Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-04-20
CHAPTER vn.--iCoNrrNrrp.l }

all know who I am; the trusted mes
senger from Robespierre cannot be ac-
.cused OF loyalty to cause he has so
long secretly and openly fought
against, or Of treachery to the cause
of the people. Do not misjudge me,
then, when l bid you forego your in
tention to yonder trembling group
why, friends, what o. poor revenge Is
that! look you--how soon the terrcrs
have fied from the fiery youth. who
sent young schristorhe TO his last ac-
count. He who has helped pile up life
time OF misery for hundreds OF US.
Shall he only suffer few seconds
strangling, and then be safe where our
revenge cannot reach him? ask Keen
or pangs for those that are left, the
bitter, agonizing hours Of suspense, the
gnawing Of remorse, the nameless hor-
rors of slowly but surely approach
ing doom.
Friends, citizens. let me tell you
Why I think / have right to pro-
noupce the sentence in this case,I con-
tinued he, his voice swelling full and
deep. I'm the group yonder, stands
Count Gerunain. as he was known in
the days gone by. as he win never be
known again. As some Of you know,
was once peasant on his estate. He
hears me-do you see him cover? All,
Ia! shall bring more painful chok-
Ing TO his throat than your halter did
for his son. II Ii right YOU should
hear this story tonight. had sister
I'VE were thriving family In spite
Of his oppressive taxes, and she was
tenderly reared She was known then
~ the Rose of Chestnut Hollow, and
no rose was ever half so sweet or
beautiful as Valerie. So fair a flower
might be plucked even by a nobleman,
and Count Germain sought to win her
by his wiles. He won her love, but
she was pure as the mountain dew,
and this man whose blood Is so much
nobler and better than ours, was forced
10 stratagem to win his ends. He per-
suaded her with his smooth words that
ne was ready to lift her to his own
estate; that his love overlooked their
different stations, and he would give
her a legal marriage. The innocent
girl trusted him! But bark you.
The poor tool who was to per-
senate the priest, and make a
mockery OF the sacred rite, confessed
10 me- what was about to happen. That
was my first move against this man.
when / found q veritable priest, and
managed that that which his lordship
believed to be a sham ceremony to
appease the scruples Of avi:tuous girl,
became legal marriage. l kept the
papers myself. and revealed the secret
10 no one. and the priest died two
months afterward. My sister was too
confidins and happy to demur because
she was kept immured at the chateau,
but she WIS not long to remain so. Six
months. and my lord, the count, was
tired Of his peasant plaything. One
day he gave. her a rol, OF gold. told
her the trick he had played upon her
and sent her from the chateau to a
neighboring cottage. promising to see
her often, until his marriage to lady
high born and wealthy. suitable for q
countess. She was woman, and you
All do know what tender stuff their
hearts are made OF. She drooped wan
and white in silence even after her
babe was born. and cold, plain faced
pountess reigned at the chateau. soor
learned what had happened, and with
khe papers In my hand. sought the
count Ask him. some of you, II hs
has forgotten that meeting DID
L think. he asked. that the govern
ment- and that meant the king ant
mobility; the people, mind you, hat
nothing to do with the government
nothing but to be ground into the dust
and submit passively--did think tn,
government would listen to the wore
OF peasant against uobleman, ant
in such cause as this? saw m!
case was hopeless through the tyrann!
that bound France and made slaves o
fwo-thirds of her people. crushed
back the rage that filled my heart, ant
demanded that the child should be bet
ter educated than his mother had been
but while spoke was registering al
oath within me, that IA AZ took life
time devoted TO but one hidden end
hour should be avenged / have toiled
] have boarded. have strained ever.
nerve OF mind and body, ave and TWEEN
4 tysyears, and tonight my end is con
summated. VIII you give him but al
hour of wretchedness. for my loni
years Of grief. my sisters. life of mis-
cry. her sons blasted hopes? Answe
me, citizens" ia.. ~ ff-s
Like the roarjoffa tempest amid
forest, or the deafening dash OF sur
against the rocks, came one great cry
away with him tc,prison. Let tn
Hends take him by pieesmeal Let hin
die by inches. Long life and honor 4
citizen JEAN" and amid shouts an,
jeers the prisoners were seized ant
borne away to prison by the soldiers.
Count Germain cast one. questioninl
look at his wife. as rude hands Dor
MIN mast where still unable to rise