The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-09-14
SHE KNEW 1T

When an Ameriran girl knows anything,
abe knows 1t with all her might. She has
that singular gift. intuition, In highly
developed state. The world being all her
oyster, she proceeds to open 1t with dyna-
mite. Because the story of Baptiste
chances, by an accident, to be true, is no
good reason for it being less interesting.
Miss Virginia Mascom was so very pretty
and graceful than even In New York she
passed for beauty. She had heard this
50 often, and from 80 many people, that
she would have been forced to believe it
even II she had originally been freighted
with doubts. She had highly well bred
carriage and naughty manner on occa-
sion, but was withal a pleasant, intelli-
gent, well behaved girl, whose wealth
gave her pleasure rather than airs. She
was pretty enough and stylish enough to
mako something of q sensation even In
Paris.
1t was In the time Of Louis Napoleon
that Miss Mascom arrived In Paris under
the feeble wings Of her mother Mascom
himself being only memory. They
wanted to see the city before they became
involved by the claims of either society or
dressmakers. They had rooms in an ex-
pensive hotel not far from the Place Ven
dome, and made daily excursions, for
sight seeing purposes, from it's hospitable
portals Acting upon the advice of
friend, they hired carriage by the month,
thus doing away entirely with the nuis-
ance of cochers.
Among the cabmen who were on duty
In front of the hotel was a tall handsome
young Breton named Baptiste. He was O
tidy, steady fellow, and lived with his
married brother, jacques, In the Mont
martre quarter. His was passionate
nature, and the first day he saw the
pretty American he fell deeply in love and
almost off the seat of his carriage
He longed for some opportunity to
speak TO her, to do some wonderful thing
to attract her attention and arouse her
good will. The opportunity to speak came
at last. One afternoon the ladies' came
out at the usual time, only to find that
their carriage was not ready. 1t was q
golden moment for Baptiste. He whip
ped up his horses and dashed to the front
Of the house. So did 4 cocher who
chanced to be passing. There was much
confusion, almost collision, and great
deal Of curious swearing Baptiste was
vehement In expostslations and offers Of
his services. The ladies' were frightened
by the wrangle, and called the concierge,
who ordered both disputants to take
themselves off. and capped the climax Of
Baptistes despair by calling up third
| cabman.
THAT was my Waterloo" cried the poor
Breton. my golden moon is an unripe
| epple. shall never speak to her now.
| That imbecile has ruined me-"
| II thought that young cabman was
rather good looking at FIRST" said Miss
Mascom to her mother. ut shows us
how mistaken we are about foreigners.
wouldn't be bit surprised If he were
one Of those communists we have heard
Of" and she shuddered at her own sug-
gestion.
Miss Mascoms French was limited. She
had not understood the cause Of the ex.
citement of Baptiste.
The ladies found hotel life bore, and
took an apartment near the Park Mon
ceaux. They were there when the storm
Of war came with the cry Of 20 Berlini'
Their rooms were on the ground floor
and the low stone balcony In front Of
their windows was covered with lovely
red climbing roses.
One evening two drunken gardes mo
bile were passing the house, when one
exclaimed Lets pick some OF that pretty
girls roses for our wives"
Miss Mascom sat ut the window. Being
somewhat nearsighted, she did not notice
that the soldiers were drunk and vicious
1.-Two very picturesque fellows" sh,
thought, and having caught the wort
roses, she said' You may gather some i
you Ike"
The men did not hear the permission
but were about to proceed without 1t
when q man who had been standing II
the shadow of the next house spranl
upon them and ordered them to go away
There was Of course brawl. The attack
| ty,o> ax>fxy hnfh ", Ia,
and speech.
What he cried, you dogs of tn
street, would you insult that lovely on
from the west-that rose Of roses! Ah
you shall pay for It, sweari"
There were gendarmes at hand In fe,
moments, and vi Of the combatants wer
hurried of. Virginia had watched tn
afray in terror. She caught glimpse Q
the strangers face and screamed. Turn
Ing 70 her frightened mother she cried;
"Oh, 1t Is that dreadful cabman VIII
was so impudent one day at the hotel.
feel sure he Is a Communist Didyou SO
how he attacked those poor, unoffendin
soldiers who wanted some roses? Sue
for the second time she shuddered becaus
of poor Baptiste.
The second reign o< terror had its awfu
grip upon the throst Of Paris Mrs. Mas
com was very Ill, and her daughter ter
/ .derly watched at her bedside. No on
knew when they were safe, and each nigh
, was made up of hours of dreadful SUI
pense. One very dark night there weI
i shots In the street, and presently mol
2 headed by man In q ragged, dirty Gard
Mobile uniform, came TO a stand In fror
: Of the house.
r "An aristocrat lives here" shouted til
: man In uniform, attracted by light frol
: the windows on the first floor, "Sheis
woman whose servants attact peaceab
men on the street. Let US teach her
lesson. my friends"
There was responsive yell. a rush fC
L the entrance, and then sudden halt.
A man stood at the head Of the steI
waving his hand and shouting:
mol MOI" he said. ut is lie what
saysi The young lady is an American
! She Is q friend of liberty and of the peopl
He is not telling you the truth. Al
comrades, you would not harm her. 81
Ia "a young thing, and so beautiful
beautiful and his voice was piteous
Its entreaty.
The answer was coarse laugh.
$50 1t Is you agsinf' shouted the Gart
Mobile Here Is something for you
and there was pistol shot.
Like some agile beast Of prey, the ms
on the steps sprang down, snatched
muslxet from one of the mob, and broug
its butt down on the head Of the leade
Then he sprang back up the steps al
ia into the balcony. The light from \
i, torches Of the mob fickered across I
n front Of the house. One Of the shuttle
was partly opened. and the pale face Of
r woman was thrust out.
go backl Hide yourselfi 1t is l" G
claimed the man ON the balcony. 9TH
shall not touch you while l am here"
She did not recognize him, nor und'
stand all he said, and he pushed her son
what roughly back into the room. The
wss scattering volley from the mob
fall upon the balcony floor, and then o.
GERS on horseback dashed up and order
the mob TO disperse. They had sol
n. Communists troops TO back up their orde
n and In short time the street was gu
and deserted.
The wounded Garde Mobile had be
carried off by his comrades. There "
no sign OF the recent attack except on
rs rs BALCONY where the roses used to bloc
sS Sonnet. ng red was dabbled about on
o., stones next day when the sunlight can
N red as the flowers had been.
nv Once more the shutters opened, and
- pallid face of Miss Mascom appeared. q
tously she stepped forth. Her foot stru
sousthiaz soft and she screamed.