Middletown transcript., 1877-11-03

the republicans and when their leade
presented himself, sword in hand, a
the door of the room to which he hat
retreated, as his last stand Of defence
the old General aimed at his head
furious blow, which would have close
his career at once and forever, had j
) not been skillfully parried by the sabr
of the Frenchman. 1t was the las
effort of the wounded and weary vet
eran he fell, and in another momen
the apartment was filed with republi
cans.
The Frenchman, who was nevei
known to yield quarter to a vanquish
ed enemy in the fifteen years Of hi
welded life, stepped forward to dis
patch the fallen General, when youns
and lovely woman rushed from an ad
joining room, threw herself at his feet
and kneeling there, pale, distracted
the tears streaming from her eyes
shrieked forth in voice Of terror and
despair.
"Spare him-oh, spare him-dO moi
take his life-he is my husband-the
father Of my child"
The Frenchman glanced for mo
ment at the suppliant with an eye in
which there was no trace of either an
ger or pity-and then, deliberately
pushing her aside, he made step in
advance, took a cool and steady aim
with his pistol at the wounded officer,
and shot him through the heart.
The wife of the murdered man ut
tered a fearful scream, and starting to
her feet and flying to the room whence
she had come, returned in a moment
with her boy, who. at the sight of his
fathers massacre, had hidden himself,
pale and trembling under the bed /;
she held him up to the feroeious re
publican, and exclaimed
"Monster you have slain the father
complete your work and destroy the
son."
At this moment loud shouts were
heard, and French General, sur
rounded by a crowd of officers, appear
ed at the door Of the apartment. The
scene was dramatic perfect coup De
theatre. The heart of the ferocious
soldier failed him pallor overspread
his features, and his limbs shook, while
Madam H., as if by sudden impulse,
flung herself at the feet of the General,
with single cry for "vengeance!"
The General raised her kindly and
respectfully, demanding at the same
moment an explanation of -the scene
before him. There was but little need
for words; the objects upon which he
gazed bore to his mind the accusation
of his subordinate that disfgured
corpse that female upon whose line
aments were stamped horror and de-
spair-that feeble child, with his pal
lid cheeks and his eyes streaming with
tears, calling upon his father, who
answered not.
The General perceived at once that
there was no fact to be ascertained, no
excuse to be admitted. His eyes fash
ed fire, and striking his glove forcibly
upon the palm Of his left hand, he
turned abruptly, and with a lowering
brow, to the assassin who stood before
him speechless and trembling, and ex-
claimed
"Sir, you are coward and a savage !!
What! murder in cold blood an un-
armed man-defenceless- veteran
before the eyes of his wife, imploring
mercyl It is the act Of fend r
"But, General" i" muttered the Grim
inal, with hesitating voice, the voice
of one who feels he is lost.
"Be silent, sir, interrupted the Gen
eral, 81 listen to no excuses-I admit
of no defence. You are unworthy to
serve the republic. Give me up you-
sword, your epaulettes. From this
moment you are dismissed from the
brigade you have disgraced,- from the
army upon which you are stain"
The Major raised his head with a
fierce, proud look.
General" he said, but with voice
that betrayed his emotion, II surrender
my sword, but I demand trial by my
comrades"
You shall have 1t, sir, and within
the hour"
Then turning to the officers who had
accompanied him to the spot, and rever-
emily barring his head before the body
of the victim, he said to them:
"Unite with me, gentlemen, in rem
dering tribute of respect to unfortunate
courage-to a brave and fallen enemy
The remainder of that dreadful day
was passed by Madame H., in the bit
terness of grief. After witnessing the
interment of her husband with mill
tary honors, this unhappy woman, who
had lost, in single moment, and un-
der circumstances of such peculiar
| bo,.,o,. oil tha+ mode life dear IN her