Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-10
NO. 35.


swerable to public tribunal, is stained
with objectionable guilt"
The executioner-all executioner as he
was-was an honest man. He would I'M
hesitatingly put people to death by the Or
der of the magistrates of Colmar, and a
mandate signed by them, sealed with the
great corporate seal, and the feur-de-lis,
reviewed by the kings commissioners, and
registered in the records of the town;
but this was quite another affair, r,-nothipg
but an assassination, for how could he
know what righ: these men had to exer-
else the authority of legal judges. when
their very faces were mystery to him.
After few moments reflection he sum-
moned up sufficient courage to say with an
unhesitating voice, 81 cannot obey you"
All around he heard swords drawn from
their scabbards, from which he supposed
that those magistrates were not altogether
SO pacific as would be suitable for the Of
flee. He looked at the lady; there she
stood, apparently as calm and undisturbed
as if these proceedings had no interest for
her.
You have promised obedience to our
commands, said the man who had brought
him, land you will feel the weight of our
vengeance if you do not keep your
word"
| when promised it, it was under the
impression that your proceedings would
be legal, though secret. / am no assassin
and gentlemen, whoever you may be, l
refuse to execute your orders; and will
not touch hair of that woman's head.
Beside, what crime has she committed ?"
The president looked at his colleagues
as if to get their opinion; and then ris-
ing quickly, said in voice of thunder,
you ask what crime this woman has COM
mitted. Listen, and you shall hear, and
the horrors of the tale will nerve your
arm to inf1ict on her punishment which
is, however, unequal t" her guilt. This
woman"
Enough said the woman, stretching
forth her hand; "enough. You may de-
prive me OF life, but you may not, ought
not to reveal to a man like that the secret
that your ears have heard. If am guilty,
punish mel submit and that is more
than you have right to expect"
This alteration was succeeded by a sol
emn, death-like silence, only interrupted
by the monotonous ticking of large clock
covered by the gloomy hangings. Eleven
struck
There is not moment to be lost" said
the president. "Obey."
A large, sharp sword was presented to
him, like those used by executioners in
Switzerland.
NO" said he. "no put her to death
yourself You are an illegal executioner."
During this the condemned did not stir.
Listen" said the first speaker. "do you
value your life"
Eyes, for the sake of my wife and little
daughter, whose sole support am"
''Very good-decide then; if you have
not beheaded this woman before the quar-
ter strikes, will send bullet through
your head"
"Why not kill her yourself? 1t would
be as little a crime as to kill me-"
The judge trembled under his long robe;
but, commanding himself, he said coolly,
decide"
The executioner had resisted with great
firmness, but, courageous as he was, he
at length began to feel afraid, but still
resolved to preserve an undaunted air.
Every stroke of the pendulum was agony
to the poor man, who, in few minutes,
would be called to decide between guilt
or death. A mournful silence reigned
through the hall-not finger stirred.
The executioner began to pray he was a
Catholic, and besought the Virgin and all
the saints to intercede for him. At the
conclusion of his prayer. he cried out,
"kill me if you WILL will not obey"
"You have ten minutes STILL" coolly re-
piled the judge.
alone was heard, with its intiexible vibra-
tions measuring life with equal impartiality
to the happy and wretched. And she, the
unhappy subject of this tragedy, for whom.
in few minutes, eternity was to open,
stood there immovable as statue. Was
it innocence or insensibility that thus
steeled her human feelings, and enabled
her to meet so calmly all the horrors of a
violent deathe
The quarter struck. At signal from
the President, two assistants advanced
from the executioner, and again presented
the sword to him; he Shook his head and
pushed it aside with his hand, but was
unable to utter word. The president
cooked his pistol; the wretched man did
not know what to do
"Holy Virgin!' thought he, must I
leave my wife widow, and my child an
orphan!"
Whether it was this thought that in
fluenced him, or that his power of resis-
tance sank before the arm stretched out
against his life, know not but he cried,
in stihed voice, II CONSENT consent"
He took the sword, and having tried
its edge, stepped forward, the lady re-
manning silent.
"Will you not let her see the priest"
said he, stopping suddenly.
"You perform your office. and do not
trouble yourself with anything else.'
The lady must be bound" said he.
II bound" she cried, in a disdainful
tone.
bind that woman's hauds," said the
monotonous voice of the Judge.
Two men advanced toward her; she
drew herself up to her full height.
"You dare notw said she.
These words seemed to deter the two
servants or the persons who had assumed
their functions.
II must be obeyed :" said the President.
She was Immediately bound to block,
and her veil raised as far as her throat.
: She made no further resistance, and re-
sumed her former immobility.
"Stlike or am" cried the Judge, pre-
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