The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-03-19

tlOn. Ana our men Stlli Searched, nnu-
ing nothing, which annoyed me. as | had
said to Catisson: "Tell us, demoiselle,
what you will give for the man who
captures your fathers assassin"
She did not answer, but turned pale
while her beautiful black eyes wept and
promised, but all that did not enable me
to find the criminal. Finally Catisson
said:
"If you can not find him, will"
She had still her grandmother, true
woman, living, who since the assassina-
ton had been silent as "A stone, yet fierce
as dog ready for attack, and the poor
old woman kept repeating: "Will they
not, then, conduct to the Monte-a-Regret
the villain who killed my SOM
Catisson left her position as seamstress, =
and applied to the prefect of police for
permission to take place at the fair.
This astonished every one, especially
when we saw at the fairgrounds at st.
Loup or st. Martial or Limoges great
bill posted, with a portrait of Catisson in
rose-colored robes, and beneath, in large
letters, "The Electric Girl" How odd
for Catisson so to designate herself. So
Catsson Coussac was electric, and you
received shock when she touched you.
But needed not to touch her to be cleo
trified | had only to look at her. You
see her at 49, but ten years ago. those
who saw her and did not turn to look the
second time were great imbeciles.
Well, the electric girl" brought spec
tators. An orchestra was not necessary.
or other attractions. They saw her and
exclaimed, What a beautiful grill" then
entered
One day entered the fair She was
there upon little platform, with Mother
Coussac, who, as afortune-teller, watched
every one closely. Catsson encouraged
me, and while stood before her think
ing how becoming her costume, she
smiled, and said in a droll tone:
"Oh, it is you! do not need to see
your hand."
Then | knew what the brave girl
wished; why she went about the country
in such disguise. She had ever in mind
that frlghtful hand, and extended her
own white little hand, soft as satin, but
nervous to every one who came, hoping
it might meet that other hand stained
with blood. 1t was her own idea; she
had only the one clew; it would suffice,
she thought yet to find the rascal was
like looking for a needle in hay-stack.
But there are chances that murderer
will wander in the direction of his crime.
The murderer might then be far from
Limoges, but would in all probability re-
turn. and there was chance that she
might again see the hand which haunted
her like "a nightmare.
Everywhere Catisson, with Mother
CoussaS, travelled over the country, yet
it was always toward Vienna that they
turned with the most contidence-women
often divine things.
One day-I remember it as though it
We're yesterday-the 22d of May, Mon
day, there was a show at the Place
Royale, and Catisson and Mother Cous-
sac We're there, distributing the hand
bills and saying: Enter, ladies and
gentlemen" 1t was not necessary to in
vite me; l entered as the others, only
saying, "Good-day, mademoiselle;" and
she replied, Good day, gendarme," well
knowing my name, but giving only my
title. / see it all, now-Catisson in her
red robe, her pretty brown hair, rose
in her corsage, white arms, pretty shoul-
ders, and a head to turn all others. And
she explained to the spectators, as was
her custom, about the electric fluid; then
extended her hand saying:
"Give me your hand and you will feel
the current. Donot fear; it will not hurt
you
Then some laughed, others were al
most afraid, but all extended their hands
for the touch Of Catisson. l was there,
and was almost jealous of those people
who pressed her soft hand, when sud-
denly, like thunder-clap, l saw the
electric girl, as pale as death, extending
her hand to one who seized it as dog
does piece of meat Before her was "a
great fellow, with curly red hair showing
beneath felt hat; he wore IA blue blouse
over vest, and epaulets; a giant l saw,
as regarded his profile; his inferior jaw
resembled that of a pike, and his tenn
Piles almost concealed with eyes, with no
beard, some hairs in the pale skin, bad
figure. Catisson looked him well in the
face, and he extended hand which
seemed enormous beside her small one.
She chung to him, seemingly, as if every
thing depended upon that arm in the
blue sleeve. A shudder passed over me-
him."
Yes, yes, she held him, and pale as
death, said to the gross fellow, suddenly
turned as white as herself.
"Tell me, do you know the assassin Of
Leonard CoussacY"
He recoiled seeking to withdraw his
fingers from the electric woman, All,
she needed not to be electric TO cause a
shock to that man. He was unable to
move his arm; he wished TO repulse her,
and said:
Are you a fool9 Will you unhand
me;"
AS he turned his head, | saw his light
eyes, fierce and eager, seeking means OF
escape.
Miserable villian!" cried Catisson
forcing him into a chair. 1t was you
who dealt the blow. 1t was you"
And she held that giant, stunned by
tlle suuueillesS nl tilt tllulF' put lit
quickly recovered himself, he olsen
gagged his hand from Catisson, and saw
it, frightful, with the even fingers; h'
struck her, then turn like wild anima
to the place of egress.
Everybody sought to escape; the crowt
We're afraid. The man leaped, pushing
the people before him, when ] planted
myself in front of him. He had an ugl,
look, seeing my KEPT and white breeches
He perceived in them the evidence of IN,
position. He had his face toward me.
raised my arm and seized him by TIN
| blouse,
IN the name of the law, | arres
you"
The villains only reply was a blow
which would, believe, have sent IN
ten feet, if had not had the presence o
Catisson to increase my strength. rid
iculed the blow. held the man;
dragged him; | would not let him &c
They would have had to break my wris
in order to make me. And he gave IN
blows on the head, trying to stun me, O
break my skull. Suddenly Il still hol
the scar he attempted to plunge
knife into my neck, in the same way h
had struck Father poussaG--a habit g
his, believe, He counted upon KILN
me; but the collar Of my uniform tume
aside the blade of the knife-a Noutro
| knifa with yellow handla IL IN