The Shasta courier., 1866-03-03

wrong, and yet n great wrong was DONE
He knew what he was doing-he ran the
risk-he was detected-he has been tried
and condemned. He must suffer p
They asked Lefebvre if he would see the
condemned.
No, nol' the marshal cried quickly
g Should | see him, and listen to one half
his story / might pardon him and that
must not be done. Let him die, that thou
sands may be saved"
The time fixed for the execution Of Dubois
was the morning succeeding the day of his
trial. The result of the interview with
Marshal Lefebvre was made known to him.
and he was not at all disappointed. He
blamed no one, and was only sorry that he
had not died upon the battle field.
" / have tried to be good soidier,'' he
said. 9 | feel that have done no crime
that should leave a stain upon my name,"
The captain took his hand and assured
him that his name should be held in re-
spect.
Toward evening Pierre valiant, with his
wife and child, were admitted to see the
prisoner. This was visit which Jerome
would gladly have dispensed with, as his
feelings were already wrought up to pitch
that almost unnamed him; but he braced
himself for the interview, and would have
stood it like hero, had not little Natalie, in
the eagerness of her love and gratitude,
thrown herself upon his bosom and offered
to die in his stead. Thi, tipped the brim-
ming cup, and his tears flowed freely.
Pierr, and Lisette knew not what to say.
They wept. and they prayed, and they
would have willingly died for the noble fell
low who had been thus condemned.
Later in the evening came companion
who, if he lived, would at some time return
to Jerome's boyhood home. First the con
demned thought of his widowed mother, and
he sent her message of love and devotion.
Then he thought of brother and sister.
And finally he thought of one-a bright-eyed
maid-whose vine clad cot stood upon the
banks of the Siene-One whom he had loved
with love such as only great hearts can
feel
''Oh, my dear friend ~ he cried, bowling
his head upon his clasped hands, "you
need not tell them falsehood; but if the
thing is possible, let them believe that / fell
in battle !"
His companion promised that he would do
all he could and, if the truth could not be
kept back, it should be so faithfully told
that the name of Jerome Dubois should not
bear dishonor in the minds of those who
had loved him in the other days.
Morning came, dull and gloomy, with
driving sleet and snow and at an early
hour jerome Dubois was led forth to meet
his fate The place of execution had been
fixed upon low, barren spot toward the
sea; and thither his division was being
marched to witness the fearful punishment.
They had gained not more than half the
distance when the sound of some strange
commotion broke upon the wintry air. and
very shortly an aide-de- camp came dashing
to the side of the general of brigade, with
the cry:
"a sortel A sortiel The enemy are
out in force. Let this thing be stayed
The marshal directs that you face about and
advance upon the peninsula ?'
In an instant all was changed in that
division, and the brigadier- general who had
temporary command thundered forth his
orders for his countermarch The gloom
was dissipated; and with glad hearts the
soldiers turned from the thoughts of the ex.
ecutlon of a brave comrade to thoughts of
meeting the enemy.
What shall we do with the prisoner ~
asked the sergeant who had charge of the
guard.
2" Lead him back to the camp" replied
the captain.
The direction was very simple, but the
execution thereof was not to be SO easy
for hardly ha0 the words escaped the cap.
tain's lips when squadron of Prussan
cavalry came dashing directly toward them.
The division was quickly formed into four
hollow squares, while the guard that held
charge of the prisoner found themselves
obliged to flee.
In heavens name," cried Jerome, "cut
my bends, and let me die like soldierp'
The sergeant quickly cut the cord that
bound his elbows behind him, and then
dashed towards the point whera his own
company was stationed. The rattle of mus
kerry had commenced, and the Prussans
were vainly endeavorng to break the squares
of French troops. Jerome Dabois looked
about him for some weapon with which to
arm himself; and presently he saw a Prus-
sian officer, not far off, reeling in his saddle
as though he had been wounded. With
quick bound he reached the spot, pulled the
dying officer from his seat, and leaped into
the empty saddle.
Dubois was fully resolved that he would
sell his life on that day-sell it in behalf of
France-and sell it as dearly as possible
But he was not needed where he was. He
knew that the Prussians could not break
tHUSt uOllOH oqudiCS SO hC iOuC away,
thinking to join the French cavalry, with
whom he could rush into the deepest danger.
Supposing that the heaviest fighting must be
upon the Nohrung, he rode his horse in that
direction and when he reached it be found
that he had not been mistaken. Upon
slight eminence towards Hagelsberg the
enemy had planted a battery Of heavy guns,
supported by two regiments of infantry
and ALREADY with shot and shell immensa
damage had been done.
Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortly after
this battery had opened and very quickly
made up his mind that it must be taken ct
all hazards.
"Take that battery" he said to colonel
of cavalry, "and the battle is ours"
Dubois heard the order and saw the
necessity Here was danger enough, sure
Iy; and, determined to be the first at the
fatal battery, he kept as near the leader as
he dared. Half the distance had been
gained, when from the hill came storm of
iron that ploughed into the ranks of the
French. The colonel fell, his body literally
torn in pieces by shell that exploded
against his bosom.
The point upon the peninsula now reached
BY the head of the assaulting column was
not more than hundred yards wide and
it was literally path of death, as the fire of
twelve heavy guns was turned upon it
The colonel had fallen, and very soon three