The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-12-13

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 ferocious republican, and ex-
claimed
Monster! you have slain the. father
complete your work and destroy the son."
At this moment loud shouts were heard,
and French general, surrounded by a
crowd of officers, appeared at the door of
the apartment The scene was dramatic
"a perfect coup de theatre. The heart of
the ferocious soldier failed him; pallor
overspread his features and his limbs
shook, while Madame H., as if by sud-
den impulse, flung herself at the feet of
the general, with a single cry of sven
geancew
The general raised her kindly and re-
spectfully, demanding at the same time
an explanation of the scene before him.
There was but little need for words; the
object upon which he gazed bore to his
mind the accusation of his subordinate;
that disfgured corpse-that female-upon
whose lineaments were stamped horror
and despair-that feeble child, with his
pallid cheeks and his eyes streaming with
tears, calling upon his father who an
swered not.
The general perceived at once that
there was no fact to be ascertained,no ex-
cuse to be admitted. His eyes flashed
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 speech
less and trembling, and exclaimed:
"Sir, you are coward and savage!
What! murder in cold blood an unarmed
an-defenseless-a veteran-before the
eyes of his wife, imploring mercy! 1t is
the act of fend!"
but, general" muttered the criminal,
with hesitating voice, the voice Of one
who feels he is lost.
"Be silent, sir" interrupted the gen.
eral; II listen to no excuse, l admit no
defense. Give me up your sword, your
dismissed from the brigade you have dis
graced, from the army upon which you
are stain"
The major raised his head with fierce,
proud look.
General" he said, with voice that
betrayed his emotion, II surrender my
sword, but demand trial by my COM
rades."
You shall have it, sir, and within the
hour"
Then turning to the officers, who had
accompanied him to the spot, and rev.
erently barring his head before the body
of tho victim no said fD them
Unite with me, gentlemen, In render
ing tribute of respect to unfortunate
courage-a brave and fallen enemy"
The remainder of that dreadful day was
passed by Madame II. in the bitterness of
grief. After witnessing the interment of
her husband with military honors, this
unhappy woman, who had lost in sim
gle moment, and under circumstances of
such peculiar horror, all that made life
dear to her, except her boy, sank into
lethargy Of sorrow-an abandonment OF
wretchedness. While she had a murdered
husband to avenge, a helpless child to
protect and save, she had preserved her
energies of mind and body; but now,
when the assassin had undergone the
shame of public degradation, and the
prompt and terrible justice of military
commission impended over his head, the
helpless widow could think of nothing
but her loss. For her there seemed to DO
no longer cause of hope or fear. She
was therefore more astonished than
alarmed when, early next morning,
French abide camp waited upon her
with request from the commander-in-
chief that she would repair Immediately
to his quarters at the Hotel de Vile.
Without word Of inquiry or remon-
STRANGE, she arose, took her child into her
arms, and followed the messenger of the
general.
Led to the council chamber at the mo-
ment of her arrival, Madame II. found
herself surrounded by all the elories of
the republican army; by those celebrated
men for whom such wondrous destinies
were reserved; by whom crowns were to
be won and lost, and of whom, in after
years. so many were to lose on battlefields,
amid the intrigues of cabinets, or the
corruptions of court, the honor for
which they now were painting, or the lives
they were now so ready to peril in its
winning. There were Murat, Duroc,
Lannes, Dessaix, Massena, Hoche, and
Bernadotte; and in the midst Of them the
general, who, with arms folded on his
breast and eyes fixed on the floor, walked
slowly to and fro, as if in deep and pain
full meditation.
On the entrance of Madame H. he
stopped abruptly-motioned her TO be