The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-11-09

day was exceptionally long, and the bad
weather in addition had considerably
delayed him.
He reached the postoffice a little
later than was his custom. The woman
who distributed the mails on being
consulted by him affirmed that he had
taken away letter for Madam Andre.
One Of her assistants confirmed this
declaration.
The postman was thunderstruck. He
saw with fright the heavy responsibility
thrown upon him. His terrors aug
mented when he remembered that time
and again, at the moment of opening
the mail bags, man had presented him.
self, asking If there was anything for
Madam Andrel
He few rather than ran to the Office
OF the coach which carried passengers
from the nearest station on the railway
to the chief town. Georges Andre had
arrived, but had set out Immediately on
foot for his village.
This news gave Martin a violent
shock. The prospect of a catastrophe
for which he would be responsible
arose before him. He saw this man,
who had returned with Joy in his heart,
encountering death at the threshold of
his home through his fault, and misfor-
tune overtaking the widow and the
orphans. The darkest clouds troubled
his imagination.
taking time to enter his dwelling, started
off again. Those who saw him pass,
absorbed in his thoughts and noticing
no one around him, asked themselves
what grave affair could have caused this
breathless haste on the part of man
who must have come back from his
round broken by fatigue.
After having passed over fourth of
the distance he inquired concerning the
traveller and asked if he had been seen.
He had gone by some time before.
The Joy of return had given wings to
his feet, as*he-thought of . misfortune
ito be ayerted had. increased the speed
of the postman. There was no longer
even the shadow of doubt; the fated
man had taken the path which led
straight to the Moulin Brule. Pere
Martin calculated that by passing over
another path, which, however, was
rough and dangerous, he could yet ar
rive before him.
He hastened on and reached the fatal
spot when the night was already ad-
vanced. The place was well fitted for
an ambuscade. There was species OF
cut through the rocks. On both sides
bushy trees formed an almost impene-
trable shade; rapidly moving clouds at
each instant yelled the moon, the wan
rays of which added to the sinister
character of the landscape.
He paused; amid the rus,ling of the
foliage agitated by the wind he thought
he heard the sound of approaching
footsteps; it was, doubtless, George
Andre, whom he had preceded only by
few instants; he was about going to
meet him when the report of gun
rang out and ball struck him full in
the breast.
The assassin emerged from neigh
boring thicket; but on approaching his
victim to finish and rob him he found
! himself in the presence of new actor
and vented his disappointment in hor.
rible oath; he had recognized George
Andre. The blade of knife flashed
in his hand, but lie was not allowed
time to use it a club descended vigor-
ously npon his head and felled him to
the ground.
A woman, distracted with terror, at
this moment threw herself on the post
mans body.
"Oh! how wretched am p cried she.
81 foresaw it; he has killed him |"
Madam Andre had not been able to
subdue her uneasiness and, at the hour
she supposed her husband ought to ar
rive, she had come to wait for him; at
the report of the gun, she had run for
ward precipitately.
"Jeanne," said her husbsnd to her,
treasure yourself; am unhurtp r.
&C. 1t was not you? Who then has he
assassinated ?"
They bent over Martins body, and
recognized him in the moonlight which
at that instant Illuminated his face and
uniform.
The husband and wife carried him to
their home, where he lived only twenty
four hours. He related how he had
allowed to be stolen from him the letter
in which Georges Andre had announced
his return, and how he had decided to
prevent, at any price, the consequences
of his negligence, even if he should be
compelled to offer his life in exchange
for that Of the factor of a family whom
he had involuntarily helped to place in
peril.
Obscure victim of duty, he had added
another act to the list of those unknown
sacrifices which are made daily, without
being encouraged by the hope of any
recompense, without even having for
indemnification the remembrance they
should leave behind him.
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