Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-06-24
THE SHADOW OF HAND.

courage snail not pretend tn enter into a
discussion OF the matter here but simply re-
late an incident which came to NV knowledge
some years since, proving think, incontesti-
Dly, that some OF the fairer portion Of creation
are endowed in an eminent degree with this
virtue.
In the autumn of 1916 circumstances called
NE TO Dieppe. To tell the truth, was by no
means sorry to visit this fashionable watering
place The change is a very agreeable one
alter 3 long sojourn in Paris. 1t was late in
the evening Of the I4th of August when ar
rived at the end of my journey, proceeded at
once 70 the Hotel des Bains, (which, by the bye,
L can recommend to those Of my readers who
may happen to visit Dieppe,) and after a light
supper retired to rest
have always been an early riser Itmakes
no difference what time 60 to bed at night L
am sure to get up early in the morning [ sup
pose this Is habit more than anything else
However that may be, the morning after nv
arrival at Dieppe L was up by cock-crow I
looked at my watch, and found il wanted a few
minutes to four, l determined 1 would 20 and
explore the town. .....t -
When 1 arrived in the street was very much
surprised to find 1t full of people. gave the
inhabitants of Dieppe credit for being very in
dustrious, beating their Partisan brethren to
nothing. in the exercise of the virtue of carly
rising, and expected TO discover upon INQUIRY
practical illustration of the truth OF the
adage, by finding the citizens Of that pretty,
Dul IdN1cI sloN CoWu, nOlcU Tor tnelr health,
renowned for the wealth, and cOurted for their
wisdom.
was disturbed from these reflections by OBJ
serving that the people were all going in one
direction, and they hurried forward as If stim-
ulated by some extraordinary curiosity. / ad-
dressed inquiries to some of them, but they
were too breathless, and in too great a hurry
to make any reply to me. All they did was to
point before them and nod their heads
Not being able to obtain any satisfaction
from them, determined to follow their foot
steps, as L was now convinced there must be
something to be seen.
We advanced at very quick pace down
handsome street, which L afterwards learned
was the chief street in the street In the town.
called the Grande Rue; the crowd becoming
more dense, 80 rs to render it very difficult to
proceed We might have gone a mile, perhaps
when the street suddenly opened into u large
square; this square was densely packed with a
great mob The most distraeting noise and
confusion prevailed, but saw something there
raised on a platform at the further end of the
square, which engaged my whole attention. and
made my blood feel "a if it were turned into
ice.
1t was guillOtine!
Yes, there was the hideoas frame work
painted black, which had seen once before at
the Place du Trone in Paris. At the moment |
turned my eyes on this instrument OF death, u
man was engaged Oiling the groves and to en-
oOio W uO IL ulOTo CONVENIENTLY, inc knlIe
lowered half way down between the two posts,
and the morning sun made the blade glitter,
rendering it quite distinct to the whole multi
tude.
Although hsd before seen an execution, and
Was well aware Of the painful effect it had upon
my mind for months afterwards. morbid curl
osity impelled me To remain, and see the con-
elusion Of the tragedy. / had not to wait long,
neighbOrlng bell began to toll and a cart made
lts appearance bearing the criminal He ap
pcared TO take matters very easily, and when
first saw him, he was conyersing gaily with
the two gendarmes who accompanied him. He
was smoking cigar, and glanced around at
the multitude with the most perfect noHcha
IIHGs- The pOpulanee when they saw him
raised a yell Of exeeratiOn; a palpable sneer
was the only reply he deigned to make.
He ascended the steps leading to the scafold
with IN easy gait, and turning sharply round
- the mob, stood for minute two with his
arms folded, and n foot advanced as if defying
them. He glanced at them a look Of unuttera-
bic scOrn, and muttered between his teeth the
word CanaiHe."
twas during this minute or two that had
time 70 make 8 note of his appearance. He
seemed to be about thirty-fve years of age.
He was tall and powerfully built, but his fea-
lures were the very epitOme of villany. His
eyes were dark and large, surmOunted by bushy
eyebrows. He wore a long mOustache which
extended far beyond his cheeks. Every bad
fact is cOuntenance might be called perfectly
deyilish. An involuntary shudder ran through
Ine a. i gazed upon 1t
He resi- zned himself into the hands Of the ex-
ecutiOner, and in a few minutes all was over.
Whom the time came for the knife tD descend, l
had not the courage to look, but turned my
head away, and il was only by a shout from
the mob that knew the tragedy was finished.
/ inquired of a spectator near me, the name
Of the criminal and the crime for which he bad
suffered.
The man started at me with astonishment,
saying.
Why, it's jacques Reynauld!' ~
The name struck me as being somewhat
familiar, and endeavored 10 remember where
had heard it before. l suddenly recollected
tho Paris newspapers some months back had
been filed with the history of several awful
murders committed in Dicppe and this mans
name was in some way connected with them,
but in what manner / could not remember.
However my curiosity was now thoroughly ex-
cited, Immediately made the most minute en-
quiries into the matter, and before left Dieppe
had learned the following particulars:
In the Rue des Armes, about four months
previous 10 the time / write, lived worthy
haberdasher Of the name Of Maurice. His fam
lily consisted Of himself, his wife, child, and
servant They were quiet respectable peO-
pie and very much respected by all their neigh
bors.
ly had a considerable sum Of money in his
house. He had an extraordinary run of custom
one Saturday. and when the labOrs Of the day
were over he felt very much fatigued He
shut up his shop and proceeded u y small ROOM
where his wife and servant were laying the
cloth for supper.
My dear" said his wife, as soon as he en-
tered tho room 4" / should very much like some
oysters for supper tonight"
- am afraid it is too late,' replied the hug
band looking at his watch. 1t was a quarter
past eleven.
''Oh no, Justine says there is a shop open
round the corner
- IL that be the case let Justine get some at
once, for l am as hungry as q hunter
IherOupOn Justine put on her bonnet and
shawl, and went for the oysters; LsaVing the
do0T GJ3J that she might not disturb her mas
ter or mistress when she returned
Now II ~ happened that the place where che
expected To be able to obtain the oysters was