The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-07-16

s. CaflG #1tStlI aElu military I@UNEISt W. a
above yon But, q he added, 1--WE will no
prolong this scene. Edward jameson
stand forth ~
s. The accused made one step forward, am
: slightly bowed to those who were about t
pronounce sentence of death upon him.
7 Touare accused, and it has been prov
!, ed, that you assaulted with intent to muir
der your superior officer-the commands
! Of this egiment-Colonel Mapleson.
ssThe court have considered the charge
), and they have with much pain, but with
! great unanimity, arrived at the conclusion
that you are worthy Of being subjected tc
the highest penalty known to our military
]. code. You are to be taken from here in
), chains, and handcuffed in 4 CELL and then
!, held close prisoner for three days from this
hour, at which time you will be marched to
the parade ground, and there, being blind
folded and placed by the side of your coffin
and grave, shot to death. And"-here the
Majors voice trembletl-ssmay God have
mercy on your soul.
Strong men-men chad been Injured
! to hardship and the calamitics Which war
entails. sobbed Several, in defiance of
discipline and their Colonel's ill-concealed
9 rage, grasped Edward Jameson's hands
and held them y-;lffectionately.
All present, save two, were deeply af-
fectcd. These were the commander Of the
regiment and the prisoner.
ssIIc is the bravest man ever saw"
whispered an old sergeant to a comlade.
And the COOLEST was the rcjoinder.
Il am both,'' remarked the condemned,
'tbecause ana innocent. But | cannot,
without duplicating another, prove it.
And. gentlemen, is true | struck down
N the Colonel, and would do SO again under
I like provocation But | had no thought of
murder at the time
| What could all this mean? His words
set the regiment speculating. It did more.
The commissioned officers of the company
of which Jameson was Il member absented
themselves from the regimental mess-ta-
Bile
/ The condemned was conducted to a cell
in accordance with the sentence, and IRON
ed, but not SO us to greatly incomlnodc
him. !
An hour later the chaplain was with
him, offering him the consultations of relig-
ion.
! In the midst Of the culprit's deyotions,
an orderly opened the cell-door, and said
that lady seated in carriage was at the
barrack-gate and requested permission to
converse with the condemned.
II will see her said the chaplain,
'sand, if you desire it, conduct her hither."
To this the prisoner assented.
a few minutes later and the chaplain /
was seen to walk toward the gilard-room.
There, finding the Officer of the Day, he
spoke hurriedly to him as he glanced at his /
companion.
The young woman, for such we judged
her to be, was deeply yelled. She was now
conducted directly to the prisoner.
On being admitted, Edward, with Gu
riotls expression of wonder on his fine face |
said, us he bowed:
'sPray be seated, lady | cannot person.
ally assist you, for, as you see, am bound
Whom have l the honor of addressing?"
The visitor bent forward and i'll a low,
winning voice answered: .... :...
'tIt is not essential, sir, that | should /
mention my name. 1t is sufficient, for the
present, that know you. And now, can
have few minutes uninterrupted con-
versation with you?' .
Jameson looked inquiringly at the chap
lain, who Immediately said;
Certainly, Edward, certainly. | will
retire, and continue in the corridor with |
the sentinel. AS the lady has something
of importance to impart, | will suggest to
her the propliety OF going close TO you and
speaking in an undertone. The door is !;
mere grating made Of iron. All that you
do can be seen; all either Of yon say aloud
heard.7'
The chaplain retired, and remained in
the corridor during the interview. He no.
ticed that the lady did not raise her thick /
veil during the conversation that followed |
on his retiring. +
1t was very evident, from her gestures,
that the visitor spoke rapidly and that, /
guided BY the expressions Of surprise that
fitted momenrarily across the countenance
Of her listener, what She WAS saying was
of profound interest to him. As she rose,
at the expiration Of half an hour, she gave /
him her hand, a small, white, shapely one. |
He reyerently pressed it to his lips. Then, /
on raising his splendid person to its full /
stature, he proudly said:
ssTnder the circumstances which then /
prompted NE, lady, would repeat the act. |
Hesitating, would hold myself unworthy
soldiers DEATH
With this extraordinary speech ringing
i'll her ears, the unknown Withdrew.
10 his spiritual adviser jameson reveal !
ed nothing Of the lady's conversation lie
/ himself apparently soon forgot her IN his
own musings, andin listening to the words
OF the reverend gentleman.
The third day dawned. The reyeille !
had been beaten. st eleven O'clock inthe !
| forenoon the blare of the trumpet called
! the regiment to dress parade. All knew
the sad purpose.
The ground where tie regiment custom
! arily assembled was just outside the bar
| backyard. In Il corner of it a grave had
| been made.
When the command had formed in line
OH foot, they We're marched, the band play
II ing tic Dead March in SAUL to the pa
rade There !; square was formed. Into
this square, with only his boots, trousers,
ami shirt open at the neck. Edward jane
son WAS conducted by the small body Of
men, selected from his own company, who
had been appointed to carry ont the sem
tence Of the law. Walking by his side was
the venerable chaplain, and Immediately
behind the gfficer Wh5se duty if was TO-
read the order Of condemnation, which he
held in his left hand.
Up to this time the Colonel had not pre-
sente,i himself And, as he was the acctts-
i er, it was tliought that be would, and very
i properly, remain absent at least until the
curtain fthe grave had fallen forever On
the tragedy.
Il Edward jameson with unf;tltering step
j walked in front of the lines Of the square,
j the faces of the men being turned inward
/ that they might look on him for the last
time TO these, as he moved slowly on
ward, he slightly inclined his head. Then
1 followed tneronyersati vhich opens our
story, and which appeared for 4 moment