, 1881-03-20


derheanor with which they were pronounced.
The uncOnQ nQuerable>resolution they betrayed
made deep Impression OIL the Emperor,
which he endeavored to conceal under the
glllse nf tranquility. Straps was then re-
moved BY the officer who had conducted him
out Of the presence Of Napoleon.
Follow him." sail the latter to the Duke
de Rovigo. ''and let justice have its sway"
A moment after. all those who were pres
eent retired, excepting y. de Champasny, the
Minister, whom the Emperor held BY the
arm.
''Monsieur lie Duke,'' said he in 4 tre,n-
bling voice, "we nlust make peace with these
savage brutes, DO YOU understands? Return
to Vienna to The Plenip0ttultiaries; 1-trust
all to YOU" And, with friendly salutation,
~ added, ST o-lnUrrow.''
2ef!ie order for the trial Of Straps WAS inn
mediately issued and the researches Of the
Straps had LIFT Erfurtll, where he was ap.
prenticed to u manufacturer Ut nankeels, OH
the 18th Of the proceeding September, with 4
poor cabrlolet and an old horse that he bor-
not revealed a word Of his project. and a note
found after his departure stated that he in
tended to enroll himself i'll The German
army. and ended with the following words:
- VIII be found. among the cona.erors OF
distance from Erfurth, he sold the horse and
cabrto1et, which procured him enough
money to carry him to Vienna, where ho
lodged i'll Que Of the faubourgs. The next
duy lie purchased at secona-hund store the
knife. which he Sharpened on the pavement,
and then, without speaking TO person. he
proceeded to the parade at. Schoenbrunn,
which lie attended daily. watching fur
favorable occasion to execute hlsdesign.
1t Is probable that with more preca utlon he
would have been allowed to approach the
Emperor; and, Us he remarked tn his Judges,
il once within range lis thrusts would have
been well given.
During the four days of trial his mildness
and resignation never aballuoned him Il sill
gle instant. LIE persisted in his avowals, and
in the motives which had inspired the reso-
luton. However, when the President of the
Military Commission convcrsed with him OH
Ills prejudice against Napoleon, lle seemed
moved, and remarked:
!" II had known his true character sooner,
would not have nlade an trreyokable en-
gagelilent with God-perhaps."
On being questioned by the President re-
eartllng the punishment reserved furt reg-
cldes, lie replied:
'.I know that shall be subjected to tor
tures, for which l Hill prepared fn advance;
but death will put all end to this, and obtain
fur nte reso'llpense proportlonate to my
suffering lii tile bosom Of Gud."
The President having informed him that
torture of criminals was not III accordance
with French legislation or French manners,
he seemed to learn with great satisfaction
that tue only punishment i'll reserve for him
WIS to be shot.
The evening before his execution, Straps
sent letter to his father, III which lie said:
- Again this night God appeared to me. This
was a figure bright rs the sun at monday,
Wn'se vDice said to me: March forward!
Tnnu wilt succeed in the enterprise, but thou
wilt perfsl, therein. 1 felt myself sustained
BY nvincibe force,"
Monday, Oct, Ii, the day on which Straps
was to be executed. was also the day on
which peace was declared between France
3f1f 10
news to the army OIL that day, yuliey after
yolley was fired to celebrate the event, wllen
Straps asked the cause OF this rejoicing.
IT Is for the declaration Of peace which
has Just been signed by the Emperor Napo-
leon.' was the reply.
20 my God!'' he cried, raising his eyes
and hands to heaven, IL thank Thee! Peace
is then declared, and am not an assassin"
At3 O'Clock he was taken to the place of
execution: lie walked with resignation to
he had ceased to live.
The same day. Oct, Is, at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, Napoleon left Schoenbrun for the
chateau Of Nymblimbourg, where all the
they would depart immediately for, Paris:
The weather was magnificent. The Enl-
J'ernr was on horseback. surrounded by his
Aides-de- Camp. They were proceeding slow
Y along, and; on turning picturesque hui,
Kovigo to the beauty of the scenery, and,
while gazing on the vast panorama unrolled
before THEM. discharge Of musketry was
heard, whose echoes reverberated flr and
near. The Emperor stopped his horse. and
directed his sight to 4 little grayish cloud
which was slowly rising above the earth.
"What is il % he asked. i
The Duke de Rnvieo having replied that
this WAS tha execution of Straaps. Napoleon
remarked, with 4 painful expression: ''It
was 4 necessary duty, howeyer:?''
Then. squirting his horse, he pursued his
route in gallop. E. 3.