Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-12-20

one, and was only sorry that he had
mot died upon the battlefield.
81 have tried to be good soldier,
he said to his captain. ~ feel that
have committed no crime that should
leave stain upon my name."
/ The captain took his hand and as
sured him that his name should be
held in respect.
Toward evening Pierre Valiant
with his wife and child were admit.
ted to see tho prisoner. This was a
visit that Jerome would gladly have
dispensed with, as his feelings were
already wrought up to such a pitch
that it almost unnamed him but lie
braced himself up for the interview
and would have stood it like q hero
had not little Natalie, in the eager.
ness of her love and gratitude, thrown
herself upon his bosom and offered to
die in his stead. This tipped the
brimming cup, and the tears flowed
freely.
/ Pierre and Lisctte knew not whaI
to do. They wcpt and they prayed
and they would have died willingly
for the noble fellow who had thus
been condemned.
Later in the evening came a COM
panion who, if he lived, would al
sometime return to Jerome's boyhood
home. First the condemned thought
of his widowed mother, and he sent
her message of love and devotion.
Then he thought of brother and
sister. And finally he thought of one
"a bright-eyed maid-whose vine
clad cottage stood upon the banks of
the Seine, one who he had loved with
q love such as only great hearts can
feel.
"Oh, my dear friendr' he cried,
bowling his head upon his clasped
hands, "you need not tell them false
hood but If the thing be possible, let
them believe that l fell in battle"
His companion promised to do all
he could and if the truth could not
be kept back, it should be faithfully
told that the name of jerome Dubois
should not bear dishonor in the minds
of those who had loved him In other
days.
Morning came, dull and gloomy,
with driving slcet and snow; and at
an early hour Jerome Dubois was
led forth to meet his fate. The place
of execution had been fixed upon a
low, barren spot towards the sea, and
thither his division was being
marched to witness the fearful pun
ishment, They had gained not more
than half tho distance when the sound
of some strange commotion broke
upon the wintry air, and very soon
an aid-de-camp came dashing up to
the side of the general of the brigade,
with the cry
"A sortie! sortie! the enemy are
out in force. The marshal directs that
you face about and advance upon the
peninsula"
In an instant all was changed i'm
that division and the brigadicr gen.
eral who had temporary command,
thundered forth his orders for the
countermarch. The gloom was dis
sipatcd, and with glad hearts the
soldiers turned from the thoughts of
the execution of brave comrade, to
the thoughts of meeting the enemy.
"What shall we do with the prison.
err" said the sergeant who had
charge of the guard.
"Lead him back to the camp said
the captain.
The direction was very simple but
the execution thereof was not so easy
for hardly had the words escaped the
captains lips, when squad of Pruss-
ian cavalry came dashing directly to-
wards them. The division was quick
ly formed into hollow squares, while
the guard that held charge of the
prisoners found themselves obliged
flee.
"In heavens name,' cried Jerome.
"cut my bonds and let me die like a
soldier"
The sergeant quickly cut the cord
which bound his elbows behind him
and then dashed towards the point
where his own company was. The
rattle of musketry had commenced
and the Prussians were yainly en-
deavoring to break the squares of
French troops. Jerome Dubois look
ed about him for some weapon with
which to arm himself. and presently
he saw Prussian officer, not far of,
reeling in his saddle, as though he
had been wounded. With 4 quick
bound he reached the spot, pulled the
dying officer from his seat and leap
cd into the empty saddle.
Dubois was fully resolved that he
would sell his life on that day-se,l il
in behalf of France-and sell it as
dearly as possible. But he was not
needed where he was. He knew the
Prussians could not break those hoI-
low squares; so he rode away think
ing to join the French cavalry with
whom he could rush into the deepest
danger. Supposing the heaviest fight
ing would be on the Nehrang, he
rode his horse in that direction; and
when he reached the place he found
that he had not been mistaken. Up
on slight eminence towards Hagels-
burg, the enemy had planted a bat
terry ofheavy guns, supported by two
regiments of infantry; and already,
with shot and shell immense damage
had been done.
Marshal Lafebvre rode up shortly
after this battery had been opened.
and very quickly made up his mind
that it must be taken at all hazards.
"Take that battery" he said to
Colonel of cavalry, "and the battle is
ours"
Dubois heard the order and saw the
necessity. Here was danger enough
surely: and, determined to be the
first at the fatal battery, he kept as
near the leader as he dare. Half the
distance had been gained, when from
the hill came storm of iron that
ploughed into the ranks of the French
The colonel fell, his body literally
torn to pieces by shell that cNplo-
ded against his bosom.
The point upon the peninsula, now
reached by the head of the assaulting
column was not more than hunrcd
yards wide; and it was literally
path to death, as the fire of twelve
heavy guns was turned upon it. The
Colonel had fallen and very soon
three other officers went down, leav-
ing the advance without a commits
stoned leader. The way was blocked
up with dead men and dead horses
and the head Of the column stopped
and wavered.
Marshal Lafcbvre, from,his elevated
position, saw this and his heart throb-
bed painfully.
But-see! A man in the uniform
Of French private, mounted upon
powerful horse caparisoned in the
trappings of Prussian staff officer,
with bare head and bright sabre
swinging in his hand, rushes to the
front and urges the column forward.
His words are fiery, and his look is
dauntless.
"For France and for Lafcbvrc y
the strange horseman cries, waving
his sword aloft, and pointing towards
the battery. 1.-THE Marshal will weep
If he lose this day !"
The brave troops, led by one who
feared not to dash forward where the
shot fell the thickest, gave an answer
ing shout. and pressed on, caring lit
tie for the rain Of death as long as
they had live leader 10 follow un-