The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-11-02
Dark Bit Of History.

When that tempest of madness l was
speaking ofjust now first swept through
the streets of Paris Gin the reign of
Louis XVII lit drove the crazed peo
pie in herds to glut their vengeance upon
those who were keeping captives in
chains within. the great prison of the
Bastile. Itwas indeed grim and dis
mal-looking building upon the borders
of Paris, with sluggish water around it,
and its door was entered by draw
bridge. Toward the frowning walls of
this prison There is only tall bronze
column upon the spot now the populace
of the city rushed headlong, with what
ever weapons they could lay hands up
on. Butchers took their cleavers, stable
men their forks, carriers their heavy
oaken stakes, carpenters their axes and
there were thousands with guns and cut
lasses, and there were brawny women
with heavy pistols. The soldiers who
guarded the prison were so frightened
by the sights and sounds of this tenn
pest Of the peoples fury, that they could
hardly make any opposing fight at all
The governor Of the prison, seeing what
mad rage he must encounter, would
have blown up the huge building alto
gether, and had actually laid the match
to do SO, but the solliers rebelled and
forced him TO surrender. Then the ra-
gins mob flowed in, and those who
wore the uniform of the king were smit-
ten to DEATH and dungeon gates were
unlocked, and prisoners staggerd out
who had not seen the day for dozens
and scores of years.
A.beautifal girl was caught sight of
flying down one of the great stair-ways,
and she was stlaightway seized upon by
those who believed her to be sas daugh-
ter of the governor, and would have
been burned in the courtyard had not a
few generous soldiers stole her away
and secreted her until the sack was over.
As for the governor, who was a mar
! qhis and the kings friend, they cut Of
| his head and bore it bleeding from the
top OF pike-staff all down the street;
and all down the street poured the mad,
rejoicing rabble, Staying many others As
they went, and carrying the trophies
with them-gory heads on pixies, or
CORY heads on chafing dishes carried by
women. a.F E a
As it was that day so it was on many
a day thereafter, and for many aweek
and month; and for years whoever was
noble, or friend OF the hated iich,-
lived, if he lived at all in that city Of
revolution. in great dread and danger.
There was not much feeling at the
first against Louis XVI, for be was a
far better king than those who had gone
before him He was kindly at heart,
and what We might call nowadays gen.
tlemanly, amiable man, with not much
force of character, and disposed to yield
to the opinions Of those who had beer
his old advisers. These, by, their iob
stinacy, brought him very soon to grief
/ The people forced him to trial, and ther,
was forced condemnation. His head
too, fell before the fury of the enraget
people, and was held up by the execu
tioner upon the scaffoli for the throng
T ing mob to look upon.
), This poor king had left behind him il
| the prison son, whom he had taugh,
as he best could in those dreary priso
: hours, arithmetic and geography. D.
you think the boy ever forgot those les
sons, or ever forgot the sorrow. and th
loud wailings of bis mother, the queer
when the king went out to his blood
: death2
t A little after this those crazy one
l ! who were governing France 50 madl