Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1848-05-04
:MisceIlaMe0uH.
The Marked Ball.
OR THE PRIVATE'S REVENGE.
BY n. PROCTOR JONES.

You look over the dark waters of foreign aut
in search Of romance, lend listening ear to heu
; of the deeds of Ialys Braves ,rra TwtS wit
rapture upon the tegepdS Of the old world, Nr4i
you think not Of b6 tales which could be tod o
the early days oSyoung America.
, How Oilenhave |, when eve had drawn nr
curtain o'er the face of day, Fwandered to SON,
secluded spot with my aged grandsire, TO hea
him 'ell OF times gone by, and watched his ven
erahIe countenance as it frightened up with al
III" radiance of youth, when he related SOM
heart enchanting legend of the Revolution.
TWAS beauteous day in July, l776, and h
hrst beams OF morning were shining sweetly upoI
The mernld and unduatng plains Of Long Island
10 have looked upon that lovely scene you woult
have been enchanted with The dewy spanglets ant
sweet, modest flowers which were spread luxu
rantly upon the surface and imagined yourself il
some Andauslan retreat, secure from the malign
ant blast of crime. But that beauteous spot wa
soon TO be transformed into The theatre of heart
rending tragedy, and that green sward mbruec
with the blood of men, for preparations wer,
being made for military execution.
What thrill of horror passes through ou
hearts, when we hear OF military execution
When we behold the brave warrior mounted on
his proud steed Fastening 10 the battle field, and
the patriot grasping his muske in order to avenge
his counry's wrongs, we cannot wonder, although
we may weep when we see their mangled bodies
lying before US, for we know such IS the fate oil
war; but to behold soldier taken from the ranks
wherein he has served, and led out in mock So
emnity, to be butchered in cold blood by his COM
rades, the partners Of his tosome marches. and
deadly conflicts, our feelings shocked, and we
wonder why those who make and allow such laws
are called Christians. We'll may our fair land of
America, as well as civilized Europe, blush when
she remembers her tolerance Of military exeCu-
tons.
Yes, the preparations for dreadful scene had
already commemorative over that plain could be
seen long line of men, clad in the scarlet uni
form ofBritan, marching with slow and measur-
ed tread Slowly they advanced until they came
TO the centre of the plain, when the harsh voice
Of command bid them 'haIt. The cheeks of the
privates assumed pa!lid nue., and the eyes of the
officers flashed with an unsteady glare, and all
awaited the result of further orders with an in
descrbable feeling of dismay and horrd suspense.
Pat it soon was beard--how direful were the
words il uleied-Prisoners, prepare to meet your
DOOM.
The condemned men advanced, and were led
10 an open space directly in front OF the main line
fine noble looking men they were, and stood
with firm and undaunted courage 10 meet the fire
OF those deadly muskets which would send The
reckless hnllel deep into their tenrs and L.
mangled and torn upon the SOD. o'i, MN anu
fearless they we're, and they betrayed no emotion
as the commander commented upon their lale'
'hIen, said the commander, Gen love-
hone the execution which you will shortly witness,
may serve as lesson that will never be forgotten.
Painful as the duty is, it is requlse-it must be
perfcrmed-Iaw must be enforced or else all Or
der in the army would be set at defiance, and no
officer of his Majesy's regiment would be safe
from The vengeance of The infuriGted private, who
would consider himself asgrleved, and would cry
for vengeance. only at being reproved for neglect
Of duty. The offences of these men are Of dread
full magnitude; the leader of the revolers, Pierre
Lerone, has dared 20 raise his hand against my
respected and genllemanly officer Lieut.. Morton,
and his companions who are TO suffer by his side,
enco uraged him in SO doing They have been
tried by court martial composed o! men of hu-
name and charitable dispositions and who would
rather forgive than condemn, but the proof agains,
them was too clear-juslice must be dOne-ihe
criminals nut undergo The severe sentence, and
receive what is worse than deah-.dishonor. Let
this terrible example cause you TO treat The COM
mands of your superior officers with that respect
which is due them from soldiers and men. Hear
now the sentence by which these men must die.
Sergeant, read the law
The Sergeant obeyed the command, mud read
the law in regard TO the punishment of offenders.
1t ran lhus-'If any soldier belonging to his Mses-
TVS troops shall revolt, desert or refuse to obey
the commands Of his superior officer, he shall be
arrested and brought TO trial before court com
posed Of military officers, and if found guilty shall
be condemned to suffer death by the muskel, in
presence of the regiment to which he belongs
In ,ncp bp ha fro nc tIa fret nd
platoon, he shall be free, both from punishment,
and The service.
Pierre Lerone at this moment requested leave
TO speak, which was granted him. In a firm voice
he said Comrades have been brought here to
die-to die like dog-to die for rcsen,ing an in
suit given TO my only child, by tina, tyranical
wretch Morton do not greve for myself, bu,
my comrades who are to die with me have friends
and homes far over the Atlantic, in the land of
happy England, who will mourn their fate. They
do not deserve death, they only said was right
in VIVA, did; they did not urge me on to the
deed. appeal 10 every father who loves his
child, if the action was not commendable' Who
among you could see his only daughter forced to
bSu' tic Ddse insults VI any man, whether he be
superior or not. But for doing this am condemn
ed 10 die by the laws Of that country for which
have braved the storm of many a battle. Was it
for this | have taken up arms against people
struggling for their liberty? Was it for this
have endured hunger, thirst, cold, and misery
But am prepared TO die quail not beneath the
glance of death. 1t will soon be over am ready
now--see that can die like a man. Pierre
Lerone scorns and despises his accusers Com
rades, (arewell-Morton, remember the day of
reribntion.
At the conclusion of his speech, Ierone and his
companions prepared themselves 10 receive the
charge.
Houid suspense.
Morton stood pale and trembling, with the still
small voice whispering in his ear. Thou art u
perjured, unjust accuser and murderer You have
obtained these mems death by the barlerlng of
your soul. Think of the future-and despair.
All was now ready for The fearful work. The
word was given, the loud report of the fire from
the first platoon was heard, and two of the hapIess
victims fell mangled and bleeding upon tho soil
and ere the gloomy vapor had cleared away, the
second was heard vibrating more happily through
~ air. Four men were there dead murdered
- the form Of Pierre stood firm as before, I'M
'0d p'.uy the deadly fire.
PRONE WAS FREE!
b,5y ""a' "'cle was he saved? Deadly aim
cd cr 'Ih .aNen a. Ii. heart by men who were not
hi ~, 'ne" certain AIM The hand of Providence
l'du reserved him TO avenge the lives of his muir
oered comrades. Morton, wind and bewildered,
gazea upon him as though he was spir, sent
from the Internal world TO lead his soul to the deep
n