The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1898-03-12
"ad5Worth Dispatch,
PUBLISHED scml-wEsslv
SIS 90 Per Annum.
EXECUTION CT LOUIS XVI.

- Vi 4ON1E
ANl and Marie Antoinette." The
author, Miss Anna L. Bicknell, saws
1t was a dark, misty, January
morning. The presence Of the two
soldiers rrecluded the possibility OF
conversation; the Iriest therefore
handed his breviary to the king and
pointed out appropriate psalms,
whSh the king read deyoutly and
with perfect calmness, to the eyi.
dent astonishment of the gendarmes.
The shops we've shut along the way,
and crowds of armed citizens stood
on the pavement az the coach, pre-.
cedcd and followed by cavalry and
artillery, went slowly through the
streets. whore AN the windows were
closed. Lines Of troops stood on
each side, While drums Leaf solemn
~, rs if for a military funeral.
AS the coach passed along the
~boulevards neal the Porte st. Denis,
a few young men rushed forward,
waving swords and crying loudly,
Come, all who would save the
kingi" There was no response, and
they were obliged to flee for their
own lives. They were pursued and
several were arrested. with fatal
consequences. The king, absorbed
i'm nayerAand religious meditation,
bad not ever perceived the vain at.
tempt to effect his deliverance.
The coach had at last reached the
Rue Royale and the Place de la Rev
olution, where the crowd was i'm.
mense. The scaffcld stood a little
to the left of the place. where the
obelisk now stands, but nearer the
Champs Elysees, toward which the
~guinotine was turned. A mass of
troops formed a.square around the
fatal spot. The coach stopped at a
distance of a few PAGES. The king,
feeling that the motion had ceased,
looked up from his prayer book,
saying quietly, I'VE have reached
the place, l think"
One of the executioner's assistants
opened the door. The king earnest
ly commended the priest who &C,
companied him to the care of the
gendarmes, and then stepped from
the coach.
Three men surrounded him and
tried to take Off his coat. He calm
ly pushed them back and removed
it himself, opening his shirt collar
and preparing his neck for the az.
The executioners, who seemed at
first disconnected and almost awed,
then again came around HIM, hold
ing a rope.
The king drew back quickly, ex-
claiming:
what do you want to doc"
ITO tic your hands,"
Tho king exclaimed Indignantly;
Tie my hands! No, l will not sub
NIT to this. Do your duty, but do
not attempt to tie me; you shall not
do It'll" The executioners persisted
and spoke loudly. The king looked
toward the Able Edgew orth, who
at once eaw the impossibility Of re-
sistance, and said gently, Sire, this
last insult will only provide a fresh
point Of resemblance between your
majesty and the God who will be
your recompense.
The hing locked up to heaven.
"Assurediy, his eXamrlealoIe could
induce ne TO submit to such an In
dignity" Then holding out his
hands: do as you please. / will
drink the cup to the dlegs.
His hands were tied, and with the
assistance Of his confessor he as
cended the steps OF the scahold,
which were very steep. Wien ne
reached the top, lie broke away from
the able, walked firmly across the
scaffold, si,enced the drums by a
glance Of authority, and then II a
VOICE SO loud that Ii Was auoltle on
the opposite size Of the llate oe Ia
Revolution, he uttered these words:
Il die innocent OF all tie c1lmes
imputed 10 ne. ! forgive tLose who
have caused NY death, and fray
God that Tie liCcd you are about
10 shed nay IcStr tai On trance.
There was a shut.der thai ran
through tho crowd like Ii great wave
but at the word Of oolnmand the
drums beat a prolonged roll, ana