Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-16


g.intins Gallery none probably. at
Charlotte cordsy. behind - prison bars. b the
aa Pao a a who chd5 ed BY T0q the M sa5
tine during the first French revolution. The
copies 4 this painting than from Of the others
the while collection which indicates that 1T Possesses
totiG puolic Thos who nave ree and admired tbs
iotfe' risss brief imTrisonment and death BY the
guiiotine. Will read with interest the following hisor-
Portfolio publisher more than fifty years ago. and
which is probably tn fullest AM most reliable Ia, &C
ster Aarat.-D. IL
On the 18th day of July. 1913, four persons
were seated at Duperret's table. Duperret was
a patriotic member of the French convention.
and soon after this assemblage was arrested and
guiliotned by the Jacobins.) The dinner was a
melancholy one. The wine had no longer any
charms-they all feared its tra,kaess. Anxiety
hesitation, and trouble We're depicted on every
face The reign of terror had already COM
menced by partial acts of democratic fury. At
the dessert Duperret was informed that female
requested an audience; he arose and went to
her He found a fair stranger whom he had
never seen or heard OF before. but he felt in
stantly struck with a sentiment of respect and
admiration on bebOlding her extraordinary
beauty and her noble and commanding de-
meanOr- Citizen" said the incognta, Il bring
you intelligence from a man who is dear to
you" She then presented him a letter from
BarbaroVx. (Barbaroux was the representative
for MarseilleS; true republican. He also died
on the scaff0ld) Duperret looked round the
room with alarm and whispered Madam
speak lower, entreat you" NO, citizen" was
her reply. Ion the contrary. speak higher. If YOU
fear to converse boldly to-day tomorrow your
speech may be interdicted. To be silent will be
breach of your duty as representative of the
the French nation; and lie who passively and
tacitly tolerates the crime of his colleagues. be-
Comes. IN i certain degree, their accomplish"
Duperret, after reading the letter of Barbaroux
asked. What do YOU require of me- madam?
From the first moment / saw you, 1 felt
myself at your disposal. and this letter tells me
that you merit my ent--e confidence" She
paused moment. and then said, You are.
doubtless. able to appreciate what chances of
success our friends have. Tell me what may We
expect OF Fempfen! The result of open re-
slstance is uncertain. Monsieur Duperret, and.
moreover, the prescribed are not at all deficient
In energy. The departments have received
them with open arms, but the people are caprc
lOus their heroes of one day are often their
victims the next" After another moment of
hesitation, she continued: Il think there are
other means of delivering France and if
She stopped, and steadily regarded Duperret,
whose establishment was extreme. MY lam
guage surprises you. sir perceive. Our inter-
view has already been too long; | fear your
absence may be remarked. Tomorrow, if you
traced few lines q card and presented it to
him. The words were" Charlotte COr1tdy, rue
des Augustus. hotel de la Province"
Ing his hand and placing ii on her heart. she ex-
Claimed TO its last puisation il belongs to our
Country. Enter into these feelings sir, and the
republic will be free. She then retired.
The mind of Duperret, on joining his guests,
was still occupied with the extraordinary woman
whose acquaintance he had just made in so
strange manner. His wandering looks the
~ Dt IL tha of hiS
excuses, were all remarked. but no one dared
directly to interro@ate him. and he himself kept
silent, for he was in the midst of his friends
AT that time every man was afraid to speak his
sentiments Duperret, therefore. cOnversed
not. and so far acted prudently. but he was
wrong To complain of Illness. His sudden fever
was neither forgotten nor forgiven; it was con-
strued into the stamp OF consprator, an ac-
compiice, and, ere long, he was sent to the
seaffold.
Duperret passed the night in meditating on
the words OF Charlotte Corday. She possessed
the means of avenging the Girondins. What
werethose means! Asoitary femalei it would
be madness to pay any further attention to her
proposais-no! he would not keep his appoint
ment with her. liz might be a snare to entrap
him. Yet the letter of BarbarOux. and, also,
the noble cOuntenance of the young woman
with that serene and open brow, with those
eyes, beamlng forth candor and elevation of
soul. perfidy could never exist.
Duperret was faithful to the rendezvous he
had matie with Charlotte COrday. He found her
pacing with hasty steps her humble chamber:
her features We're marked with fatigue. and her
looks haGgard. She promptly recovered her
eeli-poSSeSsion, and a smile of welcome flashed
across her face which proved to Duperret her
delight at seeing him. They remained silent q
few moments, Duperret then said, '.you perceive,
madam. the confidence YOU have inspired HE
witn ana would pledge my existence that you
amply merit 1t " lis it to NE, or to the letter of
BarbarOux citizen Duperret awards it?' 'To
you, madam, to you alone. Tell me who you
are and what are your projects?" "WhO am,
citizen? Such as you behold me- a woman
feeble helpless woman What | seek, what |
Am calfabe OF you shall know be assured Of it,
You say possess your confidence. give me an
instance proof or let US go together to the min
lister OF the interior" Duperret demanded her mo-
tive. she laid her right hand his lips. For the
second time ASK 81 Duperret, is it to Charlotte
Corday. or to the letter of BarbarouX that you
award YOUR cOnfidence?" ''Let Us 60" replied
Duperret-
During their walk Charlotte replied not
word to the question her companion addressed
to her. The minister refused an audience why
1t was never explained. although at the conven-
ton they endeavored to penetrate the mystery.
but IN vain Duperret reconducted Charlotte
To her home, and then took his leave of her
Come again this evening"" she said, perhaps
shall have something to communicate to YOU -"
He pr OrniSed to return.
On entering his own house. Duperret found
there the commissaries of the "Comite de Sur
VIGILANCE. who came to seize his papers, then
called measure of public safety but sad pre-
sage Tor him. Duperret cOmprehended the dam
ger OF his situation and met it maniully. He
was man OF GOODNESS and resolution.
In the evening he revisited Charlotte Corday
Seated in an arm chair, her head leaning back,
she held in her hand miniature portrait which
she regarded with sadness. Tears stood in her
eyes; she showed the picture to Duperret and
asked do YOU recognize it2'
Yes. it is"
Silence. N. Duperret. entreat you do not
pronounce that name" She wept much. Par
don my weakness; "a woman although she NAV
possess courage. is always " Woman"
Believe me, / take a great interest In all
that concerns you" said he; Il have been faith
full to my word will you be faithful to yours?"
"feS. NJ Duperret, yes, and may you never
cave reason to repent it. Charlotte COrday
brings misfortune on all who regard her with
kindness" Then changing her tone and look. she
1nquired-"CitiZen what do you think of Marat?
DO You not think him tiger a monster. an
assassin, and deserves TO die?" she exclaimed
with fury. Think you it would be 4 crime to
poniard him? The hand that should pierce his
heart-that hand w. Duperret. would be blessed
Dy all France; death could not disgrace il: that
hand Wpull have nor, nod do