When a Cobbler Ruled a King

esture even, can often turn it aside from its most murderous purpose, and bring i

to get a sight of their hated sovereigns. A small company of soldiers strove in vain to clear the rooms and defend the royalty from the taunts and insults of the populace. Outside the pa

the doors with a rush, and Jean, by virtue of being in the van with the brewer, entered among the first. Up the Grand Staircase they hurried, pell-mell, dragging a piece of cannon with them, and using hatchets, commenced to force the door behind which it

ut destroying it. What do you wish with me?" The rabble fell back a pace, in enforced respect. Jean c

e!" announced one, Legendre, a butcher, who had constitut

do that. You know that I will do all which your new Constitution requires of

ddenly shouted his a

g, "shout for the natio

he time nor the place to resist what was after all but a symbol. He lifted the cap, and with a dignified gesture, placed it on his head. Further than that, he even poured some liquor from a bottle offered to

ueen. Truly enough, there she was at the end of the room. Jean's heart gave a bound at the sight of the group. Fenced in by a long table stood Marie Antoinette, her head high, her great eyes flashing, her cheeks deathly pale. On one side of her stood young Marie-Thérèse, pale also, but brav

Vive Santerre!" "Vivent les Sans-culottes!" "Vive le Faubourg St. Antoine!" Then suddenly there was silenc

on, thou Austrian Wolf, let thy

and give him some tri-coloured ribbons to wear!" Someone threw down the rib

ly. The multitude shouted and applauded, and more confusion ensued. Jean, taking advantage of the racket, slipped to the front, and placed himself directly before the Dauphin. The little prince at once recognised him, but before he should show that h

mittance. But it was like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Chance alone finally favoured him. As he passed a thickly-packed group in one of the corridors, he thought he distinguished a faint yelp. In anothe

'll finish him!" He was just about to spear the frightened, y

Fraternity!" The crowd laughed, patted Jean's head approvingly, and handing Moufflet over to his protection, hurried

remain in safety? He looked about him in despair. There was not a corner or the smallest cubby-hole where it would be secure. Suddenly he remembered that in one of the rooms now des

dog crawled into a far corner, curled up and lay shivering and silent. Jean closed the door, t

d. The day was very hot, and the perspiration streamed down his face and dampened his curls. His mother pressed

her expression mild and gentle. The Queen wondered at the contrast between her appe

afraid that you hate me, though I have done you no w

e," she replied, "but the nation. You

King. But since then I have forgotten the land of my birth. I love only France! Why, see! am I not the mother of your future king?" and she pointed to the Dauphin.

n and men who had been the fiercest, wept at the grief in the Queen's words and looks. They pressed about the table, admiring the bravery of Marie Antoinette and

"Don't you see how hot he is?" And then to the Queen he whisper

an to file out past the royal family, contenting themselves with kindly looks and words, or rough ones, as their changeable te

by the grateful smile of his little Highness, Jean

an armchair at a window in the palace, was addressing the crowds below. It proved to be Pétion, the Mayor of Paris, and he was bidding the mob dis

you be doing here? Helping to mob the King?" Now Jean could scarcely have explained why, but something about this young man both invite

alist, and I wish to be a true patriot, but I feel that the people are not dealing r

e. My heart thrills when I see an oppressed people rising to throw off the yoke of the oppressor! And you are right when you say that, groping in the twilight of their first new liberties, the people are not dealing justly with their king. But, look you, my friend! Their king means

lace! It was madness! Had he turned a few cannon upon them, and blown a hundred or more of this rabble to pieces, the rest would have taken to their heel

Instinct told him that here was a man born to command, and he

iend?" And Jean, in his new trust, told the whole story of his attachment to the little Dauphin, a

vel, between your patriotism and your friendship for royalty. Beware of the many pitfalls that beset you! I am staying at the Rue Cléry, number 548, over the tobacconist's. Come and

adly promis

BLE AUGU