Evening journal., 1905-01-19
His Iron Nerve
lorislnall

The reign OF terror in France was at
its height. NJ. Oudinot sat upon the
bench dispensing justice" which
meant Kidding the coHntry 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 be sealed them
TO the guillotine, till the last, a girl, a
mere child, stood up before him, look
ing at him with a pair of innocent blue
eyes, apparently unconscious of her
peril.
"Your nameT asked Oudinot, relax
ing momentarily from his severe ex-
preston.
"Clochette de Forcinet."
Daughter Of the citizen who styles
himself the Marquis de Forcinet?"
Yes, NJ. le Juge."
Oudinot sat irresolute. The marquis
was the royalist whose escape had so
disappointed the revolutionists. On
hearing the hated name the Judge
spoke the words that condemned the
child to the guilloine.
Oudinot leaned back in his 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 envel-
oped in a cloak and a 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
II Sanglier, what do you here"
ask Oudinot, when you should be
In Place de Ia Concorde working
your guillotineT
II have engaged a substitute. wish
to resign my position"
"Are you not well paid?"
Eyes, NJ. Oudinot, am well paid, but
my nerve Is giving out"
Nonsense, mani 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 enemiesT" the Judge asked. with
knitting brows.
"No, NJ. lie Juge. If you, with your
inhexihle will, were to see what l see
every day l am sure you wou'1 bend
before the sight"
II bend before seeing these people,
who have so long denied us and our
children bread. expiate their crimes7
Are you mad, Sanglierw
Sanglier bent his head in thought
Il will make you a proposition, NJ.
Oudinot I win retain my Office dur
ing tomorrow. Come at the hour the
work begins and remain till It is over.
II you do not finch I will acknowledge
you are right If you do you are to
relieve me Of my Office"
Done" said Oudinot II will be
there"
In the morning Oudinot after a com
Portable breakfast took his hat and
cane and strolled toward the Place de
IA Concorde. As he was about to turn
into the space where the guillotine was
set up a tumbrel passed him with
load OF victims, one Of them a 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, AID
as the tumbrel passed very near him
she said softly:
"Good morning, NJ. le Jugep'
Oudinot started. He had become
used to seeing people hear him con-
demn them to death with fear and
trembling, with shrieks and fainting.
II seemed TO madden him. TO put an
edge on his cruelty, but this child
what did she mean by wishing him a
good morning without the slightest
bitterness? He put his hand in his
pocket and took out his handkerchief
to wipe his brow, for the day was hot
and noticed a slight tremor in his arm.
''Nonsenseg he muttered, and, brac-
ing himself, he hurried on to the foot
OF the guillotine. Sanglier was stand
ing by the instrument waiting for him.
As soon as he saw the judge he called
for the first victim.
He was a young noble, who met
death unninchIngly. Then came a
woman, who had to be carried and plac-
ed in position on the guillotlne; next
n priest, encouraging the others and
wearing a look on his face as II he al
ready saw heaven. They followed one
another. Oudinot keeping HIS eyes un-
dinchingly on them from first to last
till Clochette de Borcinet was led up.
1t seemed to NJ. Oudinot as If some
thing within him were giving way. His
head swan. He leaned heavily on his
cane. Clochette was placed on the
guillotine. Did she look upon 1t as
play? Was she proud to meet death
which she did not understand--as IL she
had been honored with a prize at
schoolY she lay fat on the board and
/ asked:
] "Am 1 in the right positions"
She was told that she was. Then,
/ turning 70 Oudinot, she said
"Goodby. NJ. le Juge."
Oudinot swayed, put bis hand TO his
head and cried:
Hold! There is n mistake In this
case. condemned this child. but there
are circumstances OF which was not
aware. Remove her from the guillo'
tine. Take her away. must look in