The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-22
BY A HAIRS
BREADTH
By EMMA BRUCE

During the French revolution, in the
midst OF the reign Of terror, when
crowds of condemned mobiles were be-
ing hurried to the guillotine, number
of tumbrils two wheeled carts) drew
up in front Of the Conciergerie prison
for victims. They were filed, all but
one, for which 1t seemed there were no
persons intended for the az, and the
driver was about to move away, think
ing that he was not needed, when a
young man was led out and placed in
his cart.
"Driver," said the condemned man,
'ff you will permit me to escape and
l succeed In getting out of France l
will give you 100000 francs. l am the
Marquis de Fontaigny. Our family
long ago deposited a fortune in Eng
land"
"What good would 100000 francs do
me without my headT" was the reply.
'"They would guillotine me in your
place."
leave France with me. Think of
the fortune you will gain. Have you
sweetheart? Fancy the little home you
can make with her"
The man began to lag farther behind
the other tumbrils, which In the start
had got away before him. Presently
he drew rein and, getting down from
his seat, pretended to fix the harness.
When the other carts had passed al
most out Of sight he got up again and
drove on till, coming to narrow side
street, he turned into it, at the same
time reaching back with one hand and
cutting the rope that bound the prison
er's hands.
Get up on the seat beside me-"
The marquis in his anxiety to escape
death was about to- jump out of the
cart, but the driver stopped him. When
they were side by side he told the mar
quis to take of his coat and throw 1t
down into the cart, and, taking of his
own waistcoat-he wore no coat-he
gave it to the marquis to put on. Then,
taking a clay pipe from his pocket, he
put 1t in the marquis mouth. AL this
was done, scarcely person noticing 1t,
in a few moments. Then the two
drove on as IL they were Of the same
rank in life and but on an ordinary
purpose. Fontaigny took care to play
his part well.
! Monsieur" said the driver, II want
no pay for what / am doing. / am
tired of driving people to their death
and win 60 away with you If we can
elude those who are expected to catch
us. Our success will depend upon the
luck we have in not being soon missed.
But let us take no chances as to that"
/ With the last words he drove the
cart into an entrance to a court behind
a grocer's shop. Then both he and
the marquis got down and, seeing an
open door, entered 1t and, passing
through a passageway, came to the
rear Of another shop opening on an
other street.
They had scarcely turned the cart
into the court when a mounted soldier
galloped past the entrance and hurried
on down the street.
Before reaching the barrier they pro
cured some more coarse clothing for
the marquis by trading with an over.
grown youth for his worn brooches
shoes and hat, for they knew that al
the gateway through which they were
to pass they would be liable to inspec'
ton.
Several citizen soldiers were loung
ing about. The teamster as they ap
preached talked volubly to the mar
quis, as though he was not think
ing Of anything except the subject thai
interested him. When he came to thu
gate, pretending not to see the guard
he was ordered to halt. He looked NJ
as though awakened from dream
WELL" he said, what will your
"Who are you. and where are yoV
goingT
81 am a teamster and am going be
yond the barrier to contract for some
: fodder for my horses"
"And your to the marquis.
81 assist him In his stables"
. | 1Ou Jun AOOh AAhC n bIdUiCAA0As
After some further questions the TIVE
were permitted to pass.
The nearest border for them wa
! Belgium. Once out of Paris, they turn
ed northward and began a Journe!
over the route that many an emigre o
the revolution had Travelled befor
them, only. instead of keeping to
, main road, they deviated from one al
much as possible. The marquis com
, panion, who gave his name as Antoin'
BOYER, proved by far the better STRAIT
egist Of the two, and It was due to hi
J well laid plans and cool head that the!
> succeeded In escaping suspicion.
! Since the marquis was In compan!
! with one of common origin and In
; commoner's clothing, 1t was not dim
D cult for them to get on without e1ci'
n ing attention. The main feature o
i their escape was in the beginning
! there being no clew to what had De
come Of them. In due time they reacn
q cd the border. and It was not long DC
p