The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-08

victor Hugo's story of "The Hunch- back of Nortre Dame'' is in many re- spects the most powerfully written of that great authors novels. It holds the attention from beginning to end and makes even the profuse historical mat ter with which 1t Is filled-matter which would be dry in the hands of any but 8. genius-of absorbing interest
 The picture of the social life of Paris under Louis XI., of it's political cond- tion and of the legal machinery of the times, is admittedly accurate. and shows profound study. But the tale itself is chamber of horrors.
 Hugo in this work fell into the fault which is characteristic of so many French authors. He selected the nosome alterations of the human heart as fitting subjects for exploitation. The concluding chapter, which the author labels "Quas- imodo's Marriage" reaches the extreme limit in repulsive and horrible suggestive ness. Yet Hugo seems to think it merely poetical-delicately amatory. One will be better French historian from reading "The Hunchback of Notre Game.' but scarcely a better man. However, 1t is a great story. by great writer; genius shines all through it.
 N)M CLAUDE FROLLO, Archdea- con of Josas, gazed down from his A~ cell in one of the great towers of Notre Dame upon the city of Paris gazed down serenely upon the world, the flesh and the devil at his feet. Though not more than 35, he looked 50, with the white hair making a fringe around his bald pate and his thin. austere face deeply ploughed with lines of thought.
 Early trained to the church his whole life had been one of study and devotion. No fires of hatred or revenge, or of the love of woman. had ever kindled in that cold well ordered brain. But he tenderly loved his younger brother, young Jehan the student. and supplied that scapegrace with money and good advice, neither or which stayed long with the giddy youth.
 Now as Dom Ciaude's eye roamed over the city it was attracted finally by a crowd gathered in the open space in front of the cath edral-the Parvis. In the cir cle formed by the crowd young gypsy girl was dancing. She was not tall, though she appeared to be so from the elegance of her shape. Her face was or exquisite beauty and her complexion nad the beautiful. golden tints of the Roman and Andalusian woman. Her small foot was Andalusian, too. She danced and whirled on an old Persian carpet care lessly thrown upon the pavement keep ing time to the sound of her tambourine, which her two plump, beautifully shapeo arms held above her head.
 With her golden bodice and her spotted robe, that swelled with the rapdity Of her motion. disclosing now and then her finely turned legs: with her black halr, her eyes of flame and her rapt expression she seemed supernatural creature Wltn a1er was a beautiful white goat with gded horns.
 "Come. Dali" said .he girl to the goat when her dance was ended IeH me what day of the month this is." Ths goat struck one on the pavement with her foot It actually was the first day of the month. Then by moving her tambourne in a different way. she made the little creature rap out the day of the week ana the hour of the day. "Sorcery!" whisp- cred many among the crowd.
 "Djali." continued the gypsy, show me how Master Guichard Grand Remy does in the Candlemas procession" The goat rose on her hind legs and began hleating and walking with a comcal gravity which set the whole circle in A roar of Laughter. Many other tricks did the goat do at the bidding of her mis- tress and high up in his tower Dom Claude looked down upon the scene. lie was too high above to see distinctly all the beauties of the girl and could not hear all that she said. But he saw her; and something strange. new and to him terrible began stirring within him.
 Many times after this. when La Es- meralda the Bohemian" or the "Eeyp- tian." as they indifferently called her, was giving her harmless exhibitions m the streets of Paris of 14S2. there would he in the crowd around her a stern faced man clad in the garb of monk, who never took his fiery eyes from her and who would sometimes ejaculate in q deep voice "sorcery." "Sacrilege!" Pro fanation,' Whereat La Esmeralda would shudder and say with pretty pout: "oh. that odious man again.
 One night when Esmeralda had stayed abroad late to amuse the popuiace she was proceeding to ward her home in the Cour des Miracles when suddenly she felt herself seized by q strong, rough hand. The street was pitchy dark save Tor feeble ray which shone from you've lamp before the image of some saint But by the uncertain light La Esmeralda could see that the man who had seized her was Quasimcdo, the hunchback bell ringer of Notre Dame. and that he was accompanied by the man in monks habit whose presence at her little street enter tainments had so often made her blood run cold
 Murder, Murderi" shrieked the girl. "Halt. scoundrels, and let the wench go.' shouted a voice of thunder in response to cries. ana nOTSeIIldI, dTIfleu Cdp-t- nie his drawn sword In his hand, came riding out of the next street. He snatched the gypsy out of the hands of the stupified Quasimodo and laid her across the saddle
 The formidable hunchback, recovering from his surprise, was about to spring rnon the horseman to regain his prey when fifteen or sixteen archers. who fol- lowed close at the heels of their captain. came up and fell upon him. In spite of hIs almost superhuman strength Quasi modo was overcome and bound.
 In the confusion his companion disap- neared, La Esmeralda gracefully raised herself upon the officers saddle, and. clapping both hands upon his shoulders. looked at him intently for few mo- nents, as If charmed by his handsome face. Then giving a sweeter tone than usual to her sweet voice, she said: What is your name, sir?'
 captain Phoebus de Chateaupers, at vour service, my dear" replied the gal lant captain.
 .Thank you" said the girl, and while inc young man was turning up his mus 4L- olh