The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-01-07

see if they did not bear traces of gun
powder. One of the officers, whom I
met, threatened to shoot me-
G. was paralyzed with astonish-
ment the garcon also opened his eyes
widely.
"C'est trop fort p unconsciously
murmured his lips, growing pale.
"Good-bye, citizen, said the mes
senger, distinctly, as if resolved to leave
at once. G - rushed to prevent him.
t'Don't go-wait- give me an oppor-
tunity to thank you
He commenced to examine. his pock-
cts.
The old man warded him off with his
large, stiff hand. "Don't trouble
yourself, citizen; I will not receive
money"
"Then, at least, allow me to invite
you to lunch-if not, to glass Of wine
to something"
81 will not refuse" calculated the
old man after short silence. cit is
almost two days since I have tasted
food"
G. ordered the garcon to prepare
lunch immediately, and meanwhile in
vited 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 unwilling1y and in a
sulky tone. It 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" said 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
filled 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 p
"But allow me-" remarked G..
What good could you expect from
such 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.
care you going ?" exclaimed G
" Yes, l must join our people. For
what reason should remain here ?'
:" But you will certainly be arrested
on your way home, and perhaps, even
shot |"
Perhaps. But what is the differ
ence? While live must provide my
family with bread, and how am [ to
obtain it? If [ am killed, our people
will not allow my orphans to starve
Goodbye, citizen!''
Give me your name, at least I
must know the name of one who has
done so much for me-"
" That is quite unnecessary. To tell
the truth, what I did I 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 q free
passage was made, G., 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, 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 [ am ever obliged to ask any
thing for them, let your boy remember
them"
The fate of the old man who visited
G. was unknown. It was impossi-
BILE 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 not
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 sent
him who in the very heat and fury of
desperate battle could find time to
think of the anguish of perfect stran-
ger, and 6ourgeo5Se 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 a
little, the human heart will not be per-
picked by these contradictions.