The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-11-15


bis lef hAad, he tuFnsd abruptly, and
With $ lowering brow, to the assassia
who stood beforn him spccbisfa and
trembling aud exclaimed;
Sir, you are a coward and savegsi
What murder In cold blood an uDArmed
-deieneeless--a veterAn--belora The
eyes Of bis wife, lmploriag inereyi Ii.
is but the act OF iiendi
But, General, mutiered lhe criminal,
with Aialtering voice, the Eoics etaRf
who feels be is loss = f ~
De silent, interrupted the General. !
Listen to no excuses II admit of no de-
ienee. You are unworthy 70 serve the
republic. Give me your sword, your
epanle,ts. From this moment you are
dismissed from The brigade you have dis
graced, from the army upon which you
are a stain.
Tho Msjor raised bis head With fierce
proud look.
General, he said, with voice that be-
trayed his emotion, surrender my
sword but demand trial By my com.
rRdes.
Yon shall have 1t, cir, and within the
hour.
Then turning 20 the officers who had
accompanied him TO the spot, and rever-
eutly barring bis head before the body of
the victim, he said TO them:
Unite with me, gentlemen, In rendering
a tribute Of respect TO unfortunate cour-
sge-to brave and fallen enemy.
The remainder Of that dreadful day
was passed by Madam IL. ia the bitter.
ness of grief. After witnessing the in.
terment Of her hnsband with military
honors, this unhappy woman, who had
lost, in single moment, and under cir
cumstances of snch peculiar horror, all
that made life dear TO her, except her
boy, sank into q lethargy OF sorrow-an
abandonment 10 wretchedness.
While she had a murdered husband to
avenge, helpless child TO protect and
save, she had preserved her energies Of
mind and body; bat now when The assas-
ius had undergone the shame of public
degradation, and the prompt and terrible
justice Of military commission impend-
ed over his head, the hapless widow
could think Of nothing but her loss. For
her there seemed to be no longer cause
Of hope or fear.
She was therefore more sstonished
than alarmed when early next morning,
a French aid de 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 a word of inquiry or remon-
STRANGE she arose, took her child Ia her
arms and followed the messenger TO the
General.
Lea 10 tho council chamber at the mo-
meat Of her arrival, Madam H. found
herself surrounded by all the gories of
the Republican army; by those celebrat-
ed men for whom such destinies were
reserved; by whom crowns were to be
won and lost; and of whom IN after
years, so many were TO lose on the battle
fields, amid the intrigues of cabinets or
the corruptions of court, the honor for
which they were now painting, or the
lives they were now so ready to peril in
its winning. There were Murat, Duroc,
Lannes, Desaix, Massena, Hoche and
Bernadotte; and in the midst of them the
General, who, with bis arms folded on
his breast, and his eyes fixed upon the
floor, walked slowly to and fro, ns If in
deep and painful meditation.
On the entrance OF Madam II. be stop
ped sbruptly, motioned her to be seated,
and then, after gazing for moment In
the face Of her child, with gentle smile
Of interest and affection, resumed bis
walk. Madam IL. began to feel alarmed.
This unexpected simmons, this strange
reception, the silence that prevailed
around her, sli combined first 20 surprise
and theu TO terrify her. a vague fensa-
ton OF anxiety and fear oppressed her
heart, aud she could not command her
nerves for the utterance of single word
thst might call forth . solution Of her
doubts.
All at once the roll of drum, at a liz.
Tie distance, started Der from Der painful
reyetes IL was quickly followed by
voIey Of musketry, aud the General,
pausing IN his walk, placed his hand up
on her arm aud led her TO a window,
from which she beheld In the square
below the fearful spectacle of military
execution just accomplished.
Look madam, be said in calm, yet
Impressive tone, the man whom you see,
lying dead upon tho ground, was
Freuch officer, whom bis comrades In
arms have condemned to death for the
assassination ofan Austrian, 10 city
taken by assault.
He paused for moment, then glanciBg
around upou The officers who stood near
them, he continued:
You arc at liberty 10 quit Ivree this
morning. General Desaix, whom have
requested to be your escort, will answer
to the republic for your safety. Fare
well, madam; report to Prince Charles
what you have seen Of The justice main
tsIned 10 the armies OF the French.
TIE General, at that time Grst Consul,
was alterward the Emperor Napoleon.
The very basis OF good tasle is formed
by eommon-sense. II teaches a man, 10
the FIRST place, that more than two elbows
are highly InconyenIens IN lhe world