The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-05-29
An Incident Of the
French Revolution
BY MARTHA v. MONROE

Antoine lie Beouf was leader OF
one of the ACCOMPLISHMENTS into which
Paris Is divided, and when the great
revolution came on so far as his sway
extended 1t was absolute. Jean Millet
was a leader Too. but Conservative
The revolution was like roaring
stream, that gathered power as it sped
on. Time came when those who had
been instrumental in starting it lost
their heads by trying to control it.
Millet went into 1t hoping to reorgan-
ize the existing government. Before
1t finished its mad course its object
was to get rid of the existing govern
ment and the class that supported it
by means of the guillotine.
When order was restored under the
directory, lie Beouf. who had made
bitter enemies during the period of
blood running from having sent so
many persons to the guilotine. found
himself exposed to plots hatched
against him for purposes of revenge
One who had lost a near and dear
relative spent long time in manufac-
turing a case of murder against him.
had him arrested and tried. Millet
presided as judge, and 1t was in his
power so to instruct the jury that they
must bring In verdict of guilty or
not guilty, as he chose When it be-
came his duty to do this, instead of at
once addressing the jury he addressed
the prisoner.
| Citizen Antoine lie Beouf, stand up!"
LIE Beouf, who was much broken by
his troubles, could only stand by lean.
ing on his daughter, young woman
perhaps twenty-three or twenty-four
years old.
"Citizen lie Beouf. do you remember
during the reign of terror one who at
the time the Girondists were executed
protested against their execution?"
There was no reply.
do you remember that you sent out
an order for the arrest of that person,
that he was brought before you and
adjudged an enemy of the revolution?
He was confined in room in your
house-the prisons were too full to -ad-
NIT him-till he could be sent to the
guillotine. He escaped and strove as
before to keep the French people from
committing political suicide by their
murderous course. Tell me, LIE Beouf,
do you remember that manT'
'Yes," moaned the prisoner, 81 re-
member him.
All who heard the Judge speak be-
lieved his words to be preliminary to a
vengeance upon the accused. They
supposed that he would in the end ask
LIE Beouf If he thought that one who
had sent so many to the guillotne
should be spared from the guillotine.
then instruct the jury that it was their
duty under the law to bring in ver-
dict of guilty. The girl who sustained
her father kept her eyes on the judge In
a frightened, reproachful look, like the
rest dreading his final words
"This man Millet, who was trying to
stem the butchery of yourself and 9th
ers, kept himself out of your way. You
tried to get your hands on him by open
means, but, falling, tried treachery.
You sent for him on the ground that
you wished to form a union between
the Conservatives and the Radicals and
desired him as representative man of
the Conservatives to join with you to
make the revolution less bloody. Sus-
pecting your design, he sent man to
meet you in a dark court, where you
would not recognize him. He was
seized and hurried away. But when the
light shone on him you saw that 1t was
you instead of who had been tricked."
The prisoner trembled. but said moth
ing.
And now, Antoine lie Beouf. you who
on the bench-not the judicial bench.
the bench of the revolution-sent so
many innocent persons to the guillo-
tine, what do you think that /, Judge
regularly appointed by the state, should
do in your Sase?"
The prisoner bowed his head without
reply, but his daughter in trembling
voice said, 'You should be merciful, NJ.
le Judge"
"No. mademoiselle. not merciful.
Your father does not deserve mercy.
But first | should be just 1t has not
been proved that the prisoner commit
ted this murder with which he has
been charged. But this is not my
ruling motive. Gratitude is today
stronger than justice-gratitude to you,
who, when | was confined in the rear
of your fathers house while he was
in the front sending men and women
to the guillotine. came and at the risk
Of yourself dying to save me opened
my door and conducted me to the
street. 1t is my duty to instruct the
Jury in this case to bring in verdict
of not guilty, and it is my pleasure to
give you your fathers life"
When the Judge was speaking the
last words an impressive silence reign
ed in the courtroom. Mile. lie Beouf
ran to the Judge and. kneeling before
him, seized his hand and kissed It,
Raising her. he turned to the jury and
gave them his formal instructions that
freed the prisoner. Then Le Beouf
tried to thank the judge; but. being un-
| ahln 90 l. fa b.