The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-12-13

and yet great wrong was done. de knew
what he was doing--he ran the risk-he was
detected--he has been tried and condemned.
He must sutferp
They asked Leiebvre if he would see tie
No, no = the marshal cried, quickly
Should see him, and listen to one half 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 Du
bois was the morning succeeding the day o
his trial. The result of the interview with
Marshal Leiebvre was made known to h,m
and he WAS not at all Disappointed. lie
blamed 20 one, and was only sorry that he |
had not died ON the batlef Id
4 have tri, d to b. I'd sol ipr,' he said |
to his captain. 1 feel that | have done no |
crime that should leave a stain upon my
name
The captain took his hand, and assured
him that his name should be held in re-
spect
Toward evening, Pierre Valiant his wife
and child, were admitted to see the prisoner.
This was visit which Jerome would gladly
| have dispensed with, as his feelings were al
ready wrought up to pitch that almost un-
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 up
on his bosom and offered to'die in his stead.
This tipped the briming cup, and his tears
howe 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 condemned.
Later in the evening came a companion
who, # he lived, would sometime return to
Jerome's boyhoodh home. First the con
demned thought of his widowed mother, and
he sent her a message of love and devotion.
Then he thought of a brothe. and sister.
And, finally, he thought of one-a bright.
eyed maid-whose vne-clad cot stood upon
the banks of the Seine-one whom he had
loved with love such as only great hearts
can feel.
oh, my dear friend ? he cried, bowing his
head upon his clasped hands, you need
not tell them falsehood but if the thing
is possible, let them believe 1 fell in bat
| tie 7
His companion promised that he would
do all he could and if the truth could not
be kept back, it should be so truthfully told
that the name of Jerome Dubois should not
loved him in..other days
| Morning came, dull and gloomy, with dri-
wing 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 fearful punishment, They had
gained not more than half the distance when
the sound of some strange commotiOn brok
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 sortie The enemy ar ut
in lorce. Let this thing be stayed. The
marshal directs that you face about and sd
vance upon the peninsula!
In an instant all was changed IN thar di-
vision and the briga Ii r general, who had
temporary command, thurd,re, torrb his or.
ders for his counter march The gloom WA,
dissipated ; and with clad hearts the soldier,
turned from the thoughts OF the execution
| Iof, hr.,, 10. a,,f ii
the enemy
what shall be done with the prisoner
asked the sergeant who had charge of th
guard.
Lead him back to the camp, replied tn
captain.
The direction was very simple, but the ex
i ecutlon thereof was not to be so easy 70
T scarcely had the words escaped the cap
tain's lips when Il squadron of Prussian cav
d airy came dashing directly toward them
: The division was quickly formed in fou
hollow squares, while the guard that he
e charge of the prisoner found themseve
= obliged to flee.
In heavens name cried Jerome, cut m
|
. The sergeant quickly cut the cord this
d bound his elbows behind him, and the
dashed towards the point where his ow
II company was stationed. The rattle of mu
kerry had commenced, and the Prussiar
q were vainly endeavorng to break the square
of French troops Jerome Dubois locke
about him for some weapon with which
+ arm himself and presently he saw Pru
d sian officer not far off reeling in his sadd
e as though he had been wounded. With
y quick bound he reached the spot, pulled II
dying officer from his seat, and leaped ini
!. the empty saddle.
i Dubois was fully resolved that he wou
sell his life on that day-sell it in behs
- of France--and sell it as dearly as possibl
But he was not needed where he was. II
a knew that the Prussians could not bres
ia those hollow squares; so he rode away thiH
70 ing to join the French cavalry, with who
"a he would rush into the deepest danger. Su
"A posing that the heaviest fighting must
,e upon the Nehrung, he rode his horse in tn
.. direction, and when he reached it he four
"a that he had not been mistaken. Upon
slight eminence toward Haglesberg the e
emy had planted a battery of heavy gun
supported by two regiments of infantry
and already with shot and shell immen
damage had been done.
Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortly aft
- this battery had opened, and quickly mat
up his mind that it must be taken at all hs
ri yards.
D; Take that battery he said to colonel
ID the cavalry, and the battle is ours
Dubois heard the order, and saw the nect
ne sity. Here was danger enough, surely an
n determined to be first at the fatal batter
he kept as near to the leader as he dar
lis Hall the distance he had gained, when FIR,