St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-05-03

CI SuOuIO OC instantly
up to him, but the people would
rather die themselves than betray
their beloved chief into the hands of
the bloody conqueror.
Duke Charles threatened to de-
stroy all with fire and sword if his
demands were not instantly COM
piled with, while at the same time he
promised a large reward to whom
soever would point out the COVER
nor's hiding place.
His threats and promises were
equally vain. All remained silent.
Then stepped forth an old man-lt
was the governor himself in his dis
guise-and said he would reveal the
secret if the duke would swear on his
word to pardon all the inhabitants
and protect their property.
"Neveri" roared the 1nfuriated duke.
In a town taken by assault the
victor allows no terms to be dictated
to him, and | will take such measures
to discover your governor as shall
strike terror into your hearts,
Whereupon he declared that every
tenth person should die and ordered
his heralds to proceed to the work OF
numbering the people.
Then the men and women, boys
and girls, old and young, were
placed in one long rank, which reach
ed from the spot where Charles was
holding bis court to the uttermost
fortihcation Of the city.
All grew pale, and deadly fear was
in every c%Quntenance as they listen
ed to the terrible sentence. AS
father, mother, daughter and son
stood side by side, each trembled for
the others life. The aif fesounded
with the weeping and wail1ng Of
women who had a short time before
defed the enemy the men stood
silent with bent heads.
The duke now signed to his heralds
to begin the counting and to
separate every tenth person, whose
head should fall by the sword.
Telesila had placed herself close be-
side her father and was now
trembling for his life. She watched,
with eye sharpened by love and fear,
every movement of the heralds, and
always counted in advance in order
discover if her dear father would
be one OF the doomed. With horror
would fall on him.
In a her resolution was
and carried out. She slip
ped gently behind him, and placing
herself on his right side so contrived
that he would be No. 9, while she
herself would be the tenth. The
herald drew near, and it was only
when the doom fell upon his daugh-
ter that the father understood why
she had changed her place. Wildly
he sought the herald to take him he
the one On whom the fatal num-
Der should fall; Telesila had purpose
ly changed her place to save him.
Telesila maintained that it had
only happened by chance, and while
are not to reveal the secret
of her fathers identity she earnestly
to be allowed to die, as the
lot had fallen on her. For a long
time father and daughter maintained
the loving dispute, and at last the
herald, not daring to decide, led them
both to the duke.
The father insisted on dying for
his daughter; that the doom right
fully was his while the daughter i'm
them to take her life and
spare her gray haired father.
Charles hesitated long as to how
he should decide; he was quite
.gnorant of whom he had before
him, for no word had fallen during
their noble strife which could betray
rank.
But at length the governor cried
mighty duke, do not hesitate as
% which Of us you shall condemn to
1eath. l will give up to you the
nan who has so reused your ven
for whom so many brave
citizens must die. See, the governor
stands before you; kill him, but
spare my daughter, this peerless ex-
ample of flial Lowell"
The bystanders as they listened to
hese words were filled with dread
of what would follow.
al were moved to tears and
rembled for the life of their beloved
.overnor, who, with such noble
leroism, was willing to die that they
be pardoned. They surround
d himself and daughter in close
anks, as if to form a rampant so
hat the murderer's sword might
My reach him through their faithful
carts,
The duke, accustomed though be
vas to slaughter and destruction,
.ad never before witnessed such a
ouching scene. The whole people
aised a cry of supplication and i'm
'lored their conqueror to put them
o death and spare him whom they
ED so dear.
Gradually the stern features of the
.uke relaxed, a softened expression
tole over them, and at last, rising
his seat, amid univeral silence,
a addressed father and dauObte- IN