The herald., 1897-05-23

as she gave to the charitable societies
but many an organization OF this sort in
Paris would have died for lack Of sup
port, many a worthy citizen would
have gone hungry, but for the aid and
comfort given by this woman, whose re- !
mains lie among the unknown inciner-
ated heap of what was once humanity.
the authorities have tenderly cared for.s
One might go on for columns detailing
the characteristics and achievements Of
the people Of prominence who found
death in the charity baza1. The story is
the most fearful with which Paris has,
really ever had to deal in the way of dis
aster. Even now, days after 1t - avl
over, I cannot help eeeing the tremend-
Gus effect the affair has had in every
circle Of france. Even the ragamuffin
who sells me my Figaro seems q trifle
less in evidence, and the ca bman is not as
vociferous. 1t is these signs which show
that Paris mourns her dead.
Never BEFORE since the republic came
into existence, has disaster to what
Republicans call the aristocracy failed
to be received with something like ap-
plause on the part Of the socialist ele- !
ment. Now, however, it is entirely diff
ferent. The strange spectacle Is seen Of
the very men who are descendants Of
some of the brightest lights of tn Com
mune. grief-stricken oyer the death Of
the, descendants Of those whom their
grandfathers helped to slaughter.
1t so happened that there was in. the
charity bazar the day of the disaster
man named Henry Germaine. His
grandfather had been one of the young
supporters of the Council Of Three dur
ling the days when the widow took a
daily bath in blood. One of those prom
inent in the charity bazar was Marie
Cordair, lineal descendant of Admiral
4 Coligny, whom Germaine's grandfather,
had helped murder. When the fire burst
forth in the rear of the booth close to
the Duchesse d'Alencon. these two, un-
known to each other, were standing near
together. The world knows the frightful
panic that Immediately ensued, how
men and women fought for egress and
life. Germaine. with marvellous pres
ence of mind, seized Miss Cordair, and
though five different times overwhelmed
by the struggling mass Of humanity,
suffering from the burns occasioned by
the blazing clothing of both, succeeded
in making his way through the exit into
the open air. Both M. Germaine AMI
Mile. Cordair were severely burned, but
not fatally.
This is but one Of the instances Of
heroism that have hitherto escaped the
press. Little has been said of the brav-
cry of the servants of the nobility who
were present. Dozens Of little children
owe their lives to the self-sacrif1ce Of
these brave hearts In livery. Now and
then you can find a survivor WHO will
tell how this or that child was carried
into safety by the personal attendant
of some noble, although in the daring
rescue the servitor received injuries that
will mark him for life. These are tho
things of which we hear little. 1t only
Illustrates the old saying that the brav-'
est heroes are sometimes the huHblest.
AS Paris mourns, she prepares to hon-
or her dead. Already movementi Is on
foot for the erection of a splendid monu-
ment in memory of those who perfshed
while engaged in advancing the cause
of charity. The Roman Catholics are
!. OF course the head and front OF the
movement, but as Paris Is largely OF that
faith the statement means that the gen-
EeraI desire is to that end. 1t IL there
fore almost a certainty that the next
great exemplifcation Of the sculptor'e
art will be monument. to the Victima
of the charity bazaar disaster. s.sss
- ~s~>- n-- .---- 4Afif1