News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-07-02
He
proceeded to question him. He

$4,000
him." | was so drunk the PROPOSE
ton seemed perfectly natural to me.
lie Poittevin was charged with the
defense and | to sustain the accu-
sation. He was condemned to death;
only one dissenting voice, that of
his defender. We were going to ex-
ecute the sentence when serious
scruple came to Sorieul. He said:
''This man ought not to die without
the consolation of religion. Some
one must go for a priest"
l objected; said it was too late.
Then Sorieul proposed that l should
fill that office, and | eXhorted the
criminal to unburden his sins into
my bosom.
The poor old wretch had been
rolling his frightened eyes for about
five minutes, no doubt wondering
what kind of madnen he had fallen
into the hands of. You will laugh
when | tell you Sorieul forced him
down upon his knees, saying, Coon
TESS to this gentleman, for thy last
hour has come"
Horribly frightened, the old
scoundrel began to cry, "Help!
Help!" with such strength and Wig
OF 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, canvases, 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, ]
fired in my turn. My musket was
an old Aintlock and sent forth a
tiny spark, to my great surprise.
Then LIE Poittevin said in grave
tones, 'FHave we the right to kill
this man."
Sorieul in great establishment
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-
sive.
We picked up the old fellow-he
would not walk a step-bound him
securely to a plank taken from the
model table and carried him, LIE
Poittevin at 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 no more noise.
The troop again took up the line
Of march and returned to the ate
lier.
"What are we going to do with
this old robber ?" | 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.
1 was taken in my turn with VIC
lent pity. l took off his gag and
said, "Well, my poor old man, how
do you feel now?" He groaned,
'In the name Of God, I've had
enough"
Then Sorieul became affection
ately paternal. He united him,
| placed him in an armchair, fondled
him, called him "thee" and chou"
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 drank as much as
a regiment, and when daylight ap-
peared he got up and said, q am
sorry to leave you, gentlemen, but
I must 60"
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 j.;
there's a bad step there Don't
fallw
A hearty laugh followed this RI
diculous story of the old artist,
who got up, lighted his pipe and,
standing in front of us, added:
'"The drollest part Of my story,
gentlemen, is this: Every word of
It is true!"