Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-12-04
MARIE.

se+il'i .MA-IGlL. aStS eas
During the i'sreign of terror in
France there were many deeds of darsi
ing performed, even by women, Gand.
many noble examples of affection exS
hibited. rs {s ~
The very streets of Paris were ydelug-
ed with human blood, but near the gull
lotine it ran in gushing torrents.
One dark morning an unusual h1m-
ber of the aristocraey had been marched
forth, and countless heads rolled from
the block. &xGs 7..e;s,
a gaping multitude stood by, aud
raoyswere thus butchered :!
Among the assembled multitude that
dreary morning were two women! Ono
of them was plainly clad, while cloak
was thrown around her, with which
she kept her features nearly concealed.
But a close observation. would betray
the fact that the woman had been weep
ing. st.,.S.si ...i, 81 t.,,-s,
Her eyes We're infiamed and rcd, and
she gazed eagerly upon the platform,
while shudder passed over her framo
as each shook 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 thewoman was very beau
tiful, and she was young. certainly not
more than 16 or i 8 years of ago {:
The other woman was quite different
in character. Her face was. fair, but
there was a 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: i. 2
''There falls another aristocrat who
refused mo charity wheniI humbly sued
to himr, 8da 3i0a1: G2s.sg :.
Each expression of the kind would
create laugh from those who. heard
her, but any thoughtful person must
wonder how one so young could hayo
become so depraved.
The first woman watched this .crea-
ture for few moments, and then press
ing her way to her side she laid her
hand upon the shoulder of the wretch
and whispered: . NJ, ~ iE9se
Would you like to become rich at
onceT' sa al.
The woman in rags turned about with
a look of surprise, burst into. q loud,
laugh and then replied:
"Of course would. /,
Follow me, and you shall be. I"
Enough. Lead. on 5.s,s
1t was with considerable difficulty
that the females extricated themselves
from the crowd, but they did so at
length, and then the first woman asked
of the other:
ssWhat shall I call you?''
riel'' lei - q
..You live by beggings"
Yes; but what's your name, and,
what do you wants" ieiets,N
my name is Marie. thesame as your
own" -'''
care you an aristocrat?a
cit does not matter. If you know
where we can find room, lead mo to
it, and you shall have gold -
The pauper led the way into mar
row and filthy street and then down
into cellar and into dark and filthy
room.
The other woman could not but feel
a siokening sensation creep over her,
but she recovered herself. After contem-
plating for time the apartment and
what it contained she asked: ~ s
Are You we'll known in ParisS"
Yes, everybody knows. Marie, the
beggar girl. - 5i.s,
Are you known to Robespiere? If
so, want to make bargain with you.
''I am. What do yo1 wish?''
You see my clothing is better than
your own, and wish to exchange with
you I want you to consent to remain
here, and not to showfyourself at, all for
short time, or until come to you
again. AS recompense for aiding me /
will give you 1. 900 francs, and when /
come back I Will give yon /, 600 more.
AS security for my return, take this
ring 3ts3
The lady drew diamond ring from
her finger and gave it TO the beggar
girl Then she handed her purse com
tanning gold $ sis ~
The girl appeared little puzzled
We'll, what are you going to do with
II want to put it ON and go where
first met you. -
oh, I understand now. Yon want to
see the schopping 60 on, and you are
afraid youwin be taken for an aristo-
crat if you wear that dress You want
to represent me?',
Yes. I want to look as near like you
as possible
Well, that won't be very diffieult
Your hair. and eyes and even your
mouth are like mine. Your face is too
white, though. But you can alter that
with a little dirt. . s.
They exchanged dresses, and soon the
young, rich and noble Marie de Nantes