Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-01-27

the kind consideration of the Emper-
or"
On the other side, the accused re-
Piled: II deserted without any cause
without any motive--and do not
regret it. lift was TO do again, wo'd
do it again / have deserved death.
Let me be condemned"
Some witnesses came forward, who
said, "Pierre Pitois did desert. We
know it.; but we do not know how TO
believe it," Others SAID, "Pierre Pr
tots is deranged. The council will not
condemn an insane man. II is not 10
peath but to the hospital, that he ought
to be sent"
Very little argument was necessary
TO induce the council TO adopt the last
Recommendation for there was not one
Of them who did not consider the de-
sertion Of Pierre Pitois as the result
Of one Of those singular movements oil
the human mind, which it is impossi-
BILE to comprehend, but which all at
some time see.
Meantime the accused showed him
self so simple, so logical, in his perse-
verance, in demanding seLtence--li
iha; he proclaimed his crime-rcpeat-
ing necessarily that "he did not repent
of it"---that he did not even regret it,,
the Grmness with which he demon
strated it, appeared so much like bravo
do, that It was impossible TO exhibit the
desired clemency, and he was accord
ingly condemned to death.
When this sentence was read to
Pierre, he did not even frown. He was
earnestly besought to ask for pardon.
He refused it positively.
Asevery one imagined that there
must be some mystery at the bottom
Of all this, it was resolved to postpone
the execution Of Pierre Pitois for some
time. The prisoner was-reconveyed
to the military prison, and Informed
that, as a special favor to him, he wo'd
be allowed seveniy-two hours to pre-
sent his petition for pardon. Pierre
shrugged up his shoulders, but made
no other answer.
About the middle Of the night prece-
ding the day fixed on for the execution,
the door of Pierre,s cell turned softly
on It's hinges; sub-officer Of the young
guard advanced 10 the side Of the bed
on which the prisoner lay, and. after
having contemplated him for some
time, he awakene him. Pierre Pitois
stretched wide open his eyes, and gaz-
ed round;-''ah," said he, "the hour
has come: very we'll"
"No, Pierre" answered the snb-of-
fcer, i, is not ye, the hour, but it will
soon strike"
"And what do you want with me?"
"Pierre, you do no, know me, while
I know you well. ! saw you a, Aus
terli,z and you bore yourself like a
brave man. From that day, Pierre, l
have felt for you lively and sincere
esteem. Happening to arrive at siras-
burg yesterday. learned both your
crime and your sentence. As the jailer
is a relative, obtained Of him permits
sion to come in to see aud to speak TO
you, Pierre. The man about to die Of
ten regrets that he has not with him
some friend, to whom he may open his
heart, and impose upon him some sa-
cred duty to be discharged. Pierre, il
YOU consent, I will be iha, friend F"
"Thank ye, comrade," said Pierre
grufily.
"Have you nothing to say to mes"
"Nothing"
"Wha,, not one farewell to your
sweet hear,-your poor, s;sier?"
"Sweet heart and sister / never
had either"
"For your father?"
IL hare no father. Two months
ago he died. in my arms"
FOR your mother?"
"For my mother!" said Pierre and
his voice underwent deep and sud.
den change. "For my mother, All,
comrade, do not utter that name.
assure you never hear i'll never
whisper il in my heart-without be-
ing moved TO tears; and. at this mo-
men,. it seems TO me, if should speak
of her"
"Well WHAT"
81 should ,ceep, and to weep is unman-
ly; to weep" continued he, with increa-
sed earnesiness, ''whrn have only a
few hours TO live, would be cowardly."