The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-12-19

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On the other side, the accused replied:
deserted without any cause--without any mo-
tive-and ! do not regret it. IF it WAS to do /,
again, would do II again. have deserved
death. Let me be condemned" 80;
Some witnesses came forward, who said,
pierre Pitois did desert. We know il; but
we do not know how to beIieue it, Others
said, Pierre Pitois is deranged. The council |,
will not condemn an insane man. It is not to
death, but TO the hospital, that he ought to be
Very little argument was nect ssary 10 induce
the council to adopt the last Recommendations;
for there was not one Of them who did not cor
slider the dssertion Of Pierre Pitois as the re-
suit Of one Of those singular movements of the
human mind, which it is impossible to com
prehend, but which all at some time see. 4, u
Meantime the accused showed himself so
simple, so logical in his perseverance in de- .
manding sentence lit was with such an auda-
cioV boldness that he proclaimed his crime
repeating necessarily that he did not repent
Of itvT-rthat ne did not even regret it--the /,
firmness with which he dem0nstratedit, appear
ed SO much like brayado, that it was Impossible
to exhibit the desired clenency, and he, was 4
accordingly condemned to death. w ..,,,,,:. 4 h
When this sentence was read 10 Pierre, he did
not even frown. He was earnestly besought to
ask for pardon. He refused it positively. e
AS every one imagined that there must be
some mystery at the bottom Of all this it was
resolved to postpone the execution of Pierre
Pitois for some time The prisoner was recon
veyed 70 the military prison, and informed
thai, as q special favor to him, he would be
allowed scventy-two hours to present his peti-
ton for pardon. Pierre shrugged up his shoul-
ders, but made no other answer. 4, ,... ..t. h
bOuf the rniddla of tho Y,..~hk ,,-acodsror
the day fixed on for the execution. the door Of
Pierre's cell turned softly on its hinges; sub
officer OF the young guard advanced to the side
OF the bed on which the prisoner lay, and, alter
having contemplated him for some time, he
awaked him. Pierre Pitois stretched wide
open his eyes, and gszed round -" All said
he, the hour has come; very WE'LL" a u,
No, Pierre answered the sub officer, "it
is not yet the hour, but it will soon strike"
And what do you want with me?"
Pierre, you do not know me, while know
you well. saw you at Austerlitz- and you
bore yourself like brave man From that
day Pierre, have felt for you lively and sim
cere esteem. Happening to arrive at Stras-
burg yesterday, learned both your crime and
your sentence. As the jailor is relative, I OBJ
tained of him permission to come in to see and
to speak to, you, Pierre. The man about to
some friend, to whom he may open his heart,
and impose upon him some sacred duty to be
discharged. Pierre, if you consent will be
| that friend" .rF.
"Thank ye, comrade," said Pierre, gruffly.
Have you nothing to say to me 7" -
Nothing" ii. E...
what not one farewell to your sweet
| heart-your poor sister?" .r p,
"Sweet heart and sisterl Inever had either
"For your father?" :,
81 have no father. Two months ago he
died, in my arms" I..t. - r.aT
"For your mother?" .,. =. ~. -,
"For my mother!" said Pierre, and bis
voice underwent a deep and sudden change
"For my mother! All, comrade do not utter,
that name. I assure you / never hear it'll,
never whisper it in my heart-without being
moved to tears and, at this moment, it seems
to me, if should speak of her. 4. -
"Well, what?" H.. ~,
81 should weep, and to weep is unmanly;
to weep" continued he, with Increased earnest
would be cowardly" .s,. q, -, :.
lyon are TOO severe, comrade; 1 have
thank God, as much courage as any man, and
yet should not be ashamed to weep in speak
ing ofmy mother" - +. \; 80,
You," said Pierre, seizing earnestly the
hand of the under officer, "you are man, you
are a soldier, and you would not blush to
weep2" 49,,
"ln thinking of my mother2 No, certainly
not; sheis so good, she loves me SO much, aud
| love her so much, too" u rg, afsW
| ."tShe loves you'll You love herr Oh, then
then will tell you every thing. Ny soul is
full, it must have vent; and however strange
may appear TO you the sentiments which
animate me, you will not laugh at them--I am
sure you will not Listen, then, for what am
about TO say TO you is most true. Man is happy
at the moment Of death, if there is some heart
to which he may open bis own. You will hear
me M kindly, and you will not laugh at met
afhear you, Pierre; the dying man can ex-
cite no feeling but commisseration and sym
pathy." - .....sf.. 1900. rfsE .E.vF
"You must know, then" said Pierre, "that
from the hour of my birth there was never but
one person whom really loved, and that was
my mother; but her, her l did love with all
my mind and my strength--never man loved
human being rs loved her. When was n
mere child, we comprehended each Others
looks. To my heart she was myself; and to
her heart was herself / have had neither
lover nor mistress, not even . friend; my
mother was everything to me. At length,
when / was told that must quit her.. I
was in despair, and declared that, even though
violence were used, would not be separated
| from my mother alive. Yet with one word
she who was holy and a courageous woman,
changed all my resolutions Pierre said she
TO me, you must go-I wish it to be so.'
kpelt before her, and said, mother, I
viii CO. -.
Pierre" added she, "you are good son,
and thank God for it but the duties Of son
are not all those which man has 10 discharge;
every citizen owes himself 10 the counry.-
She calls you--obeyi You are to bea soldier;
/ from this moment your life is no longer your
own---it is your country's IL her interests
claim that life, do not hesitate. If God should
viii you to die before me, I should, indeed,
weep away every tear Of my heart; but should
say, The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away,
blessed be the name of the Lord Go, then,
and " you Jope me do your duty =,
| "0h, the words Of that saint hear them
yet sounding in my ears. Now the duty Of 4
soldier is to obey, every whore and alwsys.4-
Every where and always have obeycd. Tits,
Il