The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-09-16

time, had often thought :egretfully Ct |
the honesty and sweetness of Bau-
croche. Gillet knew his townspeople |
looked upon him disapprovingly for |
remaining so quietly at home, instead |
of going to fight for his country, and |
he determined to win, by enc bold |
strike, their appreciation and gratitude.
So, taking rifle, he hid himself in the
bushes at the roadside in the forest,
and when the advance guard passed he
fired and killed one soldier. The re-
suit of the deed was not long delayed. ;
Two hours afterward a Prussian bat
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:
zone of you has shot one of our SOL
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 I
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 Coz 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; it was
YOU"
Marietta and two or three others,
who heard his words, stopped in star
tied surprise.
What would they do to him If they
knew it," asked one.
"They would shoot him. And it
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 moment. You, Sylvan Gill
let, must not die, for you have wife.
! But neither must the village be burned.
| I think I see way. Stay where you
are, Gillet, and you others, swear to
keep silent. I 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 T.
"You," said the officer, "a crippled"
"That does not prevent my firing a
gum
your name?"
Simon Martin, but on account of my
leg I am called Bancroche."
"You confess that you killed the SOL
dier'
EYES,"
do you know you will be shot?''
II do" -.,,.s7~
The commander could not but ad-
mire the calmness of Bancroche's
speech. The crowd listened. breath
less, amazed that Bancroche, known
to be so peaceable, could have fired
the shot, but glad, nevertheless, thai
the village would be saved.
Eight men; behind the church,
commanded the officer.
At this moment Marietta, forcing he1
way through the crowd, ran toward thu
officer crying, stop! he lies! It wa:
not he.''
What are you saying?'
II tell you he is not guilty. 1t wa
not he.''
Hurry with the man." cried the of
ficer.
Marietta escaped from the soldier
who tried to hold her and threw her
self on her knees before the officer.
"Monsieur, I pray you, do not xii
him! He is innocent! Do not xii
him! Oh, beg you!"
What is he to your" asked the OF
ficer. "Your husband, your brothe,
your father?'
"He is Oh, in the name of Coo
do not kill him! love him!"
The officer burst into a loud laugh
"Then kill me, too,' cried Marriott.
"But you have done nothing to dc
serve it."
She sprang up with bound an
standing before him struck him de
- liberately in the face. The soldiers vi
. tered a cry of rage.
"Seize the woman, also!" cried til
officer furiously.
y I'VE will die together" said Marriott
placing herself beside the crippl
. Come, Bancroche, love you."
- They were shot behind the churc]
The soldiers dug grave in the GENE
4 tary and buried them together, MAJ
~ ried in death. The village of Sai1
- Georges was not burned.