The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-12-10
NJ ARIE E.


During the reign of terror in
France there We're many deeds of dar-
ing performed, even by women, and
many noble examples of affection ex-
hibited.
The very streets of Paris were delug-
ed with human blood but near the gull
lotine it ran in gushing torrents.
One dark morning an unusual nun.
Der of the aristocracy had been marched
forth, and countless heads rolled from
the block
A gaping multitude stood by, and
with shouts rent the air as the aristoc-
racy were thus butchered.
Among the assembled multitude that
dreary morning We're two women. One
of them was plainly clad, while cloak
was thrown around her, with which
she kept her features nearly concealed
But close observation would betray
the fact that the woman had been weep
ing.
Her eyes were inflamed and red, and
she gazed eagerly upon the platform,
while shudder passed over her frame
as each shock of the glittering knife
severed the head from the body of some
one who had been unfortunate enough
to fall under the ban of the leaders.
The face of the woman was very bean
tiful, and she was young. certainly not
more than 16 or Is years of age.
The other woman was quite different
in character Her face was fair but
there was brazen expression about it
She was clad in rags, and as each head
fell she would dance, and in various
ways express her delight, and then ex-
claim:
"There falls another aristocrat who
refused me charity when | humbly sued
to him''
Each expression of the kind would
create laugh from those who heard
her, but any thoughtful person must
become so deprayed.
The first woman watched this crea
ture for few moments, and then press
ing her way to her sido she laid her
hand upon the shoulder of the wretch
and whispered;
would you like to become rich at
once?''
The woman in rags turned about with
a look of surprise, burst into loud
laugh and then replied:
"Of course | would "
Follow me, and you shall be. "
Enough Lead on. y
1t was with considerable difficulty
that the females extricatcd themselves
from the crowd, but they did so at
length, and then the first woman asked
of the other:
"What shall | call you?"
"Oh, I'm called the beggar girl Ma
rie''
"You live by begging?'
Eyes; but what's your name, and
what do you want?'
My namo is Marie, the same as your
own. "
Are you an aristocratE'
ut does not matter If you know
where we can find room lead me to
it, and you shall have gold. "
The pauper led the way into a mar.
row and filthy street and then down
into cellar and into dark and filthy
room.
The other woman could not but feel
sickening sensation creep over her
but she recovered herself After contem-
plating for time the apartment and
what it contained she asked:
"Are you we'll known in Paris?"
Eyes, everybody knows Marie, the
beggar girl. y
Are you known to Robespicrre? II
so, ] want to make a bargain with you.
81 am What do you wish?'
"You see my clothing is better than
your own, and | wish to exchange with
you. want yon to consent to remain
here, and not to show yourself at all fol
short time, or until | come to you
again. As recompense for aiding me
will give you 900 francs, and when
come back | will give you 900 more
As security for my return, take this
ring "
The lady drew diamond ring from
her finger and gave it to the beggai
girl Then she handed her purse con
tanning gold.
The girl appeared q little puzzled
and asked:
well, what are you going to do with
my dress
81 want to put it on and go where
/ first met you.
ooh, | understand now. You want tt
ha oh aud
afraid you will be taken for an sristo
crat if you wear that dress. You want
to represent me-
Yes. | want to look as near like you
as possible. .
Well, that won't be very difficult,
Your hair and eyes and even your
mouth are like mine. Your face is too
white, though. But you can alter that
with little dirt.
They exchanged dresses, and soon the
young, rioh and noble Marie de Nantes
was clad al the rags Of Marie. the beg
gar girl of Paris.
The history of Marie dc Nantes was
sad one. Her father and two brothers
had fallen victims to the remorseless
fiends of the revolution, and third and
last brother had been seized But of his
fate she was ignorant, although she ex
pected that it would be similar to that
Of her other relatives He had been torn
from her side but few hours before.
After the exchange had been made
the pauper looked on the stockingless
and shoeless feet and ankles of the lady
and said
"That wi never do Your feet are