NJ. Desclair. with a trembling hand. tool,
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NJ. Desclalr. Win a trembling nahd, TOOK
the offered scissors. He cut the lace, and
at the same moment number of gold pieces
rolled to his feet


Madame Surrurier stopped to pick them
up; there were twenty-eight.


..You see, Monsieur said she, presenting
them to the Able, that this operation was
Indispensable


She then added, after throwing shawl
over her shoulder


al owe you now an explanation of this
scene; this gold belongs to the Marshal
Jourdon, who this ercning, at the Empress's
party. let Il slii.-an my shoulders; | have
four-and-twenty hours to pay IT. | now
bless the awkwardness of The Marshal.
But quick, go and calm the young madman,
and don't spare any remonstrancc with him;
but alas! people profit generally but little by
remonstrance.'


The now re-assured Able after begging
forgiveness for the confusion he had evinced,
returned quickly home, where he found his
brother suffering under the most violent
az tation. To attempt to describe his Joy
ON the Able presenting him with the
amount of his debt, and his gratitude on
hearing from what source ii had come, would
be impossible. The debt was paid, and
young Desclair, who possessed qualities
likely to advance him in that station which
he had chosen, determined the first oppor-
tunity to show his gratitude.
The events OF the following period passed
so rapidly, and are so well known, that IT
would be needless to enter into detail; suffice
it to say that the following day Madame
SurIurier had quite forgotten the debt which
she had invoiuniarily contracted with the
Marshal Jourdon. Some weeks later.
when she remembered it, the Marshal had
quilted Paris; in fine, things went on in this
way, and four years afterwards the debt was
still unpaid.


In Is09. the Marshal Jourdon CON-
manded in Spain; the French army, attacked
a. Vitt0ria by superior forces, was, for an
instant. placed in a most critical position; in
vain the Marshal and King Joseph. brother
o. y ID icon, endeavored to establish order,
and be on the defensive: the troops fled in
every direction. Transported by his courage
the Marshal put himself at the head of
regiment. half of which had deserted, rallied
them, and followed by this handful of faith
fitI soldiers. threw himself into tse midst of
large body of the enemy's cavalry: they
fought like madmen, but at length were
overwhelmed by superior numbers; the
greater number of the officers who sur
rounded the Marshal had now fallen; he
was surrounded on ali sides, and already
wounded: two sabres were leveiied at his
bosom. when all at once n young officer
threw himself between him and his adver-
saries.


"General," cried he, ''this is gaming
debt that owe youl''


I He fell almost Immediately covered with
wounds: but this generous avowal had
given time to a French squadron to arrive
The Marshal was liberated, order estab-
lished and the army saved.


On his return to Paris, Jourdon was
telling this anecdO,e among circle OF
friends, Smong whom was Madame Sur
rurier, who, struck by the circumstances,
exclaimed


..Is the name of the officer DescSirF'


On being answered in the affirmative.
she began accusing herself as the cause of
his death. but was Immediately composed
on the Marshal telling her that he had re-
covered from his wounds, and that the fol-
lowing day he would have the pleasure of
Introducing him to her as Lieutenant Col
oael Desclair.