The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-07-17
The Shadow of a Hand.

1t is question that has often been dcba
ted whether man or woman possesses most
moral courage. [ shall not pretend TO ell
ter into discussion of the matter here, bu,
SIMPLY relate an incident which came tc
knowlege some years since, proving,
think, incontestibly, that some of the fair.
cr portion Of creation are endowed in an
eminent degree with this virtue.
In the autumn of 1916 circumstances
called me to Dicppe. TO tell the truth, l
WAS by no means sorry to visit this fashion
able watering place. The change is very
agreeable one aftera long scjourn in Paris.
1t WAS late in the evening of the 14th Of
August when l arrived ut the end Of nv
journey, proceeded at once to the Hotel
dcs Bains, (Which, by the bye. can re-
commend to those of my readers who may
happen to visit Dicppe,) and after Il liyh;
supper retired to rest.
| have ALWAYS been an early riser. 1t
makes no difference what time 90 to bed
at night, am sure to get mp early in the
morning. suppose this is habit more
! than anything else. However that may
be, the morning after my arrival at Divppc
| was up by cock-crow. | looked at my
watch, and found it wanted few minutes
to four. l determined would 60 and cx-
plorc the town,
When arrived in the street I WAS very
much surprised to find it full of people |
gave the inIIahlan:s Of Dirppc credit for
hcin. very industrious, beating their Par
isian brethren to nothing, in the exercise
Of the virtue OF early rising, and expected
to discover upon inquiry, a practical Illus
'ralion Of the truth Of The adagc, by finding
the citizens of that pretty, but rather, slow
town, noted for their health, renowned for
their wealth, and courtcd for their wisdom.
was disturbed from these reflections bv
observing that the people were all going
III one direction, aud they hurried forward
as II stimulated by some extraordinary Gu
riositv. | addressed inquiries to some of
them, but they were too breathess and in
too great Il hurry 20 make any reply to me.
All they did was to point before them and
nod their hc;ds.
Not being able TO obtain any satisfac.
tion from them, determined TO follow
their footsteps, as WAS now convinced
there must he something to be seen.
We advanced at very quick pace
down Il handsome street, Which | after
wards learned was the chief street in the
street in the town, called the Grande Huc
the crowd becoming more dense, SO as to
render it very difficult to proceed. We
might have gone a mile perhaps when the
street suddenly opened into large square
this square was dcnscly packed with
great mob. The most distracting noise
and confusion prevailed, but I saw some
thing there, raised upon platform Mt the
further end of the square, which engaged
my whole attention, and made my blood
feel rs it it were turned into ice.
1t was guillotine !!
Yes, there WAS the hideous frame work
painted black, which had seen once be-
fore at the Palace du Trone in Paris. At
the moment turned my eyes on this in
s'rument OF death, man was engaged oil
ing the groves, and to enable him to do it
more conveniently, the knife lowered half
way down between the two posts, and the
morning sun made the blade glitter rem
dcrng it quite distinct to the whole mul-
titudc.
Although had before seen an exccu-
tion and was well aware of the painful ef-
feet it had upon my mind for mouths af-
terwards, morbid curiosity impcled me to
remain, and see the conclusion of the ira
gcdy. had not to wait long, neigh
boring bell began to toll and cart made its
api earance bearing the criminal. lie ap-
peared to take matters very easily, and
when first saw him, he was convcrsing
gaily with the two gendarmes who accom-
panied him. lie was smoking cigar,
and glanced around at the multitude with
the most perfect nonchaloncc. The popu-
lance when they saw him raised yell Of
cxccration ; a pul pable snecr was the only
reply he dcigned to make.
lie assembled the steps leading to the
scatiold with an easy gait, and turning
sharply round to the mob, stood for min,
ute or two with his arm folded, and a foot
advanced as if detying them lie glanced
at them look OF unutterable scorn, and
muttcred between his teeth the word
"Canaiile"
Ii was during this minute or two that I
bad time to make note Of his appearance.
lie seemed to besabout tliirty-fvc years Of
age. He was tall and powerfully built, but
his features were the very epitome OF will
any. Ills eyes were dark and large, sur
mounted by bushy eyebrows. lie wore a
long moustache which extended far beyond
his checks. Every bad passion seemed to
be expressed in his face in fact.his coun-
tenancc might be called perfectly deviIisl
An involuntary shudtcr ran through me rs
l gazed upon it.
lie resigned himself into tile hands If
the executor, and IN, a few minutes all %asd