Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-01-14

see if they did not bear traces of gun
powder. One of the officers, whom 1
met, threatened to shoot me-"
G. was paralyzed with astonish-
ment F.; the garcon also opened his eyes
widely.
"C'est trop fort % unconscious,y
murmured his lips, growing pale.
Goodbye, citizen, said the mes
senger, distinctly, as if resolved to leave
at once. G - rushed to prevent him.
Don't go-wait-give me an Oppor-
tunity to thank you ="
He commenced to examine his peck
cts.
The old man warded him off with his
large, stiff hand. Don't trouble
yourself, citizen; l will not receive
money"
"Then, at least, allow me to invite
you to lunch-if not, to glass of wine
to something"
Ct will not refuse" calculated the
old man after a short silence. cit is
almost two days since 1 have tasted
food"
G. ordered the garcon to prepare
lunch immediately, and meanwhile in
yited his guest to take seat. The lat
ter sat heavily down upon the chair,
placed both palms on his knees, and
cast his eyes down.
G. began to question him, but the
man answered unwillipgly and in q
sulky tone. 1t was obvious that he
was very much fatigued, and besides.
the society of a bourgeoise was not
pleasant to him. At lunch, however,
he became more animated. At first he
ate and drank with avidity, and alter
ward commenced to talk.
"In February" sid he, "we prom
ised the provisional government to wait
three months; that time has elapsed,
and the need is still as great, even more
so. The provisional government has
cheated us promised much-and full
filed nothing. It has accomplished
nothing whatever for the workingmen.
We have spent our money, no work is
to be found, and business affairs are
dull. This is the republic Well,
so we resolved it is the same how we
perish -
"But allow me-" remarked G..
"What good could you expect from
such a foolish revolution %
I'VE had to perish, is it not the same
now?" He carefully wiped his lips,
folded the napkin, thanked us, and rose
from his chair.
"Are you going?' exclaimed C..
Yes, L must join our people. For
what reason should 1 remain here ?''
But you will certainly be arrested
on your way home, and perhaps, even
shot y
perhaps. But what is the differ.
ence? While l live / must provide my
family with bread, and how am 1 tc
obtain it Ii L am killed, our people
will not allow my orphans to starve.
Goodbye, citizen!
Give me your name, at least
must know the name of one who has
done so much for me-"
"That is quite unnecessary. To tell
the truth, what did / have not done
for your sake; our people ordered it.
Goodbye"
The old man left escorted by the gar
con.
That very day that instruction was
definitely crushed. As soon as a free
passage was made. c., guided by
the address, found the woman who had
given refuge to his little boy. Her hus-
band and one of her Sons were prison
ers; another son was killed on the bar
ricade, a nephew was shot. She, too,
refused to accept any money, but point
ing to two girls, playing in the room,
daughters of her dead son, she said
eff 1 am ever obliged to ask any.
thing for them, let Your boy remember
them"
The fate of the old man who visited
c. was unknown. 1t was impossi
bic not to admire his deed, the uncon
scious and almost sublime simplicity
with which he accomplished it. 1t was
evident that even the thought did mo-
cross his mind, that he had done any
thing extraordinary that he had sac
rifced himself. And it was also impos
sible not to admire those men who SEN
him who In the very heat and fury o.
! a desperate battle could find time IL
think of the anguish of perfect stran
ger, and bourgcoiSe at that. Men like
those, it is true, twenty-five years after
ward set Paris on fire and shot the hos
tages, but one who knows, at least /,
little, the human heart will not be per
picked by these contradictions.