Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-07-05

in an accent so low and gentle that it thrilled
10 every heart; 81 must understand what
has taken place before I can pledge myself to
anything. War is a fearful ordeal for wo-
man, and doubly so for one so young and
helpless as yourself
lie had scarcely ceased speaking, however
when a heavy irowu gathered upon bis brow,
and dark light shonc in his eyes. All be
saw revealed the truth at once the Major
with his pistol still rasped in his iron hand
the di.fgured corpse, its white hairs dabbled
ia blood--the frantic woman, careless of all
the conventionalities Of her sex, though sur
rounded by a horde Of ruthless soldiery--the
child, pale, but fearless calling TO his father
20 awake from the drcamless sleep from which
there is no waking upon this earth After
one rapid, eagle-like glance he understood It
all, and at once felt that there was room nei-
Their for doubt nor justification. His eye
flashed as be crushed his glove in his clasped
fingers, and turned abruptly toward the muir
derer, who stood before him trembling stupe-
fed, and stammering out a few incohcrent
words of explanation aud excuse.
"You are a coward sir o. he exclaimed,
vehemently You have assassinatcd
wounded and dcicnccless mana brave sol
dier--in the presence Of his wife. who cried
TO you for mercy. 1t was the action Of a fell
on 90
General ---,' gaspod the cuprit, who
felt that he was lost
Can you deny the charge that | have
brought against you; Can You produce one
witness TO prove that ! have accused you
wrongiully: o, do it, sir, do IL: that
may be spared the shame. of knowing that a
murderer has for fifteen years been sheltered
beneath the flag of France
General. / was ordered TO perform my du-
ty ia the face of the enemy and have per-
formed it. He would have taken my life, and
have taken his. The game was an even
ONE
" Silence, sir, silence :" was the stern re-
ply. "A fallen foe should be as sacred as a
friend. Face to face, and foot to foot, every
loyal soldier should meet his foe but, TO
shoot down an unarmod man--to murder IN
cold blood one who is incapable of resistance
Pah it is sckcning. You are no longer wor-
thy to serve the Republic nor shall you do
so another hour. Deliver to me upon the in
slant your sword, your epaulcttcs, and your
decoration. From this moment you cease to
belong TO the twenty-secoud demi- brigade
you cease to belong to the army Of Italy
The Major looked up haughuly.
General he exclaimed steadily, but with
the concentrated emotion Of one who was
yielding up the better portion Of his exist
cncc here are my cross and my sword
now demand a court martial
Iou shall have one, sir you shall have
one; and no later than tomorrow, was tho
rejoinder. Then turning towards tho officers,
who had remained silent spectators of this
exciting scene, the general approached the
corpse OF the Austrian veteran, and removing
his hat, said, solemnly, Follow my example,
gentlemen; too much honor can never be
paid to the fallen brave
During the remainder Of this frightial day
the young widow became a prey to the most
agonlzing despair After having seen her
husband laid in his grave with all the impress
sing ceremonies Of military funeral, the un-
fortunate woman, who had lost in one hour
all that she had loved on earth except her
child, fell into perfect state Of apathy--that
apathy alike of souland body, which is not ia
tigue, which is not terror, which is not mad
ness, but the utter apathy Of despair. Not
even the fears or caresses OF her son, the idol
of her maternal heart, could rouse her she
felt not the kisses upon her lips she was
unconscious that his loving arms were clasp
ed about her neck; she broathed, but that was
So long as she had husband to ayenge, a
child to defend, she had retained strength
and courage to speak and to act but now
that the assassin of her husband had under
gone the disgrace of public degradation
while the prompt and fearful retribudon Of a
military tribunal threatened his life, she re-
membered only the immensity Of her loss, the
depth Of her bereavement and she was con
1 al pH
when early on the following morning,
French aid-de-camp came to apprise her tina
the general-in-chief desired an interview will
her at the town hall, in which he had estab
lished his head quarters
Without the hesitation Of a moment, tn
newly made widow took her child by tn
hand, who was rale and feeble with terro
and want Of rest, and then lifting him in he
arms. she followed the messenger with firm
step, but without having uttered a syllable.
introduced at once into the Council Cham
Der. she found herself in the midst of all thu
most celebrated generals Of the French arm,
those men who were subsequently to fulfil
such different destinies-who were TO gai1
or lose thrones, and to leave upon the field O
battle, or in the intrigues Of courts, or ami
political conspiracles, some their honor AM
others their heads.
In their midst stood the gonoral-in-chcf-
his arms folded lightly across his breast, an,
his eyes bent upon the ground.
As the lady entered, he looked toward
her, advanced in silence and led her to he
seat; passed his hands with melanchol
smile over the fair curs of her boy, and thei
commenced slow and measured walk from
end TO end Of the apartment
This sudden summons. this strange recep
ton, and the deep silence which reigne,
around her, at first astonished and finally a
harmed the unhappy woman. A vague feel
ing Of terror stole over her, but she could no
articulate one sentence to inquire Of thos
with whom she had been strangely brough
into contact what she had to fear or what Il
hope.
Suddenly. the roll Of mufiled drum iel
upon her cara discharge of musketry fol
lowed it--and the report had no sooner die,
away, than the general-in.ohief stood motion
less for an instant, and then approache,
her, and took her hand, and led her to tn
window from which she stood looked dow
upon the melancholy close of military extcu
ton.
Shrink not, madame he said, as with
natural horror she averted her head from th
inf a. . . IL.