Middletown transcript., 1874-05-16
The Hand Of Providence.

The following incident is most excit-
ing and remarkable oecurrence-more es-
pecially when taken in connection with
the fact that human life hung upon "the
throw Of dice:"
When William III. of England was be-
sieging Namur 10 the year 1895 Gin COM
junction with his allies). some Of his SOL
diers went on marauding expedition in
the neighborhood Of the camp--notwith-
standing the penalty of instant death
which had been promulgated against any
soldier committing this breach of martial
law. The country people, who objected
to their property being taken from them
without payment caught most Of the ma
rauders, and visited them with speedy
vengeance. Two soldiers, however, es-
capped. and got back safely to the camp,
not, however without being pursued by
the peasants they had despoiled. who
lodged their complaint before the officer
in charge. The two soldiers were imme-
diately arrested, drum-head court-mar-
tial was called, and after the evidence had
been taken. both were at once sentenced
to death. The General-in-chie was de-
sirous Of saving the lives of the two un-
lucky soldiers; bat. far the sake Of exam
pie, it was decided that the sentence must
he carried out upon one of the offenders
and by way of determining which one
should suffer and which escape, recourse
was had to the dice-hox When the time
for the execution arrived. the two oldiers
were led to drum. near which the pole
was already fixed for carving ont the SEN
tepce. One Of the condemned. with a
trembling hand took mp the dice. and
threw in the presence Of his comrades.
- Two SKIES! two sixes!" was whispered
round and in another instant. his broth.
er in trouble also threw two skies! The
officers were puzzled. but ordered the meu
to throw a second time. Again. to the
amazement Of ALL equal numbers were
east--but this time two fives Their fel.
low soldiers were now loud in their de.
mands that the marauders should at once
be pardoned, but application was made te
the court-martial for further instructions
and, after some delay. the order was giver
that the offenders should throw thiri
time. Trembling from head to foot. and
with heavy hearts. the poor fellows agair
cast the dice. when, to the further con.
sternatioa of all around, especially Of tht
officers charged to attend the execution
the result was two fours The loud cry
then arose from the bystanders, "This il
Gods hand! This is Gods hand y
The case was again submitted to the court
martial Even its most hardened mem.
bers shuddersd !; and It was unanimousi,
resolved to leave the decision to the gene
chief, the Prince of Vaudemont.-
The two Englishmsn were brought befor,
him.. and told him the whole Of theil
story; and, after listening attentively. tn,
Prince uttered the welcome word, :" Par
don " adding, /" it is impossible in suci
an uncommon ease not to obev the voic
of Providence" The proceedings wer,
then stayed, and the soldiers, both o
whom but a few minutes before were suf
fering the " agony Of suspense" an,
whose lives we're literally depending OF
the 1lyOe Of a dice. were liberated. an,
returned to their duty each eongratulatin,
himself on the narrow escape from an IL
nominious death.