When a Cobbler Ruled a King

r courtyard of the Temple Tower, and enjoyed the trade of all the soldiers, guards and commissaries employed in guarding the imprisoned

e was a little over twelve years of age, strong and long-limbed. His eyes and hair were black, and his curls

u look comfortable and happy! Business must

rushed to death in the morning and evening. Just now, however, the soldi

nquired the boy. "At your age it is not go

are all too busy running about the streets and dancing the Carmagnole to

with shoved me into the street this morning, and bade me not return till I had found

and stay you shall for seven francs a week! But you must be her

s he. "And now set me to work at once,

e Lille that night, he was bubbl

d have learned all about the situation of the ex-king and his family. The shop is crowded in the evening with

every other word! Then they are watched and guarded every moment. There are two rogues, Tison and his wife, who are hired to do nothing but watch, watch, watch, spy on every word, sneak behind them at unexpe

communicating with friends outside! They took away the Queen's embroidery-work because they thought she might be sewing into it a secr

he little fellow shout, as he romped there with his sister. There is talk too, in the tavern, that they are going to separate the King from his family, and keep him shut up by himself. After tha

me get a chance to speak to the little fellow, and tell him

ome of the guards are more friendly to the unfortunates than others. If I am not mistaken, one or two are even royalists in disguise. If there should ever be any plans made for their escape you may warrant that I shall be helping! Royalist I may not be, but I am even willing to be taken for one in order to help my friends.

lingness won him many admirers. Few days went by when he did not dance on one of the tables, and sing the "Marseillaise" in his fresh young voice, for the benefit o

shrewd eyes always open, and his quick ears ready to catch the slightest whisper. Many a time when the tavern-keeper thought him sleeping behind the counter, he was in reality only "playin

waiter here, nor in his close proximity to the royal prisoners. But Jean was perfectly certain that La Souris was keeping him under the strictest wat

sized, square-built man of about fifty-seven years, with great, powerful limbs, a tanned face framed by coarse black hair that was always hanging in his eyes, and a heavy beard. His eyes were ugly and malicious, and he was never seen without a sho

linen, etc!' I said to him,-'Capet, don't you understand that we have abolished kings and queens? This nation is a republic now! Alter that memorandum as quickly as you can!' He replie

an was to play some dreadful part in the lives of the un

ay nor prevent,-the trial, condemnation and execution of Louis XVI. At last it came! The Republic pronounced him guil

which fate had placed him. Never was a trial conducted that was so much of a farce! The King was allowed two lawyers to defend his cause, but his condemnation was a foregone conclusion-even to himself. He was senten

h they had never renounced. But they were overwhelmingly outnumbered by their enemies and rendered practically helpless. And even the good Republicans deemed this an outrage on personal liberty and deplored it, but the Terror kept them silent. Out

rriage waiting for the doomed monarch, while all pressed close to the doors and windows to see the better. Simon, the cobb

he turned and looked back toward the Tower, in farewell to all he held dear. At the entrance gate he stepped into the carriage and t

s liberty-cap, threw it in the air, and cried: "Vive la République!" Simon, satisfied, let him go. He darted through the crowd unnoticed, and running madly, soug

booming of cannon. Louis XVI was no more! Paris congratulated herself that at last she was rid of monarchy. But back in the Towe

OF THE BA