Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-04-23
ening as the magistrate read he heard
of corpse being discovered among the


ening as the magistrate read he heare
of a corpse being discovered among tn
vines.
unfortunate man, said Bigot
'what can you have to tell us''
sAh, my lord,' said the blind man
may speak without danger of my
life?' and he turned his white heae
on every side with terrified air.
Speak freely said Bigo,; 'fear no
thing Then the old man related
how, many months since, he was leav-
ing Argenteuil on his usual pilgrimage,
and had gained the high ground be-
yond the village, when the violent bar
king of his dog caused him to listen
attentively. A mans voice, feeble
and suppliant, was distinctly heard
Monster, it said; thy master, thy ben
efactor-mercy! Must ! die so far
from my country and my brother! Mer-
cy, mercy!
Then the blind man heard fearful
cry, like that of dying man in his last
agony, and all was silence. After a
time he distinguished the steps of one
who seemed staggering undera heavy
burden. Influenced by a sudden
Impulse said Geryais, Il went for
ward, asking what was the matter, and
who had been moaning SOP
Nothing, nothing said voice in
an agitated tone; 'only sick man who
is being carried home and has tainted
on the way And the voice added,
in low and menacing tone, you may
thank God that you are blind or l would
have done the same:oyou.' knew then
that horrible crime had been commit
ted, and was seized with terror. Trem-
bling, continued my journey, -resolv-
ing never to reveal what had heard;
for the criminal might belong to these
parts, and the life of poor blind man
is at the mercy of every one. But
when the judge spoke ola corpse be-
ing found SO near to the place where l
heard the voice, l could not avoid a
sudden exclamation. Ihave now told
all; God grant that no evil comes to me
from it,
odd man. said the Judge, Il wish
to ask you question; reflect well be-
fore answering it. Do you remember
exactly the voice that you heard the
day on the hill, which replied to your
questions and threatened you? Do
you think that you could recognize it
again-recognize it so as not to con-
found it with any other?
Yes, my lord advocate cried Ger
vais Immediately; 'yes! even as l
should recognize the voice of my
mother, if she were living still, poor NO.
man!'
But said the judge, 'have you
considered that eight or nine months
have passed since them
1t seems but a few hours ago. an
swered the blind man. 'My terror was
so great, that even now l seem always
to hear the voice that cried for mercy,
and that which spoke to me- And
when Bigot still doubted, Gervais,
lifting his hands to heaven said, God
is good, and forsakes not the poor
blind. Since lost my sight, l car
hear wonderfully. Call the people o.
Argenteuil; they will tell you how they
amuse themselves with embarrassing
me, and saying, in counterfeited tones
who speaks to thee?' Ask them il
they ever succeeded in deceiving mel
The people cried out that all that the
blind man said was true; his knowl'
edge of voices was wonderful. Some
hours after, Lawrence Bigot departed
for Rouen, conveying Gervais with
him.
Gervais was brought before the par
lament. His frank and circumstan
tial deposition made a deep impression
but some doubt still remained. l
was a fearful thing to place mans
life at the mercy of the fugitive reminis
cences ola blind man, who could on
" trust to his hearing. 1t seemed al
most impossible that Gervais sboult
recognize faithfully voice which HI
had heard but once only. The par
lament determined to prove him
and to bring before him success
.ively all the prisoners Of the con
ciereerie, Marel among the rest. II
| after having heard them speak, tn
blind man spontaneously, and withou
once hesitating, should recognize tn
voice which had struck him SO power
fully, this evidence united to others
should be held conclusive.
Asst was necessary TO make III
blind man understand the almost sa
cred importance Of the judgment witt
which heaven had invested him, sol