Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-03-19
lQSGRl 3 A II 10 Us.
THE SHADOW OF A HAND.

1t is a question that has often been de-
hated whether man or woman possesses
most moral courage. | shall not pretend
10 enter into discussion of the matter here,
but simply relate an incident that came 10
my knowledge some years since, proving,
| think, inconteslibly, that some of the
lairer portion of creation are endowed IN
an eminent degree with this virtue.
In the autumn of 1916 circumstances
called me to Dieppe. To tell the truth, |
was by no means sorry TO visit this fash
ionable watering place. The change is
very agreeable one after long sojourn in
Paris. 1t was late in the evening of the
l4th of August that | arrived at the end
OF my journey, and prodeeded at once to
the Hotel des Bains, (Which, by the by,
| can recommend 10 those readers who
may happen TO visit Dieppe,) and after
light supper, retired 10 rest.
have always been an early riser. 1t
makes no difference what time | 90 TO
bed al night, am sure to get up early in
the morning. | suppose this is habit,
mrc than anything else. However that
may be the morning after my arrival | was
up 10y cockcrow. ! looked at my watch
and found it wanted few minutes to four.
| determined ! would go and explore the
town.
When ! arrived in The ST. eet | was very
much surprised to find it full of people
gave the inhabitants of Dieppe credi, for
being very industrious, beating their Paris
ian brethren TO nothing in the exercise Of
the virtue of early rising, and expected 10
discover upon inquiry practical illustra-
ton of the truth OF the adage, by finding
the citizens Of that pretty but rather slow
town noted for their health. renowned for
their wealth, and courted for their wisdom.
| was disturbed from these reflections
by observing that the people were all 60
ing in one direction, and they hurried for
ward as il stimulated by some extraordi-
nary curiosity. | addressed inquiries 10
some of them, but they were too breath
less and in too great 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 10 follow their
footsteps, as | was convinced there must
be something 10 be seen.
We advanced at very quick pace down
handsome street, which | afterwards
learned was the chief street in the town.
called the Grande Rue; the crowd all the
time getting denser, so as TO render il more
difficult 10 proceed. We might have gone
a mile perhaps, when the street suddenly
/ opened into a large square; this square
was densely packed with grea, mob
The most distracted noise and confusion
prevailed, but saw something there, rails
ed on platform at the further end of the
square, that engaged my whole attention,
and made my blood feel as if it were turn
cd into ice.
II was guillotine?
Yes, there was the hideous frame work
painted black, that had seen once before
at tie Place du Trone in Paris. Al the
moment | turned my eyes on this instru-
ment Of death, man was engaged oiling
the grooves, and to enable him to do it more
conveniently the knife was lowered half
! way down between the two posts, and the
morning sun made the blade glitter, rem
deling it easily to be distinguished by the
whole mplti;nde.
Although had seen an execution, and
was well aware OF the painful effect it had
upon my mind for months afterwards,
morbid curiosity impelIed ne TO remain
and see the conclusion Of the tragedy. /
had not to wait long, neighboring bel!
began 10 toll and cart made its appear-
ance bearing the criminal He appeared
to take matters very easy, and when first
saw him he was conversing gaily with the
two gendarmes who accompanied him.
He was smoking cigar, and glanced
around at the multitude with the most per
feet nonchalance. The poPulace when
they saw him raised yell of execration;
palpable sneer was the only reply he
deigned to make.
He aEcended the steps leading to the
scafold with an easy gait, and turning