The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-01-25

enlargss. and the men begin to say among
themselves: alt is pity that these nen
should be shot by mistake"
Il was not long before the sargent and
bis guide arrived. The former handed
the lieutenant note, which he hastily
tore open and read. "Waste no time in
parley. It is indifferent which village is
punished: an example must DO made
Do your duty, and return instantly" So
ran the piti!ess answer.
"Choose your men" said the ioutcn.
ant, rising to his feet and grinding his
teeth to kosp down bis faltoring heart
But nov the lamentations broke ont
afresh. The women ching around the
men who were dear to them, and many
OF the latter, overcome by the general dis
tress, uttered load cries and prayers for
mercy. The young man knelt down in
front Of thom, saying TO the officer 81 do
not kneol to you; but will pray to God
that be will remove the sin of slaughter
from your SOUL"
As the officer met his eyes, full of q
sublime calmness and courage, his own
suddenly filled with tears. He TUNED to
bis mon, who stood drawn up in line be-
fore him, but no word was spken. Their
hands were in their proper places, accord
ing to drill regulations; and there were
drops on many cheeks which they could
not wipe away. There was silent CUES
ton in the officers eye--a silent answer
in theirs. II former turned hurriedly,
bockoned tho young man to him, and
whispered, in IN agitated voice:
"My friend, will save you by strata
gom. Choose ten Of your most courageous
men, place them in line before me, and
I will order my soldiers to shoot them
through the head. At the instant give
the order to fire, they must fall flat on
the ground; my soldiers will aim high,
and no enc will be injured; as soon rs the
velley il fired will give the order to
march; but no one must stir from this
place until we are out Of sight"
These words were instantly translated
to the people, but so great WINS their
panic, that no one offered to move. The
pastors son then took his place, alone, in
the vacant space before the line of soldiers.
81 offer myself" said he, "as one trusting
in God that we shall all be saved; and l
call upon those of you who have the
hearts of men in your bodies, to stand boz
side me-" Young Conrad, sturdy
former, and but newly bridegroom,
joined him-casting as &C did SO a single
encouraging look upon dis future wife.
who Turned deadly pale but spoke not q
word. One by ono, as men who had re-
solved TO face death-for the most of them
had but q trembling half confidence in
their esaapo-eight oshers walked out md
took their placos' in line. The women
shudderod and hid their eyes; the men
looked steadily on in the fascination Of
terror, md she little children in awod but
ignorans curiosity. The place was as ai-
lens as il devoid OF life.
Again she lieutenant surveyed his mon.
''TaAs ain r. he commanded. He con-
tinn8d-"airn es their beads, that your
work may be we'll donoI" But though
his veice was clenr and stEong, and the
tenor Of his words not to be mistaken 6
clairvoyans flesh Of hidden meaning ran
down the line, and the men understood
him, Then came the last command:
sFire r--but in the second which inter.
vened between the terrible word an
the ringing volley the ten men were al
ready falling. The crack of the muskets
and the sound Of their bodies were sim
Infamous. Without pausing On instant
the lieutenant cried: "Right about wheel I
"Forward p and the measured tramp of
the soldiers rang down the narros village
street.
The women uncovered their eyes and
gazed. There lay the ten men motion
less, and apparently lifeless. With wild
cries they gathered around them; but ere
their exclamation of despair had turned
| into those ofjoy, the last of the soldiers
had disappeared in the wood. Then fol-
lowed weeping embraces, as all arose from
the granddaughter, and sobs ofhyster-
ical Joy. The pastors son uncovering
his head, knelt down, while all reverently
followed bis example, and uttered an elo-
quent prayer Of thanksgiving for their de-
liyerance.
What this young man lad done was
not suffered to 60 unrewarded. 4 bless
ing rested upon his labors and bis life
| Tn the courza of time ha hecerna q oIaro,v