark an epocli in the liistury
of the doctrine, and will become its standard philosophical exposi-
tion. — The /South, New York.
A work of remarkable power, originality of thought, and logical
acumen. Is bound to attract permanent attention in this country and
in 'Europe.— Musical Eclectic.
A writer in the Independent pronounces it an extraordinary book —
one that will mark an epoch in science and philosophy Poughkeepsie
Eagle.
The author of "Evolution and Progress" is an uncompromising
devotee of truth, and his argument is conducted in the most interest-
ing manner. — Popular Science Monthly.
Your able criticisms of tlie writings of Spencer show that you com-
prehend the meaning and force of words Many await with
anxiety, the forthcoming work promised. — Anonymous letter to the
author.
An excellent work. Its line of thought is ably and interestingly
conducted. Has done much, no doubt, in aiding strong minds in
grasping the points at issue between faith and science much better
than before. — J. F. Hurst, D.D., Pres't Drew Theological /Seminary.
Unquestionably the ablest work in favor of Evolution that has come
in our way The statements are logically and perspicuously
made, and the tone is temperate and philosophical. — Chris. Advocate,
Nashville, Tenn.
A vigorous and original work, the product of a highly gifted intel-
lect. The author manifests acquaintance with and investigation into
the subtleties surrounding the question of evolution. A work of dig-
nity and intellectual research. — F. G. Johnson, M. D.
The work of placing absolute evolution upon an impregnable basis*
has been done by Mr. Gill, and with a subtle metaphysical insight and
an absolute logical consistency which will entitle this book to be re-
garded as the standard philosophical exposition and defence of abso-
lute evolution. — Rev. Joseph A. Owen, A. M., Rutherford Park, N. J.
It is dedicated to "Herbert Spencer and the Great Brotherhood of
Evangelical Divines," — a conjunction unusual, unexpected, yet com-
forting to the spirit OhaiJter VI., on " Creation, Miracles, and a
Personal God," contains views which will probably not be prevalent in
Evangelical pulpits at present. The argument, from the author's
standpoint, is very clearly and saccinctly stated, and worthy of
perusal. — Daily Press, Portland, Me.
It is a book of original thinking on one of the greatest themes. Mr.
Gill lirnilj' believes in the doctrine of evolution, which he has trans-
lated out of technical phraseology into his own simpler language. Ha
has Ijoen an extensive reader of pliilosonhical works, as well as scieu-
lilic A keen, thoughtful, vigorou-i volume — Gulden Age.
14
W. B. SMITH & CD's DESCPaPTIVE LIST.
One of the most manly, thorough, candid, and natural production,
of this century, exhibiting great research, with unbounded sjilendor
of thought and loyal attachment to truth, — permeated everywhere
with forcible evidences of a highly cultivated and original mind, — lift-
ing the author into the front rank of minds, — rendering, throughout
time, his name and logical genius immortal and imperishable. The
healthiest, holiest and most heroic emanation from the pulpit or press
of this nineteenth century. — It. Rogerson, M. D., L. R. C P.
The reader will be startled with the boldness of his attacks; and,
for the most part, will find himself compelled to concede the thorough-
ness of his iconoclastic handling of his adversaries He drivea
at his inark with wonderful directness, and certainly makes plain the
act that the stock arguments of anti-evolutionists are leaky in soma
essential particulars, and need a thorough overhauling. We recom-
mend the book to all who love the truth and have a taste for close,
incisive reasoning, in the verbal dress of a highly cultivated mind. —
Baltimore Methodist Protestant.
Trial of Rev. Wm. I. Gill, before the Newark Methodist Confer-
ence, for Writing " Evolution and. Progress."
[From the N. Y. Sun, April 1, 1875.]
The Newark Conference of the M. K.
Church met in Trinity Church, Jersey
City, yesterday morning, Bisliop Bowumn,
presiding. A motion to appoint a commit-
tee to investigate the charges of heresy pre-
ferred against Dr. Gill led to a protracted
and warm discussion. Hlswork on "• Evo-
lution AND Proquess" was criticised
as rejecting "Bibleism, miracleism, and
out Huming Hume," tlie quotation being
from a review published in a Metliodist
periodical. Ur. Adams charged that the
book was thoroughly infidel in its tenden-
cies, and that its theory of evolution was
not only opposed to revelation, but a clear
ilenial of the personal existence of God.
The motion to appoint a committee was
then adopted.
CFrom the N. Y. Times, April 2, 1875.]
Yesterday the Bishop announced the
names of a committee appointed to investi-
gate a charge of heresy preferred against
liev. Wm. I. Gill.
[From Uie N. Y. Sun, April 6, 1875.]
In the Newark M. E . Conference yester-
day, the Gill heresy committee reported.
The report was laid over.
[From the N. Y. Herald, April 7, 1875.]
The session of the Newark Methodist
Conference, at Jersey City yesterday, was
the most lively since the commencement of
the proceedings.
The Gill heresy case was taken up, and a
lively debate took place for and against the
report of the investigating committee.
During the debate, a decided feeling was
manifested among the audience, and the
Ilev. Dr. Porter hoped that no such mani-
festations would be repeated. Bishop Bow-
man said that such exhibitions could not be
permitted, at which a pious brother re-
marked that he couldn't help saying
"«meu" once in a while. .
Kev. Mr. Gill then arose and opened his
defence. The proposition he put to the
brethren was a very plain one. If they did
not like the book they could reject it. lie
held that there was nothing in it, iii bis
belief, not in accordance with the tenets
of the Methodist Church, and he claimed
the right to i.udcrBtaud his own hook. He
proposed, however, to search after truth
wherever it may be found, whether the
Conference believed it was truth or not.
lie did not believe it was the business of the
Conference to pass judgment as to what
were the truths of science. His book was
written according to new ideas which have
been evolved, and he said that to-day the
evolutionists have the advantage philo-
sophically over the Church. He thought
old ideas ought to be laid aside when God
furnishes new ones. Mr. Gill then spoke of
the pain he felt because he was misunder-
stood. He said, however, that although he
is misunderstood. Ire still deemed that he
was right. He thanked God that he was a
Methodist, and hoped that the eyes of the
brethren would be opened to more advanced
ideas, and that they will receive more con-
fidence. Asto the report of the committee,
if it was adopted he did not know whether
he would be able to give entire satisfaction.
Kev. Dr. Crane paid a glowing tribute to
the religious character of the Kev. Mr. Gill,
but thought that the bane and the antidote
in the book were too far apart. Kev. Mr.
Atkinson argued against the adoption of
the report. He thought it would be very
inconsistent for the Conference to send
forth a minister to pre.ach a gospel which
his book utterly destroys.
After remarks by other speakers the ques-
tion was put on the adoption of the report,
and it was carried, and tlie character of the
Kev. Mr. Gill was passed.
[From the Christian Index, Atlanta, Ga.,
May 6, 1875. ]
Charges were brought against him in the
Newark, New Jersey, Conference, of
"heresy and atheism,'" on account of his
hook. He passed the ordeal, however, tri-
umphantly as his faith was unimpeachable,
though the Conference called public atten-
tion to Dr. Gill's philosophy, and caused
an increased sale of his book.
[From the Baltimore Methodist Protest-
ant, Apt 11 lU, 1S75.]
Kev. W. I. Gill, author of '-Evolution
and Progress,'' noticed some weeks since
in our columns, has been charged with
heresy before his Confen>iire by certajn
brethren who .see in his book "hydras, ai>d
gor.ijans and (.himeia.'j dirt."
TV. r>. s^.ii:ii ^ c'o's descriptive list.
19
The Universe of Language.
I Nature, J)evelopment, and l^ecuUarities of Language.—
li Structure, with Uniform Rotation and Classification
of Vo^oels, adapted to all Langicages.—TLl.Vsv.,rroposed
■ Changes, Fhonology, Fhonotopy. and the ,S2)ellmg J.efonn.
lY Appendix, Spellinq Reform Association, etc.— \. Index
(in front of book). By the late George Watson Esq, ot
Boston. Edited and prepared for the press by his daughter,
E H. Watson, author of "Is Our Republic a Failure? etc.
Gloth extra, tinted paper, 12mo., 344 pp. Price ^1.50.
^^"is^'l^ai-nea contribution to the permanent advantage and advancement of pLi-
^"^°^n7iSresUnt°and valuable ^ort. There is much in it to attract the attention of
^'^t^tZSt^^e author. A great deal of philological infornjation is
^"'show^^h^m'^houTt^^^^ investigation, and abounds in inge-
I shall be glad to do what I can for the book, and hope it may do good.-/Vo/. J'ra.
"^ T S"t?uable contribution to one of the most interesting questions of the day.
—Sir Charles Reed President of the London School Board. ^ r ^
Mr WTtaon's intention 4as to systematize the universal elements of language.
Ln"d £r"easonhfg It is I'leasing in^style and calm in argument, and ments a caieful
"^'^ Sr^irSvc^^^sTa?^^^^^' her lather in the necessities of . refn,™
ot hu.nnu speech cou.mm.i. to M languages, we are corau.g to ^^^^ ^^^ V*'^,,',/^^^"^
.-.udy ( fthe l;uigua-L'.— //.('Y/ord Cuuraiit.
18 w, n, fiiiixn & co's descriptive list.
Is Our Republic a Failure?
A Discussion of the Rights and Weongs of this "jSoI'.iv awlj
THE South. By E. H. Watson, author of " United States
and their Origin," etc. English cloth, ink and gold, 12mo,
43G i)p. Second edition. Price $1.50.
Any private or public library in this country which overlooks the politi-
cal history of our Republic can hardly be considered complete, and there is
probably no work which is so essential in such connection as this volume.
Every man who takes active part in political affairs will comprehend his
relation and duties to the public much better after reading this book, and
every young man who expects or desires to hold any public office should
study it as a preparatory course for his calling.
Is peculiarly a book for the times. — Cleveland Plaindealer.
Of lively itn'portaiice and deep political .si<;uiflcauce. — Boston Traveler.
In a spirit of geiuiine candor and unswerving impartiality. — Ncio York Sun.
It i.s fair, candid, impartial, the whole subject well treated. — Hon. J. H. Blake,
o/ Bonton.
"Will arouse every reader to a broader comprehension and profounder interest in
the science and possiliilitios of government. — Indianapolis Journal.
I like the spirit of the book, its comprehensive patriotism, its liberal spirit, and its
healing counsels. — Hon. George S. Hillakd, author of " FrankUn Readcni," etc.
Thoroughly earnest and honest. Its patriotism is broad and c(im])rehen.sive, its
conclu.sions logical, and its suggestions wise, liberal, and timely. — Boone (la.)Iiepidilican.
I read the manuscn])t with much interest; an interest belonging to the arguments
themselves, but now increased by the perfection given to the form and style.— Hon.
Maktin l!Ri>nncu, Boston.
Lucid and just. The method of the argument, the facts on which it proceeds, and
the coiiciliatorv spirit which invests them, contribute to the book a value which can
not be too hi<rhly estimated.— Gkn. John Cochrane.
Treats of the real constitutional principles which comprise our system of govern-
ment in relation to the issues which divide the country into sectional and adverse par-
ties, ia a clear and liberal spirit, and from an entirely mdependent standpoint. — Boston
Herald.
The author treats the whole subject concisely, and with that clearness which has
so often made the intuitive quickness of woman's intellect more than a match for man's
plodding ami ponderous reason. Deserves a wide circulation, and thorough perusal.
—The South, New York.
The ])rinciples of American statesmanship which it asserts must essentially pre-
vail, unless wo are so soon to fall from our liigh plane of constitutional re])ulilieaiiism.
I shall spare no exertion to promote the knowledge of such an able and impartial and
statesmanlike compendium of our present political philosophy. — Hon. Joun QuiNCr
Adams, Mass.
Clearly expressed, and the argument is closely and ably maintained. The tone
and the temper of the writer are beyond praise. They are as valuable as they are rare.
They are those of a patriotic and philosophical observer of men. Tlie like spirit every-
where diffused among our people would make fraternal union as certain as desirable;
and, if brought to the discussion of public affiiirs, would secure the adoption of wise
and beneticent counsels. — Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton, Ohio.
We cheerfully recommend this volume. — University Pi'ess, Ifadison, IVis.
It deals with parties and with party leaders, and closes with a plea for tolerance of
opinion and national unity. — Baltimore Gazette.
A serious, if not starthng, question is here propounded — one which requires the care-
ful consideration of every thoughtful mind, when the extent of the issues embraced
becomes realized. The discussion treats of the relations of the constitutional principles
of our government to the sectional and partisan issues of the present day. It reviews
the Northern arguments regarding secession, including the construction to be placed ou
the original wording of the Constitution ; the powers reserved to the people ; the idea
of whom the "People" consists; the difference between Revolution and Seccs.sion ;
the question of "Conquest" and military force ; Civil and Religious Liberty ; and Our
Fathers and the Work of To-day. It then takes up the doctrine of "State Rights."
The author passes on the great issues of the country in detail and the present aspect
of political parties. In the last section are embraced, among other special topics,
"Northern and Southern Radicalism," "The Will of the People," "The Issue before
the People," " Pov>-ers of the Government," and " Perils of the Hour." The discussion
is maintained ill a clear, able manner, and the generous, impartial spirit sho'.Mi is
praisL' worthy in the hi ;hcst degree. Observation and iiainstikm-r t'lought are observa-
ble in every line, and tlio book is well worth tlie perusal of all wl'.o take any interest
in tlio affairs of tbo wA'don.—EpHome of LitenUurQ, Philadelphia.
W. B. SMITU & CO'S DESCRIPTIVE LIST. OO
Author's Manuscript Paper.
Our own manufacture, of white paper, made from superior
stock, and sold only in ream packages — each package war-
ranted to contain full count of 480 sheets.
Author's Manuscript Paper, No. 2, 5| + 11, per ream. . .$1.00
Author's Manuscript Paper, No. 1, 5| -|" H) V^^ ream. . . 1.25
Note.— When paper is sent by mail 50 cents per ream, in addition to price, must
accompany order to prepay postage.
How IT IS Sold so Cheap.
It is only by making a specialty of this paper, manufacturing directly at the mills in
largo quantities and selling exclusively for cash, that the demand can be supplied at this
low price. It is really nearly one uundred per cent cheaper than any other paper in
the market.
How Evert Buter Gets His Monet's Worth.
It is made with strong fibre and smooth surface, in two grades only, (Nos. 1 and 2).
These grades are similar in quality, and differ merely in weight.
The shape and style (ruled on one side, the other side plain), is approved by writers
and preferred by printers ; and it has now become the popular standard paper for
authors, contributors, editors, and writers generally.
How THIS Department is Managed.
Six years ago the Authors' Pub. Co. introduced this paper to authors and writers.
Its sale grew so rapidly that the ITJiiuuscript Paper Kepa.rtiiieut became an
exclusive and permanent feature.
The Company sells no other stationery. The present large sales of this paper to
Booksellers and Stationers, to Newspaper Publishers (for editorial use)— including many
leading Dailies and Weeklies in New York City— and to writers everywhere, justify the
theory that the greater care and attention bestowed upon this Special Line, results in
greater satisfaction alike to dealers and consumers.
How EVERTBODT SPEAKS OF It.
We find it just what teachers and pupils need.— iVew England Journal of Education.
Celebrated for the use of authors and contributors. It is of excellent quality, and
convenient to both writer and printer. — Providence Town and Country.
The distinguishing feature of the Manuscript Paper is its convenient shape. The
texture is neither too thick nor too thin, making it in every way a desirable paper for
writers and contributors.— .^cto Columbiana, New Ym-k.
Manuscript Manual.
How to Prepare Manuscripts for the Press. A practical,
concise and reliable guide for authors, contributors and
writers generally. Paper covers Price 10 cents.
" Sound and Useful."
Worth tenfold its Tprice. —PhiladelpJiia Day.
The instructions are sound and are much needed.— iJosto/i Beacon.
Gives excellent hints to intending writers.— Cleveland Evangelical Messenger.
A most useful little companion to the young writer and editor.— 77je South, N. Y.
"Punctuation— A Volujie in a Nut Shell."
Will really give you a great deal of useful information —Louisville Uome and School.
Is practically written. The chapter on punctuation is a volume in a nutshell.—
London Paper and Printing Trade .Journal.
Letter Writing.
Wliile the suggestions it contains on writing for the press are most valuable, it would
not be amiss for all young people to read and practice the rules given in its pages. The
art of letter writing could be more easily learned from it than from a score of "letter
writers." We most heartUy commend '\{,.— Champaign (III.) Gazettu.
36 w. E. cMiTu :^ co"s ocsct.iptivs list.
Scrap Books, and How to Make Them.
Containing full Instructions for making a Complete and
Systematic Set of Useful Books. By E. W. Gukley.
Cloth extra, 16mo 40cts.
Extract from Author's "I^^troductiox."
Our life is a living Scrap Book. .....
And what a book ! Here a gleam of Poetry, there a long
dreary stretch of Prose, now the tragedy of an Accident —
nothing to the world, but a calamity to him — then a ripple of
Fun, a dash of Sentiment, a thrill of Joy, a pang of Grief.
The man of highest attainments, whotn the world calls thor-
oughly educated, knows he is nothing but an animated Scrap-
Book. A smattering of the Languages, a little of Mathematics,
a glimpse of Science, a few of the odds and ends of Nature,
jumbled together and pasted in mosaically — this is all, and no
one knows it better than he. ......
CONTENTS.
I. iNTRODtrCTIOK,
II. My Experience.
III. Why Should we Make Scrap-
BOOKS ?
rv. Who Should Make ScraP-Books ?
V. Gathering the Materials.
VI. Selecting the Articles.
VII. Classifying the Articles.
VIII. Preparing the Articles
IX. Number and Names op Books.
X. Making the Book.
XI. Recipes for Paste, &c.
XII. Making a Press— illustrated.
XIII. Paging and Indexing the Book.
XIV. Specimen of Indexes.
XV. Specimen Pages of Scrap-Books.
XVI. Scrap-Books as Home Amuse-
ments.
Extract from " Why Should we Make Scrap-Books ? "
lu Franklin's day there were two newspapers in America;
now there are about 8000 periodicals of all grades, constantly
flooding the land with a stream of intelligence. Much of this
is ephemeral, born for the day and dying with the day; yet
scarcely a paper falls into the hands of the intelligent reader in
which he does not see something worth keeping. * *
Extract from " Who Should keep a Scrap-Book ? "
Every one who reads
Jefterson was in the habit of collecting, in this form, all the
information bearing on certain points in which he was interested.
Sumner was an habitual gatherer of Scraps, and found them
invaluable aids to even his vast field of information.
It is said of another noted Congressman that he dreaded an
opponent of much inferior powers, because the latter was a care-
ful compiler of Scrap-Books, and thus had a fund of knowledge
which the more brilliant man did not possess.
President Hayes is also a practical believer in Scrap-Books,
and has already a large collection.
Extract from " Gathering the Materials."
. . . Look at every old paper, almanac, ch-cular and scrap
Df paper befoi-e throwing it away. It will astonisli you to see
how many things people trample under their feet which should
be put into their heads.
V/. 13. SyilVll i CO'3 DE3C;:ll'T!VH LIST. 53
Roman Catholicism in the United States.
Cloth extra, ink aud gold, beveled edges, 190 -pp $1.25.
Mr. James Anthony Froude reviews this book iu an article which
occupies first j)lace in nnd runs through two numbers of TJn',
North American Eevirw. Mr. Feoude calls this work " A note of
alarm sounded, not by a theological controversiahst, but by a
moderate and sensible man of the world." This distinguished
and able reviewer adds :
" The Roman Catholic body is the largest, strongest and wealthiest in
the Union. That religion, unfortunately, is by its own choice at war with
every other, and the Anaerican Constitution is the political expression of
the principles which the Pope has violently condemned. To the llepublic,
as it stands, the Catholic system is a direct menace. Compromise is im-
possible. A republican form of government implies freedom and self-
reliance ; and freedom and self-reliance are extinguished in Eomanism
as a flame goes out in carbonic acid." — North Anwrican Rtrjimi.
Written with earnestness and moderation. — Coiiru-r yournal.
The whole subject is well and temperately considered. — IndcpfmLntf.
Very thorough in his language and without prejudice. — Harrisburg In-
dependent.
The style of the book is dignified and the spirit manifestl}' sincere. —
Chicago Times.
Much study has prepared the author to present the subject in all its
phases, moral and political. — Southern Quar. Review.
Calm, but ver^^ strong and able. Tlie subject is treated wlioUy as a
political matter in the best sense of tlie \yovy\. -Boston IVatchman.
Does not touch at all upon the question of religious doctrine, but con-
fines his consideration to the practical aspects of the subject. — .■linerican
Bookseller.
Able and well informed. The argument is in a singularly calm and
dispassionate tone, but with great force of I'easoning and fertility of
illustration. — .V. Y. Tribune.
Its style is simple and direct ; its logic strong, if not absolutely invin-
cible. Its argument has no relation to a "doctrinal tirade." It lias
nothing to do with doctrines. The issue is taken where a great chureli
polity and a great principle of huuian government meet; and the discus-
sion is conducted throughout with the utmost calmness, or without a
single touch of heat or passion. It i3 entirely above the plane of aliuse —
it is fact and logic, pure, clear and irresistible. — Tlie American Monililv.
The author is a merchant of this city, who passes his leisure hour^ in
"the still air of delightful studies." His able pen had, previously to the
work before us, given to tlie world a vigorous argument to show tlio en-
tire harmony of religion and science. In this book he has offered strcaig
reasons for believing that the liberties of the country can only I o pre-
served by watchfulness against the perils which beset them from lioman
Catholicism. He sets forth hi^ views so calmly, so temperately, with so
much comprehensiveness and bnvidth of view, looking before and after,
and with such a sweet persua-ivuess, that those views cannot fail to
vjooivo tlie earnest and careful consideration they deserve. — //. Y. Mail.
50 W . B. SillTU & CO 3 DE3CKIPTIVIi; LIST.
Prevention and Cure of Chronic Consumption.
By David Wakk, M. D., Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of
Women and Cliildron in the United States Medical College, New
York. Second edition with important additions, Cloth extra. .80 cts.
A aiseful work. — Churchman, iV. Y.
It is a most practical, common-sense, valuable work. — Patriot, Concord, iV. S.
There seems to be much reason in what it declares. — Congregationalisl, Boston.
This is the most effectual method at present known. — Sat. Journal, Zewiston, Me.
A valuable auxiliary in the treatment of chronic pulmonary Consumption. — Boston Pilot.
Throws new light upon a disease which has been supposed incurable. — Camhridge, Mass.,
Tribune.
Those who are threatened with the disease would do well to consult this little book.
— Boston Traveller.
Adapted to developing breathing-power as a preventive of Consumption, and as a cure.
—The Methodist, N. Y.
Designed to be applicable by any intelligent reader, and beneficial without the aid of a
physician. — Baxdist Weekly, iV. Y.
This "prevention and cure" looks more reasonable than anything else we have ever
heard of. — Journal and Messenger, Cincinnati, O.
Sensible, useful, being especially well written, thorough, clear, and assured in its state-
ments and recommendations. — Springfield Republican.
A trial of the treatment described in this work met with very beneficial results in the
case of a i^atieut suffering from malarial fever. — Church Union, N. Y.
Dr. Wark seems to have made a study of all the forms of Consumption. He discusses
the subject with intelligence. — Spy, Worcester, Mass.
Has made a thorough study of the subject. The book is of vaUie and is to be comYnended
to all who have reason to investigate the siibject. — New Haven Palladium.
It has no quack medicine to offer, but very valuable hygienic and medical suggestions,
written in popular style, without the technical terms of the profession. — Zion's Herald,
Jloslon.
Tiie subject is treated in the plainest and simplest way, and the volume will be of
benefit to all who are suffering from, or subject to. Consumption and other diseases
bpringing from defective nutrition. — Buffalo Sunday Morning News.
Embodies the results of his long experience ; is written in an eminently sensible and
practical manner, considering the subject from every side, and worth the attention of
those with weak lungs. — Boston Transcript.
Is full of helpful suggestions to those afiiicted with lung disease or having consumptive
tendencies. The autuor is an accomplished and experienced physician, and even to the
unprofessional his statements are clear and easily comprehended. — Providence Press.
After reading this volume we would have no fear if we had the consumption, with so
much confidence has the author inspired us in the method of cure which he recommends ;
and then, too, we would have no bitter unpalatable medicine to take. — Student' s Journal,
Bloomington, III.
Discusses the nature of Pulmonary Consumption, and argiies the defects of the preva-
lent methods of treatment. If the author's theories are true, of course the book is a val-
uable one, but. whether the theories are true or not the book is valuable, as an advocate
of physical training. — Amr. Bookseller.
The treatment advocated in this little handbook is not so much the use of medicines as
exercise and special training, and seems founded on commonsense principles. There is no
savor of quackery about it, and we think the book merits attention, both from the medi-
cal faculty and from those who are sufl'eriug from pulmonary disease. — Boston Book Bulletin,
Is a plain, practical treatise, ably written and made so clear and concise that those in
whom the disease may be developing will find it a welcome friend. It is written in famil-
iar language — so familiarized that any person when reading it, whether familiar or not
with medical terms, will read and read to the end and understand, and will reap benefits
by following its suggestions. — Independent, Harrishurg, 7*a.
Dr. Wark has here given a great doal of sound advice regarding the treatment of Chronic
Pulmonary Consumption. The truths lie oft'ers are the direct deductions of modern physi-
ological scienfe, and the treatment is the practical use of these demonstrated truths, for
the cura of disease. The work is interesting, and in a climate like ours, where sudileu
<• langes a^ect both strong and weak luugs, the information it impart'; is of value io all. —
Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
54 W. B. SMITH & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE LIST,
Ecclesiology:
A Fresh Inquiry as to the Fundamental Idea and Consti-
tution of the New Testament Church ; with a Supplement on
Ordination. By Rev. E. J. Fish, D. D. Cloth extra, fine
paper, 400 pp., i2mo. .... Price $2 00.
Doctor Fisli disposes this volume into four parts. — I. The Fundamen-
tal Idea of tLe (Jhurch : II. The New Testament Church Constitution :
III. Application of Principles : IV. A Supplement on Ordination — and
addresses himself to his themes with the full earnestness of ability, clear-
ness of logic, and conscientiousness of spirit which comprehensive treat-
ment requires. As a "building fitly framed together," it is a fair-
minded and standard contribution to the best religious literature of the
Christian age.
What Prominent Pastors and the Learned Clergy say :
Deeply interesting, suggestive, and helpful. — Bev. J. N. Gasman, Pastor Iforih Baptsit
Church, Indianapolis, Ind.
Able, scholarly, timely, and meets a felt want. — ^Rev. F. M. Ellis, D. D., Pastor Bap-
tist C/iurcli, Denver, Col.
Must commend itself for its painstaking and great ability. It is not possible to reac!
it without profit. — Kev. A. Owen, Pastor Lafayette Ave. Baptist Church, Detroit, Mich.
Every day I wish more and moro ardently that our churches were built after its
"pattern."'— Rev. G. L. Stevens, Pastor Baptist Church, Stir-gis, Mich.
The blow it has dealt will in time do felt throughout the Church and the world ; and
my prayer to God is that the time may not be far distant. — Kev. W. Wo Smith, Pastor
Litchfield Baptist Church, Mich.
1 heartily commend it to the attentive perusal of all thinking Christians. Those who
have not made the subject a special study will be surprised at the number and force of
tho arguments. — Eev. J. Ward Stone, Pastor Baptist Church, Treitton, Mich.
A delight to every Baptist pastor, and a most timely and invaluable aid to the young
pastor; and it is, indeed, as a "strong-hold to all the assailed and the tempted." — Bev.
Geobge H. Hickox, Chaplain State Prison, Jackson, Mich.
I believe that this is Christ's plan, and '•hat the adoption of it in our several churches
would conduce to a higher degree of order, discipline, unity, harmony, stability, and
prosperity. — Kev. Wm. Pack, late Pastor Baptist C.nirch, I'orter, Midi., in Ddrod. tirrald.
It will do good. It offers a fresh view of thought that deserves to be followed out.
It is written with a nervous power, and is faithful to a high conviction. It comes to
my heart as fresh water from a crystal fountain. — Rev. Justin D. Fulton, D. D., I'astor
Hanson Place Baptist Church, Brooklyn, A. Y.
Evidently the result of a most careful investigation. Might be adopted by any Bap-
tist or Congregational Church without disfellowshipping them from their denomina-
tion. Seems to give us the best possible form of Church government. — Rev. G. P.
OsBORN, Pastor First Baptist Church, Huntington, Ind.
Carries its own commendation in its scholarly method, logical arrangement, and its
sincere and reverent spirit. Offering as it does a Scriptural solution of the vexed ques-
tion of Church Polity in a readable and persuasive style, it merits and will repay the
attention of all who seek the truth. — Rev. Z. Geenell, Je., Pastor First Baptist Church,
Bay City, Mich.
Will richly repay a careful study on the part of the members as well as the ministers
of our churches. It strikes at the root of many of our false ideas respecting the Church.
From the beginning to the end of the book there is consistency and harmony, unity
and comprehensiveness, symmetry and beauty. — Kev. William Remington, Pastor Bap'
tist Church, Bronson, Mich.
It will be a great help to Christianity, a power to the ministry, and strength to any
Christian church adopting its method. We believe every church should work in ac-
cordance vfith the plans therein set forth, for two reasons :
First. — It will make a church apostolic in government and practices.
Second. — A church thus Scripturaily organized, must be a power for good. — Rev. A. M.
Wasman, Pastor First Baptist Church, Batavia, III.
It is without a rival — really a test-book. It is eminently Christian in tone ; scholarly
in style ; clear in its statements; methodical in arrangement; strong and forcible in its
application of truth. It meets what Pa.s-(o?-4- have long felt to be a, pressnuj icijiit,vi,nCi
must serve a grand purpose in aiding in the re-establishment of the primitive order of
the Church of Christ. It merits a wide — a very wide — circulation.— J. C, BuEKHOLDEft
fo-'toi- Baptist Churah, Centreville, Mick,
64 W. B. SMITH .1: C(/.S Dr.SCRIPTIVK LIST,
THE CURRENT-THOUGHT SERIES.
HANDY VOLUMES OF LATEST SCIENTIFIC AND PHILOSOPHIC THOUGHT.
1 . — Anthr oposophy.
By Kev. Dr. C. C. Adams, author of "Life of J. J. Audubon."
"Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ," "Creation a Recent
Work of God," etc. Boards, 81pp., 12 mo .40 cts.
Extract from Preface:
"If there be any truth on wiiich man can rely it is this: that
the soul is the life of animals and men; that there is in man
besides a mortal life an immortal spiritual life also,. .... .and
that the combination of these two lives exists nowhere on eartb,
or in the universe — neither in God nor the angels — but in man."
11. — The Spelling E,eforni Question Discussed.
By E. H. Watson, author of "The Universe of Language,"
"Is Our Republic a Failure," etc. Paper, 9Gpp.,12mo, 25cts.
An essay, by a distinguished philologist, whose preceding volume, in
same direction, Su^ Charles Reed, President of the London School Board,
calls "xi very valuable contribution to one of the most interesting ques-
tions of the day." — Brooklyn Union <& Argus.
Plain, candid, convincing. — Chicago Jom-nal.
Presented in a strong light.— iV«. Jour, of Education.
Concise, useful, exliaustive. — St. Joi^eph (Mo.) Gazette.
A vigorous protest against iimovations. — Boston Gazette.
A strong argument against reforms. — Chicago Inter-Ocean.
An important contribution to the discussion. — PMla. Record.
Pointed and vigorous, cogent reasoning. — Concord (JV. H.) Blade.
Takes strong gi-ound against hasty innovations. — Amr. Bookselle?:
III. — Individual Rights.
By Martin Ryerson. Paper, 62pp., 12mo 25 ctp.
A unique and incisive monograph on political and governmental econ
omy. It treats, briefly, and from a new standpoint, manj^ such importa?::;
topics as " The Laws and Rights of Life," "Restoring Rights to the People."
"Money and Politics," "Finance and Commerce," " Paper Money, " "In-
divi(hial and Party Rights," "What Caused Prosperity and What Brought
Ruin," etc., etc. — Chicago Educational Weekly.
The theories are interesting. — iV. Y. Star.
Should be acted upon. — Nevmrk Daily Adv'r.
lie says some very true things. — N. Y. Gi'a,phiG.
Treating its subjects ably. — Lafayette, Ind., Leader.
Ma'iy good things well said therein.— CwJ^f, {N. Y.) Patriot.
I -portatit toriics relating to the rlarlits of the Y>iiO\>\ii.— Banner of Light
New Books and New Editions
Just published by
W. B. SMITH & CO.;
[EstabliBhed 1865.]
-# ♦ » ■
RELIGION ANL PHILOSOPHY.
Ages to Come ; or the Future States. By E. Adkins, D.D. .$1.50.
Analytical Processes; or, the Primary Principle of Philosojjhy.
By Rev. Wm. I. Gill, A.M.. , $2.00.
Anthroposophy. By Rev. C. C. Adams, S.T.D 40cts.
Beauty of the King. A brief Life of Chri.st. By Rev. A. H. HoL-
LOWAY, A.M., Sl.OO; full gilt $1.25.
Christian Conception and Experience By Rev. Wm. I. Gill,
A. M $1.00.
Ecclesiology : Fundamental Idea and Constitution of the New
Testament Church. By E. J. Fish, D. D $2.00.
Evolution and Progress. An Expo.sition and Defence. By Rev.
Wm. I. GiLii, A. M $1.50.
Life Among the Clergy. By Rev. Robt. Fisher $1.25.
Life for a Look. By Rev. A. H. IIolloway 15cts.
Resurrection of the Body. Does the Bible Teach It ? By E.
NiSBET, D. D. Introduction by G. W. Samson, D. D $1.00.
Spiritual Communications, from the Eternal World. By Henry
Kiddle, A. M $1.50.
Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free.
AUTHOE'S MAHtJSCniPT PAPEE.
Manufactured exclusively by W. B. SMiTn & Co., white
paper, flat sheets, ruled only on one side, and sold only In ream
packages. Each paekago warranted to contain full count of 480
sheets.
Two tirades, difTcring; only in thickuoKS and weight :
Manuscript Paper, No. 1 $1.2.5.
Manuscript Paper, No. 2 $1.00
By mail 50 cents per ream extra. Specimens mailed on receipt
of three-cent stamp.
Special discount to editorial offices.
Practical Commendation ;
We find it just what teachers and pupils need. — Xational Journal
of Education.
It is of excellent quality, and convenient to both writer and
printer. — Providence Toivn and Country.
A first rate article. Meets the wants of a large class t)f writers
better than anything else which has come to our notice. — American
Bookseller.
It is made from superior stock, is of convenient width and grade,
ind is approved by writers and preferred by printers. — Western
Stationer arid Printer, Chicago.
The distinguishing feature of the Manuscript Paper is its con-
venient shape. The texture is neither too thick nor too thin,
making it in every way a desirable paper for writers and contrib-
utors;. — Acta Columbiana, N. Y.
K
A
<"
■^
V. ^^. A^
^o cV ^^WA-^^ '^^ ,A^
