Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-09-24

| ton that perhaps II Is better 10 state
that the main incident of this story
actually happened just rs 1t is re-
corded
The French revolution had reached
that stage commonly designated the
reign OF terror. Every day the doors
of the conciergerie prison opened to
let out n number Of human beings, not
TO life. liberty and the pursuit of
happiness" rs was enunciated shortly
before by the American colonists in
their Declaration OF Independence, but
to suffer death on the guillotine. At
first the victims were confined TO those
who stood for tyranny. The king. the
queen. the nobility, royalty and its
supporters lost their heads. Then the
different factions that had brought
about the revolution began TO fight for
power, aud the Conservatives were
gullotincd by the Radicals. After this
whoever desired 90 get rid OF one he
wished TO remove had but 10 inform
upon him rs an enemy to France. and
the accused would join the "innumer-
able caravan passing under the yoke
Of the guillotne 10 his long home.
II was not always an enemy that
was to be got rid Of Sometimes It
was a friend That friend might pos
sess something that at his death would
fall into the hands OF the informer.
There lived In Paris nj that time
young couple, Henri and Marie Cha
teaubrun. who were devoted to each
other. Henri when the struggle against
oppression began took deep interest
In 1t. advocatin: the reforms that were
proposed He and n friend OF his.
Antoine Boyer. became somewhat
prominent as leaders IN that quarter
OF the city In which they lived. Boyer.
who was bachelor. came often to the
Chateaubruns TO consult with his
friend upon the course TO be adopted
by them in public affairs. Nine. Cha
teaubrun took lively interest in
the early efforts OF the rcvolutionists
to make France n constitutional mon,
archy and was usually present at the
conferences OF her husband and his
friend.
During these meetings Boyer con.
ceived passion for Nine. Chateau.
brun. For time he struggled against
1t. not even acknowledging to himself
that he loved his friends wife. But the
time came when he knew that life for
him was not worth living without her.
As the revolution proceeded the two
friends and coworkers found them
selves on different paths. Chateau
brun continued Conservative, while
Boyer Joined the ranks OF the blood
thirsty Jacobins. The latter did not
give up his visits 10 the Chateaubruns.
Indeed. he was not able TO keep away
from the young wife OF his friend.
Since neither she nor her husband sus-
pected his love he was always well
come
| And now, the revolution having
swept beyond the conservatives. those
who had hoped for bcneficent results
10 France. who had worked for the
beginning OF better regime. found
themselves in the position OF enemies
TO their country. In attempting to
stay the flow Of blood they incurred
the enmlty Of those who We're she'd
ding IT, Then II was that Nine.
Chateaubrun began TO fear for the
safety Of her husband She urged him
70 retire from any further partici-
patton In public affairs. TO 20 TO a
small estate he owned In the country.
But. dangerous rs II was 10 continue
contest with the leaders OF the mob,
Chateaubrun was too much OF man
TO cease TO defend what he considered
the best interests OF his country.
Fiercer aud hcrcer grew the mob,
| requiring OF their leaders more and
larger drafts of blood Mime. Chateau
Paris. He sent Cor his friend Boyer.
now one of the Iacobin leaders, and
asked him what he had better do.
Boyer said he would take the matter
under adyisement aud let him know
his conclusions.
The day after this interview there
was a knock at Chateaubrun's door,
and when 1t was opened party OF
soldiers entered and Informed Cha
teaubrun that he was under arrest by
order OF the convention. In spite Of
his clingIng wife he was dragged away
and lodged in the cOnciergeric.
lie demanded-all arrested persons
made the demand-to know the charge
brought against him. He received no
reply till he was brought up for the
semblance OF a trial be was given,
then was informed that he was accus-
I'd Of conspiring with others to bring
the Duke Of Orleans across the border
and establish him as king. Chateau
brun knew that there was not a word
Of truth in the charge. but It's very
absurdity told him that II was pre-
text rather than an accusation. and he
lost hope at once.
There were twenty-onc persons tried
at the same time with Chateaubrun
and convicted on various pretexts.
They were all sentenced TO be execut.
ed on the guillotine on the same day. AL
were imprisoned In the conciergerie