Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-06-08

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fierce and merciless crowd, in the main
street, and in every lane and alley in the
place. A certain number were told of,
who dismouuted, and, entering into all the
houses from end to end of the village,
they dragged out every man they could
find, and drove them in mass into the
church, where very different scene was
to be enacted from the quiet holy service
the good cure had intended to hold.
The women, who would have followed
back with blows and curses by the Uhlans,
whole male Inhabitants of the village
What could be done to them there. The
poor women shrieked and wept, as they
asked themselves that question.
Leonie and Vevette, united by the an.
guish Of their common suspense and
terror, crept, hand in hand, nearer to the
church than any Of the others dared to 60,
and hid themselves behind the very tree
beneath whose branches the three young
men had held their conversation on that
bright, peaceful evening, before the shadow
of war had cast its gloom upon the earth,
and when they were looking forward so
gaily to the fulfilment of their various
plans of happiness.
Meanwhile, strange scene was taking
place in the church. The cure, already
ROBBED for mass, was thrust rudely aside by
the Uhlans, and knelt down in a corner,
praying fervently, while the commanding
officer Of the troop of avengers went and
stood on the steps of the altar. There, in
loud ringing voice which was heard over
the whole church, he announced the
frth t1fo nf vut. ha al IL,
expressed it, of his superiors would alone
exact for the murder of the Colonel. They
would not burn down the village, as would
have been but just, nor would they put
the inhabitants to the sword, richly as
they deserved it, but they would be salts
fed with the lives of three men out Of
those now assembled in the church, who
must be executed instantly before the
through France-not an hours delay could
be accorded The officer added that the
choice of victims might be made by lot,
then and there, without loss of time As
he concluded, he held up his watch before
them.
an ten minutes" he said, your choice
must be made; if you delay longer than
that, choose for myself, and | shall take
the first three on whom l happen to lay
my hands and have them shot at once"
1t was but too plain that there was no
appeal, and that it would only be wasting
the precious moments to attempt it.
Lepelletier, with some of the elder men,
began in silence, and with trembling hands,
to prepare the lots with the fatal numbers,
which should be drawn by the men on
whom the doom of death should fall
But, suddenly, there was movement in
the crowd, and a young man came forward
with light, active step, and, laying his
hand on Lepelletier's arm, to prevent his
continuing his dreadful task, he made a
sign that he wished 10 speak. There was
silence over the whole church in an in
slant, and all ewes were turned on Evariste
Rossel Familiar as his features were to
most of them, they looked On him now as
though they had never seen him before,
so completely was his thoughtful face
TRANSPORTED by the pure heroic resolution
that shone in his soft eyes and thrilled his
clear young voice, with the utmost simpli-
city. words death laden to himself.
I" Mes amis," he said, and every individ-
ual in that sad assembly heard him dis
tinctly, "if we cast lots for the victims of
the enemy, it may be that the doom will
fall on fathers of families who would leave
widows and orphans to mourn them, not
only in sorrow but in poverty and destitu-
ton. 1t is not well, therefore, that such
as they should be taken from the homes
they support and protect, while there are
others who have not, as yet at least formed
ties 80 close and binding. OF these am
one--my mother has other sons--my Jia1cee
will find many a worthier man to seek her
love, and offer myself freely to die, that
the husbands and fathers may be spared, l
am sure that there are others, situated as
l am, who will no less willingly give their
lives to make up the number.
Evariste carefully avoided looking at
Jules and Martel as he spoke, for he would
not seem to summon them, but they needed
no other call save his bright example. In
stantly they started forward and ranged
themselves by his side.
1--WE, too, give ourselves freely to the
DEATH" they exclaimed, "the number is
complete"
Lepelletier had been on the point of re-
monstrating with Evariste, because he
could not bear the thought of that young
life quenched in blood; but when he saw
that Martel his own son, was amongst the
offered victims, the words died on his lips,
and he turned his face to the wall, groan-
ing in unspeakable anguish. He felt,
Brutus like, he could not ask that father
of family should die to spare his own
unwedded son. No time was given him,
however, to struggle with his heart. The
Prussian officer held up his watch, ex-
claiming that the ten minutes were expired
he must have three men instantly for
execution.
eve are here, we are ready" said the
three friends, coming forward with firm
step and dauntless look.
zone moment only" exclaimed Evar-
iste, and taking his two companions by
the hand, he drew them down on their
knees before the cure, saying, "Father,
absolve us, bless us in this supreme mo-
mentW
The good old man, appalled, and bewil-
dered, turned toward them his eyes stream.
ing with tears. He seemed too much over
whelmed to know almost what he was do.
ing, but, upheld by the habits of priestly
functions, he murmured the form Of abso-
luton, made the sign of the cross, and
blessed them in the three fold name of
Him before whom they were about to APP
pear.