New-York tribune., 1885-02-08
A STRANGE STORY.
TALE OF THE GUILLoTlNE-How A DEAD MAN
TALKED-wHAT HE SAID.


From Figaro, Paris, Jan 10. 1884.
While travelling III Europe last spring spent
few weeks In Paris and one night accepted an invita-
tion to take dinner at the house OF physician. who
although an American, has made that city his home and
has acquired Continental reputation. When say that lie
is Banorean and that he spent several years in the
service OF foreign potentae in exile and disgrace
from whom ho received the title which he bears, my
readers can form shrewd guess as to his identity. Tho
company was asked 10 meet very distinguished
one There United states Senator from Newly ork
portant position at the Court Napoleon H. but had
now thrown In his fortunes with the Republic; cele
brated English novellss famous comedian from the
Theatre Francaise two of the most distinguished OF the
Forty Inmorals, and q member ot tho Academy OF
Europe Il will thus be how pleasant the gathering
must have been. and how under the genial influence or
our hosts choice Burgundy the conversation spread
ally 1t drifted INTO absruse psychological subjects and
fact that several OF the guests were maeasts did
not prevent the starting of discussion on the forms OF
mind matter and the possibility OF sentlent con-
dlton even after the principle OF life has left the body
Instances cited as having been recorded by wit
which, after sepens and ses had been cut into
small portions and the vital parts seemi ngy destroyed
tho various portions seemed still to be endowed with lie
and vitality; and case was mentioned well known IN
medical Jurisprudence, In which man, an n0rdnale
gambler who was about to DO beheaded for heinous
crime begged last request to be allowed TO play
game of piduet with OF the soldiers who was gua
Ing him. The officer In command humored him, aud the
game began Both were expert players bat Just as me
doomed man was about to lay down card which would
have settled the contest the officer made sign to the
executoner. That funetonary lifted his sword, and
with stroke severed the wrctcs head from MS bOOy
and the ghasy object fell TO the ground the lips were
seen move. and from them were heard TO come, IN
clear. distinct tones the words, have won the game
Up until this time the member OF the Academy OF
Sciences whom will call Monsieur X, had been an at
tcntiye listener but he interposed and sad Gen
tlemep. can tell you something even more wondertn
than this and something which, account OF the source
from which the story came to incredible as II may
appear TO you, cannot but believe. MY giandiather
was physician In this city curing the terrible scenes 0,
the Revolution 1850. He an ardent student ana II
successful experimentaist one OF his most intimate
friends young Engshman who was also STUDYING
medicine They had tastes ia commoi ana were a9s. ,s
inseparable. Imbued with monarchicai Ideas, this
y,uag could not see IN the revolution tiat men
were fighting to overthrow tyranny and after the man;
ner OF his counrymen he openly and boldly denounced
them. Reports of his utterances were carried to
the Committee Of safety. He was arrested, taken
the guiotine. ON the night before the execution
uy grandfather, who had considerable political
in the prison OF La Concierge. The Interview was long
one. The young man. S' we Will call hil-was brave
and nonchalant, and after long metaphysical argl,
ment grandfather said him; " have long wanted
to prove II consciousness ana the ability 10 act re
any time after death Let me make this proposition:
will be present you at your execution toOr-
row my profession and my re- alton TO the Oommttee
Of safety give unusual privileges Ine momeht your
know me and still have ths power OF aeiion, you WIN
close your left eye three times The doomed man augn
ngly agreed. the compact was seaiea, anu the TWO
friends babe each other atectonate farewell Morn-
Ing dawned tho prison, and as each victims mum
ber was read out he took his place In the tum-
bril- aud was carried TO the scene OF his execution
The young Englishman was there, so was my
Of "s" lie placed his head beneath the knife, which
flashed downward and the head dropped into the bas
ket My grandfather could hardly repress snaaag, G
picked IL up and held the face TO him. MIN seemed 70
be gathering over his eyes, but suddenly the ie %
clos d. then opened Did his senses deceive him NO
II closed again Once more IL opened; again ~ cosou
II opened again. The experiment. was complete JUST
he thought he saw smile hover around the mouth The
next moment the lips parted and In an audible Whisper
sassn ie Of py Pure - SOS Malt Whsioy think
keep this thing up for half an hour iohsor'