The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-11-30
SELECT STORY.
A scene in a COnSCript'S Life.

The sergeant and the priest advanced
the two friends embraced and kissed each
other: Reaumer retired to a spot where
the other soldier was standing and
kneeling on one knee, leant his face on
his hands, still convulsively and uncon-
sciously grasping the spade, as if for a
support: the other twelve men had form
ed double line, about fourteen PAGES to
the front of Jean, who was between them
and the embankment. his white e-clothed
figure. thus set in relief by the dark
ground beyond, presenting clear aim to
their muskets. lie kneIt down on his
right knee. resting on The other his left
arm: he said in firm voice, "l am rea-
dy." The priest was about 10 bind a
handkerchief about bis eyes; but he said:
"No-l pray that | may be spared that:
let me see my death; | am moi afraid OF
it, The priest, after consulting the ser.
geant'slooks. withdrew the handkerchief:
Colon retired 10 the place where Reau.
mer and the other soldier were: and the
priest, after having received from his pen.
itent the assurance that he died "in char.
ily with all mankind" and having bestow.
ed on him a last benedctlon, and laid
on his lips the kiss Of christian love, also
retired on one side. Colon gave the
word of command-"Prepare:" and the
twelve muskets were brought forward: -
"Present;" they were leveled. The SER
geant was raising his cane at the last
signal, to spare the victim even the short
pang of hearing the fatal word, Fire -
when Rollo, with loud yell, Sprang to
his masters side, lie had been starlled
from his sumber by the roll OF the drum
and, looking up at what was going on,
perceiving Jean left kneeIing alone, and
all so silent, except Reaumer's family.
heard sobs. his instinct seemed TO tell him
his master was in some danger: his whi-
ming was unheard, or unheeded; he felt
this too, and ceased it, but made des-
perate effort 10 break the rope, that held
him, which, weakened as it was,
by his late gnawng and tugging at it
when in the clubhouse at Charolle, soon
gave way, and as above mentioned, he
sprang with yell to his masters side.
But jeans thoughts at that moment were
too seriously engaged TO heed even Rol'
10: he only raised his right arm, and gen
ty pu. the dog aside, his own mild, un-
Ainching gaze still fixed on the soldiers
before him. But the dog was not check.
ed by the movement of his master; still
whining, and with his ears beseechingly
laid back, he struggled hard to get nearer
to him. Colon felt for jeans situation,
and made sign to Reaumer (who, won
derng at the pause since the last word
of command, had raised his eyes that
he should try to coax the dog of: he did
so by whistling and calling, but, OF course
quite in vain. 1t will be at once seen
that, though this has taken some time in
the telling. all that passed from the time
of Rollo's arrival was little more than
the transaction of a moment. Still il was
delay; end the men were ready TO fire;
and Colon, not thinking the incident OF
sufficient weight to authorize suspen'
sion OF the execution, however Temporal
ry. muttered, "Greal pity--the poor fell
low will die too" He turned his face tc
his men; and was again about 10 give the
signal, when he was second time inter
rupted by hearing loud shouts from be-