(Now we hear from the murderess. She explains
that she killed Calmette because he published
love letters which she had written to her husband,
a minister in the government. It is true that she
made her own way to the police station, having
given her word that she would answer charges.
"Le Gratin" is the "upper crust" of French society.)
4. Henriette Caillaux
He got his just come-uppance. Ça suffit.
What else is there to make an issue of?
Oh, very well: you wish to know my plea.
My plea is, I'm a woman, and in love.
I didn't leave the scene. I waited there.
I am a lady, I'd done nothing wrong.
My attitude, you think, is debonaire?
I said I'd keep my word. I came along.
What kind of scoundrel publishes the letters
that pass between two lovers? Tell me that!
He sinned against our love, against his betters:
The cur deserved to die, I'll tell you flat!
The jurors? Do they tipple, make love? Dance?
They are red-blooded Frenchmen? You will see.
Le Gratin, c'est Le Gratin. France is France.
No jury will convict. Take it from me.
When someone's out to damage and disparage,
When all the chips are down, this is a marriage.
He publishes poems
by writers who find
no publishers elsewhere.
They suffer rejection
and he gives them hope.
Some improve
and some do not.
But hope isn't always
the best thing.
It’s not hopeful to tell
a child with clubfoot
to take ballet.
Donal Mahoney
76 years today a legend retires his bat
70 years today another loses his battle
87 years today a nation gets back pride
49 years today Wal-Mart lures us inside
60 years today Bob and Ray on NBC radio
60 years today the Milky Way says hello
74 years today Amelia never flies again
71 years today Hitler infringes England
35 years today Vietnam resides its hate
32 years today Susan shows up at a bank
47 years today Johnson ends segregation
545 past since a Nostradamus prediction
50 years today Hemingway publishes fate
235 to the day the SCC vote to seperate*
*More: http://te.patch.com/articles/why-july-2-is-really-americas-independence-day