Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-08-13
OF A WINTERS NIGHTIN PARIS.

i Dog Ol you W lSt luS tdk0 you nome.
1t would hardly be prudent for you to
go home afoot and alone at so late an
hour, with the proceeds of our little
benevolent festival about you
"Thank you, my dear sir" responded
the priest, "but the money is lor the
poor. and who would think of stealing
it? Besides, if am attacked am am
ply capable of defending myself"
The vehicle rolled away and the
priest turned down the Rue de GrenelIe-
St.-Germain without noticing that he
was followed by man whose appear
ance was by no means prepossessing.
II.
It was towards the close of Decem-
Der, 1878. Times were hald-very hard,
and if here and there a brilliantly illu-
minated mansion indicated that balls
and banquets were given by the rich,
further on in the quarters where tho
poor swarmed were cold, darkness and
hunger. Indeed the scene at that place
and instant offered strange and sadly
significant contrast. Through the
widely opened door from which the
priest and his companion had just
issued could be seen in the inner court
yard a ring of splendid equipages and a
throng of well-fed and richly dressed
coachmen and lackeys. From their
thick coats and furs they beamed forth,
fat, freshly-shaven, SNUG; the horses,
heavily blanketed, tossed their heads
with a glitter and clank of brass and
silver. and the warm and ruddy light
cleaned on glossy robes and costly
trappings. And asst without the lean
and haegard man who watched the
scene with envying eyes shivered on the
sidewalk ragged and well-nigh barefoot.
The face, revealed by the gaslight was
not that of criminal, but two deep
wrinkles that seemed channels worn
by bitter tears, extending from the eyes
downwards, gave his face the appear
anco of being set IN sinister grin.
Despair, anger, passion, fright-all these
had set their seal on his countenance.
He looked at once wearied and furious,
like one who had long struggled in vain
against unjust and extreme temptation.
He had doubtless been workman, GER
tainly was beggar and prot ably would
be a thief or worse.
AS the priest passed him the mali
suddenly started and recoiled a few
PAGES, mutterlng something hoarselv,
then silently and watchfully followed
after him, keeping within the shadow
Of the walls.
Had he heard the priests cOnversa-
ton with his friend? Probably he had.
So, at least, thought two pedestrians
who were passing at the same moment,
bound in the same direction.
"That fellow means no good" said
one; ''he intends robbing some one"
''Or begging something" said his
companion.
Il don't like this way of sneaking
along in the shadow-it looks ugly"
Possibly, but somehow he doesn't
give me the impression # being a
scoundrel,"
"Whew, why you have turned
optimist. Oh, [ see, you've made
conquest, eh? That little Cora, I sup
pose? That is why you are on such
good terms with the universe"
"Well, [ did get her to promise to let
me take her to supper tonight as soon
=
Do, and on the road I'll tell you about
Father Gottlieb, the priest in front of
us there, whose history is worth hear
ing"
"Well no. Somehow [ think that I
will follow those two men and see the
story out, if there IS to be any story.
You can tell me about the priest at
supper; [ will join you and your en-
chanting Cora at the Cafe DIES Princes
in an hour
Ozone; take care of YOURSELF" and
they parted at the corner of the Aus
TRAN Embassy.
The street was asleep and white with
snow. Not breath disturbed the keen
air: and the sky, clear as a mighty opal,
added its all milky uniformity to the
serenity of the Winter night.
The Able Gottlieb turned to the left
along the Boulevard DIES Invalides
which was absolutely deserted, walking
rapidly but with his head bent down as
if in thought. Suddenly, as if by en-
chantment, the man who had been
stalking his footsteps appeared at his
SlOe; making tremendous bound like
the spring of tiger he caught the priest
by the throat, and both rolled upon the
snowy sidewalk
The gentleman who had followed
them darted forward, but ere he rea-
ched them they were on their feet.
With one hand the young priest held
his assailants wrists so firmly that,
thought the man struggled and writhed
to free himself, he could not break his
captor's hold; with the other he struck
the snow from his robe.
~ give In" finally said the ragged
man, in a sharp and bitter tone. as he
ceased to struggle; give init may
as well end here and now" And as he
caught his breath he added, hoarsely
and as if talking to himself, " the little
ones will def they are not dead
that is ALL"
The priest had not uttered a single
word.
81 give intake me to the station"
ms prisoner repeated.