Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1907-07-18

LEGGED man let in, whom he soon recog-
nized as the chief agent of the second
section of Secret Police "Why, friend
Lomaque," cried the gaoler, advancing
towards the courtyard, what brings
you here this morning, business or
pleasure?"
Pleasure, this time, citizen. I have
an idle hour or two to spare for walk
[ find myself passing the prison, and
can't resist calling in to see how nv
friend, the head gOaler, is getting on. ;"
LomaQue spoke in surprisingly brisk
and airy manner His eyes were suf-
fering under a violent fit of weakness
and winking; but he smiled, notwith-
standing, with an air of the most invet-
crate cheerfulness. Those old enemies
of his. who always distrusted him most
when his eyes were most affected
would have certainly disbelieved every
word of the friendly speech he had just
made, and would have assumed it as
matter of fact that his visit to the
head-gaoler had some specially under
hand business at the bottom of it.
How am l getting on?" said the
gaoler, shaking his head. "Overworked
friend-overworked No idle hours in
our department. Even the guillotine
is getting too slow for us"'
Sent off your batch of prisoners for
trial this morning?" asked Lomauue.
with an appearance of perfect uncon.
Germ.
mo; they're just going" answered
the other Come and have a look at
them" He spoke as if the prisoners
were collection of pictures on view, or
a set of dresses just made up. Lomaque
nodded his head, with an air of happy
holiday carelessness. The gaoler led
the way to an inner hall, and pointing
lazily with his pipe-stem, said: Our
morning batch, citizen, just ready for
the baking"
In the corner of the hall were huddled
together more than thirty men and
women of all ranks and ages; some star
ing round with looks of blank despair;
some laughing and gossiping recklessly.
Near them lounged a guard of "Patri-
ots," smoking, splitting and swearing.
Between the patriots and prisoners sat,
on a rickety stool, the second gaoler-a
humpbacked man, with an immense red
misunderstanding his breakfast Of
broad beans, which he scooped out of
basin with his knife, and washed down
with copious draughts of wine from the
bottle. Care1essly as Lomaque looked
at the shocking scene before him his
quick eye contrived to take notice OF
every prisoners face, and to descry in
a few minutes Trudaine and his sister
together at the back of the group.
Now then, Apollo! cried the gaoler,
addressing hds subordinate by face
tious nickname, don't be all day start
ing that trumpery batch of yours! And
harkye, friend, have leave of absence,
on business. at my Section this after
noon. So it will be your duty to read
the list for the guillotine, and chalk the
prisoners doors before the cart comes
tomorrow morning Ware the bottle,
Apollo, to-day; ware the bottle, for
fear of accidents with the death-lists
tomorrow
Thirsty July weather, this-eh, cit
izen?'' said Lomaque. leaving the head
gaOler. and patting the hunchback in
the friendliest manner on the shoulder.
why, how you have got your batch
huddled up together this morning.
Shall | help you to shove them into
! marching order? My time is quite at
your disposal. This is holiday morn
ing with mev'
"Ha! ha! ha! what jolly dog he is on
his holiday morning. exclaimed the
head-gaoler, as Lomaque- apparently
taking leave of his natural character
altogether in the exhilaration of an
hours unexpected leisure-began push
ing and pulling the prisoners into rank,
with numerous mock apologies, at
which, not the officials only, but many
of the victims themselves reckless
victims of a reckless tyranny-laughed
heartily. Persevering to the last in
his practical jest. Lomaque contrived to
| get close to Trudaine for a minute, and
to give him one significant look before
| he seized him by the shoulders, like
the rest. Now. then, rear-guard,"