Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-01-11
THE SHADOW OF A HAND.
A Thrilling Story.
BY A MEDICAL STUDENT IN PARIS

IL Ia q question that has often been debated
whether man or woman possess most moral
courage. shall not pretend to enter into a
discussion of the matter here, but simply relate
an incident tina. came to my knowledge scme
years since, proving, think, incontss.!bly, that
some of the fairer portion of creation are en-.
doWed in On eminent degree with this virtue
\. In the 4utumn of l645 circumstances called
me to Dleppe. To tell the truth, was by no
means sorry to visit this fashionable watering
place. The change 10 vesy agreeable one
after O long sojourn In Paris. II was late in the
evening of the l4th of August that l arrived
at the end of my journey, and proceeded at once
to the Hotel des Bins (Which, by the by, eao
reco mend to those of my readers who happen
to visit Dieppe). and after light eupper, rsisg-
cd 20 rest.
have always been an eerly riser. II makes
GO difference what time | 60 to bed at night,
am sure to get up early in the morning.
suppose this 10 habit, more than anything else
Ho Weves that may be, the morning after my
arrival at Dieppe, was up by cook-crow. /
looked at my watch, and found it wanted few
minutes TO four. determined would 90 and
explore the town.
When I arrived In the street was very much
surprised to fnd Il full of people. l gave the
Inhabitants Of Dieppe credit for being very in-
dustrious, beating their PArisisn brethren to
nothing In the exercise Of the virtue of early
rising, and expected to discover upon Inquiry a
practical illustration of the truth of the adsge,
by finding the c!tigens OF that pretty but slov
town noted for their health, renowned for their
wealth, and courted for their wisdom.
| was disturbed from these reflections BY
observing that the people we're all going in one
direction, and they hurried forwsri as If sIiuus
lated by some extraordinary curiosity. ad
dressed inquiries 10 some of them, but they
we're too breatheas and in too great hurry to
make any reply to me. All they did was TO
point before them and nod their heads
i Not being able to obtain any satisfaction
from them, determined to follow their footsteps,
as was convinced there must be something to
be seen.
We advanced OF q very quick pace down o
handsome street, which sfterward learned was
the chief street In the town, called the Grand
Rue; the crowd ell the time getting deneer, 60
az to render 10 more difficult to proceed We
might have gone o mile, perhaps, when the
street suddenly opened into large square;
ths square was densely packed with great
mob. The most distracted noise and confusion
prevailed, but saw something there, raised on
q platform at the farther end of the sxuare,
that engaged my whole attention, and made
my blood feel as If Ii were turning into Ice.
It was guillOtiue!
Yes, there was the hidious frame work,
painted black, that bad seen once before at
the Place dn Tr0me In Paris. At the moment
turned my eyes on this instrument OF death,
o man wss engaged oiling the grooves, and to
enable him to do it more conveniently, the
knife was lowered halt way down between the
two pots, and the morning sun made the blede
glitter, rendering 10 easily to be distinguished
lby the whole multitude.
Although Ihad before seen on execution, and
was we'll aware of the painful effect It had up.
on my mind for months sfterward, morbid
curiosity impelled me TO remain and see the
conclusion OF the tragedy. had not to wait
long; neighboring bell began to toll, and O
cart made It's appearance bearing the criminal
He appeared to take matters very easy, and
when hrst saw him, he was converspg gaily
with two gendarmes who accompanied him.
He was smoking cigar, and glanced around
OF the multitude with the most perfeos nom
ohalance. The populace, when they saw him,
gave yell Of execrationi a palpable sneer was
the only reply he deigned to make.
He ascended the stops leading to the scaffold
with an essy gait, and turning sharply arount
to the mob, stood minute or two with arm
folded, and foot advanced as If defying them =
He glanced at them look of unutterable scorl
and muttered between his teeth the wor
"Canaille."
II was during this minute or two that ha
4 time to mako note Of his appearance. H
seemed to be about thirty-fve years of age
He was tall and powerfully built, but hi
features were the very epitome OF villainy
His eyes were dark and large, surmouuted
bushy eye brows, and he wore long NOUS
taohe, which extended far beyond his cheekI
Every bad passion seemed to be expressed
. his face; In fact his countenanoe might
called perfectly devilish. An involuntsr
ahudder ran through me as gazed upon It.
He resigned himself into the hands Of th
. executioner, and In few minuets oil vi
over, When the time came for the knife