St. Paul daily globe., 1888-08-05
LOUISE MICHEL.
Destructive in Theory, in Practice
Full of Love and Tenderness.


Full of Love and Tenderness.
Epoch.
Since Louise Michel was wounded in
a public meeting at Havre in January
she has been obliged to remain compar-
atively quiet, but she is now well enough
to appear among her fellow socialists
and add few SarcaSmS against Gen.
BOulanger to her other stock of male
dictions. Her latest performance was
to participate last month in the revOlu-
tionary demonstration at Pere la Chaise
on the anniversary of what the Com
munlsts term ''the Versailles repress-
ion.''
Louise Michel is certainly detraquee
In politics; but if she makes detestable
speeches and commits still more abom-
nable acts, there can be no question as
to her sincerity or her courage in de-
tending her opinions. 1t is this SINGER
Ity and her self-abnegation that give
her certain sympathy among people
who detest her theories. Another cause
OF the general Indulgence shown to this
misguided woman is her WOmanlipeSS.
1t may sound strange to hear that this
vehement utOplSt, who is ready to kill
and to destroy, 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 parents life, al
though the old lady never believed in
her daughters utopian dreams. In
private life Louise Michel is not at all a
dlsagreeable 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 Notifications she found her
self seated on horse-car beside re-
spectacle looking old gentlemae, whom
she was sure was PhiliStine. Begin
ming the conversation about the inhab-
ltants of the district, its needs, ETC., she
timldiy remarked: "But have you not
In this quarter Il terrible Communist, a
woman who wants to destroy everything?
What is her name?" ''Ah, yeS," re-
piled the old gentleman, "Louise
Michel" ''That's the One." And then
the old gentleman went on to say how
much the presence OF such woman in
Jured the reputation of the place, while
she constantly encouraged him by put
ting in word to show that she was en-
tlrely of his opinion, that it was regret
able the law did not permit the eXpul-
sion Of such dangerous character, etc.
When the ''red-herOine'' reached her
destination she turned as she was leav-
ing the car door and with diabOlic
smile replied to the old gentleman's po-
lite bow: "M'sieu, I'm Louise Michel"
And off she went, chuckling to herself.
Louise Michel lives at Levallois-Per-
ret, suburban town adjoining Paris.
Two small rooms and smaller kitchen
comprise her humble abode. There,
surrounded by her cats and some stray
dogs that she has picked up to save
from the pound, she receives her call
erS 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
lean, with frizzly-gray hair floating
wildly around her high and retreating
forehead, an oval face with strongly
marked features, large nose, wide
mouth, false teeth and weak
chin, she is repelling. This ug-
illness, added to the teachings re-
ceived from parents who know the
woman only from hearSaye causes the
children to mock at her when she goes
along. But to the careful observer the
uglineSS OF the revolutionary apostle is
oii iiOiiOHtoiy. l1Cl eye 10 ScHlle anu
bright, her smile at once tender and ma
licious, and her voice soft and sweet.
In short, the general expression of the
face is singularlY intelligent and engag-
ing. 1t is only when she talks about
the wrongs and sufferings of humanity
that her eye becomes terrible. In con-
yersatisn with those who are the fur
thest from her beliefs she is always po-
lite. and it is easy to see that this virago
of the political meeting is woman who
has received an excellent education and
breeding. Notwithstanding her theo-
rles and manner of propagating them,
Louise Michel is one of the most curious
and interesting figures of the present
daY.