Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1871-06-17
NO. 40,

of that young Ilfe quenched in blood
but when he saw that Martel, his OWL
son, was amongst the offered victims
the words died on his lips, and hC
turned his face to the wall, groaning
in unspeakable anguish. He felt
Brutus-likc, he could not ask that a
father ofe 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, exclaiming that
the ten minutes were expired-he
must have three men instantly for cx-
ecution.
"We are here, we are readyl' said
the three friends, coming forward
with firm step and dauntless look.
"One moment only" exclaimed
Evariste, and taking his two COM
paniOns by the hand, he drew them
down on their knees before the cure,
saying, "Father, absOlve us bless us
in this supreme moment!P
The good old man, appalled, and
bewildered, turned toward them, his
eyes streaming with tears. lie
seemed too much overwhelmed to
know almost what he was doing, but,
upheld by the habits ofpriestly func-
tions, he murmured the form Of ab-
solution, made the sign of the cross,
and blessed them in the thrce-fold
name of Him before whom they were
about to appear.
They thanked him, adding, "Adieu,
mon PEREZ" and rose from their knees.
Instantly the Uhlans surrounded
them, bound their hands and hurried
them to the door. One moment
those gathered in the church saw
their shadows darken the threshold
vice the good cure had intended to
hold.
The women, who would have fol-
lowed their husbands and brothers,
as they passed out into the dazzling
sunshine, and the next instant they
were gone. to be seen of mon no moro
forever! Then, with simultaneous
impulse. the whole assembly feIl nm
on their knees, and as the cure, turn
ing to the altar, intoned the De pro-
funds, the wailing voices ioined in
the funeral chant with one deep,
heart -wrung crv that rose in mourn,
full appeal 10 the listenino heaven
Meanwhile.acros the s1plit church
ward, the doomed men were hnrried
bv their executionprs but +brir tnr-
tible march had a momentarv inter
ruption. Suddenlv from beneath
The spreading branches Of the tree
which tbe victims knew so VOL the
graceful fiqure of vonno Girl bonnd-
ed forth. as if her feet were WINGED
and Ieonic finging herself ON tbe
breast of her fG6cee exclaimed in a
tone of horror g Eyorjsfje onS w.
Ion fare de toi ?" '' 4"''
" Adiem mon 1noer ~ was his only
answer: bnt tho instinct of hcr % u,c
mans heart fold her tbn drnodfHl
truth. She flung mn her hands with
n bitter cry. and as his hound arms
could NOT hold her sLc snnI, Of his
feet as if she herself had alrnodv sns-
tained the death.hlow he was about
TO meet, Vevette. who had foIIowod
her. was clinging TO Martcl uttering
shrek on shrek
uRemove tboeo woman vo,,cIo;r,od
the commanding officer with ouurv
impatience, and the soldiers instantly
tore Vevette from MarteI's arm:
while others lifted up the sonselcss
form of Leonie. and both were
roughly flung aside upon tbe church.
yard grass, and the capriycs hurried
on without another moments DELAY.
Then indeed did the bitterness of
death pass into the hearts of NIartel
and Evariste. while Jules. turnino TO
them with a pathetic smile. Said
softly:
II NAV well be thankful thot I
have no fanceeE'
Yes, truly, that hour had come TO
them, as come it will TO all of us. when
those are happiest who have iewest
blessings, and whose best treasures
are psrncred in that realm where oll
that has been brave and sweet and
good, like the self-devotion of these
three Young men. will have 4 place
throughout the eternal ages. among
the imperishable things ofGod.
There was an open field lust below
the churchyard wal. which had beon
the favorite playground of Eyariz .
and his companions through all their
happy boyhood. There were they