The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-11-30
Ger to the camp, where ne was put in

Ger to the camp, where ne was put in
irons.
On the following morning, jerome
Dubois was brought before court-mar-
tial under charge Of having deserted his
post. He confessed that he was guilty,
and then permission was granted him to
tell his own story.
This he did in few words; but the
court could do nothing but pass sentence
of death; yet the members thereof all
signed a petition praying that Jerome
Dubois might be pardoned; and this
petition was handed to the general of
the brigade, and through him to the
general of the division, by whom it was
Endorsed, and sent up to the marshal.
Lefebvre was kind and generous to his
soldiers almost to a fault, but he could
not overlook so grave an error as that
which had been committed by Dubois.
The orders given to the sentinel had
been very simple, and foremost of very
necessity was the order forbidden him
to leave his post until properly relieved.
To certain extent, the safety of the
whole army rested upon the shoulders of
each individual sentinel, and especially
upon those who at night were posted
nearest the lines of the enemy.
| am sorry" said the gray-haired old
warrior, as he folded up the petition and
handed it back to the officer who had
presented it. 81 am sure that man
meant no wrong, and yet great wrong
was done. He knew what he was doing
he ran his risk-he was detected-he
hos haar +r,al ooI IT
must suffer-"
They asksd Lefebvre if he would see
the condemned.
No, mol" the marshal cried, quick
ly. "Should | see him, and listen to
one-haH his story, | might pardon him,
and that must not be done. Let him
die, that thousands may be saved"
The time fixed for the execution OF
Dubois was the morning succeeding the
day of his trial. The result of the in
terview with Marshal Lefebvre was made
known to him, and he was not at all dis
appointed. He blamed no one, and was
only sorry that he had not died on the
battle field.
q have tried to be a good soldier, y
he said to his captain. q feel that |
have done no crime that should leave a
stain upon my name"
The captain took his hand, and assur-
ed him that his name should be held in
respect.
Toward evening, Pierre Valiant, with
his wife and child, were admitted to see
the prisoner. This was a visit which
Jerome would gladly have dispensed
with, as his feelings were already
wrought up to pitch that almost I'M
manned him; but he braced himself for
the interview, and would have stood it
like hero had not little Natalie, in the
eagerness of her love and gratitude,
thrown herself upon his bosom and
offered to die in his stead. This tipped
the briming cup, and his tears flowed
freely.
Pierre and Lisette knew not what to
say. They wept and they prayed, and
they would have willingly 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's home.
First the condemned thought of his
widowed mother, and he sent her mes
sage of love and devotion. Then he
thought of brother and sister. And.
finally, he thought Of one-a bright
eyed maid-whose yine-clad cot stood
upon the banks of the Someone whom
he had loved with love such as only
great hearts can feel.
Oh, my dear friendn' he cried, bow
ing his head upon his clasped hands,
"you need not tell them a falsehood !;
but if the thing is possible, let them be-
lieve fell in battlen'
His companion promised that he would
do all he could; and, if the truth could
not be kept back, it should be so truth
fully told that the name of Jerome Du-
bois should not bear dishonor 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 a low, barren spot
toward the sea; and thither his division
was being marched to witness the fear
full punishment. They had gained not
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 sortiel 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
~ L =
had temporary command, Numbered
forth his orders for the countermarch.
The gloom was dissipated; and with
glad hearts the soldiers turned from the
thoughts of the execution Of brave
comrade to thoughts of meeting the
enemy.
What shall we do with the prison
err" asked the sergeant who had change
of the guard.
:" Lead him back to the camp" replied
the captain.
The direction was very simple, but the
execution thereof was not 70 be SO easy,
for scarcely had the words escaped the
captains lips when a squadron of Prus-
sian cavalry came dashsing directly
toward them. The division was quickly
formed in four hollow squares, while the
guard that held charge of the prisoner
found themselves obliged to fee
In heavens name," cried Jerome,
"cut my bonds, and let me die like a
soldier
The sergeant quickly cut the cord that
bound his elbows behind him, and then
dashed toward the point where his own
company was stationed. The rattle of
musketry had commenced, and the Prus-