Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-28

execution, Silently, without other sound
than that of their horses hoofs, marched
the square of hussars. In the centre In
an open cart, was the chaplain, a crueifi2
In his hand-and beside him in a white
shirt, bareheaded, and with fettered hands
the culprit-George st, Thomas,
The sun rose as they reached the ap-
pointed place. The plumes of the hussars
and the grey locks of the condemned N man
futtered in the morning breeze. They
took him from the cart. Six hussars as
mounted and unslung their carDlnes-
the remainder formed up. Inc aoJulan'
unfolded and read in stern and mercl,
less voice, the sentence OF death passed
upon George st. Thomas. According to
customary form soldier stepped up to-
the adiutant, presented him with wand,
and thrice implored mercy for the con-
demned man. The third time the officer
broke the wand in two, threw it at the
criminals feet, and said in solemn tones,
God is merciful' :.
AT these words the doomed man raised
his head-his attitude grew more erect,
his features glowed, He gazed around,
him in the faces of the assembled soldiers,
then upwards at the purple clouds, and
spoke in enthusiastic tones
Thank thee, o God and thanks to
my comrades, for my death. Life has
long been burthen to me--death is vel
come. l have lost all-wife. and child,
house and home my country alone re-
manned to me, and her could not free.
rejoice to die. You comrades, bless
God, that yonder beyond the mountains,
you have a mother, beloved bride, a
faithful wife, an infant child awaiting
your return. Yonder, beyond the noun
tains, you have your homes, your Gotta
ges, your families. Pray to God that at
your last hour you may welcome death as
joyfully as l, who have nothing left upon
earth
He paused, and sank upon his knees,
as if power had departed from his limbs.
The soldiers stood motionless as stat
utes The adjutant waved the paper in
his hand. GloomilY the six hussars rails
cd their carbines.
Once more the adjutant raised the fold
ed paper, when behold young non
commissioned officer dashed out of the
ranks, snatched the fatal document from
his hand, tore it. and threw the fragments
at the feet ofthe firing party.
Two hundred sabres flashed from their
scabbards, and, amidst cloud of dust,
two hundred chargers secured across the
plain.
The wedding guests were waiting
The bride groom was there in full uniform,
glittering with gold, and the beautious
bride, in her graceful robe of white lace.
Y ct moment, and she would be his we'd
ded wife.
The moment was very long.
The bridegroom awaited the adjutants
return from the execution. Until then he
would not approach the altar.
What, if, at the very instant the solemn
Yes, passed his lips, there reached his
cars the rattle of the Understanding vol
ley, which he, thrice happy lover, had
commanded.
Whatif, whilst Gods servant implored
Heavens blessing on their union, the an
cry spirit of the criminal, invoking ven
geance on his judges head, appeared at
the footstool of the Almighty.
Still no adjutant came.
The bridegroom grew uneasy. Yetun-
easier grew the bride.
Perhaps she whispered, 1T were bet
ter to postpone the ceremony.
Or he replied, ito hasten it,
A forcboding Of evil oppressed them
both.
And still the adjutant came not Two,
three hours elapsed beyond the appointed
time. Noon approached-each minute
seemed an eternity.
A G., 1nkk -
Hasty steps and jingling spurs were heard
on the door. 1t opened-:he adjutant
appeared, pale, dusty, exhausted, with
the sweat streaming over his face.
Remain without, cried the bridegroom.
You bring message of death--enter
not here
No message of death do 1 bring re-
piled the officer hoarsely, but hundred
things worse. The condemned man has
taken the hussars away with him-all-I
to the Hungarian frontier, a couple of
leagues off they released me to make my
report
My horse = shouted the bridegroom,
hurryiug madly to the door, But he
paused at the sight of his bride, paler
than ever, and with terror in her glance.
Wat bit moment, dearest love = he
said, clasped her to his breast, kissed her,
and threw himself on his horse.
The animal reared beneath him, and
would not leave the court. The rider
struck his spurs sharply into his flanks.--I
Once more he looked back There she
stood, the beloved one, in her bridal dress,
upon the balcony, and waved her 'ker-
chief You will soon be back she
said.
She never saw him again
Forward raced the hussars upon their
rapid courses, forward, toward the blue
mountainS-ever forward
Through forests, wilderncsses. orcrL