South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1853-06-10

attention IN camp.
Soon The quick roll OF the drum told
that The court had convened, and were
ready to try a criminal. Within a spa
cious tent were gathered large number
o! officers in full uniform. Seated on
raised platform was Gen. Levack, aching as
Judg". Another roll of the drum an
nouncrd the entrance OF the prisoner.
''of what is this man charged ~ asked
tn" judge.
"With an attempt to destroy The life of
his superior officer, Colonel Lavilier," said
The advocate.
"Where is the accusrr" continued the
court.
"Here, may it please your cxc.lency,"
replied the colonel, whose arm was bound
up with sling.
"How came Martcl to attempt your
lif.m
II know not" said Lavilier.
"What provoked the insult ~
| stA conversation with young girl with
whom the prisoner is acquainted"
els that all Z"
ts1t is, your excellency."
After short consultation with the other
officers, the judge turned to the prisoner
and thus addressed him
"Anthony Martel, you have been found
guilty of an attempt to murder q superior
officer in the French army, the punish
ment OF which crime is death. What have
you to say why you should not suffer The
extreme penalty of the. law which you
have offended 90
Martel,who stood as though unconscious
until now, raised his manly form-stand-
ing erect, he bent his searching eyes upon
the colonel and said in firm voice
@Your excellency-I am aware that
any vindication that l may make would be
Of no avail, but being thus permitteJ,I will
speak the truth, that my fellow soldiers
may know that ! die innocent of the
charge which has been brought against me.
I did not fire upon Colonel Lavilier, and
had 10 weapon. when arrested. At the
moment entered the dwelling of Cade-
line, found her struggling in his arms.
| stopped not 10 inquire his rank, but
struck him with my clenched fist to. the
floor. This is all have done, and had it
been the Emperor himself, in his own
palace, | would have done likewise, for the
duty OF true soldier is 10 protect the
innocent aud defrnCeless. ] am willing to
die, but my death will not be unavenged,
! Tor the grass will = moi have covered INV
grave before he Weapons Of my comrades
shall! have found the heart Of my murderer,
| for there is not one who will shrink when
the hour comes. 1 am rrady pass your
sentence"
"Martcl, your languas" does not become
man who is on the Threshold Of eternity"
"lruth becomes man at all times" re-
piled Anthony.
Colonel Lavili-r, during the time the
prisoner was speaking, seemed greatly tx
cited, and turned PALE, for he knew that
Marcel was great favorite in the regi-
mcnl, and he feared that his own life was
in danger.
"Anthony MartcI," said the judge, .lhe
sentence Of the court is, that you die TO-
morrow morning at sunrise, and that you
be shot by twelve Of your comrades"
Again the roll OF tie drum told that the
case had been decided, and they were a.
bout to conduct the prisoner to his quar-
tiers, when young girl rushed past the
guards into the tent, and pros,raling her
self al the feet Of the presiding officer,
exclaimed
"He is innocent, spare him; he is no,
gully, and did not shoot Col. Lavilitr."
AS the tears flowed down her beautiful
face, every heart was touched with pity
save one. He stood unmoved By her sup
piications. The Judge Informed her that
it was impossible for him TO alter the sem
tence Of The court, and that the only hone
that was left her was with Colonel Lavil-
ier, who was The injured party, and who
alone had power to ask for his pardon or TO
recommend him 10 mercy. In vain Cade-
line pleaded with him-he was inexorablc.
and she was borne senseIrss from the tent
On the following morning, a little be-
fore sunrise, some soldiers were busiy en-
gagged in placing red flags at short inter.
walls on beautiful plain not far from the
camp. No sooner had this been accom-
Plished, than the muffied drum and the
band playing dead march were heard,
A company Of soldiers now drew near,
accompanied BY large number of officers,
who came to witnes, the punishment Of
Death. Anthony Martel was walking
with firm step TO meet his doom arriv-
ing on the ground he took his place on The
spot designated for him TO die III was
calm and unmoved "a, the approaching cr-
SIS. Twelve Of his fellow soldiers wer,.
brought up into linz every movement
told their unwillingncss 10 perform the o.
dlous duty which had been assigned them.
All being arranged, the comnandant
walked up to MarteI, and taking him by
The hand, shook i, warmly. Bidding him
farewell, he gave him permission to ad-
dress his companions in arms. This mark
Of kindness moved the condemned rnan,
and tear started TO his eye but quickly
rega'nlng his composure, he brushed it a.
way and addressed those who were 10 Law
him low in death. "Comradcs, have
come here TO die like man and a soldier.
am guilty Of no criinc-.-1 have never
d'shonored my country or rcgiment--1
have fought by your sides in-,bc ,hickcst