The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-07-02

fsrry1 i. W ~ tAC VI. SLt SealQ
Ihis man ought not to die without
the consolation Of religion. Some
one must go for priest"
1 objected; said it was too late.
ahen Sorieul proposed that I should
MI that Office, and. 7 exhorted the
criminal to unburden his sins into
my bosom.
The poor old wretch had been
rolling his frightened eyes for about
nye minutes, no doubt wondering
what: kind Of madmen he had fallen
into the hands of. You will laugh
when tell you Sorieul forced him
down upon his knees, saying, stCon-
tess to this gentle nan, for thy last
hour has come" Il.
J Horribly frightened, the old
scoundre1 began to cry, "Help!
Helpp with such strength and Wig
or We. were forced to gag him for
fear he would arouse the neighbors.
Then he rolled over the floor, turn
ing, twisting, upsetting the easels,
pictures, canyases, until Sorieul got
out of patience and angrily exclaim-
ed, "Come, let us finish himw With
that he put his pistol to the head of
the miserable wretch and pulled the
trigger.
Carried away by his example, I
fired in my turn. Ny musket was
an old f1intlock and sent forth q
tiny spark, to my great surprise.
Then LIE Poitteyin said in grave
tones, "Have we the right to kill
this man?"
Sorieul in great astonishment
cried out, Certainly, when we have
condemned him to death!"
"But," continued LIE Poittevin,
"they don't shoot civilians, They
are always hanged. We must take
this one to the police station"
This argument appeared conclu-
siye.
We picked up the old fellow-he
would not walk a step-5ound him
securely to a plank taken from the
model table and carried him, LIE
Poittevin ut the head, at the foot,
while Sorieul, armed to the teeth,
closed the line of march.
When we reached the station
house, the sentinel arrested us. The
chief of police was sent for. He
knew us well, nearly every day wit
Messing some of our jokes, pranks
and unheard of capers. He refused
to receive our prisoner.
Sorieul insisted. Then the Off
Ger severely invited us to return
home and make nc more noise.
The troop again took up the line
of march and returned to the ate
ier.
"What ar. we going to do with
this old robber?" I asked.
LIE Poittevin, touched with ten
der pity, declared he looked terri
bly, exhausted. Truly the old fell
low had an agonizing appearance,
gagged, tied hand and foot and Sc
curely bound to his plank.
was taken in my turn with vio-
lent pity. Il took. off his gag and
said, swell, my poor old man, how
do you feel now2" He groaned,
"In the name Of God, I'ye had
enough!"
Then Sorieu. became affection
ately paternal. He united him,
placed him IN an armchair, fondled
him, called him "thee" and ssthou,"
and to comfort him we all three ran
off to make him a fresh punch. The
old scamp, TRANQUILITY seated in his
armchair, coolly regarded us.
When the punch was ready, We,
touched glasses with him, wishing
him long life and prosperity.
Our prisoner urank as much as
regiment, and when daylight ap-
peared' he got up and said, sT am
sorry to leave you, gentlemen, but
I must CO."
We were desolate, heartbroken,
begged him to stay. but he would
remain no longer. Then we follow
ed him to the door and shook hands
with him. Sorieul lighted him
through the vestibule and called
out: "Take care, my old friend:
there's a bad step there! Don't
fallr'
A hearty laugh followed this RI
diculous story Of the old artist,
who got up, lighted his pipe and,
standing in front cf us, added:
"The drollest part of my story.
gentlemen, is this: Every word Of
it is trueI''
An Army Asu.anss.