Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1910 — CONDEMNED TO DEATH. [ARTICLE]

CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

A curious story of a night in prison during the Reign of Terror in France is told by Monsieur Fecjrers. Probably few political prisoners ofthat period had their fears of the guillotine so promptly removed as did Monsieur Ferrers and his companions. Some sixteen prisoners were thrown into a dungeon of the prison of Tarbes. It was so dark that no man could 'see his hand before his face. Suddenly a click, as if a box had been closed, was heard, and a voice' speaking with an -Italian accent was heard: “Well, here is one captured, now for judgment. What is your name?” Then a small, squeaky voice replied, “I am called Mouse.” “What have you done for the Revolution? Where were you on the great tepth of August?” “In a church.” “O fanatic! fanatic! And where were you on the immortal thirty-first of May?” ‘‘ln a cheese dairy.” —. "Monopolist and fanatic! You are condemned to death and Immediate execution.” v There was a slight noise, a little cry, and then all was silent. At intervals through tpe night similar dialogues ye re heard,, and to the terrified Imagination of the prisoners, they always ended with the death of the victim. Who could tell at wh&t moment his turn might eome? But daylight brought cheer. It was discovered that the dungeon was full of mic», and that an Italian prisoner, who had a mouse-trap, had been whiling away the hourg by catching mice and passing judgment upon them.