The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-12-21

AS the officer met his earnest eyes
full of sublime calmness and cour.
age, his own suddenly filled with tears
He turned to his men who stood drawn
up in line before him. but no word was
! spoken. There hands were in Their
proper places, according to drill regu-
lations, and there were many drops on
many cheeks which thoy could not
wipe away. There was silent ques-
tion in the officers eye-a silent an
swer in theirs The former turned
hurriedly, beckoned the young man to
him, and whispered, in an agitated
voice
"My friend, I will save you by STRAIT
agem Choose ten Of your most cour-
ageous men, place them in line be-
fore me and I will order my soldiers to
shoot them through the head. At
the instant | give the order to fire,
they must fall fiat on the ground; nv
soldiers will aim high, and no one will
be injured as soon as the volley is
fired / will give the order to march;
but no one must stir from this place
until we are out of sight"
These words were instantly .ransla-
ted to the people, but so great was
their panic, that 20 one offered to
move. The pastors son then took his
place, alone, in the vacant space before
the line of soldiers. &c offer myself"
said he, "as one trusting in God that
we shall all be saved and | call upon
those of you who have the hearts of
men in your bodies to stand beside me. "
Young Conard sturdy farmer, and
bat newly a bridegroom, joined him
casting as he did so single encourag-
ing look upon his future wife, who
turned deadly pale but spake not a
word. One by one, as men who have
resolved to face death-for the most
of them had but trembling half-con-
fidence in their escape-eight others
walked out and took their places in
line The women shuddered, and hid
their eyes the men looked steadily on,
in the fascination of terror and the
little children in awed but ignorant
curiosity. The place was as silent as
if devoid of life.
Again the lieutenant surveyed his
men. {" Take aim !" he commanded.
He continued" aim at their heads,
that your work may be we'll done !"
But though his voice was clear and
strong, and the tenor of his words not
to be mistaken, a clairvoyant fash
of hidden meaning ran down the line,
and the men understood him. Then
came the last command: Fire ~
but in the second which interviewed be-
tween the word and the ringing volley
the ten men were already falling. The
crack of the .muskets and sound of their
bodies were simultaneous. Without
pausing an instant the lieutenant cried:
=" Right about, WHEEL" "For-
ward !" and the measured tramp Of
the soldiers rang down the narrow vii
lage street.
The women uncovered their eyes
and gazed. There lay the ten men,
motionless and apparently lifeless
With wild cries they gathered around
them; but ere their EXPLANATIONS Of
despair had turned into those of JOY.
the last of the soldiers had disappeared
IN the wood. Then followed weeping
embraces. as all arose from the ground
laughter, and sohs of hySterical Joy.
Fhe pastors son, uncovering his head
and knelt down while all reverently
followed his example, uttered an elo-
quent prayer Of thanksgiving for their
merciful deliverance.
What this young man hao done was
not suffered to go unrewarded A
blessing rested upon his labors and his
life. In the course of time he became
a clergyman, filing for a while his fa-
theirs place for the people he had
saved. but was afterwards led to a
wider and more ambitious sphere. He
was called to Leipzig, received the de-
gree Of Doctor of Divinity, and final
ly became known throughout Germany
as the founder of the GUSTAV adolf
Verein (Gustavus Adolphus Union.
which has for its object the dissemina-
ton of protestant principles by means
Of voluntary contributions. In some
respects it resembles the Home Mis-
sions of our country. Many churches
built by this association, are now scat
tered throughout the United States.
The inhabitants of VALID jrf never
forgot their pastor, nor he them He
came back from time to time to spend
a few days in the quiet little village of
his youth, and where the most eventful
crisis Of his life was passed
In 1855, three ont of the ten pseu-
do-victims Of Dayoust were still living
in their old homes, and the people be-
thought them that the semi-centennial
anniversary Of such an event deserved
4 . cuocinl collaboration H. ~