New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-03-30


10 every dungeon comes ray
OF Gods interminable day.
.DISCIPLINE;
OR, THE FATAL DEsERTION.
.-. GConcipdeal .-
1t was accordingly settled that Baptiste should
remain in concealment till the following evening
when he was to be privately united to Annette,
and the day after they were to bid adieu to their
friends, and proceed with me on their journey.
Having made this arrangement, | quilted the
cottage and proceeded to Tours, quite well
pleased at the idea of cheating Charles X. out
of conscript, and happy that l had it in my
power to contribute my aid to the union of a
pair whom nature seemed to have destined for
each other.
The whole of the following day was spent in
bidding adieu to my friends in Tours, and in
making the necessary arrangements for my
journey. Without much difficulty, obtained
passports for Baptiste and his spouse as my SER
wants. apd thinking every thing was now secure,
l ordered a coach to be in readiness for my de-
parture. Then, as soon as evening approached,
I proceeded to the cottage to witness the nup-
tials of the young couple, at which I had en-
gagged to be present. qs
found the happy pair gaily dressed for the
occasion. The hOmely garbin which l had hith-
erto seen Annette, was now exchanged for one
of white muslin, which rendered her sylph-like
form yet more Light and airy. Her raven locks,
which before were allowed to float loosely over
her shoulders, were now plated and braided
with more than usual care The bloom had re-
turned to her cheek, and animation sparkled in
her eye, though tears of regret frequently hung
trembling on her long dark eyelashes, as the
idea of her approaching separation from her
home and kindred recurred to her mind. She
was attended by her sister, who was to officiate
bridesmaid, and nothing now was wanting
but the priest to complete the ceremony. In the
meantime chatted with the bride, joked with
her sister, talked Of the weather and crops with
the bridegroom, and endeavor to make the anx-
ious moments of expectation glide past as rap
idly as possible.
Footsteps were at last heard approaching
Baptiste stepped to the door to welcome the
priest, but, instead of meeting him. was seized
in the rude grasp of a gendarme The door was
thrown open and party of soldiers entered the
room, dragging with them the unfortunate pris-
oner. shrek of horror burst from the lips OF
the wretched Annette, as she fell senseless into
the arms of her sister. The grandmother hur-
ried to her assistance, but the feebleness of
overcame her agitated frame, and she sank to
the floor in state. of insensibility The ILL
fated Baptiste for some time gazed on these
scenes of anguish in state of stup,or Not a
sigh escaped his lips, though the heaving of his
ample chest showed the struggle which nature
held within. His eye was fixed his features
betrayed no emotion; his soul seemed occupied
in the contemplation of misery.
A feeting moment had blasted all his hopes,
and consigned him to punishment from which
he knew there was little hope of escape. The
large drops of perspiration which rolled down
his forehead, marked the agony of his soul,
while the angel of death seemed already to have
set his seal on his palid features The distressed
state Of his bride at length aroused him from
his stupor He shook off the soldiers who held
his arms, and rushing towards her, endeavored
to recall the spirit which appeared to be desert
ing its frail tenement. His efforts were SUCCESS
full; the soothing tones of his well known voice
awoke Annette to a sense of her misfortunes,
and while he endeavored to calm her, exerted
myself in assisting and consoling his aged
parent, on whom this misfortune threatened to
produce fatal effect.
The soldiers, though accustomed to such heart
rending scenes, could hardly refrain from tears,
and to cheer the dropping spirits of his friends,
endeayored to persuade them that the crime of
their prisoner would only subject him to a short
imprisonment.s In this belief Baptste also en-
couraged them, for though he was aware that
he had little chance of escaping with life, yet he
wished not to deprive them of hope-the last
far recovered as to be able to bear the pangs OF
separation, Baptiste was marched off to Tours,
and as could be of very little service at the
cottage, left its inmates in charge of Annette's
father, and accompanied the party to town
where, after undergoing examination, Bap-
tiste was committed to prison, to await the issue
of his trial, and as learned that this was likely
to take place in a few days, I countermanded
the preparations for my journey, and deferred
my departure, in the hope that might be able
to render him or his afflicted friends some
| assistance.
As soon as Baptistes imprisonment became
known, his cell was thronged by his numerous
acquaintance, each bringing him some little
present to add to his comfort in confinement.
Few of them anticipated that any serious pun
| ishment would be awarded against him. Their
simple minds could not conceive how the good
natured Baptiste could be capitally convicted
for leaving q service into which he had been
forced, or for returning the blow of one who had
wantonly assaulted him Their opinions buoyed
up the spirits of his relations who awaited the
result of his trial, in that fever of expectation
which is experienced when all we hold dear is at
stake.
| The mind of Baptiste, however, was not sc
easily elated He knew that the offence would
be regarded in a very serious light, and though
he deemed it cruel to check these ill-founded
hopes, yet he prepared his mind for the worst
determined to bear with fortitude whatever
might be the issue of the trial. This was speed.
| lily approaching military tribunal was ap.
pointed, and the necessary witnesses having ar.
rived, it proceeded to try Baptiste for his Of:
fence. The court was crowded with his friends
and it was with great difficulty that Annette
and his grandmother could be persuaded te
await the result in an adjoining house, where
| the progress of the trial could be communicated
to them. Baptiste knew we'll that the evidence
| against him was too clear and satisfactory to
hold out a chance Of escape by the denial of his
guilt. When called upon, therefore to plead to
the charge of desertion and munity, he rose
! and with firm and manly confidence, answered
eff to have left service into which / was
forced, be desertion, of that am doubtless gull
| ty. If to have repelled an unprovoked insult b.
mutiny, Of that | am also guilty"
| A nurmur of regret was heard from the crow,
at this open avowal. The friends of the prisone
had expected that the want of evidence or SOM
| legal plea might have operated in his favor,
hope which this confession threatened to cut o.
forever. The President of the tribunal, unwil
ling to take advantage Of his confession, warne'
him of the fatal consequences which must at