South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-06-02
MccoNNELLsynLE, OHIO, FRIDAY JUNE 1871. 60
clear young voice, with the utmost simpli-

clear young voice, with the utmost simpli-
city, words death-laden to himself
Mes dDais," he said, and every individ-
ual in that sad assembly heard him dis
tinctly, Hif we cast lots for the victims of
the enemy, it NAV 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 destitus
tion. 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 so close and binding. Of these l am
Qze-my mother has other sons--my fancee
will find many worthier man to seek her
love, and offer myself freely to die, that
the husbands and fathers may be spared, 1
am sure that there are others, situated as
l am, who viii 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.
ave, 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.
"We are here, we are ready" said the
three friends, coming forward with firm
step and dauntless look.
"One 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-
mentp
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
| luton, made the sign of the cross, and
blessed them in the three fold name of
Him before whom they were about to ap-
pear. -r
They thanked him, adding, sAdieu,
mon pere," and rose from their knees. In
stantly 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 as they passed out into the daz-
zling sunshine, and the next instant they
were gone, to be seen of man no more for
everi Then, with simultaneous impulse,
the whole assembly fell upon their knees,
and as the cure, turning to the altar, in
toned the De rofIndis, the wailing voices
Joined in the funeral chant with one Deep
heart-wrung CRY, that rose in mournful
appeal to the listening heaven.
Meanwhile, across the sunlit church-
yard, the doomed men were hurried by
their executioners; but their terrible march
had momentary interruption. Sudden
ly, from beneath the spreading branches
of the tree which the victims knew so
well, the graceful figure of young girl
bounded forth, as if her feet were winged,
and Leonie, flinging herself on the breast
of her .fGncee, exclaimed in d tone of
horror, EUdriste, que, Ua-t-on, fare de
tOi"
"Adieu, mon dnge p was his only an
swer; but the instinct of her woman's
heart told her the dreadful truth. She
flung up her hands with bitter cry, and,
as his bound arms could not hold her, she
sunk at his feet as if she had herself al
ready sustained the death-blow he was
about to meet. Vevette, who had followed
eI,rfal
on shrek.
"Remove these women" exclaimed the
commanding officer, with angry impa-
tience, and the soldiers instantly tore
Vevette from Martel's arms, while others
lifted up the senseless form of LeOnie, and
both were roughly flung aside upon the
churchyard grass, and the captives hur
ried on without another moments delay.
Then indeed did the bitterness of death
pass into the hearts of Martel and Evar
iste, while Jules, turning to them with
pathetic smile, said softly:
al may well be thankful that have no
faRcee"
Yes, truly, that hour had come to them,
as come it will to all of US, when those are
happiest who have fewest earthly bless
ings, and whose best treasures are gar
nered in that realm where all that has
been brave and sweet and good, like the
self-devotion of those three young men,
will have place throughout the eternal
ages, among the imperishable things of
God.
There was an open field Just below the
churchyard wall, which had been the
favorite playground of Evariste and his
companions through their happy boyhood.
There were they taken by the soldiers,
and placed with their eyes bandaged, fac
ing the sun they were never more to see
again.
A few moments more, and through the
wall of the De profu7adis, rising and fall
ing amid the sobs of men grown weak as
women in their anguish of pity, there went
the sharp ringing report of the volley
which told that the sacrifice was consum-
mated, and that if the brief earthly life
of the noble young men was over on the
roll of the glorious army of martyrs their
names would live forevermore
The story we have told is no fiction. 1t
is but few weeks since the village of
Vaux Vilaine witnessed the execution of
three friends who, lest the lot should fall
on the fathers of families, volunteered to
satisfy the blood-claim of the Prussians
for the death of their Colonel We have
given this little record of their fate, not
to harrow the feelings of our readers by
the recital of tragedy, but to afford them
another instance of that glorious springing
of good out of evil, which has been the
deathless consolation of the human race
since man first woke to the mystery of
suffering.
Amid the horror and anguish, and ach
ing helpless compassion with which this
dreadful war has filled the world, such
deeds rise up full of sweetness and re-
freshment, like the fragrance of flowers
which only give forth their richest per
fume when they have been crushed and
beaten down under the foot of the destroy
er.-Ismple Bar. .. --....... ....s.
GREEN Color. IN PICKLEs.-It is said
that to impart an excellent green color to
pickles they must first be covered with
boiling hot saltwater, and after short
time the water poured off and the pickles
4 4ba,, to h v1frf sr,a