The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-07-22
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harsh and hoarse, his breath exhaled cognac.
When he was angry that rough voice broke
out in cursings and fury, more like the
bowling Of a savage dog than the accents of
humanity.
Serizier had his own particular prison as
well as hiss own particular battalion. A
house in the Avenue d ltalie had been trans
formed into gaol; and here this man kept
those victims who were known rs his pris-
oners. AT the final day he cleared his prison
by massacre.
Serlzler had not forgotten the Dominlcans
and their companions. At his bidding
detachment of soldiers came in search of
them, and they were marched into Paris by
the Barrlero Fontainebleau, amidst hOotings
and insults and curses'from the crowd, a
little company of twenty hostages, five Of
whom wore the flowing black and white
robes of the order
No help from the French army. All yes
terday they had been held at bay by the
Federal artillery at Montrouge, and were
only able to cross the ravines of La Blevre
on the morning of the 25th.
Mt run, to the gaol in the Avenue dItalie.
Embarrassed by the voluminous folds of
their robes they did not always walk fast
enough, whereupon the soldiers struck them
with the butt-end of their guns calling out,
"Quick, magpio" in mockery of their black
and white raiment; and so to tho prison,
which was already full to the brlm, con-
tanning ninety-seven prisoners arrested in
that district and detained at Citoyen Serl-
zier's good pleasure. Bobeche, the gaoler,
fatigued by having to write such list of
names, had gone QUIT refresh himself with
a drink. While he was away the Commune
ards came to the prison 10 ask the Dominl-
cans to help in making the barrlcades; but
the deputy-gaoler having some respect for
the religious character sent fourteen Ma
tional Guards, imprisoned for some military
irregularity, instead of the priests. Bobeche,
returning Immediately after, was furious
with his subordinate, and accused him Of
shedding the blood Of patriots In order to
spare the monks. He had a detachment Of
the 101st battalion at his heels and he order
ed those tonsured scoundrels to be brought
out.
Bertrand, the subordinate, yielded after
some opposition, and opened the door of the
gaol.
Come, magpIes," cried BobechO of
with you to the barricadeW
The Dominicans came out into the avenue,
where they saw the detachment of the lOlst,
with Serzer at their head. This time they
believed that all was over; but they were
deceived, for their agony was to last little
longer.
Father Cotrault the purveyor, stopped on
the threshold Of the prison,
1--WE will 60 no further" he said; tive are
men Of peace. Our religion forbids us to
shed blood; we cannot fight and we will
not 90 to the barrcade; bat even under fire
we will search for your wounded, and sue
cor them"
This compromise would not have been ac
cepted by Serizier, but the Communist sol
dler5 were wayerng, they were crying OH
that II would soon be impossible to hold the
barrCade against the hail Of bullets from
the Versallals.
Enough" said Serlzler to Father Cot
rault; promise to look after our wounded.
Eyes, we promise" answered the monk
land you know it is what we have always
done"
Serizler made a sign to BObeche, and The
prisoners were bundled back into the gaOl
But they no longer deceived themselves
with false hopes. They wthe respite wa
but brief. They prayed together, and madc
confession to each other. They might hay,
been spared, perhaps; but the news brough
to Serzer was exasperatlng and alarming
Some men flying from the QUARTER Iatii
to fight again in the Avenue d'ltaIie tolC
how the Pantheon, the great citadel Of thu
instruction, had been taken by the Yer
saillais before there had been time TO fire
the mine which would have shattered dome
and walls, arches and columns, in one vas
heap of ruin. They told how Milllere, the
chief of the insurgents in this quarter, hat
been shot, and that the French troops oc
cupcd the prison Of La Sante. The circIC
which was soon to enclose the COmmunardi
Of the 18Th ACCOMPLISHMENT was growing mar
rover and narrower.
What should they do? Fly, OF stand thcl
ground 10 the deathP
A great many Of the National Guard made
off.
Serizer gathered himself together for {
final effort.
'BuTnp he ga,ped; Eve must burn every
thingW
lie rushed into wne-shop and dranl
glass after glass of brandy. His wolfsl
soul, excited by alcohol, by lighting, by de
feat, by tie sight Of the blood which redden
ed the road and the pavement, appeared Ii
all its hldeousness.
striking his clenched fist upon the pewte
counter 80 be II Everybody must die 7
He ran back to the avenue.
"Come, come" he roared, men Of tb,
right metal, to smash the skulls Of those
lnagples~
A little crowd Of Communards answered
to his call, aud, In advance Of the band, two
women presented Themselves.
They were both furies-both had stream
Ing locks oftangled hair which were hide
onsly suggestive Of Medusa's snaky tresses
but one Of the furles was young, and would
have been handsome II her face had mol
been smeared and splitered with blood, and
blackened by gunpowdcr. She wore the
costume Of UiUdndtere, and had once been
smart; but tbs gold.ace on her jacket hung
IN shreds the blue cloth was stained with
blood and mire. She carried gun, which,
in her exhaustion, she handed to Serlzler
signing TO him TO reload II for her She had
hardly breath enough left for speech.
THE priests she murmnred hOarsely, q
Serizler gave her back the loaded gun; "ar'
they to be iinished--at once%
AT once" he answered. there Is nOtlm'
Knr nnremnr,v with fhnaa annIIndrala NhnN