The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-12-30
His Iron Nerve
forieinalI

meant Kidding the country Of the hated
aristocrats. He was a man possessing
great physical and will power, with
nerves Of iron This morning. having
heard that one of the most hated royal
lists had escaped to England, there was
an especially merciless expression on
his face as his cold gray eyes glanced
over the dozen persons covering be
fore him. One BY one he sealed them
to the guillotlne, till the last. a girl.
mere child, stood up before him. look
ing at him with pair Of innocent blue
eyes, apparently unconscious Of her
peril
your name?v asked Oudinot relax
ing momentarily from his severe ex-
preston.
"Clochette de Forcinet"
Daughter Of the citizen who styles
himself the Marquis de Forcinetw
Eyes. NJ. lie Juge"
Oudinot sat irresolute. The marquis
was the royaIist whose escape had 50
disappointed the revolutionists On
hearing the hated name the judge
spoke the words that condemned the
child to the guIlIotine
0udinot leaned back in bis chair to
rest after his mornings work Of con-
demning a dozen fellow beings to
death, and the wretched crowd was
led back to the prison. A man enYel-
oped in cloak and q hat drawn down
over his eyes entered the room, throw
ing off both hat and cloak when he
perceived that he was alone with the
Judge
''Ha, Sanglier, what do you here,
asked Oudinot. when you should be
in the Place de Ia Concorde working
your guillotinef"
II have engaged a substitute. ] wish
to resign my position"
Are you not well paId2n
Eyes, NJ. Oudinot. am well paid, but
my nerve is giving out"
Nonsense, man! we have no occa
sion for nerves when we are Kidding
France Of those who have tyrannized
over us for centuries"
Nevertheless / can bear the strain
no longer"
Are your sympathies turning toward
our enemiesy the judge asked, with
knitting brows.
"No. NJ. lie Juge II you, with yoHr
inhexible will, were to see what see
every day / am sure you would bend
before the sight"
Il bend before seeing these people,
who have so long denied us and our
children bread, expiate their crimes?
Are you mad, Sanglier?"
Sanglier bent his head in thought
Il will make you a proposition, n.
0udinot | win retain my office dur
ing tomorrow Come at the hour the
work begins and remain till It is over
If you do not finch will acknowledge
you are right. II you do you are to
relieve me OF my Office"
Done said Oudinot. 4 will be
there
In the morning 0udinot after com
Portable breakfast took his hat and
cane and strolled toward the Place de
Ia Concorde As lie was about to turn
into the space where the guillotine was
set up d tumbrel passed him with a
load of victims, one Of them q strip
ling girl leaning over the side Of the
cart, in whom he recognized Clochette
de Forcinet She was looking at him
with an unconcerned expression, and
as the tumbrel passed very near him
she said softly
"Good morning. NJ lie Jugew
Oudinot started He had become
used to seeing people hear him con-
denim them to death with fear and
trembling, with shrieks and fainting.
1T seemed to madden him. to put an
edge on bis cruelty, but this child
what did she mean by wishing him a
good morning without the slightest
bitterness? He put his hand III his
pocket and took out his handkerchief
to wipe his brow. for the day was hot,
and noticed slight tremor in his arm.
"Nonsenseg' he muttered, and, brac-
ing himself, he hurried on to the foot
OF the guillotlne. Sangller was stand
ing by the instrument waiting for him.
AS soon as he saw the judge he called
for the first victim.
He was young noble, who met
death unflnchingly. Then came q
woman. who had to be carried and piac
ed in position on the guillotine; next
priest, encouraging the others and
wearing d look on his face as II he all
ready saw heaven. They followed one
another. Oudinot keeping his eyes I'M
hinchingly on them from first to last
till Clochette de Forcinet was led up.
1t seemed to N. Oudinot as If some
thing within him were giving way. His
head swan lie leaned heavily on his
cane. Clochette was placed on the
guillotine. Did she look upon it as
play? Was she proud to meet death
which she did not understand as IL she
had been honored with prize at
school? She lay fiat on the board and
asked:
Sam In the right positionW
She was told that she was. Then,
turning to Oudinot, she said:
"Goodby, M. le Juge."
Oudlnot swayed. put his hand to his
head and cried;
'sHold! There Is a mistake in this