The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-01-19
FORGOTTEN.


when human life was Of no account,
and when, as if wearied with its wick
edness, God seemed to have hid his
face from the sinful land.
No one may count up the tears that
were shed, the means that we're made,
the hearts that were broken in those
dreadful times but here and there out
of the great mass Of human misery
history has preserved a record of the
trials and sufferings of some hapless
ones, reading which we shudder and
thank God that we live in happier day.
Some few years after the Reign Of
Terror-as this outburst Of sin and
madness was well named-a man of
age entered small inn in Germany
and called for refreshments. His man
ners were timid and shrinking, and he
looked as if he might just have recov-
cred from some terrible illness-he was
strangely, CHASTITY pale.
The landlord supplied his wants, and,
half curious, half in kindness, he made
some remark as to the strangers ap-
pearance, coupling it with the ques-
ton, did he want aught else for his
comfort ~
may, nothing" said the pale man
hastily; 81 have food and light and
air, what could | want more ~ and he
sighed deeply.
my FRIEND" said the landlord, seat
ing himself, "you speak as if you had
known the want of these things. Have
/ guessed Alright n
His guest looked up.
Would you would hear my tale ~
he asked. " For years have kept my
silence, but to-day it seems as if it
would tighten my heart to speak. List
en- and believe it if you can. Less than
seven years ago was gay, light
hearted youth in this our quiet father
land. Having no near relations, | was
led to visit some distant ones who had
lived for many years in small town in
France.
My uncle, as | called him out of
friendliness, was a kind, good fellow,
well known and respected in the place,
where he carried on the craft Of a
matchmaker, and he proposed that /
should become his apprentice and part
ner. liked this little town, / liked my
uncle, ] liked my aunt, and soon gave
my consent. They had no children
! thank God for that now-but my
aunt's kindly soul could not be content
without young people around her, SO
she kept and clothed two house maid
ems, children Of some poor neighbors. |
Trim and neat they looked, too, wear
ing the costume Of that part Of Ger
many from whence my aunt came, a
pretty fancy Of her own it seemed
quaint enough in strange land.
sit was happy household. No won
der ! was glad to belong to it ; but,
alas it was soon to be swept away by |
terrible affiiction. For some time we
had heard of strange trouble going on
in Paris and the large towns, but our
little place was still quiet. One morn
ing, however, we woke to find every
thing in confusion, Our mayor had
been ordered to resign, and his place
was to be filed by some one sent from
Paris,
Still, we never dreamed of what
fearful misery this was the forerunner
We had no time to dream, either.
the blow fell SO suddenly. There had
been STIR going on in the market |
place for the two days following the
arrival of the new official; but my
uncle and | were busy over a discovery
which he had made in our trade, and
we were less than usual in the streets. |
" At noon, ON the third day, how
ever, he went out for stroll to rest
his eyes and look about him for few
moments. Ny aunt and her maidens
arranged as usual the midday meal,
and we were all readytp sit down, only |
my UNCLE was missing. He was usual
ly 50 punctual that we wondered and
waited, and at last we dined without
him. At the close of the meal stepped
out to look for him.
:. ] had not got a dozen yards from
our house when | met our bakers wife,
her eyes staring ont of her head.
!" 60 back. she said, 90 back !! 1t
is too late. The monster-the wretch