When a Cobbler Ruled a King

e tobacconist's shop, and found Bonaparte reading by the light of a single candle. The room was empty of all but the barest necessities, and it was evident that its o

cause of his poverty, and at sixteen was appointed second lieutenant of a regiment of artillery at Valence; how, soon after, his father died, leaving practically on his shoulders the responsibility of a mother, four brothers and three sisters! how he left the army and for a time devoted himself to straightening out his family affairs; how he had returned to the army, but encouraged by the breaking out of the Revolution in 1789, he had again attempted to aid in freeing C

s born under a fortunate star. Things will be different some day!" And c

society of "the thin young man," as he often spoke of him to Mère Clouet and Yvonne. One

ned for August tenth! They are going to mob the palace, dethrone the King, seize the Dauphin, and make all the royal family p

. I shall be there, at least, and see what I can do to

hild yet, and these are perilous times. I'd be anxious for your safety. Promise me that you will not go without me! Together, we may be

flower-beds and romp with Moufflet was forbidden him. Once only since the hateful day of June twentieth, he had gone there accomp

ed away again, felt that they had been defeated of their purpose on the day they besieged the Tuileries. They were laying dark plans to repeat

eased. He wondered whether Jean and Yvonne ever came to the garden now. Once he thought he distinguished the boy among the strolling crowds but he could not be sure. The King and Queen were preoccupied and sad. His au

the Queen went to the Dauphin's room where he was being put to bed, to kiss hi

rying!" he exclaimed. "

t perhaps not immediate. You would not u

s evening?" he begged. "I am so l

with your father. He needs me most. Do n

h mind strove in vain to comprehend why the French people should hate his parents so. There must certainly be

it was answered by bells from all sections, mingled with cannon-shots and the hoarse cries of an infuriated mob. Nearer and nearer came the racket, and then the tumult

soldiers who are defending the palace an

the King, calm and gentle as ever, speaking words of encouragement to the few defenders who remained with them. The grand gallery of the palace was fille

without was approaching a sinister clamour. Horrible cries, chiefly "The Crown or the King's head!" "Deposition or Death

that you resign the throne! It is death to you and yours if you refuse!" Louis XVI gave one last despa

last sacrifice! Do with me what you will!"

n officer. "You mus

ts ancestors forever. Louis XVI went first with Madame Elizabeth. Marie Antoinette followed, leadi

said at last, "that you

oufflet?" he pleaded. "I must not leav

ard to keep them from falling. A few trickled down, however, and he dashed them away, lest someone should think them caused by fear. "My poor Moufflet!" he thought, when he saw the mob

e to stay quietly at home with Mère Clouet and Yvonne. Excitement was in the air! A great event was about to oc

o Jean, and the two hurried into the street and were instantly carried almost off their feet in the swirling human current sweeping toward the Tuileries. Men, women and children, chiefly of the lowest scum of Par

ng by the throng that swept through the Rue St. Honoré, and in the first faint dawn of morning, they, with the crowds, drove through the ill-guarded palace gates, and stood before the long windo

s, since they have placed themselves in the care of the National Assembly, and will probably be sa

flung itself at the doors and windows using the hatchets, and when these gave way, the throng poured into the palace. For a moment Jean and Bonaparte were hurrie

indiscrimination, the carefully hoarded treasures of this kingly mansion, and when this grew wearisome, attempted to set fire to different parts of the buildin

June, would afford the best shelter. Making his way through the crush with the greatest difficulty, he at last reached the room, and managed to slip unobserved into this retreat, closing the door and locking it on the inside. Th

, when the first alarm was heard. He felt almost happy. Here was half his plan accomplished! Now if he could only find Bonaparte, and they could get away unharmed, all would

rash, and shrieking with delight, they dragged Jean out of the closet. Thirsting for blood, the ruffians cared not, by this time, whether he was an aristocrat or one of their own number. He was hiding!-that was enough! A bloody hand grasped his collar,

own brother!" The ruffian backed away, apologised sheepishly, and darted off into the

how he managed to keep his grip on the frightened, shivering, squirming Moufflet. But at last they found themselves beyond the walls, and near the bank of the Seine. In sheer

e import of the drama. Three long, terribly uncomfortable days were passed in the great hall of the Assembly filled with representatives of the people. During all this time the royal family was crowded into a tiny hot room at the side where they were n

d his family should be sent out of the country into exile. This was opposed because they said he might raise an army, march back and regain his throne. Others were in favour of allowing him to live in retirement at the Luxembourg, a smaller pal

he King, his family, and a few faithful servants were driven across the city, through the pitiless, mocking crowds, to the gloomy prison where they were to pas

ery wicked, Fat

forgiving Louis XVI. "They ar

general!) yet no one helped them to alight. As they walked to the entrance, no man removed his hat, and when Santerre addressed the King, he forgot to say "Your Majesty," or "Sire." At

CILIAR