The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-06-03
MARIE THE PAUPBR.

During the "Reign of Terror" il
France, there were many deeds of daring
performed, even by women, aud many
noble examples Of affection exhibited.
The very streets Of Paris were deluged
with blood, but near the guillotine it
ran in gushing torrents.
One dark morning an unusual num-
Der Of the aristocraey had been marched
forth, and countless heads rolled from
the block. A gaping multitude stood
by, and wild shouts rent the air as the
aristocracy were thus butchered.
Among the assembled multitude that
dreary morning, were two women. One
of them was plainly clad, while a cloak
was thrown around her, with which she
kept her features nearly concealed. Bot
a close observation would betray the
fact that the woman had been weeping.
Her eyes were inflamed and red, and
she gazed eagerly upon the platform,
while a shudder passed over her frame
as each shock OF the glitteriDg knife
served the head from the body of some
one who bad been unfortunate enough
to fall under the ban Of the leaders.
Her face was very beautiful, and she
was young-eertainly not more than
sixteen or eighteen years Of age.
The other woman was quite different
in character. Her face was fair, but
there was a brazen expression about it.
She was clad In rags, aud as each head
fell she would dance, aud in various
ways express her delight, and then ex-
claim:
'There falls another aristocrat, who
refused me charity when humbly sued
to him"
Each expression Of the kind would
create a laugh from those who heard
her. But any thoughtful person must
wonder how one SO young could have
become so depraved.
The first woman watched this cFea-
ture for a few moments, and then, press
ing her way to her side, she laid her
hand upon the shoulder OF the wretch,
and whispered:
"Would you Ike to become rich at
once?"
The one in rags turned about with a
look Of surprise, burst into loud laugh,
and replied:
"Of course 7 would"
"Follow me and you shall be-"
Enough. Lead on"
It was with considerable difficulty
that they extricated themselves from
the crowd; but they did so at length,
and then the first asked Of the other:
"What shall call you?"
"Ohl Pm called Pauper Marie"
"You live by begging ?"
"Yes; but what's your name and
what do you want?"
"My name is Marie, the same as your
own"
"Are you an aristocrat?"
"It does not matter. If you know
where we can find a room, lead me to
it, and you shall have gold"
The pauper led the way into q narrow
and hlihy street aud then down into a
cellar, a. 20 dark and filthy room.
The other woman could not but feel a
siekening sensation creep over her. but
she recovered herself After eontempIa-
ting for while the ap4 .tment and
what 1t contained, she asked:
"Are you well known in Paris 20
'Hes; everybody knows Marie the
Pauper."
care you known 10 Robespierre? If
so, want to make bargain with Won y
'I am. What do you want ~
"You see my clothing is better than
your own, and wish to exchange with
you. want you to consent to remain
here, and not to show yourself at all for
a short time, or until 1 come TO you
again. As a recompense for aiding me,
will give you 3 thousand francs and
when come back 1 will give you q