The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-01-20

which he wouli be responsible al
fore him. He saw this man who had
returned with Joy IN his heart, encoun-
tering death at the thresholdOf his home
through his fault, and misfortune over
taking the widow and orphans. The
darkest clouds troubled his imagination
He did not hesitate, and, without TAX
ing time to enter his dwelling, started
off again. Those who saw lim pass, alb
sorbed in his thoughts and noticing no
one around him, asked themselves what
grave affair could have caused this
breathless haste on the part OF ma
who must have come back from his
round broken by fatigue.
After having passed over a fourth of
the distance he inquired concerning the
traveller, and asked if ha had been seen.
He had gone by some time before.
The Joy of return had given wings to
hisfeet, as the thoughto of misfortune to be
averted 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 crossing over another path,
which, however, was rough and danger
Gus, he could yet arrive before him.
He hastened on and reached the fatal
spot when the night was already ad-
yanced. The place was well fitted UP
for an ambuscade. There was a species
of cut through the rocks. On both sides
| bushy trees formed an impenetrable
shade, rapidly moving clouds at each in
stant yelled the moon, the wan rays of
| which added to the sinister character of
| the landscape.
He paused; amid the rustling of the
| foliage agitated by the wind he thought
he heard the sound of apprOachin foot
! steps 1t was doubtless George Andre,
whom he had preceded only by a few
lnstants he was about going to meet
] him, when the report of a gun rang out
band a. ball struck him full in the breast.
I The assassin emerged from a 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 a hor-
riable oath he had recognized George
Andre. The blade of knife flashed in
his hand, but he was not allowed time
/ to use it-a club descended vigorously
upon his head and felled him to the
ground.
A woman distracted with terror, al
this moment threw herself on the post
mans body.
"Oh how wretched l am - crie'
she. / foresaw; he has killed him
Madame Andre had not been able t.
subdue her uneasiness, and, at-the houl
she supposed her husband ought to ar
| rive, she had come to wait for him a
the report of the gun, she had run foI
ward precipitately.
"Jeanne, said her husband to her
"ressure yourself ann unhurt.
cit was not you? Who then has b
/ assassinated ?"
They bent over Martins body and re
cognized him in the moonlight which a
that instant illuminated his face an,
uniform.
The husband and wife carried him t
their home, where he lived only twenty
four hours. He related how he had al
lowed to be stolen from him the letter Il
I which George Andre had announced hi
return, and how he had decided to pre-
vent at any price the consequences c
his negligence, even if he should b
compelled to offer his life In exchang
for that of the father of family whom
he had involuntarily helped to place il
peril.
Obscure victim of duty, he had adde'
another act to the list of those unknown
sacrifices which are made daily, withou
being encouraged by the hope of recon
pense, without even having for indemni
fication the remembrance they shoul'
leave behind them.