The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-05-16
MiSrellamp.
The True Story Of Eustice de ~.
EDlorre OF Calais.

II was in the year i347 when Calais WAS be-
sieged BY Edward III of England. His i'm.
mense army lay without the walls for eleven
long months, watching day and night lest sucsor
should be brought to tho French; while the
brave John de Vienne, With cheerful courage,
sustained the spirits of his garrison through all
the horrors of famine and death. Through the
days of September and October they hardly be-
came aware of the suffering that attends state
of SIEGE for the castle and Forts we'll stored
with provisions, supplied the whole town. But
day came when the Governor called upon the
old men, the woman and children, to 60 ont OF
the city, that the provisions which still re-
manned might the longer support his defenders.
1t was a slow, sad, and unwilling procession
Of 200 persons that passed on that October
morning through the city gates, and approached
King should drive them back, and so cause
more suffering to the friends they had left be-
hind, and yet half hoping that they might be
justifyed in returning. Those whs remained in
that city watched the procession as it Aeared
the English lines. 1t was not until long after
wards that they learned how King Edward had
received them kindly, fed them, and even given
presents to the old and feeble
Two months more and Christmas time came
to this forlorn city. Already each family had
its small daily allowance of provisions dealt out
ny etTlCb AutHOrlIleS uc CulluT6u ran Oar6-
footed in the Streets and few had garments suf-
fcient to protect them from the chilling winds
that swept in from the sea, and the SHOWS that
had already begun to fall. Again came
order for the few remaining 'uselsss mouths
to leave and on this cheerless Christmas day,
five hundred, chiefly woman. and young chill
dren, weeping, took leave of husbands and
fathers and went mournfully out ut the gates.
But the rude English soldiers, angered by the
6
the nonotOnous life in barracks, amused them
selves BY driving hither and thither the poor
fugitives, opening the lines at ono moment for
their passage and then suddenly shutting them
off, thus dividing the few who had passed on
from tho many who remained, separating moth
ers and children, aged grandparents and defense
less maidsns. In this great distress some few
crspt back to the city gates, and among them
Marie St. Pierre with her two children. The
ssntinsls could not refuse them admittance, and
once more their lot was cast with that of hus-
band and father.
As the spring time approached rumor
reached the city that King Phillip had advanced
to the rescue OF the besieged, but whatever his
movements may have been, they we're Of no
avail and then mementary joy was soon forgot
ten beneath the settled gloom Of ton weary
months of siege.
1t was July-was the burning heat harder to
bcoI IuAu VIC COlu 81 WluuoT IcTndpS, III
their weakened condition, with scarcely NOR
sol of food from day to day, the wretchsd inhab-
itants Of Calais found it so; for even dogs and
eats, rats and mice were long since all devoured.
1t was the last Sunday in July-a heavy sui
try day. The good old priest, Father Surenne,
although wasted by hardship and famine, said
mass in cathedral, and then, with his trsmb-
ling voice calmed and strengthenedb by the great
ness Of his subject, preached from the text, "For
has %,or
many" How long and how we'll the towns-peo-
pie remembered this, the last sermon they ever
heard in their beloved city.
Two days after, the Governor, decided that
resistance was vain, appeared on the city walls
and asked for a parley. Sir Walter Nanny
came from the English side and the talk was
long and earnest. The Governor came back to
the waiting people in the market place, and
with falterinS voice, told them the disgraceful
conditions on which alone the English King
would receive the city. Six of the most promi-
nent citizens,-barefooted, bareheaded, and
with ropes about their necks, ready for execu-
ton, must come olt to him bearing the keys Of
the castle
At first great silence fell upon the people,
then weeping and lamentations arose.
Standing beside his wife, among the crowd,
was Eustace de st. Pierre. He cast look full of
compassion upon the wailing multitude, then
gave his life a ransom for many" In another
moment O clear voice rose above the sound of
weeping. 1t said, "1f the six men are not sacri-
feed, the whole population will be. 1 offer N.Y.
self as the first" Then all eyes were turned up-
on the speaker, Eustace do st. Pierre, who had
quietly taken his stand before the Governors
seat. While men looked at one another, stirred
to like heroism, yet hardly strong enough to
commit themselves to it's guidance, Victor de ST.
Pierre without hesitation, had placed himself
beside his brother. Next came the cousins st.
Jean, Alphonso and Jacques, companions of boy
hood, almost more than brothers, cousins too of
the st. Pierres for it was II noble family and in
it tho spirit of self-devotion was broad and deep
enough to find more than one channel
A long pause followed, while linen reasoned
with themselves 20 many arguments in the
forms of wives and children, and life was dear.
even under all the trials which had beon and
were still to be. 1t was not existing for battle
it was volunteering fer execution But present.
ly old Guilbert Ia Motto, q man with silver hair
and beard, said, 81 have certainly but few more
years on earth If can spend them in so Good
service, then it is well. l count myself as the
fifth"
Now one man more stepped from the crowd
he was soldier, scared and bronzed with ex-
Posure IL am not u prominent citizen" said he,
II am OF humble birth, but if my life will serve
my country, l stfer it freely" Then the Gov
ernor answered, "by this act, if no other, you
have declared yourself noble and worthy of a
place beside the most honorable" And he was
counted the sixth.-And now the six MARTYRS
made ready, and the mourning population follow.
ed them to the city gate. Marie st. Pierre walk.
ed beside her husband, but she WAS not weeping,
tears could not express the new and reverent
emotion that sanctfed her grief
Arrived at the English camp, they were re-