Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-01-03
VICTOR DU MONT.
A True Story of the French RevOlu-
ton.
Ely sILAs BUTLER, JR-

At the time of which we write, 1898,
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.
It was near nightfall. The ethereal
vaults ofheaven 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
tiers of the Seine, from which had dis
embarked Victor Du Mont, who had re-
turned to Paris to remove his aged
mother to 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 lfeless corpse
of some naughty nobleman. However,
he continued to resolutely proceed for
ward, until, abruptly leaving the main
thoroughfare, he entered 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 a 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
young peasant lad, whom he had
on more than one occasion be-
friended. 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 forebod-
ings.
He was crossing q street when the
shining court of the Tuilleries flashed
BET fore 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 a 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 venerable old man was
thrust rudely forth, he looked wildly
around, brushed his long snow-white
locks back from a brow that was of
marble hue. He tottered few steps
forward and fell. With a demoniacal
CRY giant fiend in human form severed
the head from the body with one blow
of the ak.
The next victim cast forth was
beautiful girl, who gazed with terrified
awe on the bloodthirsty iends. With
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
see the form of his aged mother thrust
out to meet an awful death at the hand
Again the doors of the prison
were quickly thrown open,
revealing noble looking lady
of some five and three score years.
A smile of contentment rested on her
beautifully serene countenance, as If
she had placed her faith in that Su-
preme Being who has a crown IN
Heaven for the righteous. The mob
seemed irresolute for moment, while
gazing upon that noble woman; but 1t
was only for a moment, as the
giant axman shouted: "Down with
the aristocrat!" and, raising his ponder
ous az aIoft, sprang forward. At the
wild shout Du Mont raised his head,
seeming to have become dazed by the
awfulness of the scene. He looked
toward the doomed woman, then in
stantlv uttering q most hesrt-rending
CRY, exclaimed: @MY MoTHERP
At the same instant Madame Du Mont
recognized her son. She advanced for
ward, but only a few feet, when she
was confronted by the giant execu-
4ioner.
Du Mont appeared to be possessed
with = super-human power, for with
Eehtnine-liks rapidity he raised his
hsssy sword and leaped forward With