Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-01-30


sultingly spokeh."
Never" ... l. ZOO
"Dare you defy me to my face2 Thus, then
let me prove my words by snatching q breath
of the sweet fragrance Of your scornfull lips. :"
And clasping his arms around the form
Of Cadeline, Lavillier endsayored to put his
threat into execution.
Help, mercy u exclaimed she.
At this moment the report Of pistol in
the hands Of the stranger we have before
mentioned was heard, and the bullet shat.
tered the arm of the aggressor, rendering
him powerless. But whence came the shot
both were unable 70 tell. and Anthony Mar
tel rushed in by another door. Observing
the wild appearance of Cadeline, breaking
from the arms Of the Colonel, in an instant
he OWNED the whole, and with powerful
blow he laid the intruder at his feet
By this time the report of fire arms had
brought detachment Of soldiers to the spot,
who, on entering the room were immediate
ly ordered to arrest Anthony, for attempt
ing to murder his superior officer In vain
Cadeline protested his innocence-they put
him under strong guard.
On the following morning an unusual ac-
tivity among the officers told that something
of more than ordinary Importance was to
take place, as each one fastened to the
quarters of the commandant Though a
court martial is not very unusual thing, yet
it is sufficiently rare to attract attention in
camp.
Soon the quick roll of the drum told that
the court had convened and was ready to
try criminal Within spacious tent, was
gathered large number of officers in full
uniform. Seated on raised platform was
Gen. Lovick, acting as judge Another roll
of the drum announced the entrance of the
prisoner.
"Of what is the man oharged?" asked the
judge.
For attempting to destroy the life of his
superior officer, Colonel Lsvillier, said the
advocate.
"And where is the accuser?' continued the
Court.
"Here, mayit please your excellency," re-
piled the Colonel, whose arm was done up
in sling.
"How came Anthony Martel to attempt
your life?'' ar
"Iknow not, said Lavillier."
"What provoked the insult ?"
"A conversation with young girl with
whom the prisoner is acquainted"
''Is that all?"
"Itis, your excellency."
After short consultation with the other
officers, the Judge turned to the prisoner and
thus addressed him: ~
Anthony Martsl, you have been found
guilty of an attempt to murder superior
of which is death. What have you to say
Slty,of the law which you'havs violated n =
l. aMartel, who stood as though unconscious
till now, raised his manly form; he bent his
eyes searchingly upon the Colonel. and said
in firm voice l. 2hi DOB 4
"Your excellency, am aware that any
vindication which l may make, will be oi
no avail, but being permitted, l will speak
the truth, that my fellow soldiers may know
that l die innocent of the charge laid upon
me. l did not fire upon Colonel ,Lavillier
and had no weapon when arrested At the
moment I entered the dwelling of Cadeline
found her struggling in his arms. l stop,
ped not to inquire his rank, but struck hin
with my double fist to the floor. This isal
| have done, and had it been the Emperor
himself. in his place, would have doue like
wise. For the duty ofa true soldier is t.
protect the innocent and defenceless. an
willing to debut my death shall not be
unavenged, for the grass shall not have GOV.
:. cred my grave before my comrades shall
have found the murderer's heart: for there
is not one who will shrink when the houl
comes. l am ready-pass your sentence.
\ "Martel, your language does not become
q man who is on the threshold of eternity. y
Il Truth becomes man at all times, re
piled Anthony. -,
Col. Lavillier, during the time the pris
oner was talking seemed greatly excited anG
turned pale; he knew that Martel was
great favorite in the regiment, and he fearet
his own life was in danger. 0....
"An'hony Martel," said the judge, "tht
} sentence of the Court is, that you die to
morrow at sunrise, and that you be shot b.
twelve of your companions.
Again the roll of the drum told that tn,
case had been decided, and they were abou
to conduct the prisoner to his quarters
when young girl rushed past the guard in
!. to the tent, and prostrating herself at tn,
feet of the presiding officers, exclaimed
"He is innocent spare him he did moi
shoot Col Lavillier.
As the tears rolled down her beautifu
face, every heart was touched with pity, saw
. one. He stood unmoved by her supplica
tions. The Judge informed her that it ws
1 impossible for him to alter the sentence 9
= the court, and that the only hope that wa
: left her was in Col. Lavillier, who was, th
injured party, who had power to ask for h
|, pardon or recommend him to mercy.
4 vain did Cadeline plead with him he wa
inexorable, and she was borne senseles
4 from his tent. On the following morning
: little before sunrise, some soldiers wer
busily engaged in placing red flags at shor
! intervals on beautiful PLAN not far frol
s the camp. No sooner had this been accom-
plished than the muffied drum and ban
It playing the dssd march was heard. A CON
+ pany Of soldiers drew near, accompanied b
q large number Of officers, who came TO wi
n ness the punishment Of death. Anthoh
IMArtel was walking With u firm step |
meet his dooml Arriving at the spot dei
ignAted for him todi6, he was calm and uf
moved at the approsching crisis Tweiy
/ Of his fellow soldiers were brought into lipt
J Every movoment showing their unwilling
q ness to perform the odious duty which ha
n been assigned them. . w lgi tiiih shI
J, All being arranged, the commander
walked up to Martel, and taking him by th
y hand, he shook it warmly Bidding bin
farewell, he gave him permission to addre,
Y his companions in arms, This mark ofkint
b ness moved the condemned man, and a tes
started to his eye but luckily regaining h