Connecticut western news., 1884-01-30

colonel waved his hand impatiently, and he was led away.
 ''That has been his plea ever since they brought him back" explained Old Joe to me, as they led the condemned man toward the stake. "He swears he was never in the army before-that he never had musket in his hand-and he pretends not to know any of his old companions. When they call him by name he makes strange of it, and tells lem he never saw 'em before.
 "Why, that is a curious plea, said l, ''for man to make, who, you say, has been two years in the service"
 "Very ourious," returned the host, with shake of the head which seemed to leave room for doubt concerning his meaning.
 But we conversed no more, for our at- tention was now turned to the prisoner. The priest now approached him and knelt at his side.
 "My son, remember the fate of those who die with lie. upon their lips. com menced the fat churchman. "Ere you die let us have the truth. Why did you desert your post?"
 "I did not" persisted the youth; but his tone was low now, and there was shade of hesitation.
 'I will not urge you" the priest said, 'for of course you know; but your as- sertion ss strange and unaccountable. Your companions all know you-your of- ficers swear to your identity, and I recognize you as one who has been often with me in our church with your con- pany."
 The priest asked no more questions. The prisoner had made his confession, and it remained only for the holy father to pray, which he did quickly and me- { thodically The sergeant, holding watch in his left hand, and a heavy pis- tol in his right, now approached and di- rected that the prisoner should be blind folded. The bandage was passed over his eyes, and then secured to the stake so that he should not dodge his head. At this juncture I asked mine host if they only had six men to fire. He in- formed me that that was all they ever employed for shooting 8 deserter. Three of the guns were loaded with balls, and three with blank cartridges; and when i they fired they moved up and placed the muzzles of their pieces to within two feet of the condemned mans head. The priest had arisen and moved back, and the colonel had ordered the sergeant to proceed.
 "God have mercy p uttered the un- happy youth. Until this moment his whole frame had been nerved up to all anxious listening attitude, but now his muscles relaxed, and with deep groan he gave himself up to his fate.
 The sergeant had spoken the word Ready" and before he could proceed there was movement near the centre of the long line of men, and in a moment more soldier broke through and rushed to the spot where the condemned man was bound.
 "Holdl l" he shouted, as he reached the spot, placing himself between the prisoner and the executioners, "You would kill an innocent man I am Philip Cervera l-I am the desertsr, as you think. Look at me-look at me 1"
 "Itis It is! It is Philip !''
 Such exclamations fell from the lips of those who stood around. I found that he so nearly resembled the prison CT, that I should not have dared to ven- ture even an assertion upon the inden- tity of either. In fact, one was the exact counterpart of the other.
 The colonel leaped from his saddle and hastened to the spot.
 "I am Philip Cervera, senor colonel, " the newcomer cried out. "Do you no recognize meP"
 The commandant gazed first upon him and then upon the prisoner, and at length he said:
 "By our lady, but this is most strange. Sergeant, what think you of it?"
 "Why, sir" returned the man thus addressed, touching his cap. 'I don't know. I think should have to take their own worp for it.
 "You are right, sergeant. At any rate, you may unbind the prisoner"
 The colonel reflected upon this few moments, and then ordered both men tc be conducted to the barracks.
 Collins and myself accompanied oul host back to his house. We tried to gel him in conversation on the way, but he was moody and silent, sometimes answer. ing in monosyllables, but entering into no conversation.
 It was after dark, and Collins, the host, and myself were playing game of billiards, when the door was opened and in walked one of the men whom we seen at the Place dArmes either the deserter, or the other one, and I could not tell which. He sprang forward and caught Old Joe's hand.
 "I'm free!" he cried.
 "And where is Jo-a-Philip1 Where is Philip?" the host asked.
 'Locked up in the guard-house They would have shot him to-day, but he claimed trial, for he assured them that he could prove that he was carried : away against his will" "And when will they try him?' "To-morrow.
 The host then came forward, and in !. troduced the man to us as Joseph CerVera, and also informed us that he was the one we had seen bound to the stake. He informed us that as soon as his brother had sworn that he was Philip