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When a Cobbler Ruled a King

Chapter 2 JEAN MEETS WITH A THIN YOUNG MAN

Word Count: 2401    |    Released on: 06/12/2017

n next morning, he found his new friends

ou to fulfil the promise that you gave for your good father and mother yesterday. She is indeed in sore need

prince,-on the contrary, she admired and almost loved him,-but she was plainly reluctant to meet the Queen who appealed in no way to her sympathies. But there seemed nothing else to be done, so she drew asid

nnounced. "Mother, these are the new friends that I told you of yeste

sweet, and her face, framed in waving hair whitened by sorrow, was full of a strange beauty veiled by overwhelming sadness. Here was something entirely differe

own, and hardly does he pay for his keep! For three years past I have been unable to pay the taxes, so great is their amount, and now they threaten to turn me out and keep the house, if I do not pay up every sou next month. For myself, I would go uncomplainingly, but how can I rob the little Yvonne of a roof to shelte

he same for my own children. How much is the amount?" The laundress sh

Majesty!" The Queen see

her little white hand, and Mère Clouet, moved by a gratitude and respect the like of which she would not yesterday have believed she could experience, took it in both her rough, work-worn on

l be in service. We are of the people, and our hearts and sympathies are with the peopl

ouet spoke more t

t who seemed more kindly disposed toward him since the load of debt had been lifted fro

he cause of our Liberty, yet I do truly love the little prince, and even the King and Qu

ot prevent your loyal friendship for these royal ones, only you must keep it very secret. Heaven help us should it be discovered! I pray God that the royalty may be left

for this, I could learn best what I wish at one of the political clubs,-the Cordeliers or the Jacobins. But none except the initia

e Jacobin Club. We shall see what we shall see!" And he was o

g outstretched hands, joined in the wild dance of the Carmagnole. Then again he would pause before a gesticulating orator madly haranguing his audience from a bench or improvised platform. The air was filled with shouts of "Vive la Nation!" "Viv

ll-guarded doorway, each separately interviewed for a moment by a crabbed, ill-disposed doorkeeper. Each as he passed this watchful sentinel, exhibited a card or murmured some magic password. Jean possessed neither a card nor the knowledge of th

s your business h

ty, and I demand to be admitted to t

m down the steps with a thick cane he had snatched up. Jean, deeming flight his wisest course, took to his heels and was speedily beyond the premises. But so rapid was his

reated Jean, breathlessly, a

black hat was pulled over his eyes. His hair was arranged in a slovenly manner, and hung about his ears. In the lamplight his face was sallow, with high cheek-bones and a very prominent chin. But he had, so Jean thought, the most extra

s unwarrantable attack on a peaceful citize

as about, since I was occupied in being forcibl

he Jacobin Club!" demanded the stra

airily. "I merely had a curiosity to know what was going on!" The young man fixed

remarked coolly. "I can see it! What ar

ot!" asserted

ns myself to-night, and since you're so interested, and have even graciously condescended to knock me down, I'll take you in with me!" Here was a stroke of luck indeed! Jean was instant in expressing his deligh

ght, encountering Mère Clouet at the door. She had been very uneasy, and was inclined

he entreated. "I've gotten i

xclaimed incredulously, "

me a bite to eat, good mother,

of bread and jam. Between great mouthfuls, he told the story of his forcible

bespierre, whose voice, they say, has greater weight than any, and also from Citizen Danton, the president of the Cordeliers, who came this

very well, but let me tell you what I heard whispered about by Santerre, the brewer, who is to lead them. Each sans-culotte is to carry a pike, and he thinks that when the King sees forty thousand pikes assembled about his door that he will

he country is becoming mob-ruled. It is only the scum of Paris, of which that Santerre is a good s

arch with the mob on the twentieth. Who knows but I may b

f that strange young man to take you into th

aille!' and another time when Robespierre was speaking, he whispered to me, 'That is a man of power, but-one should beware!' When we left the club, we parted on the Rue St. Honoré, and he s

DAUPHIN WEA

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