The Red Cloud chief., 1881-12-01
AN ASSASSINATION JOURNAL.

When that delightful newspaper Ire
Vengegr des Opprtnses published its
famous article advocating the assassi-
nation of all crowned heads. a shout of
horror was raised by wcil-conducted
journals, and The circulation of the YEN
ge.r. which had till then been small,
n "reased by thousands of copies. The
editor. an Oft plucked medical student.
named Blaise Fielin, at once received o
summons from the Procureur de In Re-
publique, and, after q summary exami-
nation by that Public Prosecutor. was
committed 10 take his trial before the
Correction Court of Paris; but mean
while, ~agreeably TO French custom in
such cases, he was allowed to 90 at large
without rendering bail. There was no
reason for OBTAINING him, as he had not
the slightest wish to fly. He had his
own peculiar reasons for desiring the
notoriety which would accrue to him
from a criminal trial, and he went out
from the Public Prosecutors presence
laughing in his sleeve.
B.aise Fielin had a handsome suite of
apartments in the Rue de Rivoli, and
lived there like 4 man who is easy in
his circumstances. He was an ugly,
punv Young fellow, who wore a double
eyeglass and had a bilious face; there
was also i'm his c~ountcnancc an express
sion of mingled %conceit, cunning and
fear. He would look nervously at
strangers who accOsted him as though
he were afraid of being killed, but when
treasured as 10 their peaceful inten-
tions. he gave himself rock whoop
airs and talked of his 'un-hakable con-
victions." He was ALWAYS well dressed,
f~requented good restaurants, and braced
his nerves several times a day by drink
inc absinthe. vermouth and little glass
es of brandy.
Fielin's chambers in the Rue de Riv-
oil we're only known to his private
friends; the clerks at his Office were
not allowed to send there n persons
who called TO see the editor ON bust
ness. Such visitors, who were numer-
Gus, and who mostly came to beg or
borrow on the strength of being
''down-trodden." were always shown
into 4 waiting-room adorned with some
red flags and the photographs of polite
al murdcrers pasted onto sheets of
paper, with black borders aud SUR
mounted by mortuary wreaths. After
kicking their heels about for a suitable
time in this chamber, they were shown
into 4 frowZy room. where Eieliu sat
amid a litter OF papers and in his shirt
sleeves. correcting proofs. He used TO
wear a red Phrygian bonnet in suise
OF a smoking cap; and a revolver on
his table did duty for a paper weight.
To prevent accidents, this weapon was
not loaded: but Fielin was fond of say
ing that he kept il there to shoot the
hired myrmidops of any despot who
should be sent TO modest him.
A couple of DAYS after his appearance
before tho Public Prosecutor Fielin
was seated in his sanctum smoking
cigarettes, which he made for himself
with strong-smelling caporai, when his
Office boy brought him a slip of paper
on which was penciled the name Cora
Folla.;er. Fielin had never heard the
name, but he was gallant to the fair
sex and ordered her to be shown in.
Next minute there stalked across the
threshold a wild and sallow female,
with a large mouth, small glittering
eyes and a crop of addressed black
hair. She was attired in shabby-gen-
teel style, with soiled collar and cuffs,
and boots down at heel. She wore no
gloves, and the top joints of all her
fingers were SCARED with little sore
marks, which showed that she was in
the habit of nibbling the skin of. This
attractive person pumped down in u
seat opposite the editor and stared At
him in a way that caused him to shift
his position a little uneasily.
Citizen" she began in a voice like
a croak, II have read your article on
the assassination of tvrants, and | ap-
prove of il. have come to ask YOU to
lead me a hundred francs to buy a re-
volyer.
What do you want with such a
weapon" asked Fielen, whose face
heightened.
Il am going to purge this earth of the
Minister of Finance" answered Mad
anne Follalier, her eyes glowing. 1--WE
are agreed that tyrants should be ex-
terminated, and there isno worse tyrant
than this man, who has refused to give
me a ~tobacco-oaice. Why does he re-
fuse me this boon? Am 1 not as worthy
as those minions of his on whom he
bestows his corrupt patronage?"
1.-The number of tobacco offices is
limited" remarked Fielin, irving to
evade the responsibility of a pecuniary
loan. besides, l do not call yours q
public grievance"
"What is it then?" growled the Min
ister's enemy. gnawing at her nails.
lis not q wrong done to one citizen q
wrong done to all? In what respects
am l worse than other women on
whom tobacco-shops r conferred
every day"
Before / can answer that question I
must know who YOU are" responded
Fielin, who did not like his visitor at all.
He felt sure she was mad, rather be-
cause she had asked him for money
than because she talked insanely.
II am judicially separated from my
husband" replied Madame Follalier,
excitedly. He is . Government clerk
end a fool. He makes me = small AL
ewance, and 1 despise him / haye no
de Or profession ard + live As Lean.
life in fact isnTH1nnnfo mn<