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

4
0as Studying theology in order to be-
! .ome his fathers successor, and fortu-
nately had some knowledge of French.
The appearance of things, without the
cries and entreaties of the terrified
neople, told him that his help was
wanted He Immediately addressed
himself to Lieut. Lamotte, and begged
for an explanation of the proceedings
"I am ordered to punish this VIII
lage," answered the latter, "for your
treatment of our soldiers last night.
The marshal orders that ten # you
must be shot. The only thing that /
can do is, to allow you to- draw lots
among yourselves, ito 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 tn valley is deep
and the village is partly concealed from
view by the woods on the side. There
are also the villages of Middle Wal
dorf and Lower Waldorf which lie
further down in the open valley. You
can soon satisfy yourself, sir that this
village is entirely innocent; and | en-
treat you not to shed the blood Of our
harmless people,"
"There is no time for investigation,
said the officer. 81 was ordered to
proceed to Waldorf. and [ am guided
hither I will wait till you make
your choice of ten to be sacrificed, but
have no authority 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, imploring eyes. The
scene was evidently painful, both to the
officer and the soldiers, accustomed as
thev were to the unmerciful code of
war. They were anxious to put an
end to it and leave; but the. clergy
mans son, inspired with the belief
that the fate of ten men rested upon
his efforts continued to urge his plea
with zeal and eloquence that would
not be set aside. Lieut.. Lamotte
struggled awhile between his sense Of
duty and his natural humanity while
the young advocate appealed to his
conscience and to the obedience which
he owed to higher commander than
Davoust. Finally he consented to
wait while sergeant was dispatched
to head quarters, accompanied by
peasant to show him the nearest way.
A few lines hastily penciled stated the
facts in the case, and asked for further
instructions.
Meanwhile, the inhabitants waited
in state of suspense scarcely to be
endured. Lieutenant Lamotte-who,
as a thorough Frenchman, soon wea-
ried of painful emotion, and shaking
it off at the risk Of appearing heart
less-said: '.:The morning is keen,
and a walk before sunrise dOsen't di-
minish the appetite can you give US
some refreshments from your hidden
supplies ?" AT word from the young
man, many Of the women brought to-
gether the coffee they had prepared
for their own breakfast, with black
bread, mugs of beer, and small cheese
or two-sufficient for rough meal
of which the soldiers partook with the
usual laughing comments on ia ere1s-
me AtLemandG The company of
victims looked on in silence. and more
than one muttered, gloomily: " We
are feeding our exeeutioners.
Gwen if that should be true" said
the young man, it 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.
This rebuke had its effect A few
of the men assisted in en-; ertaining the
soldiers, and the latter with their ia
cility of determination, soon made
themselves at home. AS the stomach
: fills the heart also enlarges, and the
, men began to say among themselves :
at is pity that these men should be
shot by mistake"
It 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 in parley. 1t is indifferent
, which village is punished ; an example
must be made. Do your duty and re-
turn instantly" So ran the pitiless
answer.
"Choose your men p said the lieu
tenant, rising to his feet, and grinding
his teeth to keep down his faltering
} heart. But now the lamentations
broke out afresh. The women clung
around the men who were dearto them
and many of the latter, overcome by
3 the general distress, uttered loud cries
!, and prayers for mercy. The young