Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-07-25
STRANGE LOUISE MICHEL,
Her sincerity and Courage-Joking q
Bourgeois--Facial Uglincss

Her Sincerity and Courage-Joking the
boureeois-FaciaI Ugiincss.
Louise Michel is certainly detraquce
In politics; but il she makes detestable
speeches and commits still more abomina-
Die acts. there can be no question as to
her sincerity or her courage in defending
her opinions. 1t is this sincerity and her
self ahnegation that gives her q certain
sympathy among people who deteet her
theories. Another cause of the general
indulgence shown to this misguided
woman Is her womanliness. It may sound
strange to hear that this vehement
utopist. who is ready to kill and to de-
stroy, possesses any womanly qualities
Once away from politics she Is kindness
Itself No one has more tender love for
children, greater pity for the aged or more
devoted care for the infirm. She was her
mothers good angel throughout her pa
rents life. although the old lady never
believed in her daughters utopian dreams
In private life Louise Michel is not at all
disagreeable companion. She is bright,
always cheerful. and enjoys good joke
she likes to play jokes. above all on her
sworn enemy. the bourgeois. One day.
when returning to her home just outside
the fortihcations. she found herself seated
on horse car beside respectable look
ing old gentleman whom she was sure
was Philistine Beginning the CONVEX
sation about the inhabitants of the dis
trict. its needs. ETC., she timidly re-
marked: But have you not In this quarter
terrible communist, q woman who wants
to destroy everything! What is her
manner "Ah, yes. replied the old gentle
man, Louise Michel" That's the one"
And then the old gentleman went on to
say how much the presence Of such a
woman injured the reputation of the
place. while she constantly encouraged
him by putting in word to show tha.
she was entirely Of his opinion, that it
was regrettable the law did not permit the
expulsion Of such dangerous character,
etc. When the 'red heroine" reached her
destination she turned as she was leaving
The car door. and with q diabolic smile
replied to the old gentleman's polite bow:
M sieu. I'm Louise Michell" And off she
went. chuckling to herself
Louise Michel lives at Levallois- -Perret,
a suburban town adjoining Paris. Two
small rooms and smaller kitchen com.
prise her humble abode. There, sur
rounded by her csts and some stray dogs
that she has picxed up to save from the
pound. she receives her callers and writes
her books Most of the money she earns
she gives away in charity, retaining for
herself only what is absolutely necessary.
At first glance Louise Michel is homely.
almost ugly looking Tall and very lean,
with frizzly gray hair floating wildly
around her high and retreating forehead,
an oval face with strongly marked fea-
lures. large nose. wide mouth, false teeth
and weak chin. she Is repeiling. This |
ugliness. added to teachings received
from parents who know the woman
only from hearsay. causes the chill |
dren to mock at her when she |
goes along But to a careful OBJ
server the ugliness of the revolution
ary apostle is only momentary. Her eve |
IS gentle and bright. her smile at once |
tender and malicious and her voice soft |
and sweet. In short. the general expires
sion of the face is singularly intelligent ]
and engaging. It Is only when she talks |,
about the wrongs and sufferings Of hu.
nanity that her eye becomes terrible In |
with those who are the |
furthest from her beliefs she is always
polite, and it is easy to see that this vi. |
ago of the political meeting Is woman
who has, received an excellent education
md breeding Notwithstanding her the |
,ries and manner of prOpagating them. |
louise Michel Is one of the most curious
md interesting figures of the present day
Charles Seymour's Paris Letter in The |
ypOeh