Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-04-28

SUI, naQ armcQ nluSeIt Will ualCnet, anu
with almost superhuman strength and des-
peration, opposed the entrance Of tie re-
publicans !: and when their leader presented
himself, sword in hand, at the door of the
room to which he had retreated, as his last
stand of defence, the old general aimed at
his head a furious blow, which would have
closed his career at once end forever, had it
not been skj'fclly panied by the sabre of
the Frenchman. 1t was the last effort of
the wounded and wearied veteran; he fell,
and in another moment the apartment was
filled with republicans.
The Frenchman, who was never known to
yield quarter to vanquished enemy in the
fifteen years of his military life, stepped
forward to dispatch the fallen general,
when young and lovely woman rushed
from an adjoining room, threw herself at
bis feet, and kueeling there, pale, distracted,
the tears streaming from her eyes, shrieked
forth in voice of terror and despair:
"Spare bim-oh spare him-do not take
bis ljfe-he is my husband-the father of
my child"
The Frenchman glanced for a moment at
the suppliant, With an eye in which there
was no trace either of anger or pity-and
then, deliberately pushing her aside, he
made step in advance, took cool and
steady aim with bis pistol at the wounded
officer, aud shot him through the heart.
The wife of the murdered man uttered
fearful scream, and starting to her feet and
flying to the room from whence she had
come, returned in moment with her boy,
who, at the sight of his fathers massacre,
had hid himself, pale and trembling, under
the bed she held him up to the ferocious
republican and exclaimed:
Monster you have slain the father
complete your work and destroy the son."
. At this moment loud shouts were heard,
and French general, surrounded by
crowd of officers, appeared at the door of
the apartment. The scene was dramatic
perfect coup de theatre. The heart of the
ferocious soldier failed him-pallor over
spread bis features, and his limbs shook
while Madame H., as if by sudden impulse
flung herself at the feet of the general, with
a single cry for vengeance"
The general raised her kiudly aud re-
specially, demanding at the same moment
an exploration of for the scene before h'm.
There was but little need for VOL is; the
object upon which he gazed, bore to his
mind the accusation of bis subordinate:
that d's6go-ed corpse-that female upon
whose 5'neaments were stamped horror and
despair-that feeble child, with bis pallid
cheeks, and his eyes streaming with tears,
calling upon his father, who answered not.
The general perceived at once that there wss
no fact to be ascel taiued, no excuse to be
admitted. His eyes flashed FIRE, and st,ik-
ing bis glove forcibly upon the palm of his
left hand, he tp,ned abruptly, and with q
lowering brow, to the assassin who stood
before him speech'ess and trembling, end
exclaimed:
"Slr, you are coward end q savage.
what! murder in cold blood en- uuarmed
nan-defenceless "a veteran-before the
eyes of his N.fe, implorjug mercy! 1t is
the act of a fiend!"
''But General" interrupted the c, animal,
with a hesitating voice-tbe voice of one
who feels he is lost
''Be silent, sir" interrupted the geueral,
81 listen to no excuse; I admit of no de-
fence. You are unworthy to serve the
Republic. Give me up your sword, your
epaulets. From this moment you gre dis
missed irom the brigade you have dise raced,
itom the army upon which you are stain. ~
The major raised bis head With a proud.
fierce look.
General" he said, With q voice that be.
trayed bis emotion, 81 sorrender my sword,
but demand trial by my comrades"
"You shall have it, sir, aad W:tbiu the
hour.''
The remainder Of that dreadful day WAS
passed by Madame II. IN the bitterness of