Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-11-26
TO BE SHOT DEAD AT SIX. :


the field was Camille Farcy, weu-known
as brilliant writer. He had long been
connected with La France, one Of the
leading journals. The army which he
was detailed to accompany was that Of
General Forgemol The officer is 3 mar
tinct, and entertains the most rigid ideas
regarding discipline. Before the expe-
dictionary force landed he, in conjunction
with General Vincendon, concocted the
following pledge, which all the journal
lists were obliged to sign:
So 49,, promise upon my honor
to transmit no information whatever,
either by telegraph or mail. or by any
other means. without first having sub
mitted ny manuscript to the officer COM
handing the expedition, or to such Off
Ger or officers as he may delegate that
power to. further agree that any fall
ure to keep this pledge will expose me to
the rigoys 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 reluct-
ance that he signed. When he had
done SO, he said to Forgemol
General. / sign this document only
because / am forced to do SO; because
without doing 50, could not fulfill my
duty as a correspondent; because, with
out doing so, could not accompany the
expedition. But l warn you, sir, that
shall speak the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth, touching
such matters as may come under my
observation. And with defiant glance
at the general, Camille withdrew.
The old general gnawed his grizzled
mustachc 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 jour
nalist under a disguise, quitting the
camp. He followed and saw him de-
post q large envelope in one of the
minor postofficcs upon the frontier. He
was at once arrested and conducted to
Forgemol's headquarters.
'tAhap said the general, Fat it al
ready, my fine felIow2 WE'LL what have
we here Z and he seized aud broke open
the envelope. sHum-addressed to La
France. Evidently some correspondence
which you were sending without my
knowledge"
Eyes, general" said Farcy, calmly.
"Let us see what it is, " said Forgemol,
as he began to peruse the letter.
General, said Farcy, coldly, 'sper-
NIT me to remind you that you are vio-
lating private correspondence.
Private correspondence BAIL" re-
torted Forgemol. Every private, in
decd All Paris would know it in an
other day, y and he resumed his reading.
There were some severe structures in
the letter upon the conduct of the cam
paign. Forgemors reading was inter-
rnpted by oaths and when he finished
he was purple with rage
$50, said he, grimIy, you consider
yourself competent to judge of the oper-
atoms Of a general in the field, do youa
Well, sir, You shall have taste Of mar
tial law to add to your knowledge Of
military affairs.
Farcy disdained to defend himself. A
court-martial was Immediately convened.
It's proceedings were summary-its SEN
tence anort: .Camille Farcy is con-
dcmncd to be shot at six in the morn
ing.
It was then midnight. The doomed
man was placed in charge of lieutenant
and squad of soldiers, put upon spe-
cial train. and was borne swiftly into the
capital city where the execution was to
take place.
At half-past FIVE o'clock the train
dashed into the city. Il 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 a waltz were
borne to the ears Of the prisoner. The
governor was giving bali.
: You have half an hour in which to
prepare for death, I" said the lieutenant,
compassionately. Would You like to
have MI send for q priestgn
I" suppose" said Farcy, & you will
grant my last requestln
= Yes"
Then let me 90 to the ball, / would
like to have waltz before die. =
The officer bowed, and repaired to III.
Grevy's palace.
Z. His request shall be granted, ? said
the presidents brother. : Who could
refuse D dying mans request9 Bring
him here; he shall dance with nv
daughter.
And it was done. The last moments
Of his life wele spent on q ballroom
floor.
AT SIX o'clock the officer spoke.
= Tie file Is waiting, said he.
= Lei Us 20, said Farcy. He saluted
the dancers and withdrew. When he
reached the ground where the file was
waiting him. he refused to allow his eyes