Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-12-31

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have visited our village before you. We have
truly been in great fear and anxiety the whole
night; but the valley is deep and the village is
partly concealed from view by the woods on the
side. There is 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 shed the blood of our harm
less people"
"There is no time for investigation" said the
officer. 81 was ordered to proceed to Waldorf,
and am guided hithcr. will wait until 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 scenr was evident
ly painful, both to the officers and soldiers, ac-
customed as they were to the unmercifu code
of war. They were anxious to put an end to
it and leaves but the clergyman's son, inspired
with the belief that the fate of ten men rested
upon his efforts, continued to urge his plea with
a 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
~
commander than Davoust. Finally he consent
ed to wait while a sergeant was dispatched to
head quarters accompanied by peasant to show
him the nearest way. A few lines hastily pen
ciled stated the facts in the case, and asked for
further Instructions
Meanwhile, the inhabitants waited in state
of suspense scarcely to be endured. Lieut.. La
mottc-who, as a thorough Frcnchman, soon
weared of painful emotion, and shaking it
off at the risk of appearing heartess-said -
"Ihe morning is keen, and a walk before sun
rise doesn't diminish the appetite; can you give
us some refreshments from your hidden sup
plies" Ata word from the young man, many
of the women brought together 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 SOL
diers partook with the usual laughing comments
on "id ciWisine -iHemdndd." The company Of
victims looked on in silence, and more than one
muttered gloomily: 1--WE are feeding our exc
cutioners."
"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
This rebuke had its effect. A few of the men
assisted in entertaining the soldiers, and the
latter with their facility of fraternization, 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"
II was not long before the sergeant and his
guide arrived. The former handed the leuten-
ant a 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 return instantly
So ran the pitiess answer.
CHOOSE your men, said the lieutenant, ris-
ing to his feet, and grinding his teeth to keep
down his fealtering heart. But now the lamen-
tations broke out afresh The women clung
around the men who were dear to them, and
many of the latter, overcome by the general
distress, uttered loud cries and prayers for mer-
cy. The young man knet down in front Of
them, saying to the officer: "I do not kneel tc
you; but | will pray to God that he will re.
move the sin of slaughter from your soul"
As'the officer met his earnest eyes, full o
sublime calmness and courage, his own sudden
ly filled with tears. He turned to his men who
stood drawn up in line before him, but no word
was spoken. Their hands were in their proper
places, according to drill regulations; and there
were drops on many cheeks which they could
not wipe away. There was a silent ques.
ton i'll the officers eyt-a silent answer il
theirs. The former turned hurriedly, beckon.
) ed the young man to him, and whispered in an
agtated voice:
, "My friend, will save you by stratagem.-
Choose ten Of your most courageous men, place
them in line before me and | will order my
men to shoot them through the head. At Tho
instant ! give the order 70 fire, they must fal
) flat on the ground my soldiers will aim high
and no one will be injured; as soon as the vol
ley is fred will give the order to march bu
: no one must stir from his place until we are ou
? of sight"
These words were instantly translated to tn,
, people, but so great was their panic that no one
dared to move. The pastors son then took hi:
place, alone, i'll the vacant space before the lin,
: of soldiers. 81 offer myself" said he, "as on,
trusting in God that we shall all be saved and
/ call upon those of you who have the hearts o
men in your bodies to stand beside me-" Young
Conard, sturdy farmer and but newly bride
, groom, joined him-casiing as he did so sin
gle encouraging look upon his future wife, VIII,
: turned deadly pale but spake not word On,
, by one, as men who have resolved TO face dealt
for the most of them had but trembling
+ half-confdence in their escape-eight other
walked out and took their places in line. Tn
l women shuddered, and hid their eyes; and tn
; men looked steadily on, in the fascination q
, terror; and the little children in awed but ig
norant curiosity. The place was as silent as
devoid Of life.
! Again the lieutenant surveyed his men,
a "Take aim !" he commanded. lie continued
"aim at their heads, that your work may be wei
= donew But though his voice was clear an
= strong, and the the tenor of his words not t
: be mistaken, clairvoyant flash of hidden mean
G ing ran down the line, and the men understood
4 him. Then came the last command "Fire!
c but in the second which intervened between tn
d word and the ringing volley, the ten men wer
y already falling. The crack of the muskets an
d sound of their bodies were simultaneous. Will
e out pausing an instant the lieutenant cried :
e "Right about wheelr' "Forward p and tn
= measured tramp of the soldiers rang down tn
: narrow village street.
The women uncovered their eyes and gazeC
h There lay ten men, motionless and apparent
II lifeless With wild cries they gathered aroun
c them; but ere their exclamations of despair ha
turned into those of joy, the last of the soldier
d had disappeared in the wood. Then followe
If weeping embraces, as all arose from the groun
r laughter and sobs of hysterical joy. Th
e pastors son, uncovered his head and kne
: down; while all reverently followed his exam
C pie, uttered an eloquent prayer of thanksgiyin
e for their merciful deliverance.