Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-27

~ hCCp oo"H MS idtciiuS btdr1s Dut
now the lamentations broke out afresh.
The women clung around the men who
were dear to them, and many of the lat
ter, overcome by the general distress, ut
tered loud cries and prayers for mercy
The young man knelt down in front of
them, saying: II do not kneel to you !;
but viii pray to God that he will re-
move the sin of slaughter from your soul" :"
As the officer met his earnest eyes,
full of sublime calmness and courage, his
own suddenly fiifed with tears. He turn
ed to his men who stood drawn ND 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 81
lent question in the officers eye--a silent
answer in theirs. The former turned
hurriedly, heckoned the young man 10
him, and whispered in an agitated voice
My friend, will save you by STRAIT
agrm. Choose ten of your most coura-
geous men, place them in line before
me and win order my men to shoot
them through the lead. At the instant
give the order to fire, they must fall
fiat on the groun; my soldiers will aim
high and no one will be injured; as soon
as the vOlley is fired l will give the or
der 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 dared to move. The
pastors son then took his place, alone, III
the vacant space before the line of sol
diers. e / off-r myself" said he, "as
one trusting in God that we shall all b..
saved; and | call upon those of you who
have the hearts of men in your bodies to
stand beside me-" Young Conard, a
sturdy farmer, and but newly a bride
groom, Joined him-casting as he did SC
a single encouraging look upon his future
wife, who turned deadly pale but spake
not a word. One by one, as men who
have resolved TO face death-tor the
most of them had but trembling half.
confidence in their escape-eight Others
walk I'd out and took their places in line
The women shuddered, and hid their
eyes; and the men looked steadily on, in
the fascination of terror; and the little
children in awed but ignorant curiosity.
The place was as silent as if devoid Of
life.
|. Again the lieutenant surveyed his men
Take aimr he commanded. lie con.
;lnued-" aim at their heads, that your
work may be well done" But though
his voice was clear and strong, and the
tenor of his words not TO be mistaken, a
clairyoyant fash of hidden meaning rar
down the line, and the men understood
him. Then came the last command
. Fire :" but in the second which inter
vened between the word and the ringing
volley, the ten men were already falling
The crack of the muskets and sound o.
their bodies were simultaneous. With.
out pauSing an instant the lieutenant
cried: Right about wheel p "For
ward" and the measured tramp of tht
soldiers rang down the narrow village
street.
The women uncovered their eyes anC
gazed. There lay ten men, moiionless ant
apparently lifeless. With wild cries the,
gathered around them; but ere thri
exclamations of despair had turned int
; those of joy, the last of the soldiers hat
disappeared in the wood. Then followe,
weeping embraces, as all arose from th,
sround-iaughter, and sobs of hysterica
JOY. The pastors son uncovered hi
head and knelt down; while all reyer
emily followed his example, uttered al
eloquent prayer of thanksgiving for thei
merciful drliveranee.
What this young man had done wa
not suffered to 60 unrewarded. A bless
ing rested upon his iabors and his life
In The course Of time he became a CLERGY
man, filling for a while his fathers plac,
for the people he had saved, but was af
terwardS led to wider and more ambi
tious sphere. He was called to Leipzig
received the drgree OF Doctor Of Divinity
and finally became known throuahou
Germany as the the founder of the Gus
tao Adotph Vsyin (Gustavus Adolphu
Union which has for its oI,i-et the dis
Summation of protestant principles b,
means of voluntary contributions. Il
some respects it resembles the Hon.
Missions of our country. Many churches
built By this association, are nov scatter
ed throughout the United States.
DI The inhabitants o,f Waldarf n..xs- g.