The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-13


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
bloOdloss faces and dumb, imploring eyes.
The scene was evidently painful, both to the
officer and the soldiers, accustomed as they
were to the unmcrclul code of war. They
were anxious to put an end 10 1t and leave ;
but the cergyman's son, inspired with the
belief that the fate of ten men rested upon
his efforts, continued to urge his plea with
zeal and clOqucnce that would not be set
aside. Lieutenant lamottc struggled awhile
between his scn,c OF duty and his .tural-
humanity, while the young advocate appeal
ed to his conscience and 10 the obedience
whish he owed to higher commander than
Dayoust. Finally he consented TO wait while
q sergeant was dispatched to head quarters,
accompanied by PEASANT to show him the
nearest way. \ few lines hastily penciled
stated the facts IN the case, and asked for
further Instructions.
Meanwhile, the inhabitants waited in q
state Of suspense scarcely to be endured.-
Lieut.. Lamotte-who, as thorough French
man, soon wearied of painful emotion, and
shaking it off ut risk olappcaring heartless,
said The morning is keen, anda walk be-
fore sunrise doesn't diminish the appetite ;
can YOU give us some refreshments from your
hidden supplics?' At word from the
young man, many of the women brought to-
gcthor the coffee they had prepared for their
own breakfast, with black bread, mugs of
beer, and small cheese or two-suihcient
for rough meal-of which the soldiers
partook with the usual laughing comments
on la crdGiRe Aticmandd.' The company
of victims looked on in silence, and more
than one muttercd, glOomily: I'VE are
feeding our cSecutiOneB.'
Even il tina. should be true, said the
young man, ii is but doing as Christ has
taught us. Whether or not we obtain
Christian charity from these men, lot us, at
least, show them that we are Christians
This rcbukc hadi,s effect. a few of the
men assisted in entertaining the soldiers, ana
the latter, with their facility of iratcrnizi-
ton, soon made themselves ut home. AS the
stomach fills the heart also enlarges, and the
men began to say among themselves: Ii
is pity that these men should bo shot by
mistake
1t was not long before the sergeant and his
guide arrived. The former handed the lieu
tenant note, which he hastily tore open
and read Waste no time in parlcy. Ii
is Indifferent which village is punished; an
example must be made. Do your duty and
return instantly 81 ran the pitilcss an
swcr.
Choose your men y said the lieutenant,
rising to his feet, and grinding his teeth to
keep down his faltcring heart. But now the
lamentations broke out airesh. The women
clung around the men who were dcar'tO them,
and many of the latter, overcome by the
general distress, uttered loud cries and pray
ems for mercy. The young man knclt down
in front of them, saying to the officer; 8 do
not knecl to you but will pray to God
that no will remove the Sin of slaughter from
your soul.
As the officers met his earnest eyes, full of
sublime courage and calmncss, his own sud
denly filed with tears. lie 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
checks which they could not wipe away
There was silent question in the officer s
eyc-a silent answer in theirs. The former
turned hurricdly, beckOned tho young man
to him, and whispered, in an agitatei voice
MY fricpds, will save you by strLtagem.
Choose ten of your most courageous men,
place them in line before me, and | will
order my soldiers to shoot them through the
head. At the instant | give tho order to
fire, they must fall Hat on the ground; my
soldiers will aim high, and no ono will be in
iured rs soon us the yOllcy is fired will
give the order to march-but no one must
stir from his place until we are out of sight.
These words were instantly translated to
the people, but so great was their panic, that
no one offered to move. The pastors son
their took his place, alone, in the vacant
place before the line of soldiers. Il offer
mysclf,' 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 Conrad,
n sturdy farmer, and but newly bridegroom,
Joined him-casting as he did so single en-
counging look upon his future wife, who
turned deadly pale but spake not word
One by one, rs men who hld resolved to face
death-fOr most of them had but trembling
hal(-confdencc in their escape-eight Others
walked out and took their places in line
The women shuddercd, and hid their eyes !;
the men looked steadily on, in the iascina-
ton OF terror; and the little children in awcd
but ignorant curiosity. Tue place was as
silcntas if devoid of life.
Again the lieutenant surveyed his men,
Take aim y he commanded. lie continued,
'aim mt their heads, that your work may be
we'll done y But though his voice was clear
and strong, and the tenor of his words not
10 be mistaken, cairyoyant flash of hidden
meaning ran down the line, and the men un-
derstood him. Then came the last COM
mand Fire but in the second which in
tcryencd between the word and the ringing
yollcy the ten men were already falling
The crack of the muskets and the sound Of
the falling of their bodies were simultaneous.
Without pausing an instant the Lieutenant
cried: fright about wheel" !" Forward /"
and the measured tramp of the soldiers rang
down the narrow village street.
The women uncov red their eyes and gaz-
ed. There lay the ten men, motionlcss and
apparently liielcss. With wild cries they
gathered around them; but ere their ex-
Carnations Of despair had turned into those
of Joy, the last of the soldiers had diappear-
ed in the woods. Then followed weeping
embraces, as all arose from the ground.
laughter, and sobs Of hystcrical joy. The
pastors sou, uncovering his head and knecl-
Ing down, while all revercntly followed his
example, uttered an eloquent prayer Of
thanksgiving for their mercilul deliyerancc.
What this young man had done was not
suffered to go unrcwarded. A blessing rest
cd upon his labors and his life. In the course