Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-04-16

"
escape; but now those left had nc
more than one chance in seven. Hands
moved reluctantly to the bag, and
drew out the lots with hesitation. In.
deed only fierce threats on part OF
the officer induced some to draw a,
all And still the stream of white pa.
pers flowed from the bag, and men,
ny, and women, too, hurried to the
right; but the space OH the left, re.
served for the doomed forty, was un.
occupied. Even the officer was as.
tonished when the two hundredth
prisoner drew a blank and marched
away with the white paper stuck
prominently in his hat. Half of the
whole number had drawn their lots,
and of those left onein every five must
die.
The officer took his bag aside, and
made an examination by which he sat
isfed himself that the papers with the
red cross on were actually lying with
the rest. and that it was impossible to
distinguish them by the feel. Then
he shook up the contents of the bag
once more, and resumed his duty.
But neither searching nor stirring up
of the papers changed the course OF
events. Fifty more blank lots were
drawn; and then, at last, there was a
movement, stir of excitement, a
murmur of sympathy. In the midst
of it all were heard the frantic pro-
tests of the unfortunate prisoner,
whose arms were being strapped by
the guard. He wildly exclaimed
against his fate. Why was he to be
shot when $50 had escaped? 1t was
monstrous! 1t was unfair, unfair!
He would not submit. Then he be-
gan to plead and beg for mercy, and
when that produced no effect, lie
screamed to his old comrades to save
him from murder. Finally he was
gagged as we'll as strapped, and borne
off to the left, to the spot selected for
the execution.
This horrible scene broke down the
nerve of more than one among the
remnant of prisoners; and
they began to drag the fateful papers
more and more slowly to the light,
hardly daring to look at them, lest
the awful red cross should be upon
them. Still, from man to man the
bag moved on, and no one drew a
second death-paper, booming him to
join the first victim. The third hun
dred had all passed through the Or
deal, and only one of all the number
had drawn the blood-red cross. The
tension now became well-nigh un-
bearable, for Of the remainder almost
every other man, woman or child
must OF necessity prepare to die.
Presently the former CHASTITY scene
was repeated; another victim was
marched off to death; then a third,
and fourth, and a fifth. Yet be-
tween these ill-fated wretches there
had been many who, had drawn
blanks, so that at last an extraordin-
ary result was reached.
Forty papers remained in the bag,
and thirty-fve bore the red cross of
death. 1t was at this stage that the
officer holding the bag advanced, and
presented it to one whose face showed
him to be a foreigner. He was
bronzed; but he had the fair skin, and
light brown hair of the Englishman.
There was an air of distinction about
the man; and the officer looked at
him with puzzled expression, as who
should say: GLOW do you come to be
here with this vermin?" The sur
prise in his face was not lost upon the
Englishman, who, however. made no
ado, but plunged his hand into the
bag, drew out white paper, held it
mp as if to satisfy the officer, then
thrust his hands into his pockets,
turned on his heel, and walked away
apparently the least concerned of all
;he onlookers at this curious drama.
Before, however, he reached the
'anks of those who had successfully
passed the ordeal. wild cry reached
lis ear; and he looked back. The man
whose turn to draw had now come was
\ tall, haggard, fierce rebel; and he
vas prepared to try his fate without
sdo. But his wife, who stood next to
him, threw herself between him and
he bag, with most affecting cry that
hey would pass by her husband. The
Door creature was nearly beside her.
'elf with terror; and the soldiers were
to unlock her arms from
Ter husbands neck. Without mo-
nent's hesitation the foreigner stepped
back to the ranks, and in a quiet,
leferential way accosted the officer.
"Sir," he said, ''it cannot matter to
'ou whom you shoot. L will draw in
'tead of this woman's husband. Let
lin take my place and I will take
lis."
There was murmur Of admiration
'mong the soldiers. Tho woman
'eased her hysterical cries to look at
he author of this strange Interrupt
ion. There was a whispered consul
alton among the officers. At last one
# them spoke.
DO you quite understand that there
ire thirty.nine papers in this bag, and
hirty-five Of them are 80 marked that
le who draws one OF them must die?"
The stranger bowed.
"Then if, knowing that, you are
to draw for this man, We
lave no objection to Offer"
The stranger, without q word, thrust
lis hand into the bag, drew out a
'aper and held it up for all to see. 1t
vas white one.
$50 far, 80 good" he said, quietly;
the man is free, and 1 am free also.
Now, by your leave, I will draw for
he mans wife,"
The soldiers gazed at him as il he
we're out OF his senses. The officer
leld back the bag for u moment. and