The herald., 1893-07-31

sons will drench the soil with blood
Would that were among them today,
tor this arm would WELD the sword as
1t did in former days.
Jacques Desmoulins sat there during
the long hours of the afternoon, and it
was not until he heard the key gratingin
the iron door that he reused himself
from the reverie into which he had
fallen.
1t was jean Cabotier who entered. In
one hand he carried some food and in the
other was pair of old cavalry boots.
When he saw the untasted meal on the
table and the sad look of the prisoner,
he stopped. Upon his face was an ex-
preston Of sympathy, and he thus ac-
costed the lonely occupant of the cell:
Monsieur, you are i'll today. Let me
bring you something from Marie's own
little kitchen-some broth or fresh eggs"
The prisoner raised his head. Upon
seeing the cavalry boots his face light
ened up, and he forgot the inquiry made
by Jean Cabotier.
"Have you learned something" he
asked, "about the general who was once
in this cell?"
"Yes, monsieur. Marie remembered
the story as told by her father, and here
are the boots which General Louispierre
Dumourier left when he was called be-
fore the tribunal of the convention"
"What, General Louispierre Du-
mourier?" asked tho prisoner in excited
tones. "Was it at La Conciergerie, in
cell No. 10, that he was imprisonedY'>
Eyes, monsieur, in this same place,
and Marie thought there'd be no harm
in bringing these to you," he said, plac-
ing the boots on the floor before Jacques
Desmoulins. 81 did not ask the warden,
for surely there can be no harm, and
you may care for them, as their imprints
were long ago left on this floor. And,
monsieur, you need new pair, for you
have had none since you came here"
Jacques Desmoulins took the boots and
looked at them with feeling of deep in
terest. t.5p a4t St nlt
eyes," he said, II can wear gener-
ais boots, but a general shall never be.
What did Marie say about General Louis
pierre DumourierY'
"You remember the general, mon
sieur? It was at the beginning of the
revolution, when Danton, Robespierre
and Marat were at the head of the con-
vention. General Dumourier was thought
to be working to place the dethroned
louis XVI in power again, and with
what evidence they had they thrust him
into prison. Marie says her father spoke
| of 1,sx,, <xpt1x, frx. 1,o
General Dumourier's meals to him each
day in this cell where he was confined.
You know, monsieur, that after awhile
he was brought before the tribunal and
defended himself SO we'll that he was ac-
Quilted"
"Yes, Cabotier. remember we'll, and
after that he joined the Prussian forces.
Would that had been with him and
could have followed where he ledp'
The prisoner was pacing back and
forth in his narrow cell, and his excited
manner and flashing dark eyes made the
attendant shrink back. He feared that
the thirst for revenge born within the
soldiers breast would incite him to
make victim of the first man within his
reach, but Jacques Desmoulins noticing
the frightened manner of thema ceased
his warlike gestures. For nearly half an
hour they talked together of the life of
General Louispierre Dumourier and then
the attendant left.
When Jacques Desmoulins had put on
the cavalry boots, he walked about the
cell with a certain feeling Of pride. This
I was the FIRST instance sihce he HAD been
|. brought toLs Conciergerie which served
| to divert his mind from the monotonous
life heiled.0 He examined the footwear
carefully, Strengthened out thetwrinkled
leggings, and with themoisturef from his
hands softened the leather by long
rubbing process. az =
Several days passed. The prisoner
had not become tired Of drawing imag-
NATIVE pictures of General Louispierre
Dumourier, and often he sat on the lit
tie stool, looking at the long cavalry
boots and almost believing that their
owner was present. He would ask ques-
ton after question and then answer
them himself as his mind produced the
scenes, the feelings and utter loneliness
of this former occupant Of his cell.
One noon when Jean Cabotier entered
cell No. 13 he gave the prisoner some
news which afforded him new subject
for thought during the lonesome hours.
"Yes. monsieur" said the attendant,
flour new prisoners were brought here
this morning, and one is charged with
conspiracy against the emperor. Marie
says they are men who hold great in
fuenoe, for the warden has ordered the
night guard to be doubled"
"And do you know the names of any
Of these prisonersf" asked Jacques Des-
moulins.
"No, monsieur, have not as yet
heard. They are all very surly and will
not talk. When do find out, shall
tell you"
That night as the prisoner in cell No.
13 lay awake he heard the measured
tread of the sentry beneath his window.
BY standing on the little stool he was
able to look out between the bars and
for some time watched the soldier ss he
paced back and forth on his beat. He
was tempted to call out or drop some
article on his head as he stood for mo-
ment under the window at the end of his
trip. He thought the fellow looked as
though he might easily become fright.
ened, but finally abandoned these ideas
Night after night he watched the sen-