Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1866-09-06
VOLUME

lnts uhuutieSS man, AFTER having seen Sil MS lit
tic garrison fall and expire around him, had arm
ed himself with hatchct, which he yielded with
superhuman energy against his advancing foes
and as Major L., appeared at the door of
the room where he had taken up his last post, he
| aimed so furious a blow at his head with the
| formidable weapon to which his hard had al
ready become accustomed, that had not the wary
officer adroiuy struck it aside with his sword it
must have felled him to the earth. It was his
closing effort, however; in the next instant he
fell, and the apartment was. invaded by the
FrencH soldiery. ''-, o.
Major 3, who had never during his fif-
teen years Of military service given quarter to an
enemy, was already advancing towards the vet
eran to complete his work of blood, when ii
young and singularly beautiful woman rushed
out neighboring chamber and, falling at his
feet, and clinging to his knacs, pale, dsheleld
| writhing, and almost insane shrieked out in a
voice ofterror and despair, from which, all the
tenderness of the woman and the wife had disap-
pcared. --
"hercy! Mercy? Do not kill him. He is my
husband, and the father of my child"
The Republican officer looked down upon her
without pity or emotion.
| What had he to do with the agones and out
cries of a woman2 In a second he had thrust her
| violently from him; and taking enc step forward
had fired his pistol at the head of the gray -hair-
ed veteran.
The discharge of the weapon was echoed by q
cry wrung from the very soul of the unhappy
| wife. 80
George, my child where are youS Your moth
| er calls you. Come"
At the we'll known voice, a lovely boy, scarce
| ly three years ofage, who, rs he saw his f,ihsr
fall, had concealed himself, pale and trembling,
beneath that fathers bed; approached his mother
and having reached her side buried his face in
| in the folds other dress, as if TO shut out the
| frightful scene around him. But frcuzcd by de
| spair, she puckcd him from his new hidiag plscc
and leading him tu Major i, said in q
tone MS hard and emotoness as though it had
proceeded from lips Of stone:
"Cowardl Your work is not yet done You
| have still his son TO MURDER
| At this moment load acclamations were heard
| from without; and French general surrounded
by group OF officers, appeared upon the threshold
of the bood-stained apartment.
| Major l. turned pale rs their eyes met;
but the young widow, MS ifsuddenly inspired,
rushed toward the new conner cxclaiming:-
"Rcvcnge hinl-revenge me"
"Calm yourself Madan,c," said the general in
an accent SO low and gentle that it thrilled to
every henrt; ''I must understand what has taken
place before can pledge myse!f to anything
| l. , c,,r rr,1x -.
so for one so young and helpless as Yourself
lie had scarcely ceased speaking, however,
when heavy frown gathered upon his brow,
sn1 dark light shone in his eyes. All he saw
revealed the truth at once; the major with his
pistol still grasped in hi. iron hand--he disfinr-
ed corpse, its White hair dabb;cd in blood-the
frantic woman, careless Of all the conventional.
ties OF her sex, though surrounded by ru,hlcs.
soldery-the child, pale but fearless calling tc
his father to awake from the drcamless sleep from
which there is 10 waking upon this Garth Afel
one rapid eagle-kc glance, he understood all
and at once felt that thore WAS room neither fol
doubt nor Justification, Ills eyes flashed as he
crushed his glove in his clssped fingers, ant
turned abruptly towards the murderer, who stood
beforc him trembling, stupefsd, and stammcring
out few words of explanation aud excuse.
''Iou are coward, sir!'' he exclaimed rche
mently: "You have :ssassinatcd wounded snt
defenceless min--i brave sohier---in the very
presence of his wife, who cried to you for mercy
1t was the action of iclon!"
"GcneraGl-ensped the culprit, who felt tia
he was lost.
'Can you deny the charge that have brough
against you? Can you produce one witness tt
prove that have accused you wrongfully?. Oh
doit, sir do 1T that may be spared the sham,
of knowing that murderer has for fifteen yeari
been sheltered beneath the flag ofFrance."
General, was ordered to perform nay cut,
in the face of an enemy, and have performed it
lie would have taken my life and have takei
his. The hme was an even onc.'
Silence, sir, silence:' was the stern reply
"a fallen foe should be as sacred rs friend
Face to face, and foot to foot every loyal soldie
should meet his foe; but 10 shoot down an unarm
ed msn--to murder in cold blood one one who i
incapable of resistance-Iahi it is sickening
You are no longer worthy to serve the Republic
nor shall you doso another hour. Deliver to m
upon the instant your sword, your epaulettes
and your decoration. From this hour you ceas
to belong to the 22nd demi-brigadc; you cease t
belong to the army of Italy"
The major looked up haughtily.
General" he exclaimed steadily, but with tn
concentrated emotion of one who was yielding
up the better portion of his existence; 'fhere ar
INV cross and my sword, now demand n court
martial
''You shall have one, sir; you shall have one
and no later than Tomorrow" was the rejcindel
Then, turning towards the officers who had re
f mained silent spectators Of this exciting scene
: the general approached thu corpse of the Au.
trian veteran, and removing his hat, said SO!
emnly: 'Follow my example, gentlemen; to
much honor can never be paid 10 the falle
brave" .f.
e During the remainder Of this fightful day th
young widow continued q prey TO tho most az
, onizing despair. After having seen her husban
laid in his grave with all the impressive ceremt