Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-03-09

[hl lllls llt sun VI
pastor appeared upon the scene. lie was
"a young man Of twenty, who studied theol-
ogy in order TO become his fathers success
sor, and fortunately had some knowledge of
French. The appearance of things. with
the cries and entreaiics Of the terrified peo-
pie, told him that his help was wanted. He
Immediately addressed himself TO Lieut..
Lamotie, and asked for an explanation of
the proceedings.
81 am ordered to punish this village, an
swered The latter, for your treatment of our
soldiers last night. The marshal orders
that ten of you must be shot. The only
thing that can do is 10 allow you TO draw
lots among yourselves, or to point ou, 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 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 are
also the villages of Middle and Lower Wal
dorf which lie further down in the open
valley. You can soon satisfy yourself that
this village is entirely Innocent; and I en-
treat YOU, sir, not TO shed the blood of our
harmless people"
There is no time for investigation" said
the officer. Il was ordered TO proceed to
Waldorf and | am guided hither. | 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
boodless faces and dumb imploring eyes.
The scene was evidently painful both TO
officer and soldiers, accustomed rs they
were to sanguinary scenes and they were
anxious to put an end to it and leave but
the clergyman's son, inspired with the be-
lief that the fate of ten men depended on
his efforts, continued to urge his plea with
zeal and eloquence that would not be set
aside. Lieut.. Lamottc struggled a while
between his sense of duty and his natural
humanity, while the young advocate APP
pealed TO his conscience and to his obedi-
ence which he owed to higher command
er than Davoust. Finally he consented to
wait while servant was despatched to
headquarters accompanied by peasant to
show the way. A few lines hastily pencilled
stated the facts in the case, and asked for
further instructions.
Meanwhile the inhabitants waited, in a
state of suspense, scarcely TO be endured,
Lieutenant Lamotte-who, as a thorough
Frenchman, soon wearied of painful emo
ton. and shakingit off at risk of appear
ing heartless said. The air Is keen. and
I walk before sunrise doesn't dfmIn;Sr che an
| petite--can you give us some refreshment
from your hidden supplies At word
from the young man, many of the women
brought together the coffee they had pre-
pared 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 laugh
ing comments of ala crusina Alamanda."
The company of victims looked on in ST.
lence, and more than one muttered goomilv,
ave are feeding our executioners."
"Even if that should be true" said the
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 helped to entertain the soldiers,
and the latter with their facility of frater-
nizaton, soon made themselves at home.
As the stomach fills the heart enlarges, and
the men began to say among themselves,
at is a pity these men should be shot by
mistake.
1t was not long before the sergeant and
his guide returned. The former handed
the lieutenant note, which he hastily
opened and read: "Waste no time in par
| lev. 1t is Indifferent which village is pun
ished; an example must be made. Do
your duty and return instantly" So ran
the pitiless answer.
"Choose your men |" said the Lieuten-
ant, rising to his feet, and grinding his teeth
to keep down his f,ltering heart. But now
the lamentations broke out afresh. The
women clung around the men who were
dear to them and many of the latter, over
come by the general distress, uttered loud
cries and prayers for mercy. The young
man knelt down in front of them, saying TO
| Inc Ollfccr . i w lOt hucci W you out
will pray to God that He will remove the
sin of murder from your soul.
As the officer met his earnest eyes, full
of sublime calmness and courage, his own
suddenly filed with tears. He turned to
his men who stood drawn up in a line be-
fore him. but no word was spoken. Their
hands were in their places according TO
drill regulations, and there were drops on
MANY cheeks which they conld not wipe
away. There was a silent question in the
officers eve-a silent answer in theirs.
The former turned hurriedly, beckoned the
Young man TO him, and whispered in an
agitated voice:
.sMy friend. will save you by strategem.
Choose ten of your most courageous men,
place them in a line before me and | will
order my soldiers to shoot them through the
lead. Al the instant | give the order to
fire. they must fall fat on the ground; my
soldiers will aim high, and no one can be
injured; as soon as the volley is fired |
will give the order to march, but not one
must stir till 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
sou then took lis place. alone. in the va
cant space before the soldiers 81 offer my
self as one trusting in God that we shall
be saved and | call upon those of you
who have the hearts of men in your bodies
81 n