FEMALE COMMUNISTS.
A Paris correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial relates two incidents concerning the female Communists, which, lie says, reached him in such a way that he knows them to be authentic : During the Commune an eminent surgeon in Paris, who had no sympathy with it, employed himself in aiding the wounded who were brought to his hospital. His chief assistant was a woman —a Communist—who, night and day, nursed the wounded, and Avas the most valuable assistant the surgeon had. When the Commune fell, the surgeon was arrested and marched to the drum-head courtmartial. He supposed he Avould be shot. As he approached the door of the tribunal, lie met bis late female assistant coming out betAveen two soldiers. “ Why, Adele,” lie exclaimed, “ how came you here ?” The Avoman fixed hard eyes on him, and said, “ I don’t know you, sir.” The surgeon concluded that his case must indeed be hopeless, as this Avoman declined to acknowledge his acquaintance. Nevertheless, he got off somehow, and then learned that at the moment Avlien Adele said “ I don’t know you sir,” she Avas on her way to be shot. For tear of prejudicing the case, she had repressed any disposition to cry to him for aid—she had denied herself the last word of sympathy profferrerl on her way to death.
Herc is another case : A Communist Avoman Avas sentenced to be. shot. She Avas taken out and stationed against a Avail, a large crowd of street people gathering round to Avitncss the execution. Just as the soldiers were about to fire, she raised her hands with the Avords “ Un instant." The soldiers paused. The Avoman had on a good outer garment ; this she took off, ai:d seeing a Avoman in the crowd in rags, Avent up to her, and said : “ Take this ; it is a pity to spoil good clothes.” Then she returned to her place and Avas rlmt. Such Avas the unselfish thought of a dying pclroleusc , and such the heroism Avhicli inspired the troops of Versailles in dealing Avith a fallen foe.
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Bibliographic details
Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 82, 13 January 1872, Page 3
Word Count
343FEMALE COMMUNISTS. Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 82, 13 January 1872, Page 3
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