The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-12-11
'TWIXT CUP AND LIP.

i WlA1 SO1 o2NO LII
One July evening in 1871, most oI
the little tables outside the CAFE du
Me1i. in the curious old town of Nismes
were occupied by customers who seemed
to be very much of one way Of think
ing, and that way not tho popular one
for the language held was Of charac-
ter bold indeed, aud rarely held in those
days of Terror, when carelcss word re-
ported in official quarters Was good for
the u,terer's head.
What is the news" asked young
man. who wore his own hair, long, fall
ing to the shoulders, approaching o
group apparently absorbed in collee
ton Of newspapers lying before them,
from which first one and then another
would read an extract. Sometimes two
qu:dnunes broke into quotation simulta-
neously, and then it wa, more difficult
to follow them; when it so happened
three we're retailing tit-bits all together,
it became well.nish impossible to make
out what any one individual was read
ING about; but as all wanted to disclaim
and none to listen, that mattered very
little.
The new conner. however, had bona
fide wish to hear. aud was therefore
hailed with delight,
"Wha, is the news?"
Good news" "Copital news
might have been better The
wolves continue to tear one another.
"But be definite, some one, please, "
said the las. arrival.
Merely an attempt to r'ach kooe''
pierre and Collot dlI-rboi, with the
dagger, which has failed replied the
one who was quickest with his tongue.
"But the next may succrcd :" cried
another; pistols will not always miss
FIRE, Like those of Ladmiral.'
"But will not these futile attempts
revive the popularity of the wretches
The polguard of Charlotte Cordsy de-
| fed Marat."
That was different; Charlotte aven-
ged humanity, but it is the enemies oi
the human race who have now turned
upon one another"
Hist. PurlcI bas."
The warning voice came from gray
headed man who had hitherto listened
in silence. aud as the caution ran frou
table to table, conversation was hushed
aud all eyes were turned toward an ap
preaching figure, whose aspect was Ger
tainly somewhat sinister.
lie was a short, thick set man, will
square, powerful shoulders, remarkably
long arms. aud bow legs. His broac
brimmed hat was slouched on his clos'
cropped head, and tho lower part of hi
face was cnveloped in large handker
chief. which one would imagine mus
have been worn for disguise rather
than protection from the air on tina
warm evening. AS he advanced alon!
the street he Ind q trick OF glancing t'
right and left with quick motion o
bis small gray eyes, which by no mean
rendered his aspect moro re.assuring
On approaching the cafe he heslta'e'
as though debating if he should ente
and order some refreshment but wheth
er the company assembled Was not t.
his taste, or for some other reason, h
passed on, and turned up one of tn
narrow street, debouching into theope'
space where the cafe was situated.
"Who is le?' inquired the same ma
who had previously demanded the new
Of the DAY.
"Lcnoir."
"What tho bloodhound Of the Con
vention? The man who organizes
Robcspierre's body guard of assassins Z
The same; remember him we'll
he is q native of Nismes, being the so
of a respectable manufacturer there. III
carried on the business for some tiu
after the old mau's death. but about 81
years ago. shortly before the troubles
he sold everything and went to Paris.
"Ah, | recollcct," said bystandel
he demanded the hand Of Mademolsell
de Mou,reval, aud the proud old baro
had him kicked out Of tho house by hi
servants. lie left vowing vengeance
. and | wonder that he hes not taken /
for they say that he has terrible 'udu
ence" u,
Vengeance" cried another; "h
has wrcaked it sufficiently on the clas'
If he has spared the individual, para
lived old man whose life is burden !
him And then, if he has generou'l
left the head of the girl, who could nc
love his ugliness, on her shoulders n
at least done his best to blight her III
by derouncing poor Henri Rlqu't, nc
betrothed, who ouly saved himself b
taking refuge in England, aud leavln
his estates to b. con6scatod. bsslde
who knows what Le has como back her