The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1864-02-24

Meanwhile the inhabitants waited, in
etetC OF suspense scarcely te bo endured.
Lieutenant lamotte, who, as a thorough
Frcnchman, soon weariod OF painful emo
tion, and shaking il off at tho risk of ap-
pcnring hoartloss, said
I" The morning is keen, and n walk before
sunrise does not diminish the appetite can
you give Ills some refreshments from your
hidden supplies p At q word from tho
young man, many OF the women brought
together the colce they had prepared for
their own breakfast, with black bread, mugs
of beer. and small cheese or two--sun-
cicnt for rough mcal-of which the sol.
dicrs partook with the usual laughing com.
mcnts on "id cuisne ARcRdaid." The
company of victims looked on in siloncc,
and more than ouco muttcrcd Eloomily,
We are feeding our cXecutioncrs.'
1" Even if it should ho true" said the
young man, 1T is but doing as Christ has
taught us. Whether or not wo obtain
Christian charity from these men, let us ut
least show them that we are Christians"
This rcbuko had its effect. A few Of
the men assisted in entertaining the sol
dicrs and the latter, with their facility for
determination, soon made themselves at
home. AS the stomach fills, the heart also
euargcs, and tho men began to say among
themselves, Ii f5-a pity that these men
should be shot by mistake"
1t was not long before tho sergeant and
his guide arrived. Tho former handed the
lieutenant note, which he hastily tore
open and read. "Wastc no time in parlcy.
1t is indifferent which village is punished
an example must be made. Do your duty
and return instantly" So ran the pitiloss
answer.
"Choose your men" said the lieutenant
rising to his feet, and grinding his teeth to
keep down his faltcring 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 tho general distress, uttered loud
cries and prayers for mercy. The young
man knclt down in front of them, saying to
the officer, " do not kneel to you; but |
pray to God that he will remove the sin of
slaughter from your soul"
As the officer met his earnest eyes, full Of
n sublime Calmness and courage, his own
suddenly filled with tears. He turned to
his men who stood drawn up in line before
him, but no word was spoken. Their hands
wero in the proper places, according to
drill regulations and there were drops on
many cheeks which could not bo wiped
away. There was silent question in the
officers cye--a silent answer in theirs.
The former turned hmrcdly, beckoncd the
young man to him, and whispered in an
agitatcd voice:
my friend, will save you by q strata
gem. Choose ten of your most courageous
men, place them in line before mo- and |
will order my soldiers to shoot them through
the head. Al the instant give the order to
fire, they must fall fiat on tho ground my
soldiers will aim hig h, and no one will be
injured; an soon as the vollcy is fired will
give tho order to march, but no one must
| stir from this place until we arc out Of
sight"
These words were instantly translated to
the people, but 80 great was their panic that
none offered TO move. Tho pastors son
then took his place, alone, in the vacant
space before the line of soldicrs. ~ ofor
myself, said he, as one trusting in God
that we shall be saved and | call upon
those of you who have tho hearts of men in
your bodies to stand beside mo-" Voting
Conrad, a sturdy farmer, and but newly a
bridegroom, joined him, casting, as he did
so, single encouraging look upon his young
wife, who turned deadly pale, but spoke
not word. One by ono, as mon who had
resolved to face dcatlI--tor the most of them
had but a trembling half confidence in thoir
escape-eight others walked ont and took
their places in line. The woman shuddered
and hid their eyes the men looked steadily
on in the fascination Of terror; and tho lit
tic children in awed but ignorant curiosity.
Tho place was as siont az if devoid of life.
Again the lieutenant surveyed his men.
" Take aim" no commanded. lie contin-
ued, "aim at their heads that your work
| L II 1 II a I.
was clear and strong, and tho tonor of his
words not to bc mistaken, a clairvoyani
fash of hidden meaning ran down the line
and the men understood him. Then came
tho last command Fire but in the
and tho ringing voley the men were already
falling. The crack of the muskets and
sound of their bodies were simultaneous.
Without pausing an instant, the lieutenant
cried: Right about wheel! Forward ~
and the measured tramp of the soldiers rang
down the narrow village street.
! Tho women uncovered their eyes and
ga2ed. There lay the ten men, notion
less and apparently lifeless. With wild
cries they gathered around them but ere
| their ordinations of despair had turned
| into those of joy, the last soldier had disap-
peared in the wood. Then followed weep
| ing embraces. as all arose from the ground
laughter and sobs of hysterical joy. The
pastors son, uncovering his head knelt
down, while all reverently followed his ex-
ample, and uttered an eloquent prayer of
Thanksgiving for their delverance.
What this young man had done was not
suffered to so unrowarded. A blessing
rested upon his labOrs and his life. In the
course of time he became q clergym fl
| ling for whlei his fathers place for the
| people he had saved but was afterwards
| led to wider and more ambitious sphere.
! lie was called to Leipzig, received the de.
gree of Doctor of Divinity, and finally be-
/ came known throughout Germany as the
| founder of the Gustav AdoJ Vsrein (Gua-
tavus Adolphus Union) which had for its
| object the dissemination of Protestant prin.
ciples, by means of voluntary contributions
! In some respects it resembled the Home
Mission of-our country. Many churches
built by this association are now scattered
throughout the United States.
The inhabitants of Waldorf never forgot
their pastor, nor he them. lie came back
! from time to time, to spend few days in
the quiet little village of his youth, and
where the most eventtul crisis of his life
was passed.
In 1856, three out of the ten pseudo vic
Tins Of Davoust wero still living in their
old homes, and the people bethought them
that the semicentennial anniversary Of such
an event deserved special celebration
DR.. -, of Leipzig, formerly the pastor q
SOM, was invited TO be with them. He
came-he would have come from the ends
OF tho earth-and after solemn religious
] IN hn .a1 10 tha