Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-12

~ -.o oAAO Spl cuu uOWu, suo QUICK
~ gathered the potatoes SO thickly strewn
upon the ground. Suddenly step was
heard, and before she could escape q
rough hand was laid upon her shoulder.
$50, thief, | have caught you'll ex-
claimed the harsh voice of a man.
PITY, pity!" murmured the unhappy
woman.
Those worthy Of pity do not steal.
You are but thief, SO come with me. I"
Attracted by the sound of voices, some
men gathered around them, and loudly
echoed the terrible cry of "Thief !!
Thief!'
More dead than alive Jeanne Georges
was led to the Office of the mayor. Hav-
ing listened to the explanation offered,
he turned and addressed the prisoner:
Misery ever brings as its fruit bad
desires. You have stolen. 1t is true, that
which you have taken is of little value,
but 1t is nevertheless theft. and there is
no reason why should believe you
would not steal a purse or object of val
ue. He who steals All egg might steal ar
OK. Before your misfortune you would
not have taken a pin; this / doubt not,
but trials have made you ungrateful.
Charity placed you in possession of your
hut, and yet that which charity itself
reserves you take. In your weakness ]
protect you against yourself.
At this moment the speaker was in.
terrupted by the sudden appearance of a
tall man enveloped in long cloak. So
quickly had the stranger entered the
room that all were startled and not
even Jeanne at first recognized Georges.
Exhausted by conflicting emotions and
prey to strange and terrible dread,
the unfortunate woman lay PROSTATE
upon the floor.
Advancing to the table at which the
mayor was seated. Georges struck the
open register with the full force Of his
closed fist.
'Who is the wretch" he demanded,
"who has dared to calumniate my
wife?"
Remember in whose presence you
speak and respect the law" responded
the mayor.
II repeat. who is he that has dared
to call my wife thief?'
Il did and do call her a thief, replied
the man who had discovered Jeanne.
From whom has she stolen?"
"From the mayor himself. "
"Can you credit this assertion? Can
you believe her guilty." exclaimed
Georges, turning to the mayor.
There is proof was the cold re.
sponse
On hearing this Georges stood for an
instant. lost in thought. Then, with 4
low sob, he sank upon his knees
Pardon, i'll mercy pardon her, NJ.
LEMON" he implored. "You have
known Jeanne long and we'll. When but
q child, you carried her in your arms
She is no thief. We were hungry, and
there was no food in the house, and in
pity for her children, and forced By
cruel want, she took from your field the
potatoes my hand had planted.
Il hear you, Georges, and yet must
do my duty. Of Jeanne l must make ali
example," responded the mayor. Il
must do my duty, and yet l regret that
it is enforced
''An example! a proud duty is this
example! OF what is your example? OF
people dying of starvation who seek but
to live? Painful as is this thing called
existence. we all cling to it, for such is
the law of life. Say that she took but
that which you rs IA man gave to the
suffering little ones. Say but this, and
she is free, and my life is yours. will
work for you day and night, making no
charge for my labor, and that can
work we'll you know"
''It is too late, Georges; the law is
precise. We have no power to alter it. "
"And what, then, will you do with
my wife?"
"She must be committed" -
"To PRISON."
Eyes, to prison.
"To prison!' exclaimed the agonized
man. ''To prison, because she has re-
fused to see her children starve?"
ct is better to die Of hunger than to
steal"
With these words the mayor arose and
left the room. A cart was brought be-
fore the door Of the office, and into it
the still insensible woman was placed.
Agonized and frantic with grief. Georges
left his children with the mayor and
quickly fed from the house. The people
stepped aside to let him pass, for all
shrank from the look Of fierce despair de-
picted upon his face.
On reaching the prison gate hand
was laid upon Jeanne arm to assist her
to alight, but still and silent the woman
lay. When spoken to, she did not reply.
for the God who had given her life had
forever sealed her mortal lips. Jeanne
Georges was dead.
Weeks elapsed. One bright morning
the curate of the parish and the mayor
were walking side by side through
woodland path which led to the village.
They had dined together at the notary's
and toasted we'll.
"In referring to the subject of Georges
and his unfortunate wife," said the
mayor, II may add thanks to you, NJ.
Provost, for the care of the children.
s.A,d x,o% II, voy, orivinatad the pOOd