The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-09-19

| an1rm t1at IL was my 1ntentlOn 10 IT,
turn before roll call and at once admit
that had disobeyed the rules
'sThat is an apology easily framed
after capture" suggested the Judge
Advocate; "but if you say what your
purpose was in thus going beyond the
lines, if it seems to us good and con-
sistent with your return, it may make
the difference between life and death
with you, Francois Duplan."
ALAS! can not tell my purpose.
can say that it was good one that had
it been accomplished, results of much
concern to me and to an0ther-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 a singular purpose,
indeed, which you would prefer to lose
your life rather than part with"
"If it must be SO, then it must.
hoped to lose my life when 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 ac-
counts, a tall, handsome, brave fellow,
a 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
a stranger to them all when he joined
them, and it had not escaped notice that
the Count de ROchambeau, with his
over-Observant eye, had marked this
common soldier, Francois, and had even
once said in the hearing of the sentry
who paced in front of the door, 81
mean to find out why this gentleman
serves as 4 common soldier and who
he is"
With all his reserve and hours of med
itatiOn, Francois was favOrite with his
comrades, for while 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 emo
tons not shared in common by a private
soldier. He could not repress all. There
was q method, a way, mannerism of
which he was unconscious. He had
nursed the sick, done double duty to
save some tiret-Out cOmratle, and there
was gloom throughout the camp when
it went forth that COmrade Duplan was
to he shot mt sunrise. They went by
twOs and threcs and scores to the Count
de Rochambeau to beg for mercy, and
they returned heavy-hearted, not getting
what they sought.
Duplan himself, SO it was afterward
said, was the most composed and SEEM
inS1y least troubled soldier in the camp.
To his guard he said but little. Once,
when the guard, with the tears stream
ing down his cheeks, said: "ToO bad!
Too bad!" Duplan replied, " 1t is well. :"
And then he added: 81 have lived these
five years i'm the shadow of death. To-
day, yesterday, for a few weeks, have
through the clouds. l knew to-day,
when l stepped over the lines, that ere |
returned either the sun would once more
shine for me, or that night would come
forever"
"That seems to be the strange part of
it all. There is not soldier in camp
who thinks you intended to DESERT
"NOr did I. Had l succeeded, l
should have returned, welcomed by the
Count de ROchambeau, and not as Fran
co.'s Duplan."
"Then you are not serving under your
right name?''
ssNo, once had-knew servant of
that name.''
Later in the evening the Count de RO-
chambeau's Aid brought message to
the Sergeant in command. 1t was to
the effect that any requests of Francois
Duplan consistent with the execution of
the sentence were to be granted. Food,
writing materials, companions for the
night, the choice of the comrades who
were to execute the sentence-any wish
es he might have were to be strictly
carried out. Duplan at first said that
he had none, but suddenly, with an air
of great carnestness, and yet timidly, he
asked if comrade might be detailed to
escort from the village and home again
one whom he would like to see.
"And who is this One?''
"Mistress Prudence Strong.''
The Aid looked at Duplan curiOusly
for an instant.
"And why do YOU wish to see Mis-
tress Prudence on such a night rs this?"
he asked.
s'Did the Count de ROchambeau in
struct you that must give the reasons
for any wish 1 might desire granted?"
was Duplan's answer.
The Aid smiled 81 gnificantly, but Dup
Ian did not see that.
"Let it be then as he wishes,'' said
the Aid to the Sergeant.
A soldier was detailed to 90 up into
the village and escort Mistress Prudence
to the camp. Peradventure she will
not GOMEZ" he said to his comrades as
he buttOned his great coat about him;
g and yet think she will. Have you
not seen her at the oven when Duplan
and the rest of us were baking bread?
Did she not visit us one evening with
some of the other maids, and bring us
cider and apples?"
As the soldier passed the guard-house,
Duplan called him. "Ipray you," said
the prisoner, +" not to reveal to Mistress
Prudence my trouble. 1t is my last
request to you, comrade.''
Half an hour later the soldier return
ed. The flicker of the lantern that he
carried revealed, as they passed the
sentry, slender female form, enwrap-