Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-03-09
A STRANGE ACQUAINTANCE.
Frem ~, Frsnch, By +. p. Da,,sor,

On q dark windy April night a carriage,
conducted By a sleepy coachman and con
tainiug one passenger, passed a'ong a par.
of a highway which, bordeted on one side
By a deep rayine ard on the other By a de,
cliVity sloping TO a tumuituous torren', was
especially favorable for ambuscade, AMI
where attacks by armed men had already
occurred.
Suddenly, when least expected, four ban,
dts furiouSly assailed those travellers. The
attack wa serious; the driver had rolled or
been pushed down the %rsyine, where he re
manned quiet, and the passenger, attempt
ing 10 defend himself, received a knife
thrust on his arm, when he was saved by the
unhoped for intervention OF q man who dis
persed the startled robbers by the violence
ard unexpecteduess of his share in the
fray.
While the coachmau regained his place
the traveller, after binding his wound, pressed
the hand OF his hberstor, q peasant about
thirty years Of age and said heartily:
Young man, you have certainly saved
my life and | am bound to recognize that
service.
Thanks, sir; / have only done the duty
of any one, and besides, you could not do
anything for me"
Perhaps you are mistsken-without be-
ing rich, | am well of, and
Thank you again, sir, but, | repeat it,
you can do nothing for me-
Pardon me it | insist, my brave deliver
er, but you appear poor and suffering, you
have not enough clothing for this cold
weather, and your face is pale. At least
take a little gold, while waiting for some,
thing better"
IL will, but it is for another"
How did you happen to be here to hep
ne at the moment when was about to be
oyercome?'
oh, it is very simple. | followed the
road heard & noise-I hurried-you
know the rest"
Yes, | know that | owe my life to you,
and | would like to be Of service to you
ut is scarcely probable that you could
be. But who knows? viii you tell me
your name and protession?'
The traveller knitted his brows and re-
NAMED silent.
Did you hear my question: asked the
young man.
Excuse me from telling you either my
profession or my name" said the traveller
perhaps you would regret having done me
a service. But il you can not come to claim
my aid, | can always come to bring you
mine. Tell me your name and residence. -
The young man sighed, dropped MS head
aud remained silent.
Did you hear meP' asked the traveller.
YES. but you can not know my residence
nor my name. Perhaps you would blush a.
the interest you now show
The two exchanged one last look by the
light of the lanterns on the carriage, set IN
order during their conversation. Then the
Young man followed the road in one direc-
ton, and the traveller rode On the other way.
The little town of C. was thronged, women,
children, old men and boys perching on
fences and roofs. The throng awaited an
execution.
Strange Peddler (iust entering town, paus-
ing near them)-What is going on?
Sexton-They are going to guillotine
Andre Marcel.
Peddler-And what has he done?
Old Woman-He has killed his mother.
Nothing but that!
Sexton-It is very distressing, for Andre
MARCEL was a good boy. | am sure he did
not do it wilfully. He has done nothing
but weep, the poor fellow, since he has been
10 prison.
At this mohnent the crowd became ex-
cited. Here he is. Here he is!' was the
cry everywhera. All eyes were fixed on a
little cart which slowly advanced toward
the scafFold. $3.50
Il cant seel / want to sea!" a child kept
CRYING. The peddler raised him and placed
Tbe condemned man descended from the
cart, His head was yelled. His coufessor
belned him to mount the fatal steps. A
LARGE man dressedi in black had already pre-
ceded hin there.
(Silence solemn aud sffecting.)
In the twinklipg of an eye all was ready.
The executioner drew, off the black veil
which covered the criminals head. Their
looks met and both appeared Petrihed.
"He!"
You
That lasted but two SECONDS. Inc exc
c~utioner grew suddenly haggard and bent
"a under some invisible Curden. 1t was
With a ieverish and convulsive movement
that he made the fatal knife tall.
".
From that day the executiouer became
the nrey of a sorber and taciturn melan-
choiy. He gave up his position next day,
and although not rich, he gave Eve hundred
francs to old father Marcel during the four
vears that God left the brave man to mourn