The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-08-11

beauty. which the Lori had given he
for the deliyerance of Israel" With
small parcel of clothing under her arm
and drawing-book in her hand. as
she were going out To sketch, Chariot
left the house. never more to return.
| On the 18th of July she entere,
Paris at noon, and at o'clock retire,
10 rest at the Hotel de Ia Providence
in the Rue des Vieux Agustines. Mex
day she called on Lauze de Perret,
member of the Convention, and wa
kindly received by his family. Or
leaving them she inquired her way I,
the Palais Royal, which she entered
and. unlike most strangers, lost never
minute in contemplating the monu
ments and public gardens, but hurried
on till she found cutters shop under
| the galleries, where she purchased ;
dagger, which she hid beneath her fichu
On leaving the cutters she slowly re
turned To the garden and sat down t.
rest on stone bench, feeling oppressed
with the difficulty of speedily accom-
plishing her object. At first she had
intended to assassinate Marat in the
Champ de Mars, during the ceremony
Of the federation on the 14th July, but
the ceremony was postponed. She then
thought 10 strike him in the midst OF
the Convention, when he was surround
ed by his worshippers and aecomplices,
in which case she knew she would be
ms family torn to pieces by the infuria-
ted mob, and so escape recognition
But this was not to be- Marat was
confined to his house by severe illness,
and no longer attended the Convention.
Thus prevented from killing him
publicly, she could only hope to &C
complish her object by ruse Decep-
ton was abhorrent to Charlotte's lofty
nature, but no other way was open to
her. She wrote to Marat, saying,
among other things: Il have just
come from Caen. | shall present my
self at your house about six o'clock.
Have the goodness to grant me an inter-
view | will put you in the way to
render great service to France.
At the hour named she presented
herself at Marat's house, but was re-
fused admittance. He who caused so
many to die was himself in constant
fear of assassination and so were the
trusted few who waited on him in his
gloomy, poverty=stricken apartments in
the Rue dies Oordeliers Nothing
daunted, Charlotte wrote yet more
insidious letter, appealing to the pat
riotism and pity of the Friend of the
People," aud concluded with Il can
reveal to you the most important Sc
crets." Without waiting an answer
she appeared at Marat's house little
after seven in the evening. She was
dressed in white, with silk fchu over
her shoulders ; Norman coiffe partly
confined her hair, and a broad green
ribbon fastened it on the temples,
while from the back a few curls fell
gracefully on her neck. She was out
wardly calm and collected, and in
firm yet sweet voice she insisted on
going upstairs in spite of the grim
FORTRESS who commanded her to return.
The alteration caused Marat's mistress,
Albertine, to open her door and as
Charlotte implored to be allowed to
speak to the ''Friend of the People,
their voices reached Marat, who was in
an adjoining room. Rightly guessing
the visitor was the writer OF the before
letters, Marat commanded
that she should be admitted. Grumh-
ling and suspicious. and most likely
little jealous of the tall, handsome girl,
ushered Charlotte into a
small, feebly lighted room where Marat
was in his bath striving by this means
to relieve the sufferings of his body,
while his mind carried on its multifa-
rious occupations.
"a rough plank, resting on the bath,
was covered with papers. open letters
and pages commenced. BY the side Of
the bath, on heavy billet of oak, was
a coarse leaden inkstand. A tumbled
sheet, stained with ink, partly covered
Marat, who had nothing out If tie
water but his head and shoulders, the
upper part of his bust and his right
arm. His greasy head was tied round
with soiled handkerchief, his receding
forehead, insolent eyes, high check bones,
large grinning mouth, hairy chest, skin
nv arms and Hvid skin, made him
horrible to look at. and
Charlotte east down her eyes to avoid
betraying the repugnance she felt at his
aspect.
Marat Immediately Intercepted her,
and Charlotte framed her answers to
suit his questions. Finally he asked
her for the names of the Girondist dep
uties who weTe protected at Caen.
After noting them down he exclaimed,
with the air Of Il man sure of his ven
geance:
That's well Before eight days they
shall ali 90 to the puillotine -
At these words, Charlotte took the
knife from her bosom, plunged it into
the heart of Marat, and as swiftly draw
" drawing the dagger back, let it fall
at her feet. A shrek is heard, and in
another instant Nfarat expires, dying,
as it appears, in bath of blood.
Albertine and the servant rush IN,
only to behold the corpse of Marat, and
Charlotte standing calmly by the win
dow. Laurent Rasse fells her to the
ground with a chair, and Albertine,
mad with grief and fury, stamps upon
her The news spreads with lightning
speed, the mob rushes in, and if it were
not for the soldiers, who protect her
with hedge of bayonets, she would be
torn to pieces. As the groans and in
veetives of the people increase for the
loss of their idol, Charlotte smiles, say
ing;
Poor folks you wish for my death,
and you owe me an altar for delivering
you from monster" Then TO the
soldiers Throw me to the maniacs.
Since they regret him they are worthy
to become my executioners.
And at the inquiry and trial which
followed, Charlotte was strongly press
ed TO disclose her accomplices. She had
none, and her judges could not believe
that a girl, so young and so beautiful,
should have, unaided, planned and ex-
ecuted such deed. Thee before she
was tried, she wrote a noble, touching
letter to her father. In one part she
says; IF / persuaded you was going to
it was that / hoped to remain
unknown. < Ny act admits
Of no defence. Adieu,