The Portland daily press., 1882-02-17
brooklyn Esglel
Les Incomprehensibles.
By Victor Hugo.
BOOK ONE.

Paris was belted with barricades. The zones
ran zig-zig across the city, dark, intense, dam
Vow they lighted up with smile of ire
Again they flushed rosy with the bloom of
blood Then they frowned sombre scowls of
loose powder.
The people of Paris had become the king.
The king lay drenched in cold sweat. Between
the two stood the National Guard, its back to
the people. An unconscious expression of con
tempt and defiance.
.Par6Ieui the little cross belts are brayel"
The speaker was Henry Dupauchin. He
commanded the little barricade L'Etoile.
"And they are coming, my commandant?"
''They are comingp
The men behind the barricade heard this
conversation. They were all mortally wound
ed, but they sprang with renewed vigor to the
defense.
fsHqIt laI Tres 5ien! Pardon messieursr'
sit is Baldideux!" exclaimed Dupauchin,
looking across the rampant at the officer who
confronted him, hat in hand. "Que Uoulez
yous, m'sieur2"
attacking you'll said Baldideux.
"We welcome you, naessieurs." retorted Du-
pauchin.
Then the battle began.
BOOK TWO.
Leponette rushed to her grandfather's room.
The patter of her feet reused the old soldier.
"What is it, Leponette?'
"They are fighting!'
He drew himself up and buckled on his
"Where is Placide?" he asked.
Leponette hung her head.
"He is in the barricades!' thundered the
soldier.
Leponette flung herself at his feet and clasped
"It is WE'LL" said he II will kill himl"
Leponette tainted.
Her grandmother stepped over her prostrate
form. The next moment he was at his post in
the ranks of the National Guards.
"You heard himp' cried Leponette, tearing
open the closet door.
ST heard him. replied Placide, stepping
from the closet.
"And you will not go?"
"I will remain with you, Leponette.'
BOOK THREE.
The soldiers of the guard advanced on the
barricade. Dupauchin and his army faced
them courageously.
"Hold!" exclaimed voice. A giant guards
man stepped forth from the ranks.
"Is Placide there?' he asked.
Lifting the barricade with his hand he
glanced under it.
"Put down that barricade" commanded
Dupauchin.
The guardsman looked at him steadily.
81 am Leponettes grandfather
at don't make any difference, put that barri-
caee downr' ordered Dupauchin again.
The guardsman regarded him keenly.
Then he stuffed the barricade into Dupau-
chin's ear.
with rage and partially deafened with the bar
ricade, rushed upon the guard.
They fell back before him.
At that minute the street fell up and en-
gulphed him.
BOOK FOUR.
SIT is terrible!' cried Leponette.
She stood on the housetop with Placide.
They were watching the fracas.
SIT is my duty to co. said Placide.
"Noi' exclaimed Leponette.
eyes" replied Placide. II am OF the peo-
pie. In a day the National Guard will be with
us. Then l shall have your grandfather's con-
sent'
''I will go with you'll" painted Leponette.
Placide dissuaded her. Then he left her and
hurried to the barricades.
Leponette watched him. Holding a barri-
cade before him for shield he charged the
enemy.
But he was in danger. Leponette saw it,
though he did not. There were some boxes on
| the roof Leponette broke them open and be-
gan to eat the contents. Placide was rushing
| to his death
BOOK FIVE
Placides danger was this:
The National Guards had dropped their guns
| and were throwing barricades. The giant
| guardsman had found one two hundred 1eet
| long, six feet thick and eight feet high. :,
He raised it with tremendous effort and
| held it over Placide.
Dupauchin saw the danger and made rush
| for it.
He bit off seventy-iye feet, but that did not
| rescue Placide.
| The guardsman whilled the barricade around
his head to steady his aim.
"Look out, Placide!" shouted Dupauchin.
| Placide looked up, but in the wrong direc-
| tion.
He did not sec the barricade He saw Le-
ponette spring from the roof with her arms ex-
| tended toward him.
"Leponettel" he murmured.
| The barricade whistled in the air.
"Leponette"
| She fell in his arms.
With terrific explosion Lsponette and Pla'
| eide were snnihilated.
| Worse