Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-02-19
EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI
The Unhappy King Went to His Death
BraVely.

IN the century there is graphic dr-
tlcle on '''rhe Last Days of Louis XVI.
and Marie-Antoinette." The author,
Miss Anna l.. Bicknell, says:
1t was a dark misty, January morn
ing. The presence OF the two soldiers
precluded the possibility of CONVERSE
ton; the priest therefore handed his
breviary to the King, and pointed out
appropriate psalms which the King
read deyoutly and with perfect calm
ness, TO the evident establishment of
the gendarmes. The shops were shut
along the way. and crowds of armed
citizens stood on the pavement as the
coach, preceded and followed by cav
airy and artillery. went slowly through
the streets, where all the windows
We're closed. Lines of troops stood on
each side, while drums beat solemnly,
rs if for a military funeral
AS the coach passed along the bou!e-
wards near the Porte st. Denis, a few
young men rushed forward. waving
swords and crying loudly: Come, all
who would save the King" There was
fee for their own lives. They were
pursued. and several were arrested,
with fatal consequences. The King,
absorbed in prayer and religious medi-
tation, had not even perceived the vain
attempt to effect his deliverance.
The coach had mt last reached the
Rue Royale and the Place de la Revo-
luton. where the crowd was immense.
The scaffold stood little to the left
of the Place, where the Obelsk now
stands. bur nearer the Champs Elysees.
toward which the guillotine was turn
ed. \ mass Of troons formed a square
around the fatal SPOT. The coach stop
ped NJ distance of few naces. The
King feeling that the motion had ccaS-
ed. looked nm from his PRAYER book.
saving quietly: I'VE have reached the
place. | think"
opened the door. The King earnestly
commended the priest who accompan-
led him to the care of the pendarmes.
and then Stepppd from the coach.
Three men surrounded him ana tried
70 take off his cont He calmly pushed
Them hack and removed if himself.
oneninp his shirt collar and nrpnarlnr
his neck for the AK. The exerutioners.
who seemed nj first disconnected and
almost owed. then again came around
him holding rome.
The King drew back quickly. ex
what do Won want to do?"
"'ro tie your hands"
The King exclaimed indignantlv.
"'rie NV hands, No will not submit
10 mis-. Do'So,u dutv. but do not at-
trmpt to lie me. YOU shall not do it,
The pxpcutioners persisted. and spoke
Ioudlv. The King looked toward the
Able Edgpwortb. who mt once saw the
imDoSxibility of resistance and said
gently: sire. this last Insult will only
nroyida = fresh point of resemblance
between your Majesty and the God
who Will ha your rpcomnanse
The King Looked nm ia heaven "As-
surpdlv His examine alone could in
ducn mo ia submit tn sncb an indie.
nitv." Then holding ont his hands:
..Do as Won nleasp: I will drink thp cun
ia Tho drngs
His hands were tied and With tho rs.
sis;anrc Of his coufessor he assembled
thp stems of the scaffoId which were
very Stnen When no reoched the ron
he broke away from the Ahhe Walked
firmly across the sroffoId siIenred tho
drums bv , Glance of o,thoritv ,nd
than I'm 81 voion "a land tbat Il D.oe oudi.
hla nm tha o,,nos,ta .ida of thu p,oce do
Ia Epyolutfon he uttered those words.
81 dta innooon,. az OIL tho o,,r,oS inn.