The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-06-18
MARIE, THE PAUPER.

OuTIuS Iue 'helSn OF IerrOr in rance
there were many deeds Of daring per
formed, even by women, and many noble
examples Of affection exhibited.
| The very streets of Paris were delugeG
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 aristocracy were
thus butchered.
Among the assembled multitude that
drsary morning were two females. One
of them was plainly clad, while a cloak
was thrown around her, with which she
kept her features nearly concealed.
But close observation would betray
the fact that the woman had been weep.
ing.
Her eyes we're inaamed and red, and she
gazed eagerly upon the platform, while q
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 oi
age.
The other female was quite different in
character. Her face was fair, but there
was brazen expression about it. She
was clad in rags, and as each head fell she
would dance, and in various ways express
her delight, and then exclaim:'
"There falls another aristocrat, who re-
fused me charity when humbly sued to
him."
Each expression of the kind would cre-
ate laugh from those who heard her.
But any thoughtful. person must wonder
lhow one SO young could have become SO
ldepraved.
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 whisper
ed:
"Would you like to become rich at
once?"
The female in rags turned about with
look of surprise, burst into loud laugh,
and then replied:
"Of course / would"
"Follow me, and you shall be-"
Enough. Lead on"
It 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:
'sWhat shall I call you?''
"Ohl I'm called Pauper Marie"
"You live by begging?"
"Yes; but what's your name, and what
do you want?'
my name is Marie, the same as your
own"
'Are you an aristocrat?"
'sIt 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'into a narrow
and filthy street, and then down into {
cellar, and into dark and filthy room.
The other female could not but feel :
sickening sensation creep over her, but
she recovered herself. After contempla
ting for time the apartment and what i
contained, she asked:
/ "Are you well known in PARISH"
"Yes. Everybody knows Marie thu
Panper."
care you known to Rebsspierre? /
so l want to make a bargain with you"
81 am. What do you wish?"
] "You see my clothing is better thar
i your own, and I wish to exchange will
you. | want you to consent to remain
here, and not to show yourself at all fo
a short time or until come to you again
| As recompense for aiding me, ! will Civ
you thousand fraEcs, and when | com
back I will give you thousand more
AS security for my return take this ring.
The lady drew a diamond ring fron
her finger, and gave it to the pauper.-.
The she handed her purse containin!
gold.
!, The girl appeared little puzzled am
asked:
"Well, what are you going to do will
my dress?"
+ 81 want to put it on, and go where
, irst met you
sOh, I understand now. You want t
see the chopping going on, and you ar
afraid you will be taken for an aristo era
if you wear that Dress. You wantto rep
, resent me.
eyes. want to look as near like yo'
, as possible"
), "Well, that won't be very difficult
|, Your hair and eyes,and even your moutl
, lis like mine. Your face is too white
though. But you can alter that with
little dirt"
4 They exchanged dresses, and soon th
young, rich, noble Marie de Nantes wa
clad in the rags of Marie the Pauper Q
/ Paris.
The history of Marie de Nantes was
sad one. Her father and two brother
had fallen victims to the remorseless fend
! of the Revolution, and third and las
brother had been seized. But of his fat
she was ignorant, although she expecte
that it would be similar to that OF he
other relatives. He had been torn frol
: her side but few hours before.
After the exchange had been made tn
pauper looked on the stockingless an
shoeless feet and ankles OF the lady an
. said:
"That will never do. Your feet al