Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05
A QUEEN ON THE sCAFFOLD.
Marie A~ntoinette's DemeanOr on the
Way to the GuiilOtine.
(The Century,

Inc ttuAuI1sJ
The executioner then seized the beauti-
full, delicate hands and tied them with a
rope behind her back. The Queen sighed
deeply and looked up to Heaven; but al
though her tears were ready to flow, she
restrained them. When her hands were
thus firmly bound the executioner took off
her cap and cut off her hair. AS she felt
the touch Of the scissors on her neck she
started and turned hastily, evidently sup
posing that she was about to be murder
ed In the cell; she then saw the execu-
toner folding w her hair, which he put
In his pocket. Before she left the cell
SIZE said anxiously to the officer now on
ghard: do you think they will let me
reach the place OF execution without
tearing me to piecesY'
He assured her that she had nothing
to fear from the mob, but she seemed
anxious as she followed the officials
who led her to her doom, scarcely hoping
even for the dreadful security OF a
guarded scaffoldl When she saw the
cart awaiting her she again started and
seemed TO receive n fresh shock; she had
supposed that. like the King. she would
have the protection of a closed coach.
The cart was of n kind seen only in re-
mote country parts at the present day.
and made of four separate sides rudely
tied together, the back part being let
down for ingress, with a step-ladder at
tached. A plank put across the cart
served as a seat. The Queen assembled
the steps firmly and prepared to sit
facing the horse; but she was immedi-
ately told that she must sit backward,
looking toward the spectators. She turn
ed and took her seat with perfect calm
ness and a grave, resolute look, gazing
straight before her. pale, with red, even
~bloodshot eyes. but carrying her head
high, as was her wont. The execution
er and his assistant stood behind her,
leaning against the sides OF the cart.
The priest took his place next to her,
but she turned away and seemed deter
mined not to speak 10 him, though he
held up a crucihx before her from time
to time. She seemed to suffer pain from
the ropes around her hands, on which
she pressed to relieve the tension. The
ends were held by the executioner, pull
ing the arms backward. The cart went
on slowly, while an Immense crowd fol-
lowed in dead silence till they reached the
Rue st. Honore. There they found hos
tile elements, especially the abandoned
women. who, in Paris, always play sucn
a prominent part in popular disturb
ances. Here there was such a burst OF
insult and execration that the unfortu-
nate Queen might well dread the posi-
bility Of falling into such hands.
But the cart turned into the Rue o
ale and reached the Place de la Reyolu-
ton, where the scaffold was erected. AS
the Queen passed before the Tuileries
she turned with an earnest, lingering
look.
The scanold was erected facing the
garden of the Tuilerfes, before a statue
of Liberty, on the spot where the obe-
lisk now stands, n not where the
Kings s~caffold had stood, which was m
the opposite side. facing the Champs
Elysees. The priest attempted 10 assist
her In alighting, but Notwithstanding
the increased difficulty consequent on
her tied hands, she turned from him and
stepped down firmly. with apparent ease.
as quickly as she could. seeming DESTROYS
10 hasten the end as far as possible.
The executioner offered TO assist her in
ascending the scafold. but she went up
alone and quickly. Immediately going 10
the plank on which she was 10 be bound.
In doing so she trod on the foot OF the ex-
ecutioner, who made a motion as OF pain.
With the kind courtesy which characfe-
rized her ever in this last hour. she
quickly exclaimed. Pardon. monsieur
In a tone OF regret and apology. The ex-
ecutloner and his assistant then fasten-
ed her 10 the plank and tore OF her mus
lin kerchief. lest II should impede the
action Of the knife. Th last motion Of
Marie Antoinette was an involuntary at
tempt TO bring forward her tied hands
as a screen for her uncovered shoulders.
- When the executioner. held up
the head to the populace. 10 the deep
awe OF the spectators. the face OF Marie
Antoinette expressed perfect conscious
ness, and tho eyes looked on the crowd!