Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-13
Haisfellareous
lev Charlotte Corday killed Mara,.

On Saturday morning at eight O'Clock
Charlotte hurried out Of the Rue des
Vieux Augustus. and walking rapidly to
the Palais Royal, entered . cutters shop,
and bought . sheath-knife with double
edge and an ebony handle. paying three
francs for it, and hiding it in her dress.
She then went straight to the Place des
victoires. where she hired a hack. telling
the driver. ITO the Rue des COrdeliers,
Numero "A ~ now the Rue de l'Ecole de
Medicine, Numero 20. II was the domi-
Gil Of Doctor Marat. The anarch was liv-
ing in quite humble dwelling. in compa-
nv with his housekeeper. Catherine Ev-
rard, whom he had declared his wife, af-
ter the fashion of Rousseau, by proclaim
ing her such ..in the face of the SUM-" She
was now known as Albertine Marat. The
citizen was sick and could see no one. so
Madame Marat came to the threshold
CURLY to say. The visitor seemed disap-
pointed, but quietly went away. leaving
no name or message. Returning to the
Hotel de Ia Providence, sne deliberately
penned Marat the following short note:
II have arrived from Caen. Your love
for the country makes me presume that
you will hear with interest the unhappy
events7 Of that part of the Republic. l
shall present myself at your house about
one o'clock. Have the goodness to re-
ceive me. and grant me moments in
terview. I will put you in way to rem
der a great service to France"
There was no tremor in the lines, nor
hesitation OF language, and the great
service she meant to make Marat render
France is now obvious enough. To this
note she received no answer. She accord
ingly wrote another message, still more
pressing, and set out with il herself, by
coach, at seven in the evening. She was
carefully clad in white dress, covered on
the shoulders by silk .fchu. Her hair
was confined in Norman coife. of which
the falling lace touched her pallid cheek.
A broad green ribbon fastened the cOite
on her temples, while a few curls, full
and dark, with auburn ends, lay on her
pearly neck. A handsOmer daughter of
Normandy had never set foot in Paris.
It was the 18th Of July, 1898, yellow
and sultry, the anniversary eve Of the fall
OF the Bastile. The people were crowd
ing the narrow streets without sidewalks
of the ancient city, recalling the moment
Gus event, refreshing their spirits at the
fonts of patriotism, and wondering in their
wonted way. who would he tumbreled to
death on the morrow which promised to
be SO bright and warm and clear, little
voting Of the impending tragedy to-day.
As Charlotte rode along she saw the
cabarets and cremeries thronged with noisy
groups of the middle classes. who
were loudly protesting allegiance to
the triumvirate. and approval of the pop.
II Al. u
at safe and decent distance from the un-
washed patriots of the pare. She alighted
in the Rue des Cordeliers, in front of NJ
nero A. unfalteringly assembled the step,
and when the door was opened by house,
keeper Albertine, ever watchful against
rivals. politely but firmly requested to see
Citoyen Marat. Marat was in his bath in
his sitting-room, covered to the chin with
a sheet, his ashen, furrowed face, crafty
and cadaverous. exposed and wearing an
aspect of asperity. Theirs describes him
as having a ''receding forehead, high
cheek-bones. huge grinning mouth, hairy
chest, skinny arms and livid skin" Not
pretty picture. There was plank
across the bath on which were lying pa
pers and letters. and he had pen in his
fingers. He heard the voices in the hall
those OF his jealous mistress and the per-
sistent stranger. and croaked out an order
to admit the visitor, being attracted by
the soft sweet music of her accents. Char
lotte at once pushed past the woman and
stepped nimbly into the room murmuring,
Citizen. | am from Caen, the seat
Of revolt, and want TO speak
with you" Whined the friend of the
people, Now. what are the traitors
about at Caen?" Answered Char
lotte, Nothing Of consequence" There
was scrivener in the room. Laurent Basse,
who looked mp from his desk and listened,
his attention attracted by the peculiar tone
of abstraction of the lady. what de-
puties are at Caen?" asked Marat. Char
lotte named few OF her intimate friends
among the refugees she had so lately left
tone, the voice of illness and passion I'M
within a fortnight This angry threat
was fatal to him. Suddenly snatching the
knife from her bosom, Charlotte plunged
the blade deep into Marat's heart, even to
the hilt, the sheath remaining in her dress.
Cried Marat. hoarsely. "Anoi chere amie,"
calling Catherine, and sank back in the
bath. limp and lifeless, dying literally in
o bath of blood
In an instant Laurent Basse had started
up. and seizing chair. felled Charlotte
to the floor. The chere annie flew furious
~ at her, and stamped upon her body
Then the neighbors and the passers-by
ran in, and an attempt was made to secure
the assailant, but she resisted. overturning
q table and chairs, and intrenching her.
sell behind this barrier, until the police
came in. when she ran behind
the folds Of window curtain. but peace
ably submitted to arrest. Before she could
b carried from the scene characteristic
cally revolutionary occurrence had taken
place, however. One Langlois. a stay
maker Of the Rue Dauphine. picked up
the knife. and waving it above his head.
made speech. calling for the murder of
the murderess by the mob on the very
spot of the commission of her crime.
Poor peopler' exclaimed Charlotte at
this. You wish my death. when you
owe me an altar for delivering you from
Wholesale assassin. "-Ddrid Graham