The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-02-04


Ernest.
"What difference does it make who it
is? look at the matter in a philosophical
point Of view. What are ultimate ele
ments of organized bodies? carbon, hy-
drogen, nitrogen and oxygen"
DIOR heavens sake! don't give us a
chemical lecture this morning." interrupt
ed Jean, "we have enough of that at
College"
al was about to Observe" | continued
"that look upon all deceased persons as
only so much carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen
and oxygen"
al should like too see your philosophy
put to the test" said Alfred.
"With all my heart" l replied.
"Well now," said Ernest, Il know what
you dare not do?"
+" What?"
"You dare not sit up all night with
Comrades body"
"Alone," added Alfred.
"Pshaw!" l replied, it will be no fear
of the dead that would restrain me, hut
only the discomfort of setting uP all night
with SO silent companion.
You are creeping out of it now," said
Ernest "it is my belief you are just as
much afraid as am"
To tell the truth | had not the least
feari in the world-and felt a little piqued
at Erhest's supposition."
/" tell yon what will do" replied
E" will bet you all campaigne supper
that | will set up all night with this mar
derer's corpse"
"Agreed!' they replied simultaneously.
When shall it come oir?'' / asked.
To-night,n replied Alfred Il am
good friends with the Porter. Andre
aid he will let us have the key of the
dead house. What do you say, said he,
addressing me" do you want to draw
back--or shall go and make it all right
with Andre"
am quite ready whenever you please" )"
/ answered with some dignity.
We then drew mp an agreement in stu
dent fashion, which set forth that |. Ronjil
SimhawI, did thereby agree that | would
remain alone in the dead house attached
to the Ecote de Medicine, with the body
of the late murderer, Courade, from ten
o'clock at night till six the next morning.
That was to be allowed cigars, a fire in
the stove, and a pitcher of water, but no
stimulating drinks. If | did not remain
in the room with the body the time speci
fled was to forfeit the price of cham
paigne supper If on the other hand |
fulfilled the conditions, each of my friends
were TO pay for a champagne supper
This agreement was duly signed, sealed
and delivered.
| was so certain Of winning my bet
that during the day l forgot all about it,
and it was only at seven O'Clock in the
evening that it was recalled to my mind
by seeing Alfred in the street. He came
across to me.
81 say, Bonjil," said he, ''if l were
you | would prepare myself by good
supper. | am going to get miuc-sup-
pose you come and sup with me-"
With pleasure" said |; :. am fright
fully hungry"
We Immediately adjourned to the Palais
Royal. and entering restaurant, gave
orders for oar supper. | shall not detail
to you what we ate only know that
we were more than two hours at our re-
past, and when | tried to recall over the
dishes when we had linished, they were
so numerous that / could not do it. |
only remembered we finished with truffies.
Two men were at an adjoining table
drinking wine together We could over
sshear their conversation distinctly. They
l&ere conversing about the recent eXecu-
aion.
"a" They say he was not guillotined," said
fone
"No," replied the other, "they used
the Spanish mode of execution in his
case +"
"What is that? asked his companion.
The garrotte.
"What was the reason?"
"Why, you know he strangled his last
victim; in fact it was his usual mode o
taking life, and suppose they took away
his life by the same means as kind o
1poetic justice"
This conversa .ion made no impression
Oh me at the time; but a little later, as the
reader will fnd out, it came before my
mind very wildly"
1t was now near the time agreed upoi
for me 80 commence my vigil, My frient
accompanied ne to the Ecole de Medi
cine We found Andre there ready will
the key.
With smile l bid my friend gool
might took the lamp in my hand, and de
scended the steps leading to the deal
house.
/ The room set apart for receiving th
bodies was situated very deep in th
ground | must promise it is not tn
dissecting rooln--that is placed in TIL
upper story of the buiiding-but thi
room is only a place of reception.
soon arrived at the massive iron doc
which opened, and entered the abode Q
the dead A more gloomy place coGlt