River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-10-29
MISCELLANY.
THE BEGGAR GIRL or PARIS.

During the Reign Of Terror" ir
France there were many deeds Of daring
performed, even by women. The very
streets of Paris were deluged with blood.
But near the guillotine it ran IN rushing
torrents. One dark morning an unuSual
number of the aristocracy had been
marched forth countless heads rolled
from the block. A gaping multitude
stood by, and with shouts rent the air as
the arlstocracy were thus butchered.
Among the assembled multitude that
dreary morning were two females. One
of them were plainly clad, while cloak
was thrown around her with which she
kept her featul es concealed. But close
observation would betray the fact that
the woman had been weeping. Her eyes
were intlamed and red, and she gazed
eagerly upon the platform, while shock of
the glittering knife severed the head from
the body of some one who had been IN.
fortunate to fall under the ban Of the two
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 i'll rags, and as each head fell
she would dance and in various ways ex.
press her delight, and then exclaim
There falls another aristocrat who re-
fused me charity when humbly sued
him."
Each expression of this kind would
create laugh from those who heard her,
though any thoughtful person must
wonoer how one so young could have
been so depraved
The first female watched this creature
few moments and passing one hand to
her side she laid the other dpon the
shoulder of the wretch and whispered
"W0uld you like TO become rich at
once
The female in rags turned about with u
look of surprise, burst into a loud laugh
and then replied:
''Of course | would
"Follow me, and you shall be-"
Enough. Lead on
Ii was with considerable difficulty that
the females cxtricatcd themselves from
the crowd ; but they did so at length, and
then the first female saked the other.
"What shall call you?"
80, | am called the Beggar Girl Marie"
"You live by begging I"
"Yes; but what's your name, and what
do you want I"
"My name is Marie, the same as your
own
care you an aristocrat q
sit does not matter. lf you know
where we can find room, lead me to it
and you shall have gold"
The pauper led the way into narrow,
filthy street, and then down into dark
and filthy room. The other female could
not but feel a sickening sensation creeT
over her, but she rec overed herself. After
contemplating for time the apartment
and what IL contained she asked:
"Are you well known in Paris p
"Ycs; everybody knows Marie the
Beggar Girl"
Are you known TO Robcspierrc! Il
so, ! want to make bargain with you
81 am. What do you wish y
"You see that my clothing is better
than your own, and | wish TO exchange
with you, | want you not to show your
self at all for short time, or until
come again. As recompensc for aiding
me will give you thousand francs, ant
when come back will give you thous
and more. As a security for my return
take this ring"
The lady drew a diamond ring from
her finger and gave il 70 the beggar girl
then handed a purse containing gold. Tn
girl appeared little puzzled, AMI asked
"Weli, what are you gong to do with
my dress"
III want to put it ON aud go where
first met you
sob understand now. You wan
to see the chopping 90 on, and you arr
afraid you will be taken for an aristocra
if you wear that dress you want to rep
resent me-"
"Yes. want to look as near like yor
as possible"
"Well. that won't be difficult. You
hair and eyes, and even your mouth, ar
like mine. Your face IS TOO white