The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1870-04-07
THE BEGGAR.GIRL OF PARIS.

many examples of affection exhibited.
The very streets of Paris were deluged
with human blood !; but near the guilo-
tine it ran in rushing torrents. one
dark morning an unusual number OF
aristocracy had been malched forth,
and countless heads rolled from the
block. A gasping multitude stooa by,
and with shouts rent the air as the ar
istocracy were thus butehered.
Among the assembled multitude
that dreary morning, were two fe-
males. One of them was plainly clad,
while cloak Was thrown around her,
with which she kept her features near
ly concealed. But close observation
would betray the fact that she had been
weeping. Her eyes were intiamed and
red, and she gazed long and eagerly on
the platform, while shock of the gilt
erjng knife severed TIE head from the
body of some one who had been unfor-
tunate enough to fall under the ban of
the leaders. The face of the woman was
very beautiful, 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
there was a brazen expression about it..
| She was clad in rags, and as each head
tell she would dance, and in various
ways express her delight, and then eX-
claim: There falls another aristOcrat
who refused me charity when l humbly
sued him!'
Each expression of the kind would
create laugh from those who heard
| her.
| Bnt any Thoughtful person must Won
der how one 81 young could have been
so depraved The first female watched
/ the creature Tor a few moments and
/ then pressing her hand upon the
/ shoulder of the wretch and whispered /:
Would you like to become rich at
once?'
The female in rags turned about
with a look of ofsurprise, burst into a
loud laugh and then replied:
'Of course l would
Follow me, and you shall be-
Enough, lead on.
1t was with considerable difficulty
that tile females extricated themselves
from the crowd; but they did so at
! Jenoth. and then the first female asked
of the other
What shall call you
oh! Pm called the beggar-girl Ma.
ria.
You live by begging .
Yes; but what's your name and
what do you want?'
My name is Maria, the same as your
own
Are you an aristOcrat?
1T does not matter. 1t sou know
where we can find room lead me Il
| it, and you shall have gold.'
The pauper led the way into mar
row, filthy street, and then down int
a cellar, and into a dark filthy room
The other female could not hut feel {
sickening sensation creep over her
but she recovered herself. After con
temrIating for time the apartment
and what it contained, she asked 'Ar'
you well known in Paris?'
Yes. Everybody knows Maria, th'
beegar-girl.'
Are you known TO Robespierre ?
so ] want to make a bargain will
you ;
i am. What do you wish?'
You see my clothing is better thar
your own, and wish to exchang
with you. want you to consent t,
remain here and not show yourself a
all for short time, or until | come T.
you again AS a recompense for aid
ing me will give you thousant
more. AS security for my return tax
this ring
The lady drew diamond ring from
her finger, and gave it to the beggar
girl. Then handed a purse containing
gold. The girl appeared little pu2
zled and then asked:
We'll what are you going to do will
, my dres5?'
i want to putt on and go where
first met YOU
'Oh, understand now. Yoe wan
to see the chopping go on, and you ar
. afraid you will be taken for al: ar;5to
crat if you wear that dress. YOU wan
to represent me?'
'Yes | want to look us nea, like go
as possible
We'll that won't be difficult. You
hair and eyes, and even your mouth
T like mine. Your face is too whit
though. but you can alter that Wit
I a little dirt
I They exchanged dresses, and 500
J the young rich and noble Maria d
Nantes was clad in rags of Maria tn
, beggar-girl of Paris. The history {
' Maria de Nantes Was sad one. He
father and two brothers had fallen viz
: tins to the remorseless fiends of the rel
Olution and a third and last brother ha
: been seized. But of his fate she was i.
norant, although she expected it woul
4 be similar 10 that of her other rel;
tires, He had been torn from her eid