The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-22

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Messire de Chatilon here, the citizens never
would have refused to sell US pr DIVISIONS, if you
had not gone nefariously to work in exact
| ing the capitation tax. II is to You we owe
these troubles; for all your thought is
how to trample under foot your own people
No wonder they full of the bitterest hatred
| against rs and our government, when power is
intrusted to such as you."
:" call every one of you to witness that
have only, with zeal and in all fidelity, exc
cuted the orders of Messire de Cbatillon"
"Call you that zeal and fidelity 7" exclaimed
De Mortenay "say rather your own malig
nant spite against your countrymen for the
just contempt they bear you. 1t was grievons
oversight of the king our lord to set one w hom
all the world cries sh anne upon over his revenue
in Flanders"
Messire de Mortenay," cried Van Gstel
passionately, "you shall answer to me for
this !"
Sirs," interposed the governor-general, "let
there be end of this! 1 forbid you to ex-
change another word in my presence let your
swords decide your quarrel at fitting oppor-
tunity. At the same time tell you, Messire
de Mortenay, that the fashion of your speech
displeases mo, and that in all things Messire
~-S~~~ $1,000 eSAAo~eo>A
my will. The honor of the French crown
must be avenged and were it not that the
ringleaders have left the city, there should be
more gibbets this day in Bruges than there are
crossways to plant them in. Mean while, how
ever, and until q convenient time arrives for
putting the rebels to rout at Damme, am
resolved to make q severe example now and on
the spot. Messire Van Gistel. give me the
0f ha achf
in the city, and to the gallows with them
without more ado"
Determined not to miss the first ustalment
of his revenge, Van Gistel passed his eyes
along the multitude before him, and picking
out eight persons from amongst the crowd,
marked them on the instant to the governor
general. A herald as then called, who speed
lily made his appearance in front of the citi.
zens; and having first, by blast of his trum-
pet, warned them to keep silence, he thus pro-
ceeded to make proclamation:
In the name of the most high and noble
prince, our most gracious sovereign lord, King
Philip, the citizens whose names shall now
read forth are hereby summoned to appear
without delay before Messire James de Chatil-
Ion, encouragement of this land of Flanders,
and that on pain of death in case of disobe-
dience." He then proceeded to read out the
names.
The stratagem fully succeeded; for as each
name was called, the person designated came
forth out of the crowd, and advanced up the
square into the immediate presence of De Cha
| tillon. Little did they suspect what awaited
| them; though indeed their hearts BODIED them
no good, and they would probably have sought
safety in flight had that been possible. Most
of them were men of some thirty years of age
but among them approached one grey headed
old man, with slow-drawu steps, aud back
bowed down with the weight of years, his
| countenance expressive of placid resi- alton
| without the slightest shade of fear. He stood
before the governor, looking up at him with
an inquiring air. &" What would you with us ?"
| his bearing seemed to say.
AS soon as the last had obeyed the summons
at q sign from the governor the eight Cha W ards
were seized and bound in spite of all resist.
| ance The murmurs of the spectators were
soon repressed by the threatening aspect of a
| party of men at arms detached with that in.
| tention. In few moments lofty gallows
was set up in the middle of the square. and a
priest might be seen standing by the side of
the victims. At the sight of the fell instru->
| ment of death, the wives, children and friends
OF the unhappy men called aloud for mercy
and the masses of people swayed tumultuously
to and fro. mighty Sigh, mingled with
curses and cries for vengeance, burst from the
crowd, and ran along it's ranks like the growl-
ing of the thunder which precedes the storm.
Again a trumpeter came forward, sounded a
blast, and made proclamation:
Know ye all, that whatsoever shall disturb
the lawful execution of the justice of my lord
the geVernor-general by seditous cries, or
otherwise, shall be treated as an accomplice of
these rebels, and an accessory to their crimes
and as such be hanged upon the same gallo :"
Immediately the murmurs died away, and
death-iike stiffness fell upon the multitude
The weeping women lifted up their eyes to
heaven, and addressed their supplications to
Him whose ear is ever open to His creatures
prayers, though a despots threats may seal
AbDsr ls,Na.