The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-07-22
reduced by the few words of his attend.

| walls WIN IeeunSS the same as mime.
Yes, 1 might have been great general
today were it not for La Conciergerie,
but, alas, there is no hope for me now!
They say that the revolution is at an
end and we have failed. France kneels
again to monarchical rule. Her brave
sons will drench the soil with blood
Would that were among them today,
for 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 grating in
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 tho
table and the sad look of the prisoner,
he stopped. Upon his face was an ex-
preston of sympathy, and he thus nc
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
| oSSib6 VIZ N0fdlly OOOto ldC0 llSul-
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?"
Eyes, 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 the prisoner in excited
tones. "Was it at La Conciergerie, in
cell No. 10, that he was imprisoned?"
Eyes, monsieur, i'll 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 a feeling of deep in
| terest.
Eyes" he said, 81 can wear a gener-
ais boots, but general shall never be.
What did Marie say about General Louis
pierre Dumourier"
You remember the general, mon
sieur? 1t 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 WI i'll power again, and with
what evidence they had they thrust him
into prison. Marie says her father spoke
of him often, for it was he who took
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 well, and
after that he joined the Prussian forces.
Would that / had been with him and
could have followed where he led"
The prisoner was pacing back and
forth i'll 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 IL victim of the first man within his
reach, but Jacques Desmoulins noticing
the frightened manner of the man 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
was the first instance since he had been
brought to LA Conciergerie which served
to divert his mind from the monotonous
life lie led. He examined the footwear
carefully, Strengthened out the wrinkled
leggings, and with the moisture from his
hands softened the leather by long
rubbing process.
Several days passed. The prisoner
had not become tired of drawing mag
NATIVE pictures of General Louispierre
Dumourier. and often lie sat on the lit
Ito stool, looking at the long cavalry
boots and almost believing that their
owner was present He would ask uues-
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. l3 he gave the prisoner some
news which afforded him new subject
for thought during the lonesome hours.
Eyes, monsieur" said the attendant,
-four 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
fluence, for the warden has ordered the
night guard to be doubled"
And do you know the names of any
of these prisoners" asked Jacques Des-