The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-23

usually noisy tonight" he said to an
aide-de-camp who dined with him.
'If mistake not the sentry have cap
tured deserter," said the aid, rising
and going to the window. He stood
there peering through the glass, which
was so imperfect as to make big men
look very little, and small men look very
large, besides gracing one body with four
or even six pairs of legs.
at Is as mistrusted, sire. They
have caught deserter, and, if my eyes
do not deceive me 1t Is Francois Du-
plan"
mo, not he" the Count said, rising.
"Why, he is a gentleman. He cannot
conceal that even from you, If he is a
common soldier. He has the air of
grand mystery, and he is withal exceed
ing serviceable at the oven.'
:" 1t is he, nevertheless, sire, and you
will pardon me If l recall to your men,
ory the order that has issued by the
Count de Rocnambeau when the desert
er was captured the other day and for
given"
"Death at the next SUNRISE" said the
Count, sinking into his chair.
"Death at the next SUNRISE" said the
aid quietly.
Methinks had known that this fell
low would be the next, would have
waited till the next after he, for there
is something about him that passes my
comprehension greatly"
You will"
"No, will not. The order was CIV
Ell, it must be followed. See that l am
not awakened until after the sentence is
executed"
A count martial was speedily conven-
ed, and Francois Duplan stood before it
charged with having been captured by
the pickets far beyond bounds, and max
ing as it were his intention to pass thro'
the north woods, out upon the Hartford
turnpike.
" cannot deny this" he said, "but 1
affirm that it was my intention to return
before roll call and at once admit that L
had disobeyed the rules"
"That is an apology easily framed af-
ter capture" suggested the Judge Ad-
vocate; but if you can say what your
purpose was in thus going beyond the
lines, if it seems to us good and consist
ent with your return, it may make the
difference between life and death with
you, Francois Duplan."
Alas, cannot tell my purpose. 1
can say that it was good one; that
had it been accomplished, results of
much concern to me and to another
yes, many others-might have come of
it. AS it is unaccomplished, my purpose
would be laughed at and another made
an object of ridicule."
"That must be singular purpose, in
deed, which you would prefer to lose
your life rather than part with"
=" If it must be SO, then it must. 1
hoped to lose my life when L came to
America, but not thus. However, what
difference is it ?"
They found him guilty and sentenced
him to death. He was to be shot by six
of his comrades at the next sunrise.
Yet they pitied him. He was, by all
accounts, tall, handsome, brave fellow,
soldier whose ease of manner and
whose habits indicated that his early
life was passed in circles with which
none of his companions were familiar.
He was stranger to them all when he
| Joined them, and it had not escaped no.
tice that the Count de Rochambeau,
with his ever observant eye, had mark
ed this common soldier, Francois, and
had even once said, in the hearing of
the sentry who paced in front of the
door: :" l mean to find out why this
| gentleman serves as common soldier
and who he is.'
With all his reserve and hours of med
itation, Francois was q favorite with his
comrades, for which they felt that he
was above them in refinement, in polish
and experience, they knew that he made
no effort to have them feel thus, but
rather endeavored to repress all trials
and emotions not shared in common by
private soldier. Yet he could not re-
press all. There was method, way,
a mannerism of which he was uncon.
scious.
He had nursed the sick, done double
duty to save some tired-o comrade, and
there was gloom throughout the camp
when 1t went forth that Comrade Du.
plan was to be shot at sunrise. They
went by twos and threes and scores tc