Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-11-07


the hand he shook it warmly. Bidding
him farwell, he gave him permission to
address his companions in arms. This
mark Of kindness moved the condemned
man, AMI tear started to his eye; but
luckily, regaining his comp osurc, he ad-
dressed those who were to lay him low in
death.
"Comrades, / have come here to die
like man and soldier; I am guilty Of
no crime; l have never dishonored my
country or regiment; l have fought by
your side in the thickest of battle, when
the guns of the enemy poured hot lead in
our ranks, and swept our brave country
men like chaff before the whirl-wind.
But you can all affirm that ! did not quail
or faltcr when the grim monstar stared
me in the face. And should | tremble
now, when am to die by the hands of
my beloved comrades. No! | consider
it as an honor, and the last sound that
will ever greet my ears will be the go-
rious dying music Of your own true guns
as fall. know that you will not suffer
my ashes to go unavenged. Let not your
hands tremble, but with firm, steady
aim, level your pieces at my breast, when
! give the word fire, for would have the
mark of every man, if you love me. Com
rades, farewell and may we all meet
where the warrior rests from his battles
and his victories"
The soldiers brought their pieces to
their shoulders, but stopped suddenly as
the frantic Cadeline rushed into the arms
Of her lover
"Oh, Anthony Anthony you must
not die; Colonel Laviller will have
mercy; he cannot be so cruel as to murder
you"
"Cadeline, there is no hope am pre-
pared to die, but this meeting unnerves me.
| could have wished You had been spared
this scene, but calm Yourself and do not
weep, when | am gone. You will not
want for defenders, for my regiment, vii!
go hard with him who dares to insult,
Cadeine, be his rank what it may"
"Commandant," said Col Lavillier in
an impatient tone, ait is past the time
ordered for the execution; separate them
) and perform your duty"
With great difficulty Cadeline was torn
: from the embrace of Martel, and convey
ed Il distance from the spot.
The word READY was given, and quick
ly followed by the second command
PRESENT, AIM, and the fourth and last
fatal word FIRE was on the lips of the
commandant, when stern voice from a
person who stood short distance apart,
, closely mullled up, gave the command to
, RECOVER ARMS.
SO suddenly y was the order, that every
eye was turned to the person who had
: thus dared nnceremoniously to counter
mand an order on SO important an occa-
sion.
"Order that man under arrest" said
, Col. Lavillier.
AS the person approached rapidly to
where ne stood, throwing his cloak from
, his face, the astonishcd officer behed in
him Field Marshal Macdonald.
"Will Col. Lavillier inform me for
what crime the culrrit suiltrs?"
, ''tor an attempt on my life with a
pistol, was the answer.
) care you sure he is the guilty one?"
Q "Yes.'
| w III you not pardon him.
l at has been decided by a court martial
= that he shall die"
;, "Still you have the same power to
| pardon him."
k g" decline all interference in the course
= of Justice" said he.
n Il do not" said Macdonald, "thereforC
d | stop the execution. Anthony Marie
a is not guilty"
i "Nlay | ask your eXcellency who is?'
y asked Lavillier, with an uneasy air.
@ 81 am" said Macdonald.
= "Will you please to explain to me th
c mystory?'
c 81 will. Having business of import
). ance with you on tho evening of the as
sault, | called AT your headquarters, foun,
: you not. On enquiry | learned the di
If rection you had taken, and followed il
pursuit Finding that you had entere,
- Oadeline's cottage, arrived Just in tim
to be an unohserved witness of your vii
5 lainy, and the ball, which only shattere
your arm, was fired by me, and had
r not been for endangering the life of tn
/, girl, it should have reached your heart
I WI hiull'l, Sltti NbU III VI VI
e, EMPEROR, to whom | have related you
N case, and who has been pleased to conic
N this honor aud title upon you. Col La
vlllcr your sword henreiorth you al
1t no longer an officer in the grand army
re and now take Martel'S place and recciv
T. the guns that n moment since, were aim
ne ed at the breast OF an innocent mani
r Every heart beat with JOY Mt the sud
S, den change. Poor I.avillier, tremblin
with fear and shame, was led to the re
OF flag. Again the fear III orders were Civ
en-, but the heart of the culprit sank with
ul in him, and he imploled for mercy.
ty "llow can you ask for that which bu
er few moments since you refused an il
er nocent man?"
ar Il own my fault" was the reply.
he "Then refer you to Col. Martel, VIII
ii. has full power to pardon You or not, t
10 he thinks proper" said Macdonald.
@ "Col, -rtel," said the disgraced o
fccr, "darc hope for mercy?"
he Il grant you full and uncoudition,
G. pardon. You are at liberty" was Il
willing reply Of Martcl, "and do not fo
e. get to show mercy that you may receiN
ly the same.
n BY this time Cadeine heard the gla,
m some tidings which spread rapidly thr,
Ia 4 L.. Il,