Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-04-23

prisoner. lhlS was Vl5lt Wnlcn jerome
would gladly have dispensed with, as his
feelings were already wrought up to pitch
that almost unnamed him but he braced
himself for the interview, and would have
stood IL like hero, had not little Natalie,
thrown herself upon his bosom aud offered
to die in his stead This tipped the brim-
ming 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 condemned.
Later in the evening came companion
who, if he lived, would at some time return
to Jerome's boyhood home. First, the con-
demned thought of his widowed mother,
and he sent her message of love and de-
votion. Then he thought of brother and
sister. And finally he thought Of one--a
bright-eyed maid-whose vine-clad cot stood
upon the banks of the Someone whom he
had loved with love such as only great
hearts can feel.
go, my dear FRIEND" he cried, bowling his
head upon his casped hands, "you need not
tell them falsehood, but il the thing is
possible, let them believe fell in battle"
His companion promised that he would
do all he could, and, If the truth would not
that the name of Jerome Dubois should not
bear dishouor 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 low barren spot towards the
sea, and thither his division was being
marched to witness the fearful punishment.
They had gained not more than half the dis
tance when the sound of some strange COM
motion 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 sortie The enemy are
out in full force. Let this thing be stayed.
The marshal directs that you shall face
about and advance upon the peninsula"
In an instant all was changed in that di-
vision, and the brigadier-general who had
temporary command thundered forth his Or
ders for the countermarch. The gloom was
dissipated, and with glad hearts the soldiers
turned from the thoughts of the execution
of a brave comrade to thoughts of meeting
the enemy.
"What shall we do with the prisoner ?"
asked the sergeant who had charge of the
guards.
"Lead him back to the camp" replied
the captain.
The direction was very simple, but the
execution thereof was not TO be so easy, for
hardly had the words escaped the captains
lips when squadron of Prussian cavalry
came dashing directly towards them. The
division was quickly formed into four hol-
low squares, while the guard that held
charge of the prisoner found themselves
obliged to flee.
ain heavens name," cried Jerome, "cut
my bonds and let me die like soldier !"
The sergeant quickly cut the cords that
bound his elbows behind him, and then
| dashed towards the point where his own regi-
ment was stationed. The rattle of musketry
had commenced, and the Prussians were
| vainly endeavoring break the squares of
| French troops. Jerome Dubois looked about
him for some weapon with which to arm
| himself, and presently he saw Prussian
officer not far off reeling in his saddle as
| though he had been wounded. With
quick bound he reached the spot, pulled the
| dying officer from his seat, and leaped into
the empty saddle.
| Dubois was resolved that he would sell
his life that day-sell it in behalf of France
and sell it as dearly as possible. But he
was not needed where he was. He knew
that the Prussians could not break those
hollow squares; so he rode away, thinking
to join the French cavalry, with whom he
could rush into the deepest danger. Sup
posing that the heaviest fighting must be
upon the Nehrung, he rode his horse in that
direction, and when he reached it he found
that he had not been mistaken. Upon a
slight eminence toward Haglesburg, the
enemy had planted battery of heavy guns,
supported by two regiments of infantry,
and already with shot and shell immense
damage had been done.
Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortly after
this battery had been opened, and very
quickly made up his mind that it must be
taken at all hazards.
"Take the battery" he said to colonel
of cavalry "and the battle is ours"
Dubois heard the order and saw the ne.
cessity. Here was danger enough, surely
aud, determined to be the first at the fatal
battery, he kept as near to the leader as he
dared. Half the distance had been gained
when from the hill came a storm of iron
that plowed into the ranks of the French
The colonel fell, his body literally torn in
pieces by shell that exploded against his
bosom.
The point upon the peninsula now reached
by the head of the assaulting column was
not more than hundred yards wide, and il
was literally path of death, as the fire from
twelve heavy guns was turned upon it. The
: colonel had fallen, and very soon three othei
, officers went down, leaving the advance
without commissioned leader. The way
was becoming blocked up with dead mer
and dead horses, and the head of the column
stopped and wavered.
Marshal Lefebvre, from his elevated plac,
| Al l., ~& hal att.fx lilo
!" II that column were routed and the Russian
. infantry charged over the head of the PENN
sula the result might be calamitous.
i But-see A man in the uniform Of
French private, mounted upon powerful
horse caparisoned in the trappings of
Prussian staff officer, with his head bar
y u and bright sabre swinging in his hand
Il rushes to the front and urges the column
forward. His words are fiery and his lool
l. is dauntless.
"For France and for Lefebvre" tn
= strange horseman cries, waving his swor
Il aloft and pointing toward the battery
=" The Marshal will weep if we lose this day
y The brave troopers, thus led by one VIII
% feared not to dash forward where the she
II fell thickest, gave an answering shout an
q pressed on, caring little for the rain OF deaf
a so long as they had living leader to follow
sr Hoping that he might take the battery, an
yet counting death, Jerome Dubois spurre
is on; and finally the troop came upon tn
81 battery with irresistible force.
a. 1t was not in the power of cannoniers
s. withstand the shock, and the Russian il
fantry that came to their support were sweI
~ away like chaff. The battery was quick
a. captured, and when the guns had bee
d turned upon those who had shortly befol
Do been their masters, the fortune of the da
ie was decided The Russians and the Pru
70 sians-horse, foot and dragoons-such
as were not taken prisoners, made the best
their way back into Dantzic, having 10
is much more than they had gained.
OF Jerome Dubois returned TO the guar
Nd house, and gave himself up to the officer
rs charge. First surgeon was called To Dire
e, several slight wounds which he had receive
'r, Next his colonel called TO see what shou
III be done with him. The colonel applied
ne the general of brigade, and the general
ne brigade applied to the general of the divisio
ld and the general OF division applied to Ma
re shal Lefebvre.
"What shall we do with Jerome Dubois
ia "God bless him !" cried the veteran &c
nd eral, who had heard the whole story. 81
Cd pardon him to-day and tomorrow III pl