The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-12-04
A PROFFERED
GUIDE
By JULIA B. WICKERSHAM
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.


American couple, visiting Paris on
their wedding trip, sauntered out of
their hotel ON the Rue Rivoll with a
view TO inspecting the sights Of Paris.
Crossing the Rue de la Paix, they met
gentleman, whom Barkendale stop
ped and asked where they would find
the Place de la Concorde. Barkendale
and his wife both spoke French fairly
well, and they had no difficulty in
making themselves understood.
Perhaps | had better show you the
way" replied the stranger.
"It Is quite unnecessary, assure
you. Still'--
The gentleman walked with them to
the place in question and instead OF
leaving them where they could plainly
see the landmarks he had mentioned
escorted them farther, saying:
Perhaps you will permit me TO give
you the historical facts concerning
this locality. This space during the
reign Of terror was called the Place de
Ia Revolution. Where that obelisk
stands there stood the guillotlne, and
there were beheaded King Louis XVI.
his queen, Marie Autoinette, and more
than $500 others Of lesser rank, from
princes Of the blood down to the most
ordinary citizen"
Mrs. Barkendale shuddered and
slipped a hand into her husbands
arm.
II sometimes pass this place late at
night" continued the accommodating
stranger, "and now and again | have
seen some one contemplating this spot
where stood the guillotine with pro-
found emotion. Either such persons
have been strangers who have for years
read about those stirring times or de-
scendants of some person or persons
who were executed there. once saw
an old man looking Mt the spot, the
tears rolling down his eyes. | asked
him why he was so moved, and he said
that his grandmother-who portrait,
a beautiful girl OF twenty, hung in his
house-was executed there"
II never thought OF that" said Mr..
Barkendale. II see people passing and
here entirely unmoyed by
these memories, and had you not men
toned IL would not have supposed any
living person to be touched by them.
You. sir, seem to be an exception"
81? | moved by them? assure
you, sir. / have no feeling whatever
those who have so long
passed away"
Mrs. Barkendale, who had become
quite interested In the strangers ex-
periences, at this inyoluntarily shud-
dered again. she could not understand
how any one could be unmoved by
them. even though they occurred
century ago
There are many stories" continued
the stranger, concerning this spot. No
place in the world has contributed so
many themes, especially for tragedies.
Every time the AK fell some person or
persons were filed with mingled grief
and horror. II was the climax of many
Of life's dramas. The most eminent
was the royal tragedy in which first
father was torn from his wife and
children TO be executed, then the moth
er torn from those who remained
Mrs. Barkendale pulled at her hus-
bands arm. The subject was fasci-
mating. but grewsome.
Il think, said the husband, "that we
will 90 and get little lunch. Would
you honor us by taking bite with
ns?"
The invitation was given with the
that the stranger would
1t to be a courteous ex-
change for his civility Mr.. Barken-
iale was surprised at its acceptance.
The three walked to a cafe on
boulevard not far distant and, sitting
down at a table, ordered the French
with fork, or dejeuner la
forchette. The stranger spoke no
more Of the horrors which had so az
fected Mrs. Barkendale. but which
him not in the slightest.
he made himself extreme
~ interesting in telling the strangers
about curiosities to be seen in the cap
tal. Mr. Barkendale seemed greatly
in what he said and gath
cred a good deal of information as TO
ways of reaching different objects of
especially those in the en-
girons Rnt there was something
about the man that produced very
Rntagonistic effect on the lady. She
was greatly relieved when the meal
was finished and they were prepar-
ing for their departure.
Mr. Barkendale thanked the stranger
again for his kindness and, taking out
i cardcase, handed him his card.
II haven't card with me-" replied
he man. II never carry cards II
YOU can spare an extra one of yours |
will write my name on IL for you"
Barkendale handed him one-of his