The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-07-08
TO BE SHOT AT SIX.
The Melancholy Fatc Of French
War Correspondents I'm Iunis.

rom tne rroncn OF Aipert nliuuuI
One Of the special correspondents at
tached to the French expedition against
the Kroumirs, in Algiers, was Camille
Farcy, well known rs a brilliant writer
He had long been connected with La
F,T7ce, one of the leading Paris Jour
nais. Tie army which he was detailed
to accompany was that of Gen. Forge.
mol, martinez, entertaining the most
rigid ideas regarding discipline. Before
the expedition lett Al2iers, he, in con-
junction with Gen. Vincendon, con-
cocted the following pledge, which all
the journalists were Obliged to sign
y, promise upon NV honor To trans
init no information whatever, either by te.e-
graph or by mail, OF by any other means, W tn
out first having submitted my manuscript u
the examination Of the officer commanding the
expedition, or to euch officer or Oil .ers as he
may delegate that power to. further agree
that any fail to keep this pledge will OK
pore me to tue rigors Of martiailiw. -.
This document was signed by all the cJr-
respondents attached to the expedition.
When Farcy's turn came, he took the
pen, but it was with evident reluctance
that he signed. When he had done 80
he said to Forgemol
General, / sign this document only
because l am forced to do so; because
without doing Sd / could not fulfill my
duty as correspondent because with
out doing 30 could not accompany the
expedition. But warn you, sir, that /
shall speak the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth touching such
matters as may come under my obser-
vation." And with, defiant glance at
~ III
The old General gnawed his grizzled
mustache to conceal his wrath. He did
what perhaps most men would have
done-he set a spy to dog the footsteps
of Farcy.
The expedient was successful. Two
evenings after the spy detected the jour
nalist, under a disguise, quitting the
camp. He followed and saw him de
post large envelope in one of the
MINOR postofiices upon the Algerian
frontier. He was at once arrested
and conducted to Forgemol's headquar-
ters.
"Aha I" said the General, cat it al
ready, my fine fellow. Well, what have
we here ?" and he seized and broke open
the envelope. "Hum-addressed to
La France. Evidently some CORE
spondence which you are sending with
out my knowledge"
Eyes, General" said Farcy, calmly,
LET us see what it is, said Forge
mol, MS he began to peruSe the letter.
General" said Farcy, coldly, per
NIT me to remind you that you are vio-
lating private correspondence"
Private correspondence Bah ! r.
torted Forgemol. g. Very private. ill.,
deed all Paris would know of it in
another day." and he resumed his read
ing.
There were some severe structures In
the letter upon the conduct of the CAM
paign. Forgemol's reading was inter-
rupted by oaths, and when he had fin
ished he was purple with wrath.
go" said he, grimly. 60 on consider
yourself competent to Judge of the OPP
erations of General IN the field, do
you? Well, sir, you shall have taste
of martial law to add to your knowledge
of military affairs.
Farcy disdained to defend himself.
A court-martial was Immediately con-
vened. It's proceedings were summary
its sentence short Camille Farcy Is
condemned to be shot ut 8 in the morn
ing"
1t was then midnight. The doomed
man was placed in charge of Lieuten-
ant and squad of soldiers. put upon
special train, and borne swiftly to the
capital city, Algiers, where the execu-
ton was to take place.
At $50 o'clock the train dashed into
the city. 1t passed under the walls of
the palace where Albert Grevy, the
Governor General, lives in state. The
windows were brightly lighted, and the
strains of waltz were borne to tire ears
of the prisoner. The Governor was
giving ball.
"iou have half an hour in which to
prepare for death, SAID the Lieutenant,
compassionately; "would you like to
have me send tor pr;est?"
81 suppose, said Farcy, "you will
grant my last reiuestY
"Yes."
"Then let me go to the ball. /
would like TO have waltz before / die.
The officer bowed and repaired to M.
CREWS palace.
"His request shall be granted" said
the Presidents brother. "Who could
refuse dying mans request? Bring
him here; he shall dance with my
daughter.
And it was done. The last moments
of his life were spent upon ballroom
floor.
At o'clock the officer spoke
"The file is waiting" said he.
"Let us CO." said Farcy. He saluted
the dancers and Withdrew. When he
reached the ground where the file was
awaiting him, he refused to allow his
eyes to be bandaged, and demanded
permission to give the word OF COM
mand.
May all journalists do as / have
DONE" said he; lit is their duty"
Then, folding his arms, he cried:
Fire !"
The crash of the muskets rang out on
the morning air. Camille Farcy fell
dead, pierced with balls.
The vengeance of Gen. Forgemol was
ACCOMPLISHED