10 THE OMAHA DAILY " 1JEE : SUNDAY , APRIL 24 , 1808.
g 9 %
Ashes of Empire.
19 By ROBERT W. CHAMBERS.
v *
( Copyright , HM. by nobert Cliamfoers. )
ASIIUS OF KMI'lUU.
Uehlnd black ramparts where an ancry sun
Hurleil In ashes , smoulders nil the West ,
AKiiliiHt a Bky of lire I see the crest
Of b.iltlcments , deep-terraced , gun on sun.
A towered Cathedral burns athwart the
rays ,
A maze of windows kindle In the blaze ,
I'hltniiiy and dome and belfry , one by one ,
itcdden to cinders throufc'n the crimson
haze.
Oltrnntlc shadows fall on roof and wall ,
Hluck shapes of shade , fantastic , wax and
Graded In Brnyi the phantom day Is Inld ,
Where nlKht'a pale sister , twilight , smooths
the pall.
The double-fniindered din of shotted guns
Humble ? , resounds , rolling from fort to fort ;
l'"rln. lng the cannon gloom , from port to
I > ort
The fretted lightning of the cannon runs.
Ashes of years of sin , the sacrlflcs ,
Ashes of oaths and vows and prayers and
UM ,
Ashes of fool and knave and wordly wise ,
Ashes of empire under ashen skies.
CHAPTER 1.
TUB FLIGHT OK THE EMPRESS.
The throng outside the palace had swelled
to menacing proportions , the gay cocked
hats of the police glittered a'bovo ' o sombre
ecu of head * ' , thrca'ding ' the packed square
with double strands of color. The throng was
rot yet a mob , thc'io wore no rushes' , no nul-
len retreat * , no caprlclou * stampedra , but It
grew denser. Ag-iln and again the Imperial
police pushed Into the square only to bo
crushed back against the park railings by the
uliecr weight of the people. FVom the river
a battalion of mutinous Mobiles advanced ,
ringing a deep swinging chorus through
which the treble voices of the neweboja
soared piercingly : "Extra ! Extra ! Frightful
disaster In the north. Defeat of the French
ormy at Sedan ! .Capture of the emperor !
Surioiwler of the army of Chalons ! Terrible
battle at Sedan ! Hvtra ! Bxt'.al
i.Vcrcea thp bridge the people surged
against the P.ila's llourbon , receding , ad
vancing , retreating , only to dcah 1 > ack again
on the uteel-barbcd grille , a deluge of eager
human beings , a chaos of white , tcr.ae
faces and outstictchcJ hands. And now over
all u.vept a whirlwind of Hound of pplcndld
f.onorous song the "Marseillaise ! "
The crowd h-id become a mob. The empire
van at an end.
A aliort , fierce howl broke from 'tho crowd
which filled the Uuo do Rlvoll front lll °
Louv.-o to the 1'ltico do la Concorde , ad an
oniccr of the Imipcrlul guard appeared for a
moment on the terrace above the Orangerls
and attempted to epcak. "Go buck ! Go
bapk ! " shouted the mob. "Down with the
empire ! Long live the/ republic ! The emp-.tisa
has betrayed Purls ! Sliame ! Shame ! " Some
body In the crush raloc.1 a gilded wooJen
caglo on a fragment of broken flagstaff and
uhook it derlnlvcly at the jxilace. "Durn
, It ! " cried the mob. "We want no eagles
"
now !
la a moment the glided eagle was on fire.
A d.ummcr of the National guard reversed
hla drum and beat the charge ; a young girl
inarched bei'Klu him , also beating a drum ,
her thin , whlto face set with a hard smile ,
her eyes flashing undo. , her knit browa. A
compact mass of people hurled themselves
analr.ijt the ga'.dcn grille , the iron eagle and
the Imperial N were torn from the gilt gates
timid a tempci't ' of cheers , the railing crashed
in , the mob was loose.
' At that moment , through the alley of trees ,
a detachment of the garde imperlale marched
silently up and massed Itself before the ( treat
gate of the Tullleries , waiting there , s'olld ,
motionless , with rllles at parade rest. The
mob came to a sudden halt.
"Do\'v > with the Imperial guard ! Hurrah
for the national guard ! " shouted the man
with the blazing eagle , and he swung the
flamlog emblem of empire till It crackled
and showered tlio air with eparks and burn
ing flakes of tinsel.
"The " girl with the drum , sitting foeslde the
parapet of the Orangerlo , beat the rappel
and laughed down at the Imperial guard.
"Are you afraid ? " she called , In a clear ,
bantering voice , "I'll give you a shot at
my drum you , there , with the Crimea I
medal. "
A young rufflaa from the outer boulevards
climbed to the parapet beslrlo her. " 51-
lonce ! " shouted the crowd. "Listen to the
Blouse. "
The- Mouse , hcwever , contented himself
with thrusting out hU tongue and making
frightful grlmacss at the imperial guard ,
while his two compiutons , "Mon Oncle" aMd
"Dlbl la Goutte , " alternately laughed and
proffered menaces. Twice an ofllcer ad
vanced a llttlo way along the alley of trees ,
summoning the crowd to fall back. The
sacond time a young fellow In the uniform
of the national guard dragged himself from
the crowd and nimbly moulted the parapet.
"You tell us to disperse , " he shouted In
reply , "and I tell you wo will go as soon as
that Hag comes down from the Tullleries. "
Then ho turned to the mob with violent ges
tures.
"Do you know why that flag Is flying ? It
is because the empress U still In tha Tull-
eres. Is she to .stay there ? "
. "No , no ! Dov.ii with the empress ! To
the rpalace , to the palace ! " howled the mob.
Thp Mouse , who had climbed down Inside
the garden.- ' , began to yell for pillage , but a
drummer of the Imperial guard kicked him
hcadlaig through the gate c.tid burst out
laughing. The crowd surged forward , only
to fjij Lack again before the leveled rllles
of the troops.
"Got off the wall , " cried Hie officers ,
angrily , "you gamin , there , with your drum.
Co back or we fire. "
The girl with the drum regarded them
Ironically and clicked her drumatlcku. The
young clHcer of the National guard tcsldo
her ctirted the troops and ahouted : "Toll
your empress to go. Who Is she to oit
In the Tullleries ? Whs sent the army to
Sedan ? Who betrayed Hie nation to the
Prii .il ia ? Tell your empreea to go while
she can. Do you think the people- are blind
flnd deaf ? Do you think the psople forget ?
Tell hrr o take herself and her family out
of the land she- sold to Ill.'marck. Then lot
her tcmembor the city she betray d the
people who watch an-A wait for Prussian
6tioa ! cowering In the cellars of de-cstated
houses hero la the city she sold ! "
The crowd ahouted hoarsely and pressed to
the gate again. The youag orator's fierce
eyes sbono with a bate so Intense that tha
troops thought him mad. And perhaps ho
was , ibli fanatic , who In daya to conio would
prove hla brainless bravery to an Ini-urgent
city nnd die under the inerclhas eabcia of
Tillers' grndarmea.
"Ca-iUln Flourens , " said an oHlcer of the
imperial cuard. "If you do not call off your
nab their blood will be on your head. Shame
on you. You disgrace- your uniform. " i
"Captain De Selller , " replied Flourens
fliTcely. "tomorrow. If the Pruselin army
halts before Paris. I will bo the llrct to face I
It for the honor of France , nut I will not j
face It for the e-mplro. Shall Paris fight for
the woman who old Franco ? Shall France' '
do battle for a rotten dynasty tottering to
ruin ? A dynasty that socks to pull dowui
the motherland with It Into the abyss ot cor
ruption and cowardice and treachery. The
Prussians are here ! Ix > t thm come , lut ) |
before wo face them let in cleanse ourselves
from that which brought us ta des'.ructl-n. I
Down with the empire ! "
Ih ctafed and stepped back. Tile girl bc-
Idc htm swung her drum to her hip , sprang
up and facing the troops , began to sing :
"Ca Iral Ca Ira1"
A thunder of cheering answered her ; the
e'.eel stanchions of pita and grille were
wranched out , the mob was armed.
The Imperial guard hesitated , thou foil
hack slowly a * old General Melllnet galloped
ur > . glittering with orders , sashed and
wputred. hlo face crimson with anger.
"It In well , " he shouted , shaking his
clenched list at the crowd ; "It is well for
you that her gracious majesty commands
tint not ono drop of blood ehall be spilled
to protect this palace ! Cowards , go hack to
your kennels ! The empress Is leaving the
palace1' !
He walked his pplendld bay mare straight
up to the shattered gate ; a straw In the bal
ance would decide his fate and he knew It.
"You , gentlemen , " he said violently , "are
here en a vile errand. Are you not blushing
for your uniform , Captain Flourens ? And
you M. Vlctorlen Sardou , with your clay
mask of a face , and you Armand Gouzlcn "
For a second rage choked him.
"What do you wunt of me. gentlemen ? "
ho iald ; , ctutrclllng his passion with an
effort. "I have made a promise , and you
will find that I will keep It. If Geneial
Trochue has deserted the empress , make
the most of It. Let God deal with him.
For me , I am hero to stay. Say eo to your
mob. "
At this moment a roar arose from ttie
crowd cutslde. "Tile empress Is gone ! The
empreps Is gene ! To the palace ! To the
palace ! The empress Is gone ! "
The crowd started forward. Then , as the
soldiers silently brought their rides to a
charge , the people fell back , cmchlng and
trcenpllng in their hurry to regain Its pavo-
mcnt.
"Look out , Dotirko , " said a young man
In English , dragging his comranlon away
Trcm the gate ; "there'll be a panic If the
Hoofs fire. Come on ; let's get out of this. "
"Look , " eald tils comrade , eagerly , "look ,
they've lowered the flag on the cupalo. Do
you see , Jim ? The empires has left the
Tullcrlca ! "
The crowd saw It , too , and a tumult arose ,
nniiwcrcd by vociferous cheering from the
packed masaos In the rue de Rivoll.
"Vivo la republlque ! Down with the em
pire ! "
"Hurrah for the republic , " shouted Bourkc ,
laughing and navlng his liat. "Harowood ,
why the devil don't you ctieer ? "
Malet and Shannon , two fellow war corro-
spnd its , passed and called out to them In
Ilnglliti "Hello , you fellows. It's all over.
The omprcsa has gone. "
"Walt for us , " motioned Uourke. But al
ready the others were lost Ui the crowd ,
which now began to pour along the face
of the park parapets toward the river.
Ilourke , his arm linked In Harewood'a ,
struggled for a while to keep his course to
the rue Roynle , but the pceiflure and ftiout-
Ing and torrents of dust confused him , and
ho let himself go.
"Confound It. " he gasped , "this ! o almost
a stampede. Keep your feet , Jim , If you
want to live to get out. I hope the empress
Is safe. "
"Where are our horses ? " asked Harcwood ,
struggling to keep with his comrade.
"In the arcade of the Continental. Good
heavens , Jim , tlito crush Is frightful , " ho
said , seizing a bar of tfae railing behind
them. "Climb up and over. It is the only
wny. "
"They'll shoot you from , the palace , " erloi
a dozen voices.
"I'd rather bo shot than squashed , " replied
Dourka , clambering up and over the glide !
railing.
In a moment HarevtooJ sprang to the turf
beside him , panting and persplrlnc.
"Now. " motioned Dourke. and they glided
across the terrace of the orangerle and let
themselves down Into the street , dirty ,
brulrcd and breathless.
At the end of the street toward the Place
de la Concorde a mob , flourishing clubs and
knives , was vainly trying to scale the para
pets of the pirdens , shouting , "Death ! Death
to the Empress ! " but a squad of mounted po
lice held the parapets and hammered the
more venturesome of the people with the
flats of their swords. Snveral line so'.dierj
nml Mobile offlcers JoKietl the police ; on tno
other bind the mob Increased every niomor.t
and their angry shouts swelled to a solid
toar. "Death to the Empress ! Remember
Sedan ! "
Among n group of frightened pedestrian'
who had bcai blocked on the quay between
toth mobs were two ladles. Bourkt caught
a glimpse of their light summer gowns as
ho crept along by the quay wall. Ono of
the ladles carried a covered basket , which
she held close to her breast. Both were In
helpless consternation , daring neither to pro.
ccoJ nor to return to the quay alone , where
already the mob had seized the Battcau
Mouchc , crying , "On to St. Cloud ! "
"See those girls , " crle.1 Bourke , "They'll
get Into that crush In a moment. Jim , they'll
bo trampled. "
Harowood started across the street just as
the young lady who carried the basket turned
IIH WOULD HAVE SHRIEKED IP HE
COULD , BUT TERROR PARALYZED
HIM.
on.I hastened toward the Louvre , where a
cab stool close to the gutter. Her compan
ion followoJ , ruur.liiK ahead In her anxloty
and calling to the cab driver , who , however ,
shook 'his he/ad , refusing to move.
As Harewood came up the girl who carried
the basket shrank back , looking at htm with
I'tartkvl cyca , but he raU'3.1 ' hla hat and then
turned to the cabman. "Wi3 want you , " he
eld sharply.
"I am engaged. I waa told to xvalt for
the Austrian amtcaiado. , " said the driver ,
iddlng Impudently ; "Are you hid cxet-llcncy ,
M. Mfttcrnlch ? "
"You must take these ladlts. " said Haro-
wood. "They can't stay hero she police may
IIro at any moment. "
' Monsieur , " salJ the cabby farccstlcally ,
"can I paw tbu mo'j with my tab ? "
"You can pass , " Insisted Rourko. "to the
pa.-o ! St. Germain l'\u\erroU-we'll leal
the hoie , " and he lalj ono hand on the lilt.
Before the cabman could protcat Ilarewomi
fiims open the door , eaylag , "Jlcwlamfa ,
tht'e la tlr.ie Io "
no to ! while Bourke
Hi-owled tuck at the driver and thook h'a
fist , 'Pis of a cabman , " he whlspercJ ,
"drlvo tilowly or I'll push you Into the
rive' . "
Harcwood was alighting ax he closed the
cab door and eprans to the other el Jo ot the
home.
"Now , Dourke , " ho eald , "touch op your
Jehu. "
IBourko uttered another awful threat and
signaled the cabby , The latter obeyed with
a despairing grimace and the horse moved
off along the quay , the two young felloua
walking on cither etdo of the horpe'o head.
In a moment they were In the crowd that
surrounded the gate of the Carrousel , but
the crowd was not very compact and they
threaded their way slowly , amid cheering and
singing and eavoge yells , "Death , death to the
emprrea ! "
"Poor thlngl" cold Harowood , "Hang
thrao ragamuffin cutthroats ! Go slowly ,
Bourke. Hello ! what's up now ? "
From the stairway on the soulh colonnade
of the Louvre a group of ladles and gentle
men were lulling. Hurriedly they traversed
the court to the street gate , where a mob of
loungers stood , staring up at the gray
facade. As ono of the party , a Ildy , heavily
veiled In crepe , stepped out to the sidewalk ,
a gamin clinging to the gate piped up
shrilly :
"That's the empress ! "
Instantly ono of the gentlemen In attend
ance seized the urchin by one car and boxed
the other soundly , saying : "I'll teach you to
shout 'Vive la I'russel' "
For a moment the knot of Idlers laughed.
Then someone In the crowd said distinctly !
"All the same , that Is the empress. "
A silence followed , broken by a dingle
voice , low , but perfectly distinct ; "Death to
the em press ! "
There was a restless movement , a quick
pressing forward of wicked faces , a ahulile
of heavy shoes. In a second the crowd
doubled Itself as If by magic ; voices rose ,
harsh and ominous. Somebody struck the
Iron railing with a Bteel-bandcd club. UJurke ,
Blinding close to the gutter by the cab , felt
the door pushed outward and hu turned '
alarmed as both young girls sprang out. Ono
ot them ran to the cuiprest and motioned
toward the cab.
"Hasten , madame , " she said , "hero Is a
call. "
AMID * A TEMPEST OP CHEEKS TUB UAIL'XC CRUMBLED IN , THE MOB WAS
LOOSE.
lieforo the crciwd comprehended what was
being done the empress had inssed t urn ,
followed by another ladv and two gcneleuieu.
"Good heavens ! ' luutte.tu nuiewouu to
Bourke , "It Is the empress and Mine. Lo Ure-
ton. "
The empress laid one hand on the cab win
dow , then drew back and said ; "I would not
wish to take your cab If you are also In dMi-
ger. "
With one foot on the carriage step she
looked back at the young girls , appearing
utterly oblivious of the rlak she herself ran.
"Hasten , madame , " they cried. "Wo are
In no danger ! Ah , hasten , madapit ! "
Both of the gentlemen In waiting urged
the empress to enter , but she , refused and
looked steadily at the crowd , which was now
closing round the llttlo group. Then she
quietly stooped and kissed the girls.
"Thank you , " she said. "I accept , my
children. "
Bourke and Harewood had recognized her
two fscorta as the Italian minister and the
Austrian ambassador. And while the ein-
prros and her lady In waiting entered the
cab Bourke said lu Kncllsh :
"Co quickly , gentlemen ; these young
wcmcn are safe with us. God knows why
the mob does not attack you ! "
Monsieur do Metternlch turned , cool and
collected , and bowed to Bourke. The em
press leaned from the cab window and looked
at the young girls standing together , white
and frightened.
" \V111 you tell mo ycur name1
They seemed not to understand , and Hare-
wood said :
"Qulc ! : . the empress asks your name ? "
"I I am Yolette Chalals and this Is
Hllde , my a nter , " stammered ono of the
ilru. ; ! As she spoke. In her embarrassment ,
the basket dropped from her hands , the lid
How open and three whlto plgesns whirled
out , fluttering through the crowd , that neat- I I
tcrcd for a moment , trying to see what had 1
happened. I |
"Now ! " cried Bourke , as the txvo diplomats .
jumped Inti the cab and slammed the door. ' , |
The cabman seized his reins and lashed eutv-1 1
ngcly at Ma horse , the crowd stumbled baclc
slulc-lns and before they understood the
cab dashed away in a torrent of dust and
Hylic ptbbles.
In his excitement Bourke laughed aloud ,
crying : "Jim ! Jim ! What a fol of n mob !
Well , of all the bloodless revolutions I ever
hear * of ! Look ! Hero come some troops ,
too. The thing Is over ! "
The thing waa nearly over. Even ttio St.
Germain omnibuses were funntag now , haltIng - I
Ing as usual for passengers In trait of the !
beautiful church oppcslte , and to ono of
tlicse omnibuses Bourke and Harewood con
ducted the two young laillM who Ind given
up their cab to the ? mprega of Franco. 7"o-
body interfered with them , nobody seemed
to notice them except a pasty-vlsnged yoiuij *
n.'in with i alp plgllko eyes who iioddeJ
tastily to Bourke ind walked away.
"That was Speycr , the war correspondent
fre * lliat German-American sheet , " slid
Bourke to Harewood. "I didn't know ho
wea In F'arls , "
IMrewood frowned and said nothing until
their disconcerted but grateful charge-a were
eafely seated In the oinnlbui ) , Then Bourke
dild ccvcral civil thing * In well-lntcntlcaed
French ,
Both joung men offered to act as further
rocort. were timidly thanked , but unmU-
takably dlacowiged , and finally stod back.
ra'Aing their hats as the omnibus started.
' 'Tdank you agiln for all you have done , "
Mlil Hllde. YolPtto inclined Jier head with
pretty reticence , the driver cracked lil whip ,
cod the three horses moved oft at a trot.
Harewcod stared after ( hi > vehicle until It !
disappeared. Bourke lighted a cigarette , 1
smiled quietly , and said , "Come on , Jim. "
Ao ticy turned Into the rue do Klvo',1
Harewood boon : "HllcU > Chaliii that's one
ot them I don't kno v wfilch. Pretty. Isn't
she' I mean tlm one with the dark ey < y.
Wouder \ ( icthcr we'll see Idem again. Sorry
they lest their pigeons. Nice girls don't
you think a ? They live out en the rue
d'Vpreo. Wn'll pass their house next week
wlun we gj to St. Cloud by the Porto
Iloi.se. "
HotcwooJ laughed easily and walked on ID
* in
tllenco. UloUttaa very -.ilenaant at times-
even dctfRlitntl when lighted by pair ol
deep hazel.cytflj.
"I wondic It wonder " ho muttered ,
Vhftt ? " aked Bourke.
"NothltnefVly that ono with the brown
eyes pluc " f.41ttlo thUig to give up her cab
eh , Cecil ? ' "rt " ,
"Yes. "
"Well , if'W'-fo ' to St. Cloud , we'll go by
way of tlio Vus < i'Yre | ) . "
"And Uioroyou'll stay ? " anked Bourkc ,
scornfully.11 .
"What ? tr f\\hat for ? "
Bourkc yawned ki his face and said Mcar-
lly : "IleeauH * , ) Jim , I never knew you to
miss maklnii an ass of yourself when the
devil sent life opportunity. "
CHAPTER II.
"THE MOUSE. "
In the heateil silence of afternoon the tap ,
tap , tap of a drum came up from the touth-
west , now Indistinct and smothered , now
'louder as the sound approached the Porto
Kouge , awaking foft echoes along the godded
fortifications.
A dozing sentry In front of the Prlncd
Mural barracks sauntered out to the gutter ,
shading his face with ono tanned hand. At
the end of the rue d'TJirw sunlight sparkled
on the bras' of a i"um , bayonets twinkled
Ulrough the dust haze , a slnglu bugle blew
' eng ad faintly.
When the red trousers ot the gate patrol
iMil pissed and the dull rumble ot the drum
had softcrod to a vibration In the dazzling
stillness , the Bcntlncl strolled back to loaf ,
blinking. In his nh.idowy ssntry box , lean
ing ca the chassepot ride which he did not
know how to use. For the sentinel was a
National guardsman , and they dad taken
away his gps rifle and given him a chasse-
pot , and set him to guard' ' envpty barracks
In a street Inhabited principally by spar
rows.
At that moment , however , the rue d'Ypres ,
which , with Its slnglo row of weather-bat
tered houses , faced thu fortiilcaticas of the
Polnt-du-Jour secteur , was not entirely de
serted. Besides the sentinel aul the opar-
rows , some ono eCtse was moving aimlessly
about in the suiulilne , with hand ? thrust
Into thci pockcto of a stained jacket.
As he pacse-d the 'barrack ' griflo he raised
hlj hard face and fixed a pair of narrow , un
certain eyes on the sentinel. Ono of his
eyes woe very bright almost luminous , like
the eyea of email anlmala at night. The
other woe sightless and eeared.
There Is something ominous In the upward
gaze of a startled animal. There was some
thing more sinister in the glance of "Tho
Mouse" as It fell before the frowning , eus-
tilclous face of the sentinel.
"C'est ca ; et ta soeur , " retorted the
Mouse , with a frightful leer. Then he passed
on , his mouth distorted In a smile , for ho
was thinking of' ' the future and of destiny
and of the market value of petroleum. Ho
was a philosopher at all timca , occasionally ,
perhaps , a prophet.
The Mouse enjoyed the hot September sun
shine. As ho slouched past the pussago do
rOinbro and across the rue d'Yprer he
yawned with sejnl-torpld satisfaction and
shuffled hla worn ahoes luxuriously through
the tailor grata below the glacis. Exertion
diiugi-eed "tt.i'th ' the Mouse ; unnecessary effort
wa.3 abhorrent to him. Under his Ineolcnt
eyellOa hU shifty eyes searched the talus of
the for'tJUc-atlona for a grassy , aim-warmed
nook , cieated by Providence and the Im
perial engineers for such as ho.
Acrca the utreet the ufternoon sun blazed
on the shabby hout/cs. / The Iron gateway of
the Prlno Murat barracks was closed , the
National Guard sentinel now leaned In the
fOadow of his box , drowsy acid motionless.
Not a soul was htl.rlng in the utrect. Thcra
was no sound , no movement except when a
dusty i-parrow - raked Its head from the hot
grcas , beak open , aa though parched.
The Mou < o contemplated the sparrow with
his solitary eye. 'He , too , was thirsty. He
clacked his tci.guo twice , spat on the grass
scratched ono large car , and yawned. I'rcs-
ently ho drew a pipe from some recess be
neath his Jacket , filled it , rammed ono dirty
finger into the bowl , and gazed trustfully
toward heaven for a match. Neither matches
nor maona were .falling that year Iii Paris.
Thcro were to bq other showers from the
autumn skies. *
With one lllijer In the bowl of his pipe ,
and the dlng fetfcm in his mouth , ho ga cd
heavenward until the sun made him blink. I
Then he shtiwfl his glance along the glacis 1
of the fortll UijiJs , * Across the rue d'Y'Jrcz ,
wheie there.iV"Cre , houses , a caged canary
bird UlttcrcJ..itrllle-l and ceased as sud
denly aa it'ij.had ' besun. Without turnIng -
Ing his head tJJlCH Mouse's eye searched the
other side -thoistreot until it rested on a.
sign : - . : ' ' J
.
" . ' -
O [
* " o
j . . "iCHAILWHS , oo
o 00"
o
o ; Dejlor in nirds. oo oo
O 0 O O O O'O-O
< l)0ll
Under this -hunk another sign :
O 0 O 0 O O-OO OOOOOOOOOOO
o APAiRTiUEiNT TO LET. o
o o
o Inquire Within. o
o o
'After a minute's restless contemplation ot
the signs anJ the open door , the Mouse
sauntered ever to the bird store , slouched
up to the windcw , and pressed his Insignifi
cant cose against It. Little by little the
dim Interior of the bird stare became visible
jUc leisurely surveyed the rows of wire
wicker cages , drumming on the window glass
with grimy flngvrs. A gray and scarlet par
rot , dozing on a perch , wcke up and turned
a perictrotln ? look on him.
The Mouse flattened hla face against the
window and- thrust hi * tongue out at the
parrot.
At first the bird paid little attention to
this Insult , but M tbo Mouao persevered
the parrot eyed him wild Incrcaslag aal-
raoilty.
"Coco ! Coco ! Salaud ! Tlena pour tel , vleux
cretin ! " ueered tbt Mouie , tapping on the
window with hla plppstcm and distorting his
mouth In derision until the pirrot flapped
Us wings and screamed , the feathers on Its
head erect with excitement nnd Irritation
Ono by ono the other birds , now also greatly
agitated , joined In ; the jackdaw croaked and
chattered , tbo flnchca , thrushes nnd canaries
chorused a shrill treble. A young monkey
In a corner act up an car-piercing shriek nd
a red pqulrrel rushed madly around In hia
wlro wheel.
The Mousewaa amused. With sneers and
gibes and jeering gcutures ho excited the
parrot ; ho made awful faces at the monkey
until the little creature clung to the cage
wires , shivering and Bcrcamlng ; ho fright
ened the smaller 'blrda ' by waving his dirty
fingers to and fro bcforo the window frames.
Prcrently , however , ho tired of the sport ; his
rcatlras eye roamed about the Interior of the
shop ; ho pressed hta pitted face closer to the
glass , with now and then a rapid sidelong
glance peculiar to the chevalier of Industry
the world over.
Thcro was nobody In the outer shop , that
was clear. Thcro seemed to be nothing to
steal there , either. The Mouse did not con
sider birds worth stealing. Still , nobody
seemed to be about , and It wa.j the Instinct
of the mouse to rummage. Ho withdrew from
tha window , assured himself that the street
waa deserted , then slouched silently around
to the open door nnd entered.
As ho set his worn shoo upon the thresh
old the feathers on the parrot's neck flattened
In alarm , the monkey crouched trembling In
a corner of hU cage , every bird became mute
and motionless.
For a minute the Mouse peered about the
shop. The squirrel still scrambled madly In
his wheel and the narrow eye of the Mouse
followed the whirling spokes.
There waa a closed door at the further
end of the room ; the mouse fixed hla eye
upon It and stepped softly across the floor ,
one hand outstretched toward the knob.
When he had It In his hand ho paused , un
decided , then turned the handle In silence.
Instantly sometlng moved on the other side-
something heavy and ac < ft the door waa
pushed open with a steady , resistless pressure
that forced , the Mouse back flat against the
wall.
It waa then that the Mouse , peeping over
his bhoulder , felt his blood freeze and his
shabby knees glvo way. For staring up Into
lia ! face stood a full-grown lioness with her
brilliant eyes fixed on hla Ho would have
shrieked If ho could , but terror paralyzed
him. Ho felt that ho 'was going to HWOOH.
Suddenly there came the sound1 of vciccs , a
dlstncit door opened , steps echoed across a
tllc-d hallway , and two girls entered the shop
from the further room. The llone&j turned
her head at the sound , hesitated , glanced
back at the Mouse , nnd' ' finally slunk hastily
away , only to he seized and held by ono
of It 10 girls , whtlo the other alternately
slapped , cuffed and kissed her.
"Sihcherftzado ought to be slapped Instead
( it kissed , " cried the taller girl , shoving the
anxious but docl'.o lioness toward the door
way. "Really , Yolette , you spoil her ; ootne
day eho'll run out into the street , anuf then
they'll shoot her. "
"Poor darling , " eald Yolette , "ehe didn't
. . .esi to bo naughty. Somebody must have
left the door open SUiehorazado can't turn
the knob , jou know. " As she spoke , aho laid
coo hand on the neck of the llcntes.
"Come , naughty one , " she said , and urged
the great creature toward the inner room ,
calling bick to her sister : "Hllde , dear ,
shut the door. "
'I've a mind to shut It on Scheherazade' . ' '
tall , " said Hllde ; "she's frightened the birdd
md animate nearly to death. Our squirrel
.s going mad , I believe. "
The parrott clamored cci Its perch , and she
wort over to quiet it , talking all the while.
"Poor llttlo Meheniot All. did the big lion
frighten htm ? There ! There ! And poor
Ittlo Rocco , too ! " turning toward the shlvcr-
cig monkey. "It's a perfect ehame It la ,
ndeed ! "
'Hlldcl Do shut the door ! " exclaimed
Yolette from the inner room. "I'm going
o glvo Shc'hcrnzado ' her ball to play with and
then I'll como out. "
Hlldo gave ono last pat to the parrot's.
icad and went toward the door. As she laid
icr hand on the knob her eyes encountered
a pair of dusky , flat shoes , protruding be
neath the sill. T'ho ' shoes covered the feet
of the Mouse , and , as she throw back the
Seer with a startled exclamation , the Mouse
ilmself itood revealed , terribly haggard
from the effects of his recent fright , but now
sufficiently recovered to bound with much
agility Into the street.
"What arc you doing hero ? " stammered
Hllde , following him to the outer door.
"I ? " said the Mouse , recovering his com
posure a llttlo and crossing ono foot before
: he other , "I , mademoiselle , am an author-
zed ugent for the public deferse. "
"If you are soliciting subscriptions , why
did you not ring the doorbell or knock ? "
ted Hllde , as Yolette entered and stood
at her side.
'Why , to tell the truth. " said the Mouse ,
bowing Impudently , "I only Intended too ask
Tor u match. I knocked politely as I was
taug'ht to do In my youth , but "
'If you please , will you go away ? " Inter
rupted Yolette quickly.
'I have the honor , " said the Mouse , re
moving his greasy , peaked cap with a flour
ish and smoothing ttio lovelocks plastered
over each car , "I have the honor to obey.
Always at the service of ladles always de
voted" ho flourished 'his ' pipe with dignity
"although I had hoped for the small cour
tesy ot a match. "
"Hllde , " whispered Yolette , "be will go
away If you glvo him a match. "
Hlldo stopped to the counter , found a card
of matches and returned to the door. The
Mou&o'a small eye followed every expression
on the two girlish faces. Ho took the
matches with condescension , smirked and
continued impudently : "Ladles , in the pres
ent unfortunate condition of public affairs ,
In the face of a revolution which , within a
week , has changed the government of Franco
from an empire to a republic , in the face of
the Impending advance of the Prussian
aimlcs and the ultimata investment of the
city of Paris , may I venture to eollclt a small
contribution for the purpose of adding to the
patriotic fund , destined to arm the fortlflca-
Lions yonder with now and Improved brecch-
oading cannon ? "
Ho glanced from Hllde to Yolette , his wary
eye nai rowing to a slit.
"I don't bcl'ovo ' bo's an agent , " whispered
Hllde ; "dcn't give him anything. "
Yoletto drew a small purse from her gown
nnd looked at the Mouse with sincere eyes.
"Will you really glvo It to the public do-
'ense ? " uhe asked. " 'Or If you are hungry
and need It for youieolf "
"Don't do It , " murmured Hlldo ; "ho Is
not honeft. "
The .Mouso'8 . eyes flllcd with tears , his lips
quhercd.
"Honeaty la often clothed In rngs , " he
snivelled , drawing himself up. "I thank you
for your courtesy. I will go. "
Ho moved away , furtively brushing a tear
from hUi chpck. Yoletto stepped acroro the
th dilitlil and touched his ragged elbow Im-
pulslvely. Ho turned with a dramatic start.
accepted the email silver coin , then stalked
acN > < the street , hia head on hU bretat , hlu
arms folded. Presently the stalk relapsed into
a walk , then Into a ahufile , then Into a
slouch. The sunshine lay warm on the grasa-
grown fortlflcatlons ; where It lay warmest
the Mouse sat him down and crossed iiL ) legs.
Wuen ho had lighted his pipe ho stretched
out at full length , bo'.h arms behind his
he-ad , cap tilted to flhade his slnglo eye.
Under the peak of the cap he could see the
ppo ! smoke curl. He could also see tbo
long , yellow road , stretching way Into tdo
country from the Porte Rouge. Out thcro
somewhere pcrharis very far. perhaps very ,
near the Prussian armies were moving
acroea Franco toward Paris. The thought
amused the Mouse. He scratched one largo
tar and peculated. With tha Prussians
would come bombardment , with bombard
ment would como panic , with panic might
come anarchy , and with anarchy would come
plliago.
The Mouao mucked his llpa over the plpa
stem. Ho reflected that the revolution , ac
complished five days previous , had brought
with it no plunder so far aa ho was con
cerned. It had been a stupid revolution
iihoutlng , jostling the bourgco'so , a rush at
the Tulllerfl. a whack over the bead from a
rifle stock , but no pillage. In vain bad he ,
the Mouse , in company with two ambitious
eoni'inland | , Blbl la Goutte and Mon Oncle ,
descended from the tdady nooks of Mont-
attiocae with the frank Intention of mm-
roaglng the Tullleries and perhaps sjme
houses of the > > tupld citizens. In vain had
Bibl la Goutte biwleJ anarchy and treason , '
In vain had Mou Oncle demanded to bo led
to tde sack of pilaccii. The brutal guards I
h > id thumped Mon Onclo with their rille
butts , the Imperial police hid mauled 11 bl
la Goutte , and aa for the Mouie , he hid
gained nothing but an abrasion of the scalp
from contect with an officer's eword hilt.
But cow the Moose truly hoped that , with
tlio advent of the victorious Prurntan nrmlea
before the walls of Paris , ilngs might bo
different. When the big ehells began to
, rail over the Selno and knock houaes and
cdurchen Into kindling wood the Mouse In
tended to do a llttlo exploring on his private
account , and ho acknowledged with en-
thustdftn that It would bo n degenerate
knight o ? lelsuro who should fall to amass
a pretty competoirey.
So the Mouse lay musing and smoking In
the warm September sun , one eye lulf
closed , but stilt fixed on the yellow road
which crawled across the .nlaln at tils feet.
Ho was absolutely contented ; he had tobacco ,
sunshine and CO centimes In silver In his
pocket , to spend on food or drink , as he
. chose. Once ho thought of the lion and
shuddered at the thought. Some day when
ho had time ho would find a way to poison
the creature , he hoped , and Incidentally to
rob the bird store.
As ho lay diverted by thc o pleasant
thoughts he becanio aware of a cloud of dust
on the road below. He watched It ; It came
nearer and nearer ; ho could distinguish the
red trousers of French Infantry ; a guu
boomed from simo distant bastion ; another ,
fitlll more distant , answered the signal. The
Mouse sat up. Ho could see that the dust
cloud enveloped heavy moving columns of
troops moving slowly toward the walls of
Paris. At the Porto Rouge drums were beat-
Ing.The
The Motmo rose , stretched , yawned and
slouched off down the embankment to the
street. As he passed the bird store Yoletto
and Hlldo came to the door gazing anxiously
toward tlio fortifications.
The Mouse leered at them , removed his
cap. laying a dirty hand on his heart. "Al-
j wajs tiio ladles' slave , " he called across the
' street , and shuffled on toward the Porto
Ilouge.
At the gate he shoved and elbowed his way
through the Increasing throng until ho
reached the pont-Ievls. The line sentinels
drove him back again , but he managed to
crawl up to the grille and hang on to the
steel bars. Here ho found himself In com
pany with two besom friends , Blbl la Qrouttc
and Mon Oucle.
"Mlnee ! " observed Blbl , as a column of
dusty hussars galloped up to the drawbridge
and drew bridle , "they've seen uncomfortable
things out yonder , those hussars. It's Vlnoy's
Thirteenth corps back from Hadlnguctc's
fcto champptre. "
Mon Oncle sneered and mimicked the offi
cer's commands as a close column of Infantry
came plodding through the gate , haggard ,
ghastly , beneath their coat of tan and dust.
"Blgro ! " observed the Blbl , under hln
breath , but the Mouse climbed up on the
grille and hurled Inaults at the exhausted
troops : "Malhcur , si ca fait pas guoler ! On
dlralt dcs chaouchs do Illrlbl ! Ah ! mince , on
pre-nd des airs deja ! Mort aux cretins ! On
n'est pus BU' 1'pave do Badlnguet , tas do
sergots ! "
Then he spat upon the ground , shook his
flat nt the sky , sh-UKned and slouched out
of the crowd , followed clcsely by Blbl la
Goutte and ' .Mon Oncle.
The latter was somewhat puzzled at the
Mouse's sudden outburst and looked doubt
fully at Blbl.
"Tho Mouse Is capricious , " ho observed.
"No. " said Blbl scornfully. "The Mouse
doesn't care , except that there's another
army corps In ParU now and when the hour
comes to do a little pillaging thc c imbecile
soldiers may annoy us. "
The Mouse remained mute , but as lie
trudged over the glacla ho cast a glance of
horrible malignity at the battered , sun-
fcorched soldiers , toiling across the draw
bridge below.
Then with a gesture he turned his back ,
closed his sightless eye and sat down on the
grass.Blbl \ regarded him In breathlcs
admiration , his loan Jaws working with emo
tion.
"What a General he would make ! " he
whiskered to 'Mon Onclo.
"Or what on assassin ! " replied Mon Oncle
, mopping his fat face.
The iMouse felt the compliment , but
. said nothliiE. The drums beat continuously
j down by the gate , the dull cries of the offi
cers came up to them from below , mingled
with the murmur of the throng at the pont-
levls.
Bibl rdttlng on the. grass , nodded drowsily
In the hot sunshine. Mon Onrlo stretched
Ills short bandy legs out under an acadla
bush , and presently fell asleep. The Mouse ,
too. appeared to slumber , except when a
breeze moved the brim ot his cap and a
stray spot of sunlight glimmered on the
Iris of his sightless eyo.
CTo be Continued. )
The oldest tollhouse on ths Boston post
rend , at the Connecticut line , near Green
wich , Is to be removed. Washington and
his army were permitted to pass through
frae and were Klven two barrels of ale by
the keeper's wlfo besides.
HEAD ACHE
'Both IIIJT wife mid niVHeiriiaTobeen
UBlutr CASOAKETS and they arc tbo belt
medicine wo have over had In the house. Last
week my wlfo was frantic with headache for
two days , she tried comoof yourCASCARETS ,
and thov relieved the pain In her head almost
Immediately. Wo both recommend Cascarcts. "
CIIAS. STIDEFOHD.
Pittsburg Safe & Deposit Ca , Pittiburg , Pa.
Pleasant. PnlataMe. Potent. Tnsto Good , Do
Good , Never Slckon , Weaken , or Grlpo. lOc , 2Jc.filo. )
. . . CURE CONSTIPATION. . . .
Sterling llrmcd ; ( 'unpin ; , ChlMfo , Monlrrtl , New Tori. SIT
So1'1 " * " * Biinrnntcpd by nil druggists -
gists to trum : Tobacco iiutm.
NEW
COLLAR
Two Weeks' '
Treatment
TTTiv AUK OLD
SPECIALISTS
In th * treatment of all
Cbroilc , Nervous and Private Diseases ,
nd all WEAKNESSES IflCU
and DISORDERS OP RibII
CaUrrli. all Diseases ot the N < we , T.ln > at , Ch * * * ,
tomach. Liver , IJlood , Skin and Kldner Dls >
eaus , Lost MktihooJ , Hydrocele , Verlcocel * .
Oonorrheu , Oltole. Syphilis. Stricture , Flits. Fls-
tuls , and Kectal Ulcers Dlabele * Oilchfi Dis
ease cured. Cell on or address with stsmp tot
Free Hook and New Methods.
Treatment lir Mnll. Consultation fre * .
Omaba Medical and Surgical Institute
I. U7ti North Uth St. Oms . Milk
Aue , Illncji. rare cnurf Wr'nKlej. Dermatol
ogist JOHN II WOODHI'HV. 127V. . 4M at. , .V.
V , , ha hail over 26 > ear ' practical experience
removliiK Wrinkles , Crow's 1'cet , without pain.
Connultnthn free.
' SAFE
LADIES'
I/V / safe nnd powerful remedy for functional !
| troubles , delay , pain , and irregularities , isl
APIOLINE ;
fCHAPOTEAUT )
Succc fully prevrllxd by the Mclicsl Medical
SpecUllm. IMcef i.cnfor 34 capsules. SnlJIiyall
Drupel.t. . or I'o.l free. 1' . O. Uox o3l , N. Y. of
SACRED CASTLES v
Laws Recognize the Sanctity
of the Home.
Only Disease and Death Can EMer.
Old English
law o a t a b
Ihhed tha f.cU
that a man' *
house la his
castle. Not
oven the King
can enter uu-
I n v 11 ed. Tha
homo can only
bo Invniled by
i (11 s o a 8 ( and
daatli. DMUtt
will conic sooner -
or Inter to
everybody , but
disease must
now stand back
for imturnl law
tnnd buck for civil law. .UUIDUII ims
discovered laws which overcome the chief
diseases tlint uffoct mankind ntmllni
, and
n'"le '
such laws In an effective way.
Mrs. J , O'Neill , , ' ! 7as Chauteau Avenue.
St. I * > uls , says : " 1 WHS very badly
afflicted with nervous prostration , hnd
palni In my heart , wan weak. Intensely
nervous and Irritable , ami constantly Jos.
Ins flesh. Weak nerves brought on faint
ing and dizzy spells. Physicians utterly
failed In my case. I began using Mun
yon s Nerve nnd Heart CurcB. The pain
In my heart ceased , my nervous condition
vanished , I gained flesh rapidly , and I
ftin now so well my friends are aston
ished to llnd my recovery so rapid. "
itMru.A * w'lf 'ht. ( Ill N. Market St. .
Wichtn , Kan. , says : "I hnd Kidney
trouble for yinrs. accompanied by suvcro
pains In my back. Ono bottle of Mun
yon a Kidney Cure has entirely cured mo.
My wlfo wag quite n. sufferer from nheu-
rnatlsm , nnd your Hlieumntlnm due has
been of the greatest benefit to 1ier. "
Munyon baa a separate cure for each
disease , mostly -jr. cents a vlnl , sold by
druKRlsts. If In doubt , write Professor
Munyon , nt Philadelphia , Pa. , and got
medical advice free.
ln tant Relief. Cure In 15 rtnys. Nrvor returns
1 w II Kindly p nil to nny un > ror In n plain n-nlril
itlJK n rrrsrrlptlnn with full cm- .
l ! " ' < foriiqiilclc.prnntoi'iiroforl , i t Mnnlinnd ,
MBht I.n ic . Nrrrnus IMillllr. Small Wi-nlc
'urn , VarlrnrcliMir. O. II. U'rluln. Music
< -ninr. llm l.VTS. Mnr.hnll , Mlrl
rrrn i i ih rnipii
LADBES oov
DR. FELIX LE BRUN'S'
Sled | Penny royal Treatment
7 J is the original nml only FRENCH ,
J Q safe and rolinblo euro on tlio mar.
S * Vkot. Price , $1.00 ; sent by mail
f < Genuine BoH only by
M.vcr * nillcui DriiH : Co. , S. K. Corne *
Uth anil Fnriinin S ( . , Oinnliii , Xeb.
Patronize
Home Industries
11 y Purt'linaliiGT Gooili Miulc nt the FoU
lovrluir CVcbnmkn Factorial !
AWNINGS AND TENTS.
OMAHA TUXT AXII IIUIIIIICH CO ,
( Successors Onialm Tent and Av/nlnn Co. )
Manufacturers tents , awnings ; Jobbers ladled
ami Rents' Mackintoshes. Tents .or rent. 1311
Farnam tit. , Omaha ,
nuRwnnins.
OMAHA imnwixr. ASSOCIATION .
Carload shipments mnae In our own rcfrlp-
crntor cars. Illuc lllblirn , Kllle Ilxport , Vienna
nxi > ort and Family Export delivered to all part *
of the city.
non.cns.
OMAHA IIOII.KIlVOItKS ,
JOII.V II. IU'IliVr Prop.
Hollers , Tanlea ami Klioet * ron Work. Special
facilities for doing reiialra. etc. TP | . ISM .
COIINICE WOHKS.
G. F. EPRXF.TKH ,
U.\r.M3 COIIMCD WOHKH.
Manufacturer of GMvnnlzeil Iron Cornices , On' ,
vanlzcd Iron KkylUlite. Tin , Iron nn.l mat *
nooflnir. Anent for Klnncar's Steel Celling.
10S-10-12 North Kleventh street.
AMICHICMX IIISriJIT AMI MK'15. CO.
Wlioleruit * Crjckcr Mnnufncturcrs ,
OMAHA , NKU.
DYi : WOHKS.
SOIIOKIlHArK'S TVICITV DYI3
WORKS , I.V-Il Fur 11 am St.
DylnK nml clennlns of Rnrm' > nt nnd cooJs of
every < k' . crlptlon. Cleaning of fine garment ] a
specialty.
FU3UU TiIIM-S.
S. I' . OILMAN.
F'our. Mcnl. Feed , llran , 101MS-17 North 17th
Street , Omaha , Neb. C. K , lllacl ; . Manager ,
Telephone 632.
IltON WORKS.
DAVIS .t CO\ViM. , 1HO.VVOHIC.H. .
Iron mull UI-IIHM Founder * .
Manufacturers nnd Jobbers of Machinery Gen
eral repairing n specialty. 1501 , 1M3 unil l&OI
Jackson street , Omaha , Neb.
oir. .
u OODMAN ii.\siii ) on. wouics.
Manufncturern old process rnw lln eeil oil , k t-
tle Ijollod llnseeil oil , old process KTOUIII ! llinoed
cakes , ground and screened llaxseert for drug-
OAIAIIA , Nt.ll.
MATTItnfiJKS.
OMAHA IlKUIIISa CO.
Manufacturer * of hlKh ernd Mattmsri , 1111
llnrney Htreel , Omaha.
OViUAM < AND BIUHT FACTOlUEa.
ICAT7.-M3VKN9 COMPANY.
Mfr . Clothlne , I'anti. Shirts. Overall ! .
OMAHA. NKO
SIIIHT FACTOniEH.
j. n. KVAXS ,
SIIIHT COMPANY.
Tixcluilve cuilom thlrt tailors. 1515 Farnim.
VINI'dAR AND TICKLES.
HAIIMAN VI\irAH : CO.
Manufacturers of Vinegar , 1'lckles , Catsupi ,
Muptnr-l * . fVlerv and Worcestershire Saure.
WAGONS AND t-'AHniAOKS.
WIM.IAM PFKirl'KII.
For a coed , ktantlnl | vehicle of any descrip
tion , for rvpnlntlntr or rubber tires on new or old
winfluHID liett [ dace Is 27th and Ix'avenworlh
RtrrotH.
imUMMONIiMIlltlAOU CO ,
Cheap , medium priced and tony carriages.
Any tlilnK > nu want , recond hand or new. Iltad-
nuurters for rubber tires , warranted. 18th and
Hainey. nppo'lte Court Iloune.
CIOAH MANL'FACTUIIKnS.
III'NU A CO.
r.rKr t factory In the west. Ivadlmr Jobb i
Omaha. Kunras Clly , Lincoln ana St. JOi
handl * our ocdj , 1003 ITaroMi BtmU i