The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-04-21
SAD ENDING OF ROMANCE.
A Private Soldier Condemned to
Death for Falling inLove.
.zas From the New Orleans Picayune.

"A private SOlQleT COnuSHlHeo u
Death for Falling inLove.
.Ea From the New Orleans Picayune-
To-day just as the sun is at meridian
just as with solemn sound the great bell
of the old St. Louis Cathedral tolls forth
the hour of noon, soldier will pay the
penalty of crime foc which military
Justice knows but one explanation. The
United States barracks, below the city,
have been the place selected where the
execution is to take place, and the green
sward of the parade ground Will ere
many hours be stained with the crimson
life blood of the unfortunate man.
He was a member Of one of the COM
panles of the United States troops sta
toned near village in one OF the lnte-
rior parishes of Louisiana. Near the
camp of the company was the plantation
of a wealthy gentleman who had sym
pathized with the Union cause during
the war, and who, therefore, was the
object of special attention on the part OF
the officers and the command, then per
forming provost duty. The planter had
large family, among whom was daugh-
ter who possessed In a remarkable de-
gree that rare type of beauty for which
the women of the South are noted. She
had imbibed the sentiments of her faith
er, and therefore took great pleasure IN
entertaining the officers who frequently
visited the house.
The First Lieutenant of the Company,
Ambrose Black, at once conceived a
warm attachment for the beautiful young
creole, and endeavored in every way to
induce her to share his feeling. Strange
to say however, the lady treated him III
a peculiarly polite but formal manner.
that proved her heart was ice toward
him. This was great shock to his van
ity, and he was at loss to understand It,
Finally the explanation came, when one
of his companions, playfully ral'ylng him
upon his Ill success, stated that he had
discovered why the lady refused to smile
upon him. He had accldently witnessed
an interview between herself and
private Alfred Blake, the soldier who
had been detailed to guard the house
an interview which proved conciuslvely
that the heart of the young creole was
irrevocably the private S, and not the
officers.
This intelligence was too much for
lieutenant Black. His pride was woun
ded in the most vital point. lie had
been forestalled where his heart was
most enlisted, and by one of his sub0rdl-
mates. Seeking private Blake at once,
he poured out the walls of his wrath up
on him, tainted him with his position,
and declared he would send him where
he should have no more opportunities OF
dallaying with shameless girl while on
duty. Alfred Blake had borne much,
but this coarse illusion to the woman he
had loved better than life fred his heart
and brain, and with one blow he struck
his officer PROSTATE upon the ground III
the Nasence Of his company.
Then followed the trial--which was
rendered inexpressibly touching by pres
ence of the woman who had dared to
love private soldier-the sentence oil
death, to be proceeded by imprisonment
at Ship Island.
To-day the sentence is to be enforced |
and the majesty of the law sustained.