Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-06

! ''SAO AkouNlSAy, ~ ~-S5
mont. and Joannes the town major,
and with them de Wire still under re-
stra1nt by de Ramesay's order.
The governor stood at the great
table with his officers grouped around
him. The merchants and militia Off
GERS drifted together at the opposite
side. A stranger would have instantly
recognized that here were two parties
TO debate serious proposition. Sad
ness was the predominating note in de
Ramesay's., face; naughty pride and
contempt flashed from the eyes of the
MOBILES and professional soldiers at his
back; logged determination was evil
denced In every line in the portly fig
ures OF the merchants; and stubborn
shame spoke from the dropped heads
of the militia officers.
"Messieurs,' said the governor
quietly, you have asked an audience
for purpose which can but too we'll
divine. Will you speak your mind and
have done with it? The gentlemen Of
the counter first"
He turned inquiringly to the mer-
chants, but no one apparently cared
to break the silence. No one wished
to assume the stigma of being the first
to make the proposition in furtherance
of which they had assembled.
What, gentlemen" continued de
Ramsay sarcastically, are your de-
sires SO base that none of you have
even courage to mention them? Mon
sieur Dame, it was at your house,
am informed, that the gentlemen held
their meeting this morning. Will you
speak?"
Monsieur lie Chevalier," stammered
Dame, flushing and paling by turns,
I'VE are-we cannot-we do not-in
short, we came to beg you to surrender
the town"
"Ah!" said the governor, "and why
should l give up a charge devolved up
on me by his majesty the king?"
I'VE are starving, monsieur" an
swered Dame more boldly; "our dwell
ings, our shops, our wareh ouses are
ruined. We can do no more. If the
English break into the town, if they
storm the walls, we have over 1900
women and children here. Think OF
them, sir!"
True" said de Ramsay, "but SO
long as we have arms in our hands the
English will not break through the
walls. Is it not so, gentlemen"
give la nouvelle France!"
"Let us die br the flag!"
"Vive lie rolf
Death to the English" broke in
confused acclamations from the little
group of officers behind the chevalier
The others were silent.
How Is it that I hear no response
to my appeal from the officers of the
militia?" continued the governor
Gentlemen, do you allow your
brothers of the regular army to out
do you in patriotism?"
"By God, sir!" ripped out one of the
leading officers of the militia, we can
not fight any more, and there's an end
to it! Our men are deserving by hun
dreds, and we are hungry! We have
had nothing to eat since last night
nothing to drink either! TITS i'll keep.
ing guard and fighting on nothing!
The English are there in thousands
curse them! We cannot keep then
out. My men won't fight any longer!
Nor mine!"
''Nor mine!" rang through the hall
"And you, monsieur, has you
stomach for fight also left you?" asked
de Ramsay, frowning upon the man
Eyes, it has!" snapped out the of
ficer furiously. "'Tis a hopeless con
test, the city is lost!"
Eyes, yes, he is right"
Surrender"
"Give up the town."
Eve are lost!" cried one after an
| other.
There was no doubt either of thei
unanimity or of their determination.
"You cowards!" exclaimed the gov
ernor bitterly, turning upon them will
a whitening glance of contempt. Hi
calmness gone, he stamped his foo
in passionate scorn and anger.
In the midst of the confusion, which
well indicated the disorganization il
the town, an officer burst into the hal
and shouldered his way through thu
struggling mob toward the governor
The crowd became silent as they rec
ognized his presence and instinctivel.
felt that he had news of Importance
His face was grave with anxiety.
| Monsieur" he cried, saluting, eth
English are about to storm the st
Charles gate! Monsieur lie Gardeur
who commands there, has sent me tt
say that the town troops have thrown
down their arms and have refused t.
fight! He has no force to stay tn,
advance. For Gods sake, send rein
forcements, or we are lost"
Even as he spoke another office
came running into the room from tn,
walls on the other side
Monsieur lie Gouyerneur," he cried
RS he entered the apartment, "th'
colonial troops have withdrawn from
the walls! Capt. LIE Moyne says tina
the English battalions are musterins
for an immediate attack. He has no