The mountain Democrat., 1863-05-23
THE SHADOW OF A HAND.
By A NENmAL STUDENT IN PARIS.

to enter into discussion Of the matter
here. but simply relate an incident that
came to my knowledge some years since,
proving, think, most incontestibly, that
some Of the fairer portion Of creation are
endowed in an eminent degree with this
| virtue.
In the autumn of 1845 circumstances
called me to Dieppe. To tell the truth, I
was by no means sorry to visit this fash.
ionable watering place. The change is q
very agreeable one after long sojoUrn in
Paris. 1t was late in the evening Of 14th
of August that arrived at the end of mv
journey, and proceeded at once to the Ho-
tel des Bains, and after q light supper,
retired to rest
have always been an early riser. It
makes no difference what time go to bed
at night, | am sure to get up early in the
morning. suppose this is habit, more
than anything else. However that may
be, the morning after my arrival at Dieppe
| was up by cOck-crow. looked at my
watch, and found it wanted few minutes
to four. determined | would go and ex-
plore the town.
When arrived in the street was very
much surprised to find it fuH of people.
| gave the inhabitants Of Dieppe credit for
being very Industrious, beating their Pa
risiAn brethren to nothing in the exercise
Of the virtue of carly rising, and expected
to discover upon inquiry practical illus
tration Of the truth Of the adage, by fnd-
ing the citizens of that pretty but 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 if stimulated by some extraordi-
nary curiosity. I addressed inquiries to
some of them. but they were too breathless
and in too great hurry to make any re-
ply to me. All they did was to point be-
fore them and nod their heads.
Not being able to obtain any satisfaction
from them, determined to follow their
footsteps, as I was convinced there must
be something to be seen.
We advanced at very quick pace down
a handsome street, which | afterwards
|, armed was the chief street in the town,
called the Grand Rue; the crowd all the
time getting denser, SO as to render it
more difficult to proceed. We might have
gone mile, perhaps, when the street sud.
denly opened into q large square this
square was densely packed with great
mob. The most distracted noise and con-
fusion prevailed, but | saw something
there, raised on a platform at the farther
end Of the square, that engaged my whole
attention, and made my blood feel as if it
were turned into ice.
Ii was guillotine!
Yes, there vas the hideous frame work,
painted black, that had seen once before
at the Place du Trome in Paris. At the
moment turned my eyes on this instru
Inent 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,
rendering it easily to be distinguished by
the whole multitude.
Although had before seen an execu-
tion, and was we'll aware of the painful
effect it had upon my mind for months af-
terwardS, morbid curiosity impelled me
to remain and see the conclusion Of the
tragedy. | had not to wait long; a neigh
boring bell began to toll, and cart made
its appearance bearing the criminal. He
appeared to take matters very easy, and
when first saw him, he was conversing
| gaiy with the two gcndarmes who accom-
panied him. He was smoking q cigar, and
| glanced around at the multitude with the
most rcrfec; nonchalance. The populace,
when they saw him, gave yell of exc
Grafton; palpable sneer was the only re-
ply he deigned to make.
He ascended the steps leading to the
scaffold with an easy gait, and turning
sharply around to the mob, stood min
ute or two with arms folded, and foot ad-
vAnced as il defying them. He glanced
at them a look of unutterable scOrn, aud
muttered between his teeth the word
"Canaille."
1t was during this minute or two that
had time to make a note of his appear.
ance. He seemed to be about thirty Eve
years Of age. He was tall and powerfully
built, but his features were the very epit-
ONE Of vllainy. His eyes were dark and
large, surmOuntcd by bushy eyebrows
lie wore long moustache which extended
far beyond his cheeks. Every bad passion
seemed to be expressed in his face; in fact
his countenance might be called perfectly
devilish. An involuntary shudder ran
through me as gazed upon it.
He resigned himself into the hands OF
the executioner, and in few minutes all
was over. When the time came for the
knife to descend, had not the courage to
look, but turned my head away, and it
was only by shout of the mob that
knew the tragedy was finished.
inquired of spectator near me the
name of the criminal and the crime for
which he had suffered.
The man stared at me with astoniSh-
ment, saying:
"Wby, it's Jacques Reynauld
The name struck me as being somewhat
familiar, and | endeavored to remember
where had heard it before. / suddenly
recollected the Paris newspapers some
months back had been filled with the his
tory Of several awful murders committed
in Dieppe, and this mans name was 10
some way connected with them, but in
what manner I could not learn. But my
curiosity was now Thoroughly excited, and
Immediately made the most minute in
quiries into the matter, and before I left
Dieppe had learned the following partic-
ulars:
In the Rue des Armes, some months
previous to the time | write, lived wor-
thy ha6erdasher of the name Of Maurice.
His family consisted Of himself. his wife,
one child, and q servant girl. They were
quiet. respectable people, and very much
respected by oil their neighbOrs.
| M. Maurice did n Oood hucineSs and