The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-12-10

At this juncture, the son of the village
pastor appeared upon the scene. He was
young man Of twenty, who was study
ing theology in order to become his fa-
theirs successor, and fortunately had some
knowledge of French. The appearance
Of things, without the cries and entreaties
of the terrified people, told him that his
help was wanted. He Immediately adj
dressed himself to-h;eutenant L anotte.
and begged for an explanation of the pro-
ceedings.
81 am ordered to punish this village"
answered the latter, "for your treatment of
our soldiers last night. The marshal or
ders that ten of you must be shot. The
only thing that | can do is, to allow you
to draw lots among yourselves, or to
point out those concerned in the outrage"
"But," continued the young man, "your
general has been misinformed. No French
soldiers have visited our village before
you. We have truly been in great fear
and anxiety the whole night; but the val
ley is deep and the village is partly con-
cealed from view by the woods on the side.
There are, also, the villages of Middle
and Lower Waldorf, which lie further
down in the open valley. You can soon
satisfy yourself, sir that this village is
entirely innocent; and entreat you not
to she'd the blood of our harmless people,"
There is no time for investigation"
said the officer. u was ordered to pro-
coed to Waldorf, and am guided hither
l will wal. till you make your choice of
ten to be sacrificed, but have no author
ity to do more"
By this time the people had learned
the fate in store for them. The women
with tears and appealing gestures crowded
around the officer, begging him to spare
their sons and husbands; the men stood
silent, with bloodless faces and dumb
implorins eyes. The scene was evidently
painful, both to the officer and the sold
ierS, accustomed as they were to the I'M
merciful code of war; They were anxious
to put an end to it and leave; but the
clergyman's son, inspired with the belief
that the fate of ten men rested on his eff
forts, continued to urge his plea with a
zeal and eloquence that would not be set
aside. Lieut.. Lafnotte struggled awhile
between his sense of duty and his natural
humanity, while the young advoc ate ap-
pealed to his conscience and to the obed-
fence which he owed to a higher com
mander than Davoust. Finally he con-
sented to wait while sergeant was dis
patched to head quarters, accompanied by
l-apoesent- to show hiD. -the-nsarsst- way.
A few lines, hastily penciled, stated the
facts n ho onA oef-ol e., L..
instructions.
Meanwhile, the inhabitants waited in a
state of suspense scarcely to be endured.
Lieutenant Lamotte, who, as thorough
Frenchman, soon wearied Of painful
emotion, and shaking it off at the risk of
appearing beartless, said "The morning
is keen, and a walk before sunrise does MT
diminish the appetite, can you give us
some refreshments from your hidden sup
plies!" At word from the Dung man,
many of the women brought together the
coffee they had prepared for their own
breakfast, with black bread, mugs of beer,
and G small cheese or two, sufficient for a
rough meal, of which the soldiers partook
with the usual laughing comments on ga
cuisine AHemandd" The company of
victims looked on in silence, and more
than one muttered gloonily: 1--WE are
feeding our executioners,'
Even if that should be true" said the
young man, sit is but doing as Christ has
taught us. Whether or not we obtain
Christian charity from these men, let us
at least, show them that we are Christians. u
This rebuke had its effect. A few oil
the men assisted in entertaining the sol.
diers, and the latter with their facility o.
determination soon made themselves a
home. As the stomach fills, the hear
also enlafges, and the men began to say
among themselves: ut is a pity thai
these men should be shot by mistake"
1t was not long before the sergeant and
his guide arrived. The former handed
the lieutenant note, which he hastily
tore open and read. "Waste no time il
| parley. 1t is Indifferent which village i:
punished; an example must be made
Do your duty and return intantly" Sc
ran the pitiless answer.
"Choose your meul" said the lieuten
ant, rising to his feet and. grinding hi.
teeth to keep down his falteting heart
But now tho lamentations broke out afresh
The women chung around the men tina
were dear to them, aud many of the lat.
ter overcome by the general distress, ut
tered loud cries and prayers for mercy
The young man knelt down in front o
them, saying to the officer. Il do no
kneel to you; bat will pray to God tina
He will remove the sin of slaughter from
your SOUL"
As the officer met his earnest eyes, full
of subdued calmuess and courage, hi
own suddenly filled with tears. He turn
ed to his men who stood drawn up in lint
before him, but no word Yves spok en-
Their hands were in their PROPER places
according to drill regulations; and Their,
were drops on many cheeks which the,
could not wipe away. There was e!leh
question in his eyed silent answer il
theirs. Tho former turned hurriedly
beekoned the young man to him, ans
whispered in an agitated voices
my friend, viii save you by strata
gem. Choose ton Of your most courage
Gus men, place them in a line before me
and l will order them shot through tn,
head. At the instant give the order t
fire, they must fall to the ground; m,
1 soldiers will aim high, and no one will b,
injured; as soon as the volley is fired !.
will give the order to march; but no on,
must stir from his place till We are out o
sight" 81
These words were instantly Translates
to the people, but so great was their pani
that no one offered to move. The pastor,
son then took his place, alone, in the va
cant space before the line of soldiers. q.
offer myself" said he "as one trusting il
God that we shall all be saved; and cal
upon those of you who have the hearts o
men in your bodies to stand beside me.
Young Conard, sturdy farmer, and bu
newly a bridegroom, joined him-castin.
as he did so a single encouraging lool
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 atremblins