The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-22
HARIVs BOVGIARD's AMNESTY.
A Story Of One Good Turn and
Another.
Y.

NO faculty Is so common IN man rs
that of being able to accommodate ones
self without difficulty to good fortune.
Marius Bougeard had been living for six
years the life of common-law convict;
for he had been sentenced .as murderer
and incendiary. not as a mere rebel, and
this had entailed his wearing the prison
dress and crop, anu having chain fast
ened to his ankle. His diet had been
beans, his occupation hard labor, and he
had once been Aogged with ropes end
for trying to escape. All this had not
fattened him nor improved his appear
.s RnCe generally. He returned to France
lean as scarecrow, and with all the
spirit apparently crushed out of him, for
he felt like a criminal, and looked like
one.
Even after he had shaved, trimmed,
and reclothed, thanks to PascaPs good
offices, he did not at once appear at his
ease, though conscious that he had re-
covered some of his good looks. He stared
at himself awkwardiy in the glass; he
glanced nervously toward the door every
time he heard footstep, as if he feared
that the Police were coming to fetch
him. His nervousness was such that
Pascal Ledoux could not help noticing
? it, and slapped him on the back, bidding
( him to be Of good cheer, and telling him
to remember that he must hold his head
high, as martyr to great cause. A glass
or two of good white wine served the
purpose of exhilaration better than these
exhortations, and sent Marius in the
street with bold front which beseems
an innocent, ill-used man. But it was
not until he had been actually'acclaimed
in the open air and embraced by thepub-
lie authorities, that he plucked up heart
and began to comprehend his new des-
TIMES.
Pascal Ledoux, walking arm in arm
with him, took him to the principal civ
ilian cafe in Ville-Aubry-that which
the barristers and merchants frequented.
A Eeport of their intended arrival had
got Dfuited, and the place was crowded;
80 was the street outside. A loud cheer
was sent up as the pair Glove their way
through the throng, and on entering the
cafe they we're received with storm of
applause, stamping of feet, banging Of
hats, and cries of "Vive la Commune"
Let it be noted that among the gentle
men who thus acclaimed the returned
convict there were many who had felt
for the Commune, at the time when it
was raging, only the sincerest loathing.
Frenchmen are swift to Forget; and
things that seemed hideous in 1871 the
glamor of political illusion had altered
their complexion considerably some
yesrs later. Marius Bougeard WAS hailed
as representative of an idea that
"vexed Government"-as an "Oppos.
zionist" and member of the "coming
phalanx" of politicians; and this would
have been enough to insure him hearty
reception in any circle of ambitious Re.
publicans. Now, in the cafe there were
briehess barristers, feeless doctors, adven-
turers journalists-all the men, in short;
who form the fringe Of the Radical Par
ty everywhere. Marius Bougeard had
at least this point Of superiority over
them all-that he had already made
himself "name," a thing which they
were in vain trying to do in their respec-
tive walks.
So champagne was uncorked In his
honor, and when the foaming glasses had
gone Aound loud cry was raised for the
Comsnunist to climb ON a table and make
speech. Elated by the wine he had
drank, Marius compiled, and shrieked:
"Citizens, this is the proudest day OF
nv life. thank you for having done
Justice to my Republican sentiments,
and for having understood that prosecu-
ton could not quench them. l am as
warm supporter of the Red Flag now
as ever was; and l trust that the day
NAV be not far distant when when we
Communists shall have our 'revanche'
for all we suffered at New Caledonia"
He went on rambling tor quarter of
an hour in the above style-this man
who few weeks previously had dragged
himself at the feet of the Governor of
New Caledonia screaming that if mercy
! were shown him he would thence
, forth live loyal law-abiding life. He
! said such wild things that Pascal Le-
| doux. who did not wish himself to he
reckoned as Communist, tugged impa-
I tiently at his coat-talls Marius paid no
! attention. Pascal tugged harder, and
the Communist turned short round:
"What does that man with the broken
nose wantw -,
"Why, its Pascal Ledoux," said sew
eral voices, amid astonished laughter.
Iedoux? l don't know him!" ex-
!. claimed the inebriate orator. "At least,
yes; isn't he the man who-who was
m--my friendr
@Ees, and who gave half his nose fol
you"
"How--how did he g-give half hi,
nose for me? I didn't w-want his nose
Just explain"
''Never mind" faltered poor Pascal,
red with confusion; and he whispered in
the rogues ear.
"Just come along with me, or the Po.
lice may be taking you. You are going
too far"
"I.don't care pin for the Police" /"
drawled Marius, striking defiant atti
tude .'and. this sentiment having elected