Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1899-09-18
DREYEUS GUILTY.

Corsica. Inc nVe years ne mas al
ready served do not count; he mus
serve 10 years from the day o
degradation, which must take place
within 10 days, and if there be no ap
peal to the court of revision within
days"
The Judges took one ballot on re-
firing Dreyfus guilty or not? Two
judges voted no; the judges then
discussed the penalty. The two
Judges in favor of Dreyfus pressed for
a low penalty on account of his suf-
ferings, and induced the others to tx
it at 10 years, which is the very low
est possible penalty for the crime for
which he was found guilty. In fact
the jndges have lowered the penalty
by two degrees less than ever known
in the French army before for con-
viction of this kind.
Dreyfus was waiting with feelings
which can only be imagined, in a
room back of the stage. When word
was given to the audience to dispense,
NJ. Hid, Labori's assistant, at a sign
from Labor, went to tell him.
Labor sat in a chair as if paralyzed.
A moment before, as the judges came
in, he had been pulling the end of his
beard in quiet satisfaction, confident
that after Demange's speech the YER
dict would be four to three.
The result stupefied him. Demange
sat collapsed, saddened to the last
degree. 1t was evident in the heat,
fervor and feeling of the close of his
speech that his whole heart was set
on securing the freedom of his client.
His voice was deeply hoarse, worn
down by the long speech; his face
was as solemn as tragedy. When the
verdict came he sat silent, collapsed,
like a man who has just heard news of
death.
Hid stepped along the corridor to
the room where Dreyfus was, went in
and closed the door. Dreyfus looked
at him and saw from his face he had
bad news. Dreyfus said; "Tell me-"
3'Ten years in a French fortress"
Dreyfus turned white, sank into
chair and covered his face with his
hands. He sat long time, neither
Hid nor the gendarme saying
anything. Then an usher came to
call Dreyfus. He said: Zone mo-
ment-"
He rose like a drunken man, his
eyes unsteady, and passed his hand
over his brow. The color was all
out of his face, which was the
color of ashes. The usher gave
him a moment to pull himself
together. Then he went into court
to hear the decision read again.
Dreyfus listened stupidity, facing
Cupois, who read it. He said nothing,
went out and was taken over to
prison like a man under the influence
of morphine.
Dreyfus was guilty. Hope was
gone. The audience went out alb
solutely quietly. Not a word was
said. There was no demonstration,
not even single cry.
The Dreyfusards were depressed,
busy with their own thoughts. The
anti Dreyfusards were maliciously
satisfied. Their lips curled in con-
tempt. The police and gendarmes
hurried everybody away from the
Lycee and absolutely barred return.
Outside the court, in the squares
and cafes, there was a sharp silence. |
A sort of spell seemed to be over men,
over the whole city. There was no |
no threat, no anger, no |
passion. Everybody seemed to be in |
a state of shock. This shows how |
very general was the conviction that |
the verdict would be at least four to |
three.
1t was fully an hour before bitter
ness began to manifest itself, begin
ming with fiery, caustic dispatches
which socialists and Dreyfusards be-
gan TO place on the wires.
Meanwhile the sickening news was
being conveyed to Nine. Dreyfus by
Georges Hadamard, her brother.
Mime. Hadamard, the mother of
Nine. Dreyfus, was on the steps of
the house crying. She did not need
10 be told. Then all went in together.
Georges told the news to the old
people, who tried to comfort their
daughter.
Nine. Dreyfus took it calmly, as if
for it. The only agony she
seemed to experience was dread of
ihe second degradation, from which
she recoils in horror.
When the verdict was announced
one man tainted, but was held erect,