Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-28
-" Bread Cast Upon the Waters"

named on account of his cruel treatment of
that city-had taken up his quarters in the
most comfortable house he could find near
the field of Jena, and here issued his orders
regarding tbs disposal of his troops, and
received the reports of his adjutants. He
had Just thrown aside his cloak and was
about to retire to rest, when one of his
officers entered, to submit to the Marshal's
consideration case demanding prompt at
tention.
"The German cdnaaie must" he said,
abe taught manners. Ten soldiers of a GER
tain company of the fourth infantry, quar-
tered in the village of Waldorf, have been
turned out by the inhabitants, and some of
them badly Wounded
Davoust's cold eye lighted up, as he CURLY
replied " Send off lieutenant with twenty
men, and orders to choose ten of these ruff
fans at Waldorf and shoot them down."
And the marshal, without troubling himself
more about the matter, went to Sleep
Next morning, at sunrise, Lieutenant La
motto, at the head of twenty men, set out to
seek the village of Waldorf. Having gained
height commanding view of two or three
different valleys, the leader asked his guide
whereabouts the village of Waldorf might
be-?
"There," replied the man, indicating a
place to the left, There is Upper Waldorf"
cen drdnt" cried Lamotte and, half an
hour later, the execution party entered the
village, and halted on an open space near
the church, where the inhabitants were de-
sired to assemble. The soldiers compelled
the men to form line, while the women
and children stood near, dreading the worst.
At this crisis, the son of the parish
81 l..
young man of about twenty years of age,
student of theology, and, happily, was not
without some knowledge Of French. When
he realized the perilous situation, he begged
Lieutenant Lamotte for an explanation Of
his proceeding.
"Ive orders to punish this village" replied
the officer, for the bad usage which our
soldiers experienced here yesterday. The
All can do is to permit you to draw lots, or
give up the offenders"
"But, sir" returned the youth, "your COM
mander is misinformed. You are the first
French soldier to enter our village. There
are two other places of the name of Wal
dorf, and it would be quite easy to convince
yourself that we are guiltless of all provoca-
ton. | entreat you to spare the innocent"
al have no time for investigation. My
orders are to act against Waldorf, and this, |
am told, is the place. shall wait till you have
agreed among yourselves which ten of you
are to fall, and can do no more"
Meanwhile, the villagers had been in
formed of the impending doom. The women
wept and entreated, while the men stood
pale and speechless. Even the officer and
his soldiers, used to the stern code Of war,
loathed the task assigned them; while the
pastors son, in the firm persuasion that his
representations would be availing, pleaded
his cause with fervor and address that did
not fail to make an impression.
Lieutenant Lamotte now hesitated be-
tween military duty and human compassion,
while the youthful spokesman appealed to
conscience and the demands of authority
higher than Marshal Davoust's. At last,
the officer consented to wait till sergeant,
despatched under the guidance of rustic,
should have brought further instructions
from headquarters.
In little while, the sergeant and his
guide re-appeared on the scene. The for.
mer handed the lieutenant despatch,
which was hastily opened, and ran thus
Lose no time in talk. 1t is all one what
village is punished, if only an example is
made. Do your duty and return immedia-
tely."
"Choose your men " said the officer,
looking very stern, to hide his emotion.
The young student, falling ON his knees,
once more made an appeal. 81 don't kneel
to you" said he, " but will pray to God to
prevent your soiling your conscience by such
a cruel massacre
His cool determination and courage quite
overcame the lieutenant. Reckoning TO the
student he whispered to him 81 am about
to save you by stratagem. Choose ten OF
your coolest hands, and range them in line
before me. will then order my men to
shoot them through the head When | say
Fire the ten men must fall flat on the
ground; the soldiers will shoot over theii
heads, and none of them will be hurt
shall then order my men off the ground
whence none of your people must stir till We
are fairly out of sight"
This decision was at once communicated
to the villagers, and, after much persuasion
on the part of the pastors son, nine Others
stood up with him. The men perfectly un
derstanding the officer, he now commanded
them to fire. In the moment between hi:
words and the peal of the muskets, the ten
villagers sank to the ground, and, without
losing a second the officer cried, "Right
about, march
| When the measured tread of the retiring
soldiers resounded through the silent villag,
street, and the women ventured to look up
ten men lying motionless, and TO all appear
ance lifeless, met their view. With cries O.
alarm they rushed forward to see what haC
happened and, before their weeping wa
exchanged for Joy, the last soldier had disap
peared in the adj AGENT wood.
| t,.,A haI dana
to lose its reward. In 1856, three of thu
ten men above mentioned still surviving il
Waldorf, jubilee celebration of the grea
deliverance was proposed, and DR.. Gross
mann of Leipzig-the pastors son, tn,
young man whose self-possession had pre-
vented the great calamity, and who had nov
attained great honor and infuence-was in
vited to take leading part in the festiv,
proceedings. After a solemn religious ser
vice, he repaired to the spot where, fit,
years before, he had faced the French exc
cution party, and here related to the chill
dren, and childrens children of those whom
he had saved, the foregoing story. In hi
address, DIR. Grossmann did not fail Il
make honorable mention of the officer /.
whose humane device they owed their de
liverance. "Even his name" said he, al
unknown TO me, and never have hear,
more of him, though ! have often remem
bered him in prayer 1t would cheer m
last days, could once more see him an'
thank him."
That very year, there resided at Lyons, al
invalid veteran officer of the army of Napc
leon |, who, after changeful life, foun'
himself in old age forgotten, lonely, an'
poor. One afternoon in November, 1856
he went as usual to his cafe, and took u