Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-27
GALS and Sketfbes.
A PATRIOT.
Confined from Yesterday

two gunshofs Of us; they had retraced
their steps and our path was leading rs
exactly on them.
They are on the road to the capital. "
said Ramon; ''they must be taking Henri
one there. He - not killed"
We waited. The steady tramp Of the
escort. metallic click of the arms Of the
soldiers, keeping time to the regular step
Of the company. sounded to me as the
death knell Of Henrique. So young and
get 30 true to his cause.
Az soon az the sound of the passing
French was far enough away to make il
safe for us to proceed. Ramon started at
march, we reached the hut We had left
the day before.
"Are you not afraid Of the peon who
BETRAYED us 20 I asked.
Ramon smiled CHASTITY smile. He is
where tongue never tells and eyes can't
see." pointing at the ground.
Having a regular American passport. l
fastened TO Queretaro to take the stage
and be at the capital in time to help Hem
rique, If such a thing was possible.
CHAPTERV.
Once in the CITY Of Mexico. bethought
myself of DR.. Bertalli, who was a large
contractor and in favor with the Govern
ment. FASTENED to his residence. and,
fortunately, found him alone.
"Doctor. have called on you for a
service which you can render"
"My friend" he answered. Il am at
your service. provided it is neither a con-
spiracy nor an elopement.
l entered at once into the details of Hen
rique's misfortune. and enireated him to
see for me If anything could be done,
II must hasten, them" said the Doctor.
for Won know French court martials are
not ceremonious. and the execution follows
Immediately after the conviction. But
there Is very little hope. These are bad
times, the end of which no one can tell. :"
The good doctor s.a-ted at once. with
the promise TO let me know the result at
ny hotel. and there ] went. hoping almost
against hope.
In due time the doctor made his appear
ance dared not speak. He shook his
head in an ominous way and seized my
hands.
mo earthly hope" he said. II will
relate TO you what happened, and the scene
has left an impression on my mind which
I never can forget. When | reached
headquarters the court martial had been
in session for some time. and a score of
prisoners had already been disposed of.
The Judge Advocate was calling for Hen
rique Martinez.
AT his name the young man stood up.
his eyes glaring defiance at the array of
brilliant uniforms before him.
You are accused of sedition.' said
the Judge Advocate; carrying arms a
gainst the Empire. and being bearer of
dispatches to the insurgents
What have you TO say added the
Judge Advocate.
"Henrique remained silent.
"I1is Majesty the Emperor. continued
tine Judge, has been pleased in consider
alton of your youth and high standing of
your family. to offer you your pardon. on
condition Of your abandoning the cause of
the insurgents. In case of your accepting
the generous boon offered you by his
Majesty he further tenders you the COM
mand Of company in his service, and he
will assign you on the staff of General
Uraga,"
'Henrique. with flashing eyes. made
few steps forward
"'Me pardon Thank you, friends
kkNdtioS fii tut NfubiotuS pun
Joined from my country by the invaders
all the titles in the gift ofthe unsurper viii
never make the knees of Henrique Muir
tinez cringe TO his power. Forward. then,
TO the execution | am ready
Tomorrow morning." continued the
Doctor. "they will be executed. There
will be long file of victims. as they
wish to clear Of the docket. day after to-
morrow being Christmas" And added
the Doctor, with quizzing expression.
''You know that We French transact no
business on HOLIDAYS
wendell my way toward the house
where Mathlda lived. Inquired for her
An old Mexican servant. who had answer
ed my summons. seemed doubtful how to
answer. but on NV mentioning the name
of Henrique she came up close to me and
whispered that Mathilda had gone to the
Ursuline Convent.
ITO STAY P" asked astonished.
''Yes. SIR" she answered. and, cour-
tesying, she left me standing on the
porch.
CHAPTER VI.
Next morning rose by dav. determined
to assist at the execution of the prisoners
hoping l might receive some message
from Henrique. When | reached the
doomed place the bulk Of the prisoners
had already been executed. having been
shot in squads of ten. The remaining
victims were being placed in position;
Henrique was one of the number.
A great many spectators were present:
nearly all natives Of the low class. men
and women. and a few foreigners. Kneel-
ing outside and on the front of the idle
lookers-on. was lady almost entirely
covered with silk mantilla, her subdued
sobs had called enough of sympathy from
the surrounding crowd to mske them stand
back. leaving her isolated next to the line
Of the platoon, who were the executors OF
the day.
A shrek followed the volley of musket-
nv. and Mathilda had cast herself on the
body Of Henrique.
Al = word of command. the soldiers
formed a square, surrounding Mathilda
and the corpses; the two pieces Of artil-
lery. which formed part of the escort,
wheeling so rs to face the spectators. The
officer OF the day rode forward and or
dered the crowd to disperse. The French
were not prepared for such \ scene. and
were anxious to avoid every sensation
xrh;ch vvniuht N vcifx. tho ncnuluoo