Middletown transcript., 1876-02-12
THE.BEGGAR GIRL OF PARIS.

THEsBEGGAk GlkL VI FAILS
During the Reign of Terror il
France there we're many deeds Of dar
ing performed. even by women. Th'
very streets Of Paris wer, deluged will
blood. But near the guillotine it rar
in rushing torrents. One dark morn
ing an unusual number Of the aristoc'
racy bad been marched forth; count
less heads rolled from the block. A
gaping multitude stood by, and with
shouts rent the air as the aristocracy
/. were thus butchered.
Among the assembled multitude that
dreary morning we're two females. One
of them was plainly clad. while cloak
was thrown around her with which she
kept her features nearly concealed. But
close observation would betray the
fact that the woman had been weeping.
Her ewes we're inhamed and red, and
she gazed eagerly upon the platform.
while a shock Of the glittering knife
severed the head from the body Of some
one who had been unfortunate enough
! to fall under the ban OF the two leaders.
The face of the woman was beautiful,
and she was youDg-certainly not more
than sixteen years of age.
The other female was quite different
in character. Her face was fair, but
there was brass expression about it.
She was clad in rags, and as each head
fell she would dance and in various
ways express her delight, and then ex-
claim:
"What shall I call you =
"There falls another aristocrat who
refused me charity when humbly sued
him."
Each expression Of this kind would
create laugh from those who heard
her. though any thoughtful person
must wonder how one SO young could
be SO depraved.
The first female watched this crea-
ture few minutes. and then, pressing
one hand to her side. she laid the other
upon the shoulder of the wretch and
whispered
Would you like to become rich at
once? ?"
The female in rags turned about with
look Of surprise, burst into a loud
laugh. and then replied:
"Of course I would
"Follow me, and you shall be-"
Enough. Lead on"
It was with considerable difficulty
that the females extricated themselves
from the crowd; but they did SO at
length, and then the first female asked
the other:
"Oh, l am called the 'Beggar Girl
Maria"
"You live BY beggipg?'
eyes; but what is your name, and
what do you want?"
"My name is Maria, the same as
your own
"Are you an aristocrat ?"
1T does not matter. If you know
where you can find room. lead me to
it, and you shall find gold"
The pauper lead the way into mar
row. filthy street, and there down into
a dark and filthy room. The other fe-
male could not but feel sickening
creep over her, but she recovered her.
self. After contemplating for a time
the apartment and what it contained
she asked:
'Are you well known in Paris ?"
Eyes; everybody knows Maria, the
Beggar Girl"
"Are you known to Robespierre ?
If 70 want to make bargain with
you"
II am. What do you wish p
'.You see that my clothing is better
than your own, and l wish to exchange
with you. I want you not to show
yourself at all for short time, or until
I come to you again As recompense
for aiding me I will give you thou
sand francs, and when I come / will
give you a thousand more. As security
for my return, take this ring"
The lady drew diamond ring from
her finger and gave it to the beggar
girl; and then she handed her purse
containing gold.
The girl appeared q little puzzled.
and asked: "Wsll. what are you going
to do with my dress p