Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-05-10
DUCHESS AND COMMUNIST.
True Romance OF General Boulans err
january Campaign.

A True Romance OF General Boulans er's
January Campaign.
The results of the great electioneer-
ing battle of the 9th of January will
be known, commented on, thrashed
out by the time these lines are in
print; but the struggle has lent such
passion to opinion that l may even
now record circumstance connected
with its progress. And l venture to
do SO with all the more confidence be-
cause the anecdote throws a curious
light on certain aspects of social life.
The story is positively authentic, but
it comes back to my mind in dramat-
ic form, and with your kind permits
sion / will give 1t in acts, each having
its own scene.
Act i. A miserable room, where an
old woman lies dying on a truckle-bed.
A great lady, whose interchangeable
charity Is known to all Paris, is sit
ting at the right hand side OF the sick
woman. On the left another woman
takes her seat. rough-looking, and
with thick, short hair. Both alike
give every care TO the sufferer. She,
having fallen into short doze, the
two watchers exchange few words,
and each mentions her name. They
arc equally amazed when the lady says
that she Is the Duchesse Dues, the
working woman that she Is the noto-
rious Louise Michel.
Act III. We are now in the fine house
of the Duchesse d'Uzes. The lady has
just received IA small packet tied with
string and letter Of explanation.
The letter is from Louise Michel,
and what she writes amounts to
this: 1.-The poor woman we both were
nursing died yesterday In my arms.
Before she breathed her last she told
me that she had left an humble offer
ing in gratitude for your kind care.
The parcel sent herewith contains the
little keepsake."
The Duchesse opens the packet.
which contains IA small cross. She I'M
mediateiy writes TO Louise Michel, in
the first place TO thank her, and also to
beg her TO call on her, that they may
decide together on what can be done
to help the dead woman's family. This
letter Is at once answered by the
recipient who apologies for her in
ability to wait on the Duchess She
is i'll and confined TO her bed.
Act Ill Louise Michel's room The
Duchesse d Uzes has thought it her
duty to go herself aud visit the famous
Maid OF the Commune. As she
mounts the stairs she sees IA great
number OF ragged-looking wretches
going to see Louise Michel. or coming
down again. When she is in the room
she finds herself jostled by some of
these visitors, who. however, discreet
ly withdraw when she appears, and she
goes into the inner room. where Louise
Michel is really and truly i'll, in bed.
After the ordinary civilities, Louise
Michel addresses her to this effect:
"Ihose people, madame, whom you
saw in such numbers that you may be
puzzled, are old mates OF mine from
Noumea at the time when was in
penal servitude after the Commune.
They always come TO ask my advice
whenever the e is AN election in Paris
Now, | have just told them all to vote
for General Boulanger For my own
part / have no particular reason to
support him. but know you take an
interest in his success, and | have
done my best for him TO make you
some return in my poor way for your
great kindness to my dead friend"
This is the drama; as to the outcome
of the plot, you now know It, II was
hidden in the balloting urns of the
votes given the 9th of January. -Le
Paris lllustre