Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-10

helm. I'VE will see If thou hast the cruel
tv to be the murderer of father and broth
er. when one word would save them.
Ach Colt, only think! To have their
lives in thy hands sloneP'
About midnight Jean was carried to the
place where his father and brother were
confined, and left in the room with them.
the guard withdrawing to the outside, by
the orders of Captain Arnheim.
The Prussian hoped everything from
this interview. The frmness OF the men
would certainly weaken before the tears
and prayers of the child they were going
to leave alone in the world. The Ger
mans knew little of the peasants of the
Vosges. The very children there suck
in courage and resolution with the
mothers milk 1t was cruel tor
ture. both to the father and sons. these
last hours of the night. There were tears
and sobs. close embraces and broken
words of tenderness; but when the first
raw of daylight stole into the prison, the
father lifted Jeans head from his knee,
where the child had laid it to hide his
tears.
Remember, JEAN he said. holding
his hand in tight pressure, remember
and brother. We are not afraid to die
now. but we would be afraid to live if
thou shouldst turn traitor. The Prussians
must not have the papers. Better have
thy tongue cut out than speak"
II will remember" the boy said, trying
to speak calmly. Yes, whatever may
happen, will not speak. They cannot
make me-"
A little after daylight the prisoners were
marched out to a little green IN the centre
of the village. and placed with their
backs against high stone wall.
Twenty steps from them stood a platoon
of Prussian soldiers ready for the final
signal.
Around the green, pressed back by the
! soldiers, were the friends and neighbors
of the doomed men, weeping, wringing
their hands, and exhausting themselves
by futile prayers to the stern officer, who
did not answer them by even a glance.
He held little Jean tightly by the wrist
He was about to make final effort to
move him.
Thou seest them?" waving his hand
towards the prisoners. They are thy
father and brother. In another minute
they will be lying bleeding heap before
thee if thou dost not tell where the papers
are hidden. Thou nearest thy friends
pleading for their lives. Wilt thou
speak?"
Little Jeans mo" was almost in
audible. and there was look of frenzied
horror in his big black eyes which almost
startled the Prussian. The boy was surely
weakening.
| present arms! Take aimv' he shouted.
"Now. for the last time, wilt thou speak,
boy?"
A terrible expression of agony passed
over the boys convulsed face. A cry of
pain seemed choked in his throat. Capt.
Arnhem bent forward to hear the con
fession which he felt sure was coming.
Jean opened his mouth torrent of blood
poured out OF it.
The officer fell back, when the terrible
fact was revealed to him. The boy had
bitten off his tongue, so strong had been
the temptation to speak.
"Firer' shouted the officer; and Jean
fell fainting to the ground, at the same
moment his father and brother were shot
through the heart.
d" not know why the boys life was
spared; but the Prussans left the Vosges
without harming him. He grew up, and
is now letter-carrier in the Vosges,
universally esteemed by the community
in which he lives.