Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-11-23
THE RED FLAG.
CONTINUED.

joy had been premature, for they ha
reckoned without Serizier.
And yet this Serizier was one of tn
master-fends in the Partisan pande
g11onium. A currier by trade, he hat
been in early manhood the tyrant an,
terror of a great curriers' factory a
Belley1lle, and in the revolution of Il
ne had been leader Of the mob which
hanged the proprietor Of the factorl
at his own door. He had been con
demned for some political offence dur
ing the Empire, and had taken refuge
IN Belgium. He reappeared in Paris
soon after the 4th of September. anG
played an important part in the siege
After March 18th he became secretary
TO Leo Meillet, and later chief of the
18th legion. He commanded twelve
battalions, which fought we'll at Issy
at ChatlllOn, and at the Hautes- Bruy
ereS. Amongst these batta1ions there
was one which be- favored above all
the others, the 1O1st, his own particular
battalion, composed of his friends and
companions.
man of fiery temperament, a great
IL
out industry, living upon money extort-
ed from the public assistance, Serizier
exercised a strong influence upon the
ignorant and brutal beings who sur
rounded him. He was feared and obey
ed by all the 18th ACCOMPLISHMENT,
which trembled before him. His ha-
tired against the priests was a passion
that almost touched on lunacy. He had
pTofaned the churches by his foul
orgies, and it was only the entry of
the troops from Versailles which
stopped him from selling SANITY relics
and sacramento plate by auction AS
sassin and incendiary, it was his hand
which fired the famous mandatory of
Gobelins tapestry.
He was man of medium height
square-shOuldefed, eyes shifty and rest
less, forehead low, lips thick and
heavy, receding chin, the head of a
bulldog. His voice was harsh and
hoarse, his breath exhaIed cognac
When he was angry that rough voice
broke out in cursings and fury, more
Ike the bowling of savage dog than
the accents Of humanity.
Serizier had his own particular prison
as well as his own particular battalion.
A house in the Avenue d'Italie had
been transformed into goal; and here
th1s man kept those victims who We're
Known rs his prisoners. At the final
day he cleared his prison by a mas
Sacre
Serizier had not forgotten the Do
minicanS and their comparisons At
mis- bidding a detachment of soldiers
came in search of them. and they were
marched into Paris by the Barriere
Eontainebleau, amidst hootingS and in
suits 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
yesterday they had been held at bay
by the Federal artillery at Montrouge,
and were only able to cross the ravines
of Ia Bievre on the morning of the
18th.
The prisoners were hurried along
almost at a run, to the goal i'll the
Avenue TItalid. Embarrassed by the
yoluminouS 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, magpier' in mockery of
their black and white raiment and so
to the prison, which was already full
to the brim, containing ninety-seven
prisoners arrested i'll that district, and
detained AT Ctoyen SeriZier's good
pleasure. Bobeche, the gaoler, fatigued
by having to write such list of Names
had gone out to refresh himself with
a drink. While he was away the Com
munardS came to the prison to ask the
on means to help in making the bar
Y1cades; but the deputy-gaoler having
some respect for the religious character
sent fourteen National Guards. impris-
oned for some military irregularity, in
stead 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 detach-
ment of the 101st battalion at his heels
and he ordered those tonsured scoun-
dre,s to be brought out
b9Tdnu, pne subordinate, yle1ueu
after some opposition, and opened the
door of the gaol.
Come, magpies," cried Bobeche "off
with you to the barricader'
The Dominicans came out into the
avenue, where they saw the dehach-
ment of the 101st, with Serzier at
their head. This time they believed
that all was over; but they were de-
celyed, for their agony was to last
a little longer.
Father Cotrault, the purveyor,
stopped on the threshold of the prison.
I'VE will so no further" he said;
I'VE are men of peace. Our religion
forbids lis to shed blood: we cannot
fight and we viii not so to the barri
cade; but even under fire we will search
for your wounded, and succor them"
This compromise would not have been
accepted by Serizier, but the Commun-
ist soldiers were wayering they were
CRYING out that it would soon be i'm
possible to hold the barricade against
the hail of bullets from the Versaillais.
Enough" said Serizier to Father
Cotrault; promise to look after our
wounded
Eyes, we promise" answered the
monk; ''and you know it is what we
have always done"
Serizier made a sign to Bobeche, and
the prisoners We're bundled back into
Tho OspI Ruf thay No 1onoo, 1aaniuad