The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-07-06
flnod ffeisor
long left in suspense.

D6duGllul sunrise 1t was which
brought the light of day to Vaux Villain,
on that fair autumn morning. The heav,
dews which had fallen the night before
glistened like scattered gems in the early
sunshine, and the air was sweet with the
breath of flowers, yielding up their per
tume to the sof@, warm breeze. The bleat
ing sheep and cattle, lowing in the fields
seemed to call the people to their usual
! peaceful occupations, land the little church
| bell, with its silvery tone, gave notice
tnat the cure meant to celebrate an earl y
mass on behalf of their dear aoGtr1. so
sadly in need of aid from heaven. All
talngs were as they had been many and
many mornings before, when the people
OF VauX Vllaine rose to carry on the gen
tie, peaceful life, which made so sweet an
existence for them, and nature still was
doing her part in beauty and benefcence.
The skies failed not to shed on all their
brightest smile, but there were human
passions at war upon earth and, truly
ne records OF this tremendous struggle
might well lead one to believe, that if all
The demons of hell were let loose, they
could hardly have made more terrible
havoc In Gods fair world.
While yet the peaceful church bell
rung, ana the sunbeams streaming
through the lattice windows of the. cot
tages woke the children in their cradles,
there was heard coming, ever nearer and
nearer, the heavy tramp Of large body
OF mounted Uhlans, galloping down up
on the village. In moment more thew
were swarming, fierce and merciless
crowd, in the main street, and in every
lane and alley in the place. A certain
number were told off, who dismouoted
and, entering into all the houses from
end to end OF the village, they dragged
out every man they could find, and drove
Chem In a mass into the church, where a
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
their husbands and brothers. were driven
back with blows and curses bv the TJhlans.
ana the church doors were shut up0n the
whole male inhabitants of the VILLAGE
What could be done to them theret The
poor women shrieked and wept, as they
asked themselves that question,
Leone and Vevette, united bv the
anguish OF their common suspense and
terror, crept, hand in hand, nearer to the
church than any of the others dared to
go, and hid themselves behind the very
tree beneath whose branches the three
young men had held their conversation
on that orlght, peaceful evening, before
even the shadow of war had cast its
gloom on the earth, and when they were
looking forward SO gaily to the fulfllment
OF their various plans of happiness.
meanwhile, strange scene was taking
place in the church The cure, already
robed for mass was thrust rudeIy aside
by the Uhlans. and knelt down in a
corner, praying fervently, while the com
handing officer Of the troop of avengers
went and stood on the step of the altar
There, in loud ringing voice which was
heard over the whole church, he an.
nounced the tribute of blood which the
clemency, as he expressed it, of his SUI
perlors 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 satisfedswith the lives
OF three men out of those now assembI
|
stantly before the troops resumed their
conquerlng march through France-not
an hours delay could be accorded. The
officer added that the choice of victims
might be made by lot, amongst them,
selves, but it must be done then and
there, without loss of time. As he con-
cluded, he held up his watch before
them.
'In 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 | happen to lay
my hands, and have them shot at once.
1t was bat too plain there was no APP
peal, and that it would only be wasting
the precious moments to attempt it. LIE
pelleter, with some of the older men, be-
gan in silence, and with trembling hands
20 prepare the lots with the three fatal
numbers. which would be drawn by the
men on whom the doom of death should
fall.
!, But, suddenly, there was movement
IN the crowd, and young man came for
ward with light, active step, and, lay
ing his hand on Lepelletier's arm, to pre-
/ vent his continuing his dreadful task, hs
made sign that he wished to speak
!, There was silence over the whole church
!, in an instant, and all eyes were turned or
Evariste Rossel. Familiar as his features
were to most of them, they looked on hin
now as though they had never seen him
before, so completely was thoughtful fact
; transtigured by the pure heroic resolution
that shone In his soft eyes and thrilled hi
clear young voice, with the utmost sim
plicity, words death-laden to himself.
], Mes 0nsis," he said, and every individ
) ual in the sad assembly heard him dis
i tinctly, if we cast lots for the victims O