Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-12-30

II
and the village Is partly concealed from
view by the wood. on the side. There src
also the villages Of Middle and Lower Wal.
dorf, which lic farther down in the open
valley. You can soon satisfy yourself, cir,
that this village is entirely innocent [; and
entroat you sir not to sized the blood Of our
harmless people"
There I. no time for investigation, ("
saiG the officer. "l was ordered to proe,e oil
to Waldorf, and am guided hiihsr.
will wai, until you make your choice oI
ten to be sacrificed, bat have no authority
to do more"
by thi. time tho people had learned the
fate in store Tor .bcm. The women will
tears aud appealing gestures erovd'd d
around tho Oaecr begin: him to spare
their son. and husbands; the men stood 81.
lent, with bloodlcss faces and dumb, implor'
ing oye.. The scene was evidently pliniul
both to officer and soldiers, accustomed a'
they were anxious TO pot an end TO il and
leave but the clergyman. son, inspired
with the belief that the tato Of ten men Dc.
pended on his efforts, continued 20 urge
his plea with a real and oloQueneo iha,
would no, be ,c, aside. Lieut. lAmolts
struggled while between his sense Of duty
and hi, natural humanity while the young
advocate appealed to his conscience and to
hi. obedicnci which no owed ~ a higher
commander than DAsou.,. Finslly he con.
srniod 10 wni, whilo servant was des.
patched t1 head quarters accompanied by a
peasant to show tho way 4 few line.
hastily rsncillcd stated th, facts in the
case. aud asked for further Instructions.
Meanwhile. the inhabitants waited, in
a state u suspense scarcely to bo endured,
Lieutenant Tamoi,e-who. a. thorough
Frcnchmnu. .,on wcArisl oc painfdl emo
ton. and shaking it oG at risk Of appear.
in. hear,lc.s-aid tho ar il keen. aud a
walk before sunrise d,ssn't diminish The
appetite can you give us some reire.hmcnt
from your hidden 'unpliss7" At word
from tho young man, many Of the women
brough, together the eo1-e they had pre-
pared Tor their own breakfast. with black
bread, mugs OF beer, aud small cheese or
ivo-sufhcient Tor a rough menl-ol which
the soldiers partook With tue usual laugh
ins COMMENT. of " 20 aruaHs Aii,maadd." ."
The company Of victims looked on in 81
lenco. and more than one muiterci, elomi.
ly: We ATE feeding our ctccu,ion.r'. -
Even IL lha, should he true" said the
man. 1T j. but doiusa' Christ ha. taught
US. Whether Or not We obtain Chrrsiian
charity from these men, let u, At least
show ,hsm that We arr christians"
TAis rebuke had it. effect. 4 few Of thc
men helped to entertain the soldiers, AMI
the latter with their facility Of fra,Srnir.
ton, s5on made themselves at home. Al,
the stomach fll. the hear, also cnlarge,,
and shc men began TO say among thcm.ci.
yes: "Is is apity these mon should be
sho, by mistake"
Il W.. not long before tho sergeant and
hl. guide returned. The former handed the
lieutenant note, which he hastily tore
opsn and read. Waste no tins IN par.
ley. iti. Indifferent which village is pun.
ishsd an example must be made. DO your
duty and return instantly" 81 ran the
piiiles answer.
"Choo.c your men - sad the lieutenant
rising to hi. feet, and grinding his teeth to
keep down his ALTERING hoarI But now
the lamentations broke ou, aire'h. The
women dung around the men who were
dear to them, and many Of the latter over
come by the general distress, uttered loud
erie. aud prayer. for mercy. Tho young
man kncl, down in iron, Of them, sayIng to
the officer 81 do not kueol to you but |
will pray to God that he will remove the
sin ofslaughter from your soul"
A. the officer met hl, earncs, eyes, full Of
a sublime calmness and courage, his own
suddenly filed with tears. lie turned To-
hi. men who stood drawn up in u line be-
fore him. but no word was spoken. Their
hand. were In their places according to.
drill regulations and there were drops on
many cheeks which they could not vine
away. There was a silent question in the
officers eyo-a silent answer in theirs.
The former turned burrielly, bcckonsd the
young man to him, and Whispered, in an
agitated voice
My friend, | will save you by strata
gem. Choose ten OF your most courageous
men, place them in lns before me, and
will order my soldiers to shoe, them through
the head. At the instant give the order
to FIRE. they must fall "a, on the ground {;
nv soldiers will aim high. and no one will
be injured as soon as the volley is hrei |
will give the order to march but no Que
must stir I'LL We are out Of sight"
These words we're instantly translated to
the people, bu, 80 great was thoir panic
that no ono offered to move. The pastors
son then took h. place, alone. IN the va
cant space before tho soldiers. II oier
myself" as Que trusting in. God that wo
shall be saved and | call upon those OF you
who have the hearts Of men in your bodies
TO stand beside me-" Young Couard, a.
sturdy farmer, and bu. newly a bridegroom,
ioined him--castIng as be did 50 a single
encouraging look upon his future wife, who
turned deadly but spake not word. One