Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-08-09
A Woman
Hghwayman
BY ESTHER VANDEVEER

condition than i. In the year 100
was put into crib draped with brus-
sells lace. My father. the Duke Of
Montmarville was IA favorite OF King
Louis XVI, who showered him with
favors. Ten years later my father had
7 gone down In the reign of terror and
was an exile.
But l had in me the blood OF war
riors. The great Turenne was an an
cestor of mine. Naturally when found
that l could not make "a living as Il
woman l turned To the career of a
man. i would have fought for France,
but my ancestors had served their coun-
try under the royal standard bearing
the fieur-de-lis. If donned mans at
tire l must fight under the tricolor for
the usurper Bonaparte, who was en-
peror by virtue OF the blood OF the king
No, would not go into the army.
But / resolved To return To France.
How / made my way there l can now
hardly recall. l had become so used
to hardship that the days l travelled
on foot, the nights slept In woods, my
]
when ! had them-given by some kind
ly farmers wife, made no lasting i'm
preston on me.
remember well that one day found
myself in boys clothing at the gates
of the chateau in which l was born. l
asked a man passing who lived there.
He said that an army contractor had
7 . no
which had confiscated it after cutting
off the head of Its owner, the Duke OF
Montmarville Most women would have
burst into tears. Instead, l was en-
ragged.
This is world OF robbery" said,
"and i will rob like the rest"
stole pistol, but could find no
ammunition to steal and had no money
to buy any. But / soon had money
a-plenty. for lay In wait for the con-
tractor who occupied my birthplace,
and when he was being driven into
the gate by his fat coachman I stop
ped the coach, ordered the driver to
dismount from the box and, opening
the door, presented my unloaded pis-
toll at the occupant and demanded his
money. He happened TO have wen
filed purse, which he tremblingly
handed me.
] found money made by robbing so
easy and so lucrative that | bought a
horse and equipment for the road
did not think 10 wear mask. I had
no cause 70 hide my visage. was
the daughter OF a duke. but not soul
in Franco know me as such or knew
me at all for that matter. | robbed
only at night. and no one could SEQ
my features in the darkness. one
night stopped a coach, and after re.
cciving the contribution Of a man IN
it and was about to turn away he
said.
"MadamoiScHo. shall know bat
voice il ever hear it again. You are
not nan bat woman"
81 care not if Won do" l replied.
nor If you should see my features or
know who am. for mine IS a wrecked
life. would it had been ended. as
was my fathers, ON the guilotinc'
"Who was your father" he asked.
But | could not bring myself TO let
him know OF the disgrace | had
brought upon my family, and. putting
spurs TO my horse. rode away
4 love for life of adventure grew
upon me. and ! caught the spirit of
Claude Duval
Hearing that ball was to he given
-. f,.,, 4
rlchcd as King Louis had enriched my
father. desire seized me TO attend H.
dressed in the apparel of my sex.
Downing an ordinary womans cloth
ing. / went TO Paris and bought cos
tune fit for the rank 10 which | was
entitled On the night OF the ball
hired q coach and maid AMI when
the entertainment was ia full swing
drove up 10 tic door alghted, went
20 n robing room and then down into
the drawing room TO the host and
hostess who were receiving their
guests.
Madame looked at me In wonder
having never seen me before and UNI
certain whether had been biddcn or
had come without an invitation. Her
husband. who dd not know all the
guests. booked at mo cur.ously. Their
son. "a man meaning th-ty years Of
ace agzol at wn with admiration as
well his surprise
pardon no." said l'a mother u
90 NOT feca'i rour feature
7 am tho Duchess 81 ,f9nt-whai you