Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-08-21
MARIE THEBEG GAR-GIRL


France there were many deeds of daring
performed, even by women, and many
noble examples Of affection exhibited.
The very streets of Paris were deluged
with human blood, but near the guillo-
tine it ran in gushing torrents.
One dark morning an unusual number
of the aristocracy had been marched
forth, and countless heads rolled from the
block.
A gaping multitude stood by, and with
shouts rent the air as the ariatocracy
were thus butchered.
Among the assembled multitude, that
dreary morning, were two females. One
of them was plainly clad, while cloak
was thrown around her, with which she
kept her features nearly concealed.
But a close observation would betray
the fact that the woman had been weep
ing.
Her eyes were inhamed and red, and
she gazed eagerly upon the platform,
while shudder passed over her frame as
each shock of the glittering knife severed
the head from the body of some one who
had been unfortunate enough to fall under
the ban of the leaders.
The face of the woman was very beau
tiful, and she was young-certainly not
more than sixteen or eighteen years OF
age.
The other female was quite different in
character. Her face was fair, but their
was brazen expression about it. She
was clad in rags, and as each head fell
she would dance, and in various ways ex-
press her delight, and then eXclsim:
''There falls another aristocrat, who re-
fused me charity when humbly sued to
hint"
Each expression of the kind would
create laugh from those who heard hei.
But any thoughtful person must wonder
how one SO young could have become so
depraved
The first female watched this creature
for few moments, and then pressing her
way to her side, she laid her hand upon
the shoulder of the wretch, and whls
pered:
"Would you like to become rich at
once?"
The female in rags turned about with
look of surprise, burst into. a loud
laugh, and then replied:
"Of course would"
aFollow me, and you shall be-"
Enough. Lead ou.''
1t was with considerable difficulty that
the females extricated themselves from
the crowd but they did so at length,
and then the first female asked Of the
other:
What shall call you?"
"Oh! Pm called the Beggar-Girl Ma
rie.''
"you live by begging?"
eyes; but what's your name, and
what do you want?"
"My name is Marie, the same as your
own"
care you an aristocrat
"It does not matter. If you know
where we can find room, lead me to it,
and you shall have gold"
The pauper led the way in narrow
and filthy street, and then down into a
cellar, and into dark and filthy room.
The other female could not but feel q
sickening sensation creep over her, but
she recovered herself. After contempla.
ting for q time the apartment and what it
contained she asked:
"Are you we'll known in Paris?
eyes. Everybody knows Marie the
Beggar.Girl.''
care you known to Robespierre? II
so | want to make bargain with you. u
"Iam. What do you wish?
"You see my clothing is better than
your own and | wish to exchange with
you. | want you to consent to remain
here, and not to show yourself at all for
short time, or until come to you
again. As recompense for aiding me |
will give you a thousand francs, and
when | come back ! will give you q
thousand more. As security for my re.
turn take this ring"
The lady drew diamond ring from
her finger, and gave it to the beggar girl.
Then she handed her purse containing
gold"
the girl appeared little puzzled, and
asked:
Well, what are you going to DO with
my dress?"
81 want to put it on and go where
first met you"
"Oh, understand now. You want to
see the chopping go on, and you are afraid
you will be taken for an aristocrat if you
wear that dress. You want to represent
me?
Yes, ! want to look as near like you
as possible"
"Well, that wont be very difficult.
Your hair and eyes, and even your mouth,
is like mine. Your face is too white,
though. But we can alter that with lit
tie dirt"
They exchanged dresses, and soon the
young, rich and noble Marie de Nantes
was clad in the rags of Marie the Beggar-
Girl Of Paris.
The history of Marie de Nantes was a
SD one. Her father ard two brothers
had &llen victims to the yemorseless