Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-04-09

When Sne touched you. But L needed
not to touch her to be electrified: l had
only to look at her. You see her at
twenty-eight, 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 girl! then
entered. One day 1 entered the fair.
She was there upon a little platform,
with Mother Coussac, who, rs q fortune
teller, watched every one closely. Catis-
son encouraged me, and, while I stood
before her thinking how becoming her
costume, she smiled, and said in q droll
tone:
"'Oh, it is you! do not needto see
yonr hand!'
"Then 1 knew what the brave girl
wished; why she went about the country
in such disguise. She had ever in mind
that frightful 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 clcw; it would suffice,
she thought; yet to find the rascal was
like looking for q needle in a hay-stack.
But there are chances that a murderer
will wander in the direction of his crime.
The murderer might then be far from
Limoges, but would in all probability
return, and there was a chance that, she
might again see the hand which haunted
her like q nightmare.
Everywhere Catisson, with Mother
Coussac, travelled over the country, yet
it was always toward Vienna that they
turned with the most contidence-women
often divine things.
"One day remember it as Thought
were yesterday-the 22d of May, anon
day, there was a show at the Place
Royale, and Catisson and Mother Cous-
sac were there, distributing the hand :
bills and saying: Enter ladies and
gentlemen It was not necessary to
invite me; l entered as the others, only
saying: 'Good-day, mademoiselle;'
and She replied: 'Good-day, gen
darme,' we'll knowing my name, but
giving only my title. I see it all now
Cat:sson in her red robe, her pretty
brown hair, a rose in her corsage, white
arms, pretty shoulders, and a head to
turn all others. And she explained to
the spectators, US was her custom, about
the electric fluid; then extended her
hand, saying:
"Give me your hand and you will
feel the current. Do not fear; it will
not hurt YOU
"'Then some laughed, others wcreal-
most afraid, but all extended their
hands for the touch of Catisson. / was
there, and was almost Jealous of those
people who pressed her soft hand, when
suddenly, like a thunder-clap, I saw the
electric girl, as pale a. death, extending
her hand to one who seized it as a dog
does a piece of meat. Before her wa1
a great fellow, with curly red hair show
ing beneath a felt hat; he wore a blue
blouse over a vest, and epaulets; a giant
l saw, as l regarded his profile; his in
ferior jaw resembled that of a pike; and
his temples almost concealed his eyes,
| with no beard, some hairs in the pale
skin; bad figure. Catisson looked him
wall in the face, and he extended a hand
which seemed enormous beside her
small one. She chung to him, seeming
ly, as if everything depended upon that
arm in the blue sleeve. A shudder
passed wei me, and 1 said: 1t is the
individual. she holds him.
Eyes, yes, she held him, and, pale as
death, said to the gross fellow, sudden
ly turned as white as herself:
"'Tell me, do you know the ass ASSN
of Leonard Coussac?'
"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 repulsc her,
and said:
care you a fool? Will you unhand
me?'
Gas he turned his head I saw his light
eyes, fierce and eager, seeking means of
escape.
":Miserable villain!' cried Catisson,
forcing him into n chair. 1T was you
who dealt the blow. 1t was you!'
"And she held that giant, stunned by
the s%uddenness of the affair; but he
quickly recovered himself; he disengaged
his hand from Catisson, and I saw it,
frightful, with the even fingers; he struck
her; then turned like a wild animal to
the place of egress.
Every body sought to escape; the crowd
were afraid. The man leaped, pushing
the people before him, when 1 planted
myself in front of him. He had an ugly
look, seeing mykepi and white breaches.
He perceived in them the evidence of
my position. He had his face toward
me. I raised my arm and seized him by
the blouse.
".In the name of the law. I arrest
you
''The Villains only reply was a blow,
which would, I believe, have sent me
ten feet if I had not had the presence of
Catisson to increase my strength. 1
ridiculed the blow. / held the man; 1
dragged him; l would not let him go.
They would have had to break my wrist
in order to make me. And he gave me
blows on the head, trying to stun me, or
break my skull. Suddenly Il still hold
the scar) he attempted to plunge a
knife into my neck, in the same
way he had struck Father Coussac-a
habit of his, I believe. He counted
upon killing me; but the collar of my
uniform turned aside the blade of the
knife-a Noutron knife, with yellow
handle. 1t cut through the collar and