Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-09-22

talon occupied the village and the in
habitants, men and women, were Or
dered to assemble in the public square.
In fairly plain French the commandant
addressed them:
One of you has shot one OF our COL
diers. / give you one hour to produce
the murderer. The village is sur
rounded and no one can leave. If in an
hour the assassin is not in my hands
will set fire to your village at its four
corners. Now go home, and at the first
beat of the drum come back here"
The peasants turned away, asking
each other in frightened whispers who
had fired the shot. Bancroche entered
the inn of Cog d'Argent. and as soon
as he saw the white. fearful face Of
Gillet he said, brusquely:
1T was you"
Gillet tried to answer, but Bancroche
interrupted him authoritatively:
Don't take the trouble to lie; 1t was
you"
Marietta and two or three others,
who heard his words, stopped in star
tied surprise.
What would they do to him II they
knew it?" asked one.
They would shoot him. And If
they do not know it they will burn the
village"
All were silent, terrified, except Gill
let, who cried, with chattering teeth:
I'm the name of pity, do not give me
up"
Wretch, would you have us all
burned?"
AT this instant the drum sounded.
Listen, said Bancroche, rising;
listen a moment. You, Sylvan Gill
let, must not die. for you have a wife.
But neither must the village be burned.
l think l see way. Stay where you
are, Gillet. and you others, swear to
keep silent l will take care of the
rest" And they all departed leaving
Gillet
who is guilty." cried the officer. in
terrible voice.
Bancroche made step forward and
said quietly, 1T was l."
YOU said the officer, "a crippled"
THAT does not prevent my firing a
gum"
Your name?"
Simon Martin, but on account of my
leg | am called Bancroehe."
You confess that you killed the SOL
der"
yes"
do you know you will be shot?"
81 do"
The commander could not but ad-
mire the calmness Of Bancroches
speech. The crowd listened. breath
less, amazed that Bancroche, known
to be so peaceable, could have fired
the shot, but glad, nevertheless, that
the village would be saved.
Eight men; behind the church,"
commanded the officer.
At this moment Marietta, forcing heI
way through the crowd, ran toward the
officer crying, Stop! he lies! 1t was
not he."
What are you saying?"
4 tell you he is not guilty. 1t was
not he."
Hurry with the man." cried the Of,
fcer.
Marietta escaped from the soldiers
who tried to hold her and threw her.
self on her knees before the officer.
Monsieur, l pray you, do not xii
him! He is innocent! Do not xii
him! Oh, beg you'll"
What is he to your" asked the Of
ficer. Your husband, your brother
your father?"
HE is oh. in the name OF God
do not kill himi love him!"
The officer burst into a loud laugh
Then kill me, too" cried Marietta
But you have done nothing to de-
serve it."
She sprang up with a bound anC
standing before him struck him de
liberately in the face. The soldiers ut
tered a cry of rage.
Seize the woman, also!" cried tn,
officer furiously.
I'VE will die together" said Marietta
placing herself beside the cripple
Come Bancroche, love you"
They were shot behind the church
The soldiers dug a grave in the GENE
tary and buried them together, mar
ried in death. The village of Sam
Georges was OF burned.