Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-03-30

on oHdll see tlie geUeTdi, DOy, since
you wish it," said the officer in reply
to the child's passionate entrea,ies;
"but he will not grant your fathers
life. San Lucas! but these French
dogs have given US too much trouble
alreadyw
They entered the generals tent:
MorlIlo, by the light of the lamp burn
ing on the table, was reading a des-
patch he had just received. Two Of
his officers stood near him; and there
was no one else in the tent. The
brow Of the chief was contracted, and
his eyes flashed as if what he read dis
pleased him; and he looked up with an
impatient exclamation as the officer
entered with the boy. The child, as
soon as Morillo was pointed out to him,
rushed forward and knelt at his feet.
"What does this mean?" demanded
the general.
"Spare HIM" sobbed the youthful
supplicant.
The officer explained his relationship
to one ofthe prisoners about TO be exc
cuted.
"Ah! that reminds me-" said The
chief looking at his watch. "Pedro,
nine is the hour. Let them be pune
tual, and have the business soon over"
Again, with moving entreaties the
child besought his father life.
"Did thy father send the hither?"
asked the general, stern!y.
"No, senior, he did not"
"And how darest thou, then"
"My father has done nothing to de-
serve death, answered the lad He is
prisoner Of war"
cha! who taught thee to question
my iusticea answer me-"
"No one, senior, but brave generals
do not always kill their prisoners
81 kill whom choose, Numbered Mo-
rillo, and hate the French. Boy,
thy father shall die. have said it;
BECOME"
The officer made silent sign to the
petitioner, TO intimate that there was no
hope, and that he must begone. But
the boys countenance suddenly chan
ged. He walked up to the general,
who had turned away, and placed him
self directly before him, with look
Of calm resolution worthy of mar
tyr
CLEAR me. senior, said he; my father
is gray-headed; he is wounded; his
strength is failing even now, though
he stands up to receive the fire of your
men. l am young, and strong, and
well. Let them shoot me in his place,
and let my father go free"
Ii was impossible to doubt the sim
cerity of this offer, for the face of the
devoted child was kindled with holy
enthusiasm. A dark flush rushed to
the brow of Morillo, and for a mo-
ment he looked on the boy in silence
Chou art willing to de-" at lengtl.
he said, "for thy father? Then, to
suffer pain for him would be nothing
Wilt thou lose one OF thy cars 10 save
him?"
81 will" was the firm reply.
"Lend me thy sword, Pablo;" and
in ali instant, at one blow, the general
struck off the boys ear. The victim
wept, but resisted not, nor raised his
hand to wipe a away the streaming
blood
80 far good; wilt thou loose the
other carr"
81 will, to save my father" answer
ed the boy, convulsively.
Morillo's eyes flashed. The hero
ism of child compelled even his ad-
miration; but unmoved from his cruel
purpose, he ,mote of the other ear
with his still reeking sword.
There was dread silence. "And |
now, senor," said the boy, breathing
quickly, and looking up into the gem
erals face.
"And now" answered Morillo, ''de-
part, THE FATHER OF SUCH CHILD
Is DANGEROUS TO SPAIN; HE MUST FAY
THE FORFEIT or HIS LIEF"
The manned child went forth from
the presence Of hisinhuman foe. Pres
entity the report of firearms announ-
led that he had witnessed the execution
IF his fathern
Must we blame the cruelty Of indi-
fiduals for such enormities!-or not
'ather the relentless spirit of war, that
builds up the glory of its heroes on a
catiolding Of death, and sacrifices dali
Y 10 the projects ofamhition, the pro-