Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-26
% STRANGE LOUISE MICHEL.
Her Sincerity and Courage-Joking che
Bourgeois-Facial Ugliness.

Her Sincerity and Courage-Joking she
Bourgeois-Facial Ugliness.
Louise Michel Is certainly detraquee
In politics; but if she makes detestable
speeches and commits still more abomina-
bic acts. there can be no question as to
her sincerity or her courage in defending
her opinions 1t is this sincerity and her
self ahnegatbon that gives her certain
sympathy among people who detest her
theories. Another cause of the general
indulgence shown to this misguided
woman is her womanliness. 1t 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 intirm 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
O dlsagreeabie companion. She is bright.
always cheerful, and enjoys a good joke
She likes to play Jokes, above all on her
sworn enemy. the bourgeois One dav,
when returning to her home Just outside
the Notifications. she found herself seated
on horse car beside a 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 timidlv re-
marked: But have you not in this quarter
terrible communist, a woman who wants
to destroy everything What is her
name9" All. yes. replied the old gentle
man, Louise Michel That 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 a word TO show tina,
she was entirely of his opinion, that it
was regrettabie 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 aiabolic smile
replied to tho old gentlemans polite bow:
M sieu, I'm Louise Nuchel!' And off she
went. chuckling to herself.
Louise Michel lives at Levarlois -Perret.
q suburban town adjoining Paris. Two
small rooms and smaller kitchen COM
prise her humble abode. There. sur
rounded by her cats and some stray dogs
that she has picked 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 hooking. Tall and very lean,
with frizzly gray hair floating wildly
around her high and retreating forehead,
an oval face with strongly marked fea-
tnres. large nose, wide mouth, false teeth
and weak chin. she is repelling. 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 ug,iness of the revolution
airy apostle is oniy momentary. Her eye
Is gentle and bright. her smile st once
tender and malicious and her voice soft
and sweet. In short. the general express
sion Of the face is singula-ly intelligent
and engaging. II is ouly when she talks
about the wrongs and sufferiHgs Of hu-
naanity that her eve becomes terrible. In
conversation with those who are the
furthest from her beliefs she is always
polite, and it is easy 70 see that this vi
rago Of the political meeting is woman
who has received an excellent education
and breeding. Notwithstanding her the
ories and manner of propagating them.
Louise Michel is one Of the most curious
and interesting figures Of the present day
Charles Seymour's Paris Letter in The
Epoch