Roundabout Papers - Penn State University

Thackeray“In the corner of the room was that instrument, whichGuillotin had just invented and perfected. One day hewas to lay his own head under his own axe. Peace be tohis name! With him I deal not!“In a frame of mahogany, neatly worked, was a boardwith a half-circle in it, over which another board fitted.Above was a heavy axe, which fell—you know how. Itwas held up by a rope, and when this rope was untied,or cut, the steel fell.“To the story which I now have to relate, you maygive credence, or not, as you will. The sleeping manwent up to that instrument.“He laid his head in it, asleep.”“Asleep?”“He then took a little penknife out of the pocket ofhis white dimity waistcoat.“He cut the rope asleep.“The axe descended on the head of the traitor andvillain. The notch in it was made by the steel buckle ofhis stock, which was cut through.“A strange legend has got abroad that after the deedwas done, the figure rose, took the head from the basket,walked forth through the garden, and by the screamingporters at the gate, and went and laid itself down at theMorgue. But for this I will not vouch. Only of this besure. ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,than are dreamed of in your philosophy.’ More and morethe light peeps through the chinks. Soon, amidst musicravishing, the curtain will rise, and the glorious scene bedisplayed. Adieu! Remember me. Ha! ’tis dawn,” Pintosaid. And he was gone.I am ashamed to say that my first movement was toclutch the cheque which he had left with me, and whichI was determined to present the very moment the bankopened. I know the importance of these things, andthat men change their mind sometimes. I sprang throughthe streets to the great banking house of Manasseh inDuke Street. It seemed to me as if I actually flew as Iwalked. As the clock struck ten I was at the counterand laid down my cheque.The gentleman who received it, who was one of theHebrew persuasion, as were the other two hundred clerks231