The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-25
A STRANGE STORY.
Tale CT the GuiIlotine-Hcw a Dead Mar
Talked-What He Said.


Figaro, Paris
While travelling in Europe last spring
spent few weeks in Paris, and one night
accepted an invitation to take dinner at the
house of q physician, who, although an
American, has made that city his home
and has acquired q Continental reputa-
ton. When 1 say that he is
al years in the service OF a foreign
potentate now in exile and disgrace, from
whom he received the title which he bears,
my readers can form a shrewd guess to his
identity. The company was asked to meet
was very distinguished one. There was a
United States Senator from New York State,
q member OF the French Senate who held an
important position at the co, 1T of Napoleon
Ill, but had now thrown in his fortunes
with the Republic; q celebrated English
novelist, q famous comedian from the The
alter Franchise and a member Of the Acad-
envy OF Sciences, whose works on
psyc ology are known all over Europe.
1t will thus be seen how pleasant the gath
ering must have been, and how, under the
genial influence of our hosts choice Bur-
gundy, the conversation spread over q wide
field ID literature, art and science. Natu-
rally it drifted into abstruse psychological
subjects, ano the fact that several of the
guests were materislists did not prevent the
starting of a discussion OIL the forms of
mind and matter, and the possibility of q
sentient condition even after the principle
of life has left the body.
Instances were cited as having been re-
corded by witnesses in which, after serpents
and cells had been cut into small portions
and the vital parts seemingly destroyed, the
various portions seemed still to be endowed
with life and vitality; and o case was men
toned, well known in medical jurispru-
dence. in which a man, an inordinate gam
bier who was about to be beheaded for q
Qe q N
be allowed to play game OF piquet
with one of the soldiers who was guarding
him. The officer in command hu-
mored him, and the game began. Both were
expert players but just as the doomed man
was about to lay down q card which would
have settled the contest, the officer made a
sign to the executioner. That functionary
lifted his sword, and with one stroke severed
the wretch's head from bis body, and as the
chastity object fell to the ground the lips
were seen to move and from them we've
heard to come, in clear, distinct tones, the
words, 81 have won the game"
Up to this time the member of the Acad-
envy of Sciences, whom 1 will call M. Y,
had been an attentive listener, but he now
ipterposed and said, Gentlemen / can tell
you something even more wonderful than
this and something which on account OF
the source from which the story came to me,
| incredible as ii may appear to you, can
not believe. My grandfather was physi-
cisn in this city during the terrible scenes
| of the Revolution in 1879. He was an
ardent student and a successful exper-
| imentalst. One of his most intimate
friends was young Enelishman, who was
also studying medicine. They had tastes in
common, and were also inseparable. I'm.
bued with monsrchicAl ideas. this young man
could not see in the revolution that men
were fighting to overthrow tyranny, and,
after the manner OF bis countrymen, he
| openly and boldly denounced them. Reports
| OF his utterances were carried to the Com
mittee OF Safety. He was arrested, taken
before:{the dreaded Robespierre and sen.
fenced to the guillotine. On the night
| bs fore the execution my grandfather
Who had considerable political infiu
ence. was granted permission to visit