The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-05-05
MARIE the PAUPER.

During the Reign of Terror,
in France there were many deeds oi
daring performed, even by women.
aud many noble examples Of affec
ton exhibited.
The very streets of Paris We're de
Inged with human blood, but neal
the ouillotine it ran in gushing
| torrents.
One dark morning an unusual
number of the aristocracy had been
marched forth, and countless heads
rolled from the block.
A gaping multitude stood by, and
with shouts rent the air as the aris
tocracy were thus butchered.
Among the assembled multitude
that dreary morning were two fe
males. One of them was plainly
clad, while cloak was thrown
around her with which she kept he:
features nearly concealed.
But a close observation would be
tray the fact that the woman had
been weeping.
Her eyes were inflamed and red,
and she gazed eagerly upon the
platform, while shudder passed
over her frame as each shock of the
glittering knife severed the head
from the body of some one who had
been unfortunate enough to fall I'M
der the ban of the leaders.
The face of the woman was very
beautiful, and she was Younger
tainly not more than sixteen OF
eighteen years of age.
The other female was quite diff
ferent in character. Her face was
fair, bnt there was brazen express
slou about it. She was clad in rags,
and as each head fell she would
dance, and in various ways express
her delight, and then exclaim:
There falls another aristocrat,
who refused me charity when l was
humbly sued to himr
Each expression of the kind
would create a laugh from those
who heard her. But any thought
full person must wonder how one sc
Young could have become so de
PRAYED.
The first female watched this
creature for few moments, and
then, pressing her way to her side
she laid her hand upon the shoulder
of the wretch and whispered:
Would you like to become rich al
once?'
The female in rags turned about
with look of surprise, burst into
a loud laugh and replied:
"Of course / would
Follow me, and you shall be-
Enough. Lead on
It was with considerable Difficult
i ty that the females extricated them
selves from the crowd, but they
did so at length, and then the first
female asked of the other:
What shall / callyoap
| oh! / am called Panper Marie,
You live by begging?
Yes, but what's yonr name, anf
what do yon want?'
MY name is Marie. the same al
your own.
Are you an aristocratf
i 1T does not matter. II You know
where we can find room lead mi
to it, and you shall have gold.
The pauper led the way into I
narrow and filthy street, and thel
down into cellar, and into dari
and filthy room.
The other female could not bu
feel sickening sensation cree
lover her, but she recovered herself
lAfter contemplating for a time tn
apartment and what it contained
she asked:
Are you well known in Parisy
i Yes. Everybody knows Mari
the Pauper.'
n sAre Won known to Robespierre
-|If so, i want to make bargai
with you.'
Il am. What do you wantY
.You see my clothing is bette
than your own,. and ] wish to e1
change with you. ] want you I
!, consent to remain here, and not t
show Yourself at all for shoi
time. or until come to you agair
AS recompense for abiding me wi
rive you thousand francs, an
] when / come back / will give you
Thousand more. Az security 4
almy return take this ring
The lady drew diamond rim