The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-29

until properly relieved. To certain ex-
tent the safety of the whole army rested on
the shoulders of each individual senti-
mel, and especially upon those who at
night were posted nearest the lines OF the
enemy.
81 am sorry" said the gray-haired old
warrior, as he folded up the petition and
handed it back to the officer who pre-
sented it. "I am sure that he meant no
wrong, and yet great wrong was done.
He knew what he was doing, and ran the
risk; he was detected, he has been tried
and condemned. He must suffer!"
They asked Lefebvre if he would see
the condemned.
"No-now the Marshal cried quickly.
'Should see him and listen to 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 his
trial. The result of the intereiew with
Marshal Lefebvre was made known to
him and he was not at all surprised. He
blamed no one and was only sorry that he
had not died on the battlefield.
81 have tried to be good soldier" he
said to the Captain. 81 feel that | have
done no crime that should leave stain
upon my name"
The Captain took his hand and assured
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 visit which
Jerome would gladly have dispensed
with, as hisfeelings were already wrought
up to pitch that almost unnamed him;
but he braced himself for the interview
, and would have stood it like hero had
/ not little Natalia, in the eagerness OF her
love and gratitude, thrown herself on his
bosom ard offered to die in his stead. This
tipped the brimming cup, and his tears
flowed freely.
Pierre and Lisette knew not what to
; say. They wept and prayed, and would
{ have willingly died for the noble fellow
) who had been thus condemned.
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 message OF
r love and devotion. Then he thought OF
brother and sister. And finally he
thought of one-a bright-eyed maid
whose vine-clad cottage stood upon the
Seine-one whom he had loved with a
r love such as only great hearts can feel.
"Oh, my dear friendN' he cried, bowling
his head upon his hands; ''you need not
tell them falsehood; but if the thing is
, possible, let them believe l fell in bat
tie"
His companion promised that he would
, do all that he could; and, if the truth
could not be kept buck, it should be SC
q faithfully told that the name of jerome
Dubois should not bear dishonor in the
: minds of those who had loved him il
other days.
e Morning came, dull and gloomy, witt
driving sleet and snow, and at an early
G hour Jerome Dubois was led forth to NEE
u his fate.
The place of execution had been fixet
q Upon low, barren spot towards the sea
and thither his division was beng
marched to witness the fearful punish
! ment
, They had gained not more than hal
the distance, when the sound of som'
= strange commotion broke upon the win
: try air, and very shortly all aid-de-caml
i came dashing to the side of the general O
the brigade, with the cry:
"a sortie a sortie! The enemy ar
out in force; let this thing be st 'yed
O The marshal directs that you face abOu
! and advance upon the PeninaulaW
q In an instant all was changed in tina
f division, and the brigader general, wiz
q hid temporary command, thundered fort
h his orders for the counter-march.
If The gloom was dissipated, and wit
glad hearts the soldiers turned from tn
thought of the execution of brav
d comrade to the thought of meeting tn
@ enemy.
e "What shall we do with the prisoner?
d asked the sergeant who had charge OF tn
# guard. 49,.
70 "Lead him back to the camp" e,
h claimed the captain.
,e The direction was very simple, but tn
x execution thereof was not to be so eas,
,e for hardly had the word escaped the cal
e tain's lips when squadron of Prussia
h cavalry came dashing directly towar
ID him. The division was quickly forme
into four hollow squares, while the guar
m that had the charge of the prison foun
themselves obliged to flee.
r. "In heavens nameW cried Jerom
to "cut my bonds, and let me die like 50
dier"
ne The sergeant quickly cut the cord th'
bound his elbows behind him, and the
IT. dashed forward to the point where h
el own company was stationed. The ratt
#. of muskeCry had commenced, and tt
b. Prussians were vainly endeavoring
break the squares of French troop
n Jerome Dubois looked about for son
n weapon with which to arm himself, al
presently he saw Prus-ian officer, n
en- far off, reeling in his saddle as though
nd had hpen wounded