Evening journal., 1905-05-22
Bad Workmanship
lorIeInall

paris is In the hands OF the COM
mune"
Such was the startling announcement
shat came at the close Of the Franco
Prussian war and the downfall Of Ma
poleon III.
Thousands Of misguided communists
fought worthy Of more practical
cause and when their EFFORT collapsed
were led out in squads. placed with
their faces to wall and shot down like
dogs.
Victor Fournier an artist, who had
entered the army when all young
Frenchmen were needed there. was
one morning ordered TO lead his com
pany to the Rue b. and dislodge the
communists from behind barricade
OF paving stones they had erected
across the street
Fournier gave the order TO march.
There was sharp tap on the drum,
followed by others reverberatng be-
tween the tall houses on either side.
and the company moved forward.
"rheyr have hard fight for that
barricade, said bystander to another.
Louise Dechatelle lives in that sec
ton and has a wonderful influence. She
has an iron viii and the courage Of a
lion"
The soldiers tramped on until they
turned into the street where the barri-
cade had been placed. then marched by
the flank and proceeded shoulder to
shoulder with cooked rifles. When they
were yet 200 yards away from the bar
ricade a bullet sang spltefully over
their heads. They paid no attention
to It, moving steadily on, their captain,
with drawn sword marching at their
head. Then coming nearer they dis
tinguished woman looking over the
barrlcade. Doubtless the other de-
tenders were crouching below, waiting
a signal to spring up and pour a vol
ley into the faces OF the advancing
troops
"That must be Louise Dechatelle," /"
muttered a soldier to the man next 10
him on his right. Il promise you wen
have a bloody time taking that work.
II you want men to fight just give
them woman to lead
"The maid Of Orleans, for instance, y
replied the other.
When the attacking force came with
In a hundred yards of the barricade
the woman mounted 1t and, taking aim
at the captain, fired. The bullet went
wide Of the mark. The woman threw
out the exploded SHE'LL put IN a car
fridge and, taking aim again at Four
nier, sent a bullet over his head.
They're keeping mighty dark" NUT
tered the man who had spoken Of Lou
Use Dechatelle. They're waiting til
we're right against them"
By this time the troops were within
half a block Of the barricade. The wo
man could be plainly seen raising he
weapon for another shot She was evi
IDENTIFY trying to bring down the cap
tain, trusting that this, followed by
volley I'm the mems faces, would driv
them back in disorder. The captat
saw her object, but paid no attention t
her. tramping on, followed by his men
till they came directly under the barri
cade There stood a girl, with eye
ahame, her hair partly uncoiled. colo
ia her cheeks, the impersonation Of ,
beautiful fury Taking a final deiiber
ate aim at the captain, she sent bul
let, this time tearing the sleeve Of hi
coat, but doing no further injury
Springing on 70 the barricade wher'
she stood, he looked down on the othe
side. To his astonishment not a maj
was there The girl had been the sol
defender
"You have made a gallant defense
mademoiselle,7 he said. "but canno
compliment you on your marksman
ship
A squad Of prisoners-men, some VIC
men and boy-was standing u
against a wall waiting to be sent t
their long home. Captain Fourniei
who, with his company, was on dut
at the prison, stood near a platoon o
his men, who were commanded by
sergeant. The captain was in charge o
the execution. A woman turned for
moment and looked calmly upon tn
soldiers.
Sergeant said the captain, "tha
is the woman who single handed d.
Tended the barricade in the Rue I
Tell the men,"
The sergeant saluted' and infOrme
the men that they were to execut
Louise Dechatelle.
At the first fire seven-eighths OF th
communists fell Louise Dechatell
remained among those left standing
After the second fire she stood alon
Turning. she looked at the executionel
with the same impassive face as befor
Captain Fournier gave the order "Pr'
sent armsr' Then advancing, he 81
iuted her and said:
''Mademoiselis. l am the man wh
owes his life to your poor marksmal
ship. You did your best to kill me an
failed. Ny men Of their own accor
have declined 10 fire on you. shall II
tereede in your behalf with the con
mander OF Paris"
What men marching against her ba
rlcade could not do. what a platoon ,
executioners could not do, was accon
t,ffcbod INV t,aaornouff,nffv lflfa ncch