Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-01-24

in SO drover-like manner; it is incon-
siderate.
Jones surged in due course up to the
gate of exit, where two officials stood be-
hind bar. One of these examined his
passport, the other his physiognomy.
The former was satisfied, the latter,
harder to please, cried "Halt !" as he
walked off. Jones, who had not re-
ceived military education, took no no.
tice, and was moving calmly on, when
he was arrested by gendarme, who said
something short and sharp, but quite un-
Ineligible, and headed him back to the
facial inspector, who looked at him again
and again, glancing alternately from his
face to the photograph he held in his
hand. Then he showed the photograph
to his companion, then to the gendarme
All seemed TO come to the same conclu-
sion and the result was that Jones was
marched off to neighboring guard
room, where there were several French
soldiers and an off1cea The photograph
was again shown and compared with
Jones, and then the officer questioned the
latter violently Now Jones could un-
derstand French when it was spoken
slowly, and make himself understood in
that tongue when his listener was pa
tient and Intelligent but of the torrent
of words poured into his ears on this oc-
casion, he could make no more than If he
had been Babel brioklayer.
''N 000st quezque errettr. Jesus A7ag-
lGds. Je Suis en- regle. Jecr1ces0ss oatG
'ISnaesP Japporter0ts u1,e action pour en-
DriSonn,e1at ffGotr, 50 g0NS ne me denaasser0as
pas dpSnst07at," was all that he could say
in reply and then the photograph to
which he owed his arrest was held in his
face, and he beheld his beloved beard.
OuS;. tres 0raS, c. est moi. Apres!" he
cried, Indignantly.
The officer was still more indignant,
and said in distinct tones, which were in
telligible enough this time: "You con-
fess that you are the ruffian Brultout.
Well, then, ruffian Brultout, you will be
shot tomorrow at daybreak."
In vain did Jones plead his personal
identity and declare that he had no con-
nection with any other firm, and never
heard the name of Brultout before. He
was hidden to hold his tongue, his arms
were tied behind his back, he was pushed
down on mattrass, a cloak was thrown
over him, and they left him to reflect on
his latter end or go to sleep at his choice.
1t requires very exceptional nerves or
long nabit to be able to enjoy good
nights repose when you are going to be
shot at daybreak, and it is not many peo-
pie who get the chance of practicing
often. Jones was not coward, but his
rest was certainly broken. He thought
of his wife and his children, and himself.
Would his beard be properly trimmed be-
fore he was consigned to the grave? His
morbid Imagination pictured that orna-
ment in tangled, dirty condition, and
he groaned aloud. Then his position
was uncomfortable, and the rope which
bound his arms hurt him, so that alto
gether he had very bad time, and yet
he would have liked to protract it when
the drums outside went rub, rub, rr-r-r-r-
rub. But his time had come; he was
made to get up, and was placed in the
midst of party of soldiers whose chasse-
pots looked more bloodthirsty than
usual.
"C'est atne eqwe,u. .7e ne sUis pas Brul-
tout; je seIis JONES'" was the poor fellows
last appeal. But the officer turned his
back, shrugged his shoulders, and said
bah" and the party stepped out into the
gray, dusky daylight. They had not far
to go-down one street, through gate
way, sharp to the right into the moat be-
meath the face of a redoubt. They placed
him close against the wall and, then, shak-
ing of the misty feeling of confusion and
unreality which had stolen over his facul-
ties, he appealed to the corporal of the
party to send word of his death to his
family in England, telling him that his
address would be found in the pocket
book which had been taken from him.
The corporal made out his meaning, and
promised.
They were proceeding to bandage his
ewes, when a voice from the top of the
ditch inquired who was going to be ex-
ecuted.
GA famous Communist, Colonel" re-
Piled the corporal-"Brultout. He was
captured last night at the station"
Jones, looking up anxiously, saw a
grizzled French officer on horseback; and
by his side, also mounted, a well-known
face that of Peters, special correspond
ent of the Mo1ming Nesos, to wit.
"Go on with your duty" said the
Colonel. ct wish we could shoot all
the murderous dogs with one volley.
You are in luck, friend Peter; this will
do capitally for one of your graphic let
ters.
az am, indeed" said the journalist,
cheerfully. "There is no cicerone like
you, Colonel"
"You cold-blooded brutew shouted
Jones, in English. ''Think of the din
ners we have eaten together, Peters; and
put in q word for Fellow, if you can"
"Why, who is thatP" cried Peters.
Don't shoot, you others. say, Colonel,
there is some mistake mere. Jones has
nothing socialistic about him but his
beard. have known him from the era
die, and more harmless innocent never
renounced razors."
''Tell him that love the French, ex
cept the Communists, and that l hate the
Germans; that / have subscribed three
times to the sick and wounded fund, ="
added Jones. t.
But these extra suggestions were need
less. The Colonel had asked Peters to
breakfast, and was too polite to refuse his
guest the life of a perfectly innocent
friend and countryman. Jones was
marched back; the gendarme who arrest
ed him was sent for; explanations were
entered into. No doubt that the photo
graph represented Jones; no doubt that it
was sold as Brultout,s-indeed, it had his
name printed on the back; no doubt some
one ought to be shot. Jones suggested
the photographer as fitting victim; and
had he been handy it is quite possible
that he might have met with the punish
ment due to one who had played such a
scurvy trick on an old and good customer
as to Strike off copies of his negative and
sell them as likenesses of one of the lead
ing Communists But he was in Paris,
and safe.
Jones was liberated, and got his lug
gage. He likewise received aninvitation
to breakfast from the kind Colonel. Pc
tiers was thoughtful on the occasion, and
the compatriot whom he had been the
means of saving from conical bullets