Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-07-25
THE REPORTORIAL INOUIsITION.

We do not know what punishment the
council Of war will inhict on Marshal
Bazaine, but we do know that, in the
meantime, the defender of Metz is sub
jected to terrible ordeal. Torturing
quartering, hot irons applied to the soles
Of his feet in short, all the punishment
of antiquity and the middle ages were
nothing compared with what NJ. Ba.
ezine is condemned to submit to at this
mo ment.
1t may be called the torments of re
porterage. NJ. Bazaine is the victim oi
the reporters Of the fifteen or twenty
Paris dailies.
At six O. clock in the morning a re.
porter presents himself to the marshal
Excuse me, monsieur, for waking you
so early"
DO you come from my counselY'
No. monsieur; come in the interest
Of lie Phare Petrolien, the most enter.
prising journal published in Paris. On
your account we shall publish three edi'
tions to-day, and even fourth if it be
necessary. All, monsieur, you are great
er success than Troppman."
The marshal does not seem to be fiat
tered by the comparison.
The chronicler now begins to ask
questions and to take notes:
How did you sleep last night2"
"Very WE'LL"
By your leave.
What are you doing2"
Making sketch of your bed. There,
that win suffice, l think. Did you
dream2"
Yes"
What2"
II don't remember.
That's a pity; but / will invent a
dream - something quite remarkable.
You dreamed, for example, that you
were at Metz, and that you were killed
leading column against the besiegers. "
But"
"You will be satisfied with my inven-
ton, never fear. Did Madame la Mare
chale come to see you last EVENING""
"Yes."
did you kiss herr"
Certainly"
"0n which cheek?"
What has that"
"Oh, that is very important, Mon
sieur.
"Well, l kissed her on the forehead. "
Excellent. am much obliged, and,
by your leave, will cal again, by-and-
by"
About twelve o'clock, just as the mar
shal is sitting down to his dejeuner, the
reporter returns.
" Do not put yourself out of the way,
Monsieur lie Marechal, / beg. Go on,
please, as though l were not here. |
arrive in the middle of your dejeuner.
| am sorry"
why so2"
81 intend to arrive at the beginning"
"In order to breakfast with me2"
No; in order to know what you
breakfasted on"
"All the dishes are still on the table2
"Tres-bienl An omelet, stewed kid
neys, asparagus. All prepared to your
taste2"
"The omelet was little overdone"
"Ahl And how is your appetizer"
Who cares to know
Pardon me, Monsieur lie Marechal,
you have no idea how these particulars
interest our readers. When, for exam
Pile, we were able to give the bill of fare
of Troppman's dinner, we could safely
increase our edition ten thousand"
f" What are you doing now2"
Making sketch of your dining
room" tuA
At about four o'clock pm. the report
er calls again.
How have you spent the time since
l left your"
Walking in the garden"
" Alone?"
"No; with one of my aids-de-camp."
Have you read the papers?
One only-Ls Patrie.
&C. will make a hasty sketch of your
garden, and return at seven o'clock for
the bill Of fare of your dinner"
At eleven o'clock the reporter, in spite |
of every obstacle, makes his way into |
the marshal's sleeping apartment
M. Bazaine sits up in bed to receive
his visitor.
"Ah, how fortunatel l arrive just at
the proper moment.
Are you going to poster me long in
this mannerY
Until the day you are condemned"
M. Bazaine replies with grimace.
D." You will allow me to sit down in this
chair" says the chronicler; 81 will re-
tire when you put out your candle. En-
attendant. will make sketch of your
Were l the marshals judge, would
condemn him to pass the remainder Of
his life under the surveillance of the re-
porters.
What a punishmentl-but how richly
be has merited It'll ADRIEN HUAKT.