The Ravalli Republican., 1898-09-21

dent, and would exonerate Paul from
all: blame from the brotherhood
when they discovered how they had
been foi]ed.
Nine. Mentaure fully agreed with
all that Lucille suggested, and while
warmly complimenting her on her
GOODNESS, tact and ingenuity could
not. help slni]ing-serious though
the subject was-at the idea OF the
stuffed president. It was further ar
ranged between them that para
graph should appear in the morning
papers Of the day preceding the
opening of the exhibition describing
a cvcling accident which befell the
president and necessitated his keep
ing his room for a day or so, but
stating that nevertheless the presi-
dent would be able to open the ex-
hibition on the day following. /
It should be mentioned that this
lieutenant Travissier was the fore
most ventriloquist in France, and
that his mechanical figures had been
brought to the highest state Of per
fcction-they could walk, smoke,
drink, ETC., under Travissier's guild
ance. They had appeared before the
crowned heads of Europe and were
famous all over the world. Travis
sier, when he was communicated
with and bound over to secrecy, en-
tered into tho spirit Of the thing at
once, and Immediately began prepa-
rations for playing his part.
| OF course nothing would have
| been easier than for Mime. Mentaule
| to have had Paul arrested on the
spot, on at least kept under sr1veil-
lance, but she was sufficiently keen
to appr eciate thatif he was arrested
another member would be deputed
to take his place. and besides she
felt it would be a poor return to Lu-
ellie for her trust and devotion.
When the eventful day arrived,
Lieutenant Travissier, disguised as
the presidents secretary, appeared
at tho door of the palace supporting
OH his arm the dummy president,
and entering the carriage which
was in waiting drove to the exhibi-
ton attended by q military escort.
So far everything went OH well, and
the route rang with the loud cheers
of the French public for their be-
loved president. Many were the
sympathetic words exchanged
among bystanders anent the pale
ness OF the president and the diff
Guilty which seemed to attend his
least movement
At last the exhibition buildings
we're reached. The president en-
tered, still leaning on the arm Of
Trayissier, and mounted the plat
form provided for his accommodate
ton. The ventriloquist stood imme
aiately behind the dummy and de-
livered in fine form the president &
address opening the exhibition.
Toward the exit from the build
ings, where a great crowd had gath
; cred to SEQ them and while the all
rang with the cheers of the multi
!, tude, LIE Marchant, who was wait
ing, suddenly darted forward ant
: before any one could interfere
L plunged his dagger thrice into the
Il breast Of the president, crying pas
I sionately: Down with tyranny
a Long live anarchy! Cassello i
Il ayenged!'
. The president sank back into til
y arms of Travissier, and he was in
~ mellatoly. carried to one Of the pri
. yate rooms in the exhibition ant
medical men sent for When Travis
~ sier had the committee who receive'
- the president alone in the room wit
, him he hurriedly explained to then
~ the ruse that had been played upo
-, - them and the public in anticipatio
~ -. of the attack that had just take
- place, and impressed upon them til
- necessity of keeping up the farce
:, little longer.
- AS for, LIE Marchant, he was il
81 stantly seized by the crowd, an
~ ~, Notwithstanding his strength woul
10 have been most severely handled
Lo the gendarmes had not rescued hil
~ and taken him into custody.
o. Within an incredibly short tin
no all the newspapers had special ed
NJ tons out, recounting the assassin
ton Of the president, and the new
Nv was flashed all over the world, on]
,a1 to be contradicted a few hours afte
1v ward when it became known no
Of ingeniously anarchy had been chea
ed of one Of it's most coveted vi
of TINS. AS for the anarchists ther
at selves, they were quite dumfoun
he ed when they learned how they ht
It's, been foiled.