Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-12-19
VICTOR DU MONT.
A True Story Of the French Revolu,
ton.

"A 4AWVf 0VWhy VI UnC EICllCu hCvVkue
ton.
BY sILAs BUTLER, JR.
At the time of which we write, 1893,
during the ''reigh of terror" all Paris
was being deluged in blood by the
monster Robespeirre and his blood
thirsty minions, who hurled the King
from the throne, ruthlessly numbering
thousands of the aristocrats, whose
life-blood stained the streets.
II was near. nightfall. The ethereal
vaults ofiheaven were obscured by thick,
heavy clouds, which hung like dark
pail over the city. A small vessel was
sailing away to the north, upon the wa
ters Of the Seine, from which had dis
embarked Victor Du Mont, who had re-
turned to Paris to remove his aged
mother to q place Of safety.
As Du Mont moved along one of the
principal thoroughfares he observed
everywhere the marks of carnage and
destruction, in the batteredIwalls of some
magnificent palace or the lifeless corpse
Of some naughty nobleman. However,
he continued to resolutely proceed for
ward, until, abruptly leaving the main
thoronghfare, he entered q narrow
street, which he traversed for some dis
lance, until finally he reached the por-
tails of his own threshold.
The house looked dark and gloomy
without. No one answered his we'll
known signal. There was no fond
mother to greet him.
With an almost sinking heart Du
Mont entered his home. What scene
to meet his startled gaze! The house
was deserted and the contents de-
stroyed.
Du Mont rushed wildly into the
street, where he suddenly encountered a
young peasant lad, whom he had
OPS more than one occasion be-
fraended. He Immediately accosted
the lad, who informed him that his
mother, had been taken before the
dreaded Tribunal, condemned, and cast
into prison.
Hearing of the horrible fate of his
beloved mother, Du Mont, with a
solemn vow to be avenged, hastily pro-
ceeded toward the place of the Tuil-
leries, which was then used as prison
for the victims Of the mob.
While moving rapidly along his mind
was filed with the most awful fofebod-
ings.
He was crossing street when the
shining court of the Tuilleries flashed
before his vision. A crazed and mad
dening mob was assembled before the
enterance. Already had they began
the ruthless murder of the unfortunate
wretches. Instantly his blood was
stirred by burning passion, for, quickly
drawing his sword, he uttered frantic
howl as he dashed madly into their
midst.
Drawn up on each side of the prison
entrance, leaving passway for the
doomed prisoners, stood the bloody
executioners, ready and eager to pounce
upon another new victim.
The doors of the prison were flung
open and q venerable old man was
thrust rudely forth, he looked wildly
around, brushed his long snow-white
locks back from brow that was of
marble hue. He tottered few steps
Forward and fell. With demoniacal
crv piant fend in human form severed
the head from the body with one blow
Of the az.
The next victim cast forth was 9
beautiful girl, who gazed with terrified
awe on the bloodthirsty fends. With 9
wild piercing shrek she sank lifeless at
their feet, which caused the mob to yell
with rage at being cheated OF their
victim.
Du Mont, in beeathless horror,
awaited every movement, expecting to
eao tn form of his aged mother thrust
out to meet an awful death at the hand
of the bloody executioners.
AGAIN the doors of the prison
were quickly thrown open,
revealing q noble looking lady
Of eome five. and three score years.
A smile of contentment rested on her
beautifully serene co on l.a. ~ e., :.
she had placed her faith IN that gu.
preme Being who has a crown gro IN N
Heaven for the righteous. Inc mgu
seemed irresolute for . moment, VIM! j.
gazing upon that noble woman; DuC y
was only for o moment as tne
riant axman shouted: DoWn WIN
The aristocrat!" and, raising his ponder
ous ax aloft. sprang forward. AT the
wild shout Du Mont raised his head,
scanning to have become dazed oy the E
awfnlness of the scene. He looked
toward the doomed woman, then =, IN
stantly uttering q most heart t.
CRY, exclaimed: @MY MoTHER! Mont
A. the same instant Madame Du NOM
recognized her son. She advanced nee i she
ward but only few feet, when a sne
was confronted by the giant eAecu'
toner. aood
Du Mont appeared to be possessed POS m;ef
with q super-human po1M I'VE 'ra iHe his
lightning-like rapidity ne ra,s 81 viii; ii5
heavy sword and lesped forward "''1