Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-11-04

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uniforms being wet, it was no wonder that the
dirt adhered to them with tenacity that de-
fed all exertionS to rub it off, when the wear
ers were reused by this sereant to prepare for
standing guard once more. The more they
tried to rub their clothes clean the more sturd-
lily he lent helping hand to their endeavors
by an application of the sad equipment of every
Austrian non-commiSsioned officer-the stick.
Whilst he was fully at work, cutting away at
the men with a powerful arm, the door OPEN
ed, and the officer on duty entered the guard
| room.
Attention." commanded the serjeant; and,
saluting his superior, made the usual report
that nothing worth remarking had happened
The officer, young ensign, fresh from the
military school, and almost boy, took no no.
tice of this important news, but asked the SER
jeant in brisk and somewhat impetuous man.
ner. What he was again striking the men
for ?"
The serjeant, already much annoyed at this
interference, gave a surly and unwilling an
swer; and, when the young officer rebuked
him, in a severe and somewhat naughty man
ner, the violent and passionate man. losing all
self-control, lifted up his hand against his Of
fcer.
1t is but one fatal moment, quick as light
ming. The uplifted hand never descended it
was caught by dozen powerful arms He
was feed to the ground and disarmed Half
an hour afterwards he found himself in irons
in the easements
! Lifting the arm against superior is consid-
cred a capital crime. In this case it had been
committed while both parties were on duty,
and the Austrian military laws are the very
last in the world to be trifed with The fol
lowing day he was tried by court-martial, and
sentenced to be shot, When the sentence was
| forwarded to the competent authority for rati-
fcation, it happened to be the superor's ami
Versary day capital punishment was commu-
ted, the criminal had to run the gauntlet
A cruel act of grace was this commutation! 4!
| When the first sentence had been read over to
him, he had been cold and impossible not
muscle of his proud face stirred. He did not
fear death he had looked 10 in the face many
time without flinching, and to die in the open
air pierced by dozen balIS-a soldiers death
what should he care much for that But
when he was informed that he had to run the
gauntlet twice through his company, after hav-
ing been previously degraded, he trembled for
the irst time in his life. He knew of many
soldier who had run the gauntlet thrice through
a whole battalion, and not been the worse for
it after all he knew of some who had even
married afterwards, and brought up families of
children he was fully aware that the issue of
this terrible torture depended entirely upon
the dispositions of the men. Dreadful refec-
ton ! Above all, he thought of the shame,
the dishonor-and bis proud heart was well
nigh giving way.
On the evening previous to the punishment,
the second rife battalion of Kherenhuller in
fantry would have been unfit for service the
men were drunk They had got up carousal
in JOY and honor of the coming day. But in
the morning they were sober enough. The
drums ceased to beat as soon as the prisoner
had arrived in the middle of the square his
escort fell back. He stood alone near the
right wing of the company. There was dead
silence not respiration was to be heard from
all the thousands gathered on the spot The
commanding officer read the sentence over to
him for the second time This done he eXhort-
ed the men according to custom, to dispense
with all feelings of compassion and to do
their duty conformably to the law The col
ouel went through this part of the formality in
a quick hurried manner as if he were unwill-
ing to perform it. So he was /; he knew but
too well that, in this instance, there was no
need whatever of exhortation. These prelimi-
naries being over, the prisoner was delivered
into the hands of the provost.
When the latter tore off from his uniform
the golden lace and galloons-the marks of bis
military rank-throwing them together with
the gold medal, at his feet, the face of the un-
fortunate man became purple, and his dark
eyes flashed fire, when he was stripped of his
coat and shirt, and placed at the entry of the
terrible street through which he had to pass
he became pale again. Two soldiers went
ahead of him they marched backward with
their bayonetS presented to his breast, so as ia
force him to keep measure to q drum which
brought up the rear. The drum was muffled
: its slow and dismal beats sounded like the mu.
sic of funeral procession.
When he received the first stroke his fea.
lures assumed an expression of pain, and his
firm-set lips quivered slightly. This was how.
ever, the only sign Of sensation. Crossing bis
arms over his breast and pressing bis teeth
close together, his proud face remained hence
forth immovabe. His merciless enemies en-
joyed but an incomplete triumph after all; they
might slash his body in pieces. but his proud
!, and indomitabe spirit they could not break
The blows descended with fearful violence up
on him. After the first dozen blood came
bnt never did be utter one single exclamation
of pain; neVeF--not even with look-did he
implore for mercy. An expression of scorn and
, disdain was deeply set on his face, as pale as
death. When he had reached at last the left
wing of the company, his laeerated back pre-
Sented frightful appearance. Even his most
!, exasperated enemies might we'll have been sat
isGed now if it had but been possible, the
commanding officer himself would have inter
ceded in bis behalf but this was not even tc
be thought of the law must have its course
They faced him right about he had to make
the same way back again.
There was one formality connected with