The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-07-24


spires and towers 70 the sun; the Paris
OF Louis XXI, half university, half citys
the Paris OF villon and Rabelais.
through which IN the winter wolves
lprowied: dominated by Notre Dame
and the gibbets OF Montfaucon.
AT one OF these old houses Madame
Linden paused, verified the number.
and then, going up the two steps that
led to the doorway, rang the qneasy
bell. gN
scarcely had she released the handle
when the door opened and q man APP
peared. He was gray bearded, shabby
and rusty, attired in o snuff colored
coat the worse for wear, and q broad
brimmed hat; he carried a book under
his arm and II was quite evident that
he had not opened the door In reply to,
the summons. for, when he saw the
lYeiled figure of the woman he started
back. EA5
what do you want2" said he, hold-
ing the door in such a way that he
could clap 1t to at a moments notice
Monsieur" replied the baroness,
who, despite the desperate seriousness
of her mission. could scarcely restrain
her mirth at the appearance OF the
book worm and his evident alarm, II
want an Interview with you on a mat
Il vi vi NhS ~ ~ AAN -
OF your friends.h
IS You know me them
"Oh, monsieur, all Europe knows you,
and though l have never seen you be-
fore, vet 7 recognize o at once"
The book worm, allured by the
voice OF the charmer. came forward
and, closing the door behind him, stood
on the step. Eha" 4.% #.NE 4
He had a mirthless face, a face
wherein lurked suspicion and distrust:
an extraordinary face, SO much OF
greatness and Of littleness did 1t con-
tain; the face of a practical man and
a dreamer--he had wen forgotten to
wash il that morning just as he a
forgotten to brush, his coat, which he
held tightly clasped about him with
one thin hand, as If to fend off the APP
proaches OF the world. @1%
Tins in the early morning bright
ness stood Monsieur Rousseau OF
Geneva, a most difficult subject to deal
with, as. Madame Linden perceived,
despite her veil Soft words were t0f
no use as a. first approach to this
eyasive and self-centered nature. .
well, monsieur" she went on, Il
can compliment you on man, things,
but there is one thing or which I can
not felicitate you, and that Is your
sense of hospitality" #aH "
Madame" said Rousseau, taken
aback, Il am bound on, an early morn
ing visit to my friend Monsieur de
Rennes. Besides, madame. l do not
know you" . = s. IT.
Therefore, you clap your door in
my face? All, monsieur, how easy 1t
is to be a philosopher; to order an
emperor out of your sunlight, to clap
your door in the face Of a woman!
ECome, i will explain myself, then, in
the open air, II you will allow me to
walk beside you down the street. And
now, directly, to my point, your friend
Monsieur le Comte de Lussac is in
prison" th@'
I'm prison2" 70, -
In the fortress of the .Bastile,
caught in the tolls Of Monsieur de
Sartines. who will devour him as sure
ly as a spider devours a fly, IL / do not
come to his assistance" .
Now Rosseau had a real fondness for
Ibis disciple, De Bussac, but Rosseau,
though he preached unrest, was no
conspirator: he knew nothing of the
Society of the Midi; he was a philos-
opher, a musician, a thinker; his social
contract did not include fisticuffs.
l. Madame" said he, stopping and
facing her, what you tell me disturbs
me deeply. In prison! And what has
this unfortunate young man done ?"
This unfortunate young man, mon
sieur, has simply been carrying out in
practice what you preach in theory.
You have made him discontinued with
the world as 1t is, and he has been
trying to upset it, succeeding only in
nearly upsetting Monsieur de Sar-
tines coach" @
'Upsetting Monsieur de Sartines'
coach?" ..
II speak fgurattvely. monsieur. He
has been conspiring against the social
order. and the social order has placed
him in prison" ...--.
Rousseau, fumbIed with his book.
lstanding before Madame Linden like q
school boy. In the few moments OF
their conversation her intelligence had
ing him to task. 81. w..
Madame. said he. at last, II have
nothing to do with c~onspiracies. 1
have never preached sedition. You
say that my teaching has mad the
young man Disconnected with things
as they are. Granted: that is what my
teaching aims at. Since when was
contentment a. virtue? Take IL ven In
art. What artist who is content with
his work yer arrives at greatness ?"
In another moment he would have
plunged and hidden himself in the
fountain Of philosophy, but madame
was too quick for him. w..
Monsieur, you wander from the
point. This is not a question of art,
but politics, and Monsieur de Lussac
has arrived, owing to the discomfort
ment you taught him, not at greatness,
but in prison. 1t is your duty to help
me, without in the least Involving
yourself, to extricate him .
Madame" said Rousseau decisively,
IF this, Is as you say, / will myself
go and see the king"