New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-08-03
ITO BE SHOT AT SIX"
rom the French of Albert Milhud.

ITO BE SHOT AT SIX"
From the French of Albert Millaud
One of the special correspondents
attached to the expedition in the field
against the Khroumirs was Camille
Farcy, well known as a brilliant writer.
He had long been connected with La
France, one of the leading journals.
The army which he was detailed to ac-
company was that of General Forgemol.
This officer is martinez, and enter
tains the most rigid ideas regarding
discipline. Before the expedition left
Algiers, he, in conjunction with Gen.
eral Nincendon, concocted the follow
ing pledge, which all the journalists
were obliged to sign:
to transmit no Information whatever. either
by telegraph or by mail, or by any other means,
without first having submitted my manuscript
to the examination of the officer commanding
he may delegate that power to: further agree
that any failure to keep this pledge will ex-
pose me to the rigors of martial law.
This document was signed by all the
correspondents attached to the expedi-
ton. When Farcy's turn came, he
took the pen, but it was with evident
reluctance that he signed. When he
had done so, he said to Forgemol:
General, sign this document only
because l am forced to do so; because
without doing 50 I could not accom-
pany the expedition. But I warn you,
sir, that I shall speak the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth,
touching such matters as may come
under my observation And with a
defiant glance at the general, Camille
withdrew.
The old general gnawed his grizzled
mustache to conceal his wrath. He
did what perhaps most men would have
done-he set spy to dog the footsteps
of Farcy.
The expedient was successful. Two
evenings after, the spy detected the
journalist, under disguise, quitting
the camp. He followed, and saw him
deposit. u large envelope in one of the
minor postof1ices upon the Algerian
frontier. He was at once. arrested, and
conducted to Forgemors headquarters.
"Aha?' said the general, lat 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 COR
respondence which you were sending
without my knowledge.''
eyes, general" said Farcy, calmly.
''Let us see what it is" said Forge
mol, as 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!" re-
torted Forgemol. VERY private, in
deed; all Paris would know it in anoth-
er day." and he resumed his reading.
There were some severe structures in
the letter upon the conduct of the cam
paign. Forgemors reading was inter-
rupted by oaths, and when he finished
he was purple with wrath.
49," said he, grimly, ''you consider
yourself competent to judge of the op-
erations of q general in the field, do
you? Well, sir, you shall have taste
of martial law to add to your knowl-
edge of military affairs
II.
A court-martial was Immediately con-
vened. lis proceedings were summary
its sentence short: Camille Farcy is
condemned to be shot at six in the
morning"
It was then midnight The doomed
man was placed in charge of lieuten-
ant and squad of soldiers, put upon a
special train, and he was born swiftly
to the capital city, Alyicrs, where the
execution was to take place.
AT half-past five o'clock the train
dashed into the city. It passed under
the walls Of the palace where Albert
Grcvy, the governor-general, lives in
state. The windows were brightly
lighted, and the strains of a waltz were
borne to the ears of the prisoner. The
governor was giving a ball.
''You have half an hour in which to
prepare for DEATH said the lieutenant,
compassionately; "would you like to
have me send for pliest?'.
Il suppose" said Farcy. "you will
grant my last request?"
eyes"
''Then let me go the ball. I would
like to have q waltz before die.''
The officer bowed, and repaired to
Monsieur Grevy's 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 six 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 CON-
mand..
MAY all journalists do as have
done," said he; lit is their duty"
Then, folding his arms, he cried:
"Firen'
The crash of the muskets rang out on
the morning air. Camille Farcy fell
dead, pierced with balls.
The vengeance of General Forgomol
was accomplished.
Sarah Bernhardt is again the lioness
OF Paris. Alexandra Dumas, Jr., went
~ a. l.. Il =