Word: deibler
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...Legion of Honor last week. That was the last straw for the distinguished-looking old gentleman who cuts off French heads with his efficient and well-kept pair of guillotines-a light, folding model for the provinces and for Paris a heavy, ancestral antique. This official, famed Anatole ("Papa") Deibler, has been waiting impatiently for his Legion of Honor ribbon. After receiving it he will retire and leave to his son-in-law the family business of executing criminals. Last week enraged "Papa" Deibler let it be known that he has secured the services of a Deputy who will rise...
Fortunately for him, M. Deibler's accommodations had been reserved in advance, for there was not a room to be had in Bastia. The execution at which he was to officiate was that of the most notorious, best publicized bandit in Corsica, crazed, grey-haired Andre Spada (TIME, March...
...Spada, who once was chased through the maquis by two full regiments of gendarmes, armored tanks and reporters armed with rifles, should not know that his death was approaching, Corsican officials took elaborate precautions. Carpet was laid before his cell door to deaden the sound of hurrying feet. M. Deibler's assistants put up their guillotine with tools swathed in thick felt. The effect of all this was spoiled by a group of leather-lunged, smutty-nosed moppets who scrambled up a rock outside Bandit Spada's cell and shrieked "Spada dies at dawn! Spada dies at dawn...
Just before dawn Executioner Deibler put on his silk hat and black cotton gloves, and a police official arrived with a priest, a prison barber, a glass of rum and a cigaret. These last Bandit Spada waved indignantly aside...
With his shock of grey hair shaved at the back of the neck. Bandit Spada heard mass kneeling between two guards. Handcuffed, he was then led to the scaffold. It was all over quickly, much to the relief of Executioner Deibler whose machine has been sticking lately (TIME, April 23, 1934). Son-in-law Perrier supervised putting things away, patient in the knowledge that if M. Deibler ever keeps his long-time promise to retire and raise chickens, he will inherit the guillotine business of all France...