Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-03-20
MONSIEUR MAYEUX.

Long. long ago TO some of us it
seems almost a century SINCE there
was fierce fighting in the streets of
Paris. Balls whizzed through the air,
cannon belched forth their murderous
volleys, and men were falling on
every side.
The story of Cain and Abel is an
old and familiar one, but we have not
learned from it TO avoid the curse of
civil war At the time of which |
speak the Swiss Guards and the Royal
Corps of foot soldiery were defending
themselves in the palaceof the Louvre,
which was besieged by amob of insur.
gents. However, il is not my purpose
TO recount the events of history in this
brief narration, but rather to tell you
a story. Let me introduce my hero.
You will doubtless say that | have
selected an unattractive parsonage for
a hero. He lisa diminutive man. de.
formed and ugly, a hunchback-a
Quasimodo of the streets, N might
term him. His name is W.. Mayeux.
NJ. Mayeux wasall alone in his. room
during the eventful days Of July. If
l mistake not, the house in which he
lived was in the Rue DIES Pretrcs, ad-
joining the church of st. German
lAuxerrois, which IS equivalent to say.
ing that he was unpleasantly near the
scene Of conflict. He could hear the
cries of the wounded and the groans
of the dying. These woful sounds
moved him deeply. He paced rapidly
up and down th narrow chamber, his
head bent and his brows contracted
into ap angry frown. Occasionally
he paused TO c. aculate;
Miserable men! British creatures.
Are they mad! Why is all this blood
shcdl these murderersl A curse on
revolutionsy
While NJ Mayeux was thus giving
vent to his feelings, it occurred 10 him
that by going down into the street be-
low he might perhaps render service
to some among the wounded. He was
a tender hearted and unselfish man.
After a brief hesitation he hastily
quilted his room and was soon in the
heat of the melee, unarmed, and some.
what dazed by the sights and sounds
that greeted him there. He heard the
excited populace shout ''Victoryl VIC
tory!" He saw soldiers in scarlet uni
forms flying for their lives in every
direction. The mob had triumphed
over the Swiss Guard, and NJ. Mayeux
arrived just in time to be present at
the taking Of the Louvre.
He had hardly gone more than ten
steps beyond his own street when q
soldier Of the Swiss Guard, holly pur-
sued by an infuriated throng Of men,
women and children, came rushing to-
ward him in all the excitement of ter
ror. The poor fugitive was running
at full speed, when a random shot
struck him. NJ. Mayeux saw him
turn about and fall heavily to the
ground, his face downward. His pur-
suers were rushing up TO put an end
to him, but NJ. Mayeux planted him.
self in front OF the PROSTATE form,
perhaps already a corpse.
The hunchback, as | have said, was
small, ugly and altogether repulsive in
appearance. He crossed his long arms
over his narrow chest, and exclaimed:
Come, you would moi strike a
wounded mani"
IL often happens hat one dauntless
spirit Is able 10 overawe an angry
mob. The crowd drew back.
Leave this nan here, my friends"
continued Mayeux. What harm can
he dol All is W You are the vic.
tors now"
who is this little hunchbackl"
asked a young woman in tie throng.
I'll wager he's another c' your nc.
cursed royalists."
mo" cried a child who stood by
her side. 1T is NJ. Mayeux." And,
approaching the hunchback, he said:
Don't you know mel | am little
Pichon, who lives on the floor just
above you" Then he added: Good
morning, NJ. Mayeux!"
Peals Of laughter burst from the
mob, who only five minutes before
had been yelling and shouting with
the wild fury of savages. Their cries
and threats were replaced by brutal
jests.
"Ahl NJ. Mayeuxl This is NJ. Ma.
yeux; the brave defender Of fallen
soldiers. Ha, ma, hal NJ Mayeux"
But Mayeux vas rejoiced. He
thought to himself: II have saved his
life! Now that they are in good hu.
NOR, they will go away soon
And so they did. They had enjoyed
their heartlesS sport. and they were
satisfied. " MayeA caused the
wounded soldier 10 be carried 10 his
room, where he soon regained con
sciousness. The physician who was
summoned pronounced the injury a
~tri1ing one, and assured the patient
that he would be- well again ia a week.
In eight days the Swiss guard was
up and able 10 leave the house. lie
thanked his protector in the warmest
terms and repeated again and again
that his gratitude was beyond the
power Of language to express. "Ohp
he said, at parting, my generous de-
fender and friend, l shall remember
you always
M. Mayeux never saw him after
ward. But he would sometimes say,
smiling sadly as he spoke;
Even the ungrateful Of use in
this world. They help us 10 do good
from disinterested motives"
During q period Of about twenty
years N. Mayeux had been employed
A n clerk in the department of the