The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-11-22
him that his name should be held in re.


spect.
Toward evening Pierre Valiant, with
his wife and child, were admitted to see
the prisoner. This was visit which
Jerome would gladly have dispensed
with, as his feelings were already
wrought up tO.a pitch that almost I'M
manned him but he braced himself for
the Interview, and would have stood 1t
like hero, had not little Natalie, in the
eagerness of her love and gratitude,
thrown herself upon his bosom and of
fered to die in his stead. This tipped
the brimming cup, and his tears flowed
freely.
Pierre and Lisette knew not what to
do. They wepts and they prayed, and
they would willingly have died for the
noble fellow who had been thus con-
demned.
Later in the evening came a compan-
ion who, if he lived, would at some time
return TO Jerome's boyhood home. First
the condemned thought of his widowed
mother, and he sent her q 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 cot stood upon the
Someone whom he had loved with a
love such as only great hearts can feel.
his head upon his clasped hands, "you
need not tell them falsehOod, but ifthe
thing is possible, let them believe that
fell in battle"
( His companion promised that he
would do all he could, and if the truth
could not be kept back, it should be so
faithfully told that the name of Jerome
Dubois should not bear disgrace in the
minds of those who had loved him in
other days.
Morning came, dull and gloomy, with
driving sleet and snow; and at an early
hour Jerome Dubois was led forth to
meet his fate. The place of execution
had been fixed upon low, barren spot,
toward the sea; and thither his division
was being marched to witness the fear
full punishment. They had not gained
more than half the distance when the
sound of some strange commotion broke
upon the wintry air, and very shortly an
aide-de-camp came dashing to the side of
the general of the brigade, with the cry
"a sortie! A sortiet The enemy are
out in force. Let this thing be stayed.
The marshal directs that you face about
and advance upon the peninsula!"
In an instant all was changed in that
division, and the brigadier general, who
had temporary command, thundered
forth his orders for his counter-march.
The gloom was dissipated, and with glad
hearts the soldiers turned from thoughts
of the execution of a brave comrade to
thoughts OF. meeting the enemy. Ig
What shall we do with the prisoner ~
asked the sergeant who had charge of the
guard.
"Lead him back to the camp" replied
the captain.
The direction was very simple, but the
execution thereof was not to be so easy
for hardly had the words escaped the
captains lips when a squadron of Prus-
sian cavalry came dashing directly to
ward them. The division was quickly
formed into four hollow squares, while
the guard that held charge of the pris
oner found themselves obliged to flee.
'In heavens NAME" cried Jerome
''cut my bonds, and let me die like sol
dier pr .- -F'f
The sergeant quickly cut the cord that
bound his elbows behind him, and then
dashed toward the point where his OWL
company was stationed. The rattle oil
musketry had commenced, and the Prus
SLAMS were vainly endeavOring to break
the squares of French troops. jerome
Dubois looked about him for some weap
on with which to arm himself, and pres
emily he saw Prussian officer not fal
off reeling in his saddle as though he ha6
been wounded. With quick bound he
reached the spot, pulled the dying Off
Ger from his seat, and leaped into the emp
ty saddle. |..H
Dubois was fully resolved that h
would sell his life on that day-sell it il
behalf of France-and sell it as dearly a!
possible. But he was not needed where
he was. He knew that the Prussiani
Il lVrII ~ l.
SO he rode away thinking to join the
French cavalry, with whom he coulC
run into the deepest danger. SupposinI
that the heaviest fighting must be upoI
the Nehrung, he rode his horse in tina
direction, and when he reached 1t b,
1 found that he had not been mistaken
Upon slight eminence toward Hagels
berg the enemy had planted battery o
heavy guns, supported by two regiment
of infantry; and already, with shot ant
Il shell, immense damage had been done
| Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortly afte
this battery had opened, and very quick
lyN made up his mind that it must be tax
en- at all hazards.
Take that battery" he said to a colo
mel of cavalry, "and the battle is ours"
Dubois heard the order and saw tn
necessity. Here was danger enough
at the fatal battery, he kept as near t.
the leader as he dared. Half the dis
lance had been gained, when from tn
hill came storm of iron that plowed in
to the ranks of the French. The colone
fell, his body literally torn in pieces b.
a shell that exploded against his bosom
The point of the penInsula now reach
led by the head of the assauiting column
was not more than hundred yards wide
and it was literally path of death, a
the fire from twelve heavy guns was fire.
upon it. The colonel had fallen ant
very soon three other offlcess went down
leaving the advance without d commits
stoned leader. The way was becoming
blocked up with dead men and deat
horses, and the head ofthe column stoI
ped and wavered.
Marshal Lefebvre, from his elevatet
place, saw this, and his heart throbbe,
painfully. If that column were routed
and the Russian infantry charged owe
the peninsula, the result might be calan
itous. ~ no, q IA
But-seei A man in the uniform of
French private, mounted upon. power
full horse, caparisOned in the trapping
of a Prussian staff officer, with his heal
bare, and bright saber swinging in hi
hand, rushes to the front and-urges tn
column forward. His words are fierc
and his look dauntless.
+ For France and for Lefebvre " tn
strange horseman cries, waving his swor
aloftS and pointing toward the batter
The marshal will weep If we lose thi
dayr'
The brave troopers, thus led by on
who feared not to push forward wher
: the shot was thickest, gave an answerin
shout and passed on, caring little for tn
rain of death 50 long as they had livel
take the battery, and yet counting dealt
Jerome Dubois spurred on, and finall
the troupe come upon the battery wit