Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-05-15

In the troubous times of which write events OF
tragic import were all too common to keep US Iong
awake; and |, Notwithstanding my wretched preoccu-
patton of the previous evening slept so soundly
toward morning that | did not hear the reVeile'
With not little contrtion learned how late 1T was.
My routine duties of the early morning were scarce
concluded when the long-drawn wall OF the band
struck my ear. It was the Dead March in Saul
The column of parade headed by the cavalry had
already passed my quarters the way to Bolivar
Heights, where, on plain overlooking the two
rivers, Potomac and Shenandoah the sorrowul scene
was to be enacted. Trains OF the Baltimore and 4
Ohio Railway passed that the grooming OF
abraded iron and the shrek of enslaved steam were
distinctly audible. ! took my place in the marching
column which moved slowly to the funeral music OF
the band and presently debouched the open plain.
A light drilling rain had fallen during the night
having little further effect than to render the roads
somewhat heavier and mpartinE to grass and foliage
deeper tint. as of added dampncss. The rain had
fallen YEARLY upon dead leaves, for it was late aut
umn blackening the trunks of trees and the weather
toward morning had cleared tip bleak and chilly with
hue of tenderness in sky or plain The bayonets
and sabres of the troops looked stcely and hard in
that light, and the very sun lurked behind dry-ook-
ing white clouds, as in cruel discomfort The column
wound slowly around the plain, silent (but for the
band). while ominous stiffness pervaded the ranks
usually SO breezy and vital Men moved with set
faces and never spoke As the soldiers gradually
gathered themselves into hollow square noticed
that enclosing platform absurdy small in
the presence Of such hugeness Of mountain and plain,
and of Our square.
Here, for the first time. the prisoner seated,
as is customary, his coffin, in ambulance drawn
by two black horses. Beside him an old French
near Rouen. had little doubt that one of the priS-
oners nationality and presumab BILE temperament,
would be quite ready for any dramatic situation
But was not prepared for the superb air with which
the young man mounted the scaffod, having the
aged priest on his arm. Not touch of bravado
No light ignoring OF the awful situation; but, moving
with pose that was like courage personhed, he
had more the air Of about to give exhibition
of marvellous strength and agility-a fencing bout,
for instancethan of doomed criminal For few
minutes he busted himself with the details of his dis
NAL toilet, looking around at the deathly appoint
ments of the place with a glance of what might be
called exultant indIiterence, then bowed, turning to
the aged priest The latter advanced slowly with
beside him with upturned face, which was then illu-
minated by a passing CLEAN OF sunshine
The music ceased. frightful- stiffness held the
vast concourse in a trance l saw his face.
hurriedly left my place and rode toward the platform
until warned by the guards. 1t my frend--thc
man to whom I owed my life, praying on the scat
fod Again warned back But in such
circumstances rescue had been attempted by des-
perate men. yes, and effected l saw Magrath. He
there in his official capacity.
Captain. | must speak with the prisoner. He
saved my life"
"You can do far better service for him than that
Ride down to the sallyport and hurry up the horse
who brings his reprievc."
who is he9 How shall know him.
why you know him perfectly we'll. It's Person
our chief of scouts; he volunteered to go in person.
He's gallant fellow
Ny uneasiness suffered small abatement from what
traitor as he was, the scout could gain nothing now
by foul play; the eyes OF the whole army were upon
him in dubious displeasure. But now he had vindi-
Gated himself by the capture of man who was
credited with part in most of Mosbys daring per-
formances-the renowned French Bill" There re-
NAMED the fact, however-the fact that non-com-
Blatant can fully understand-Pierson had from his
point of view, the strongest motive for revenge
known to the ambitious soldier-namey impeacf1-
ment-ust or unjust-of the courage Of the soldier;
and Pierson had been exposed by the Frenchman
who had detected him in an unmistakable example
added that of eaousy-why, it but grim comfort
TO have my friends fate in the hands of such an one
volunteering rescue!
had obeyed orders, however, riding in the direc-
ton indicated by Magrath. | waited long and anx-
iousy. The dipped again behind the chilly-look-
ing clouds; and low, moaning wind crept the
darkeued valley. Then through the keen air darted
shrll buge call. Straining my eyes through the
feldglass, could see that the prisoner had arisen
from his knees and that he seemed about to address
the crowded ranks. With anguish of ncerttude
turned my horses head that way, when I heard the
tumult of rushing hoofs behind and in a moment the
scout flashed by on horse literally white with foam
while the rider spattered with mud to be
scarcely dstinguishable. With hoarse greeting he
passed on, holding something white ike folded paper
in his right hand, and continued tearing toward the
scene OF the execution ! followed as best could
account for the msgving that each moment tight
ened about my heart.
As drew near the dismal spot the concluding SEN
fences OF the poor boys remarks fell strangely my
ear, in this wise:
MY life is forfeit by the laws of war and am tc
perish by those laws. | content 1t is only the
form OF death that protest against / entitled
to soldiers death. not one OF ignominy."
Here he was interrupted by a rough hustle thu
platform, stamping OF heavy boots, catter o
jingling spurs-and the mud-stained scout mountec
the scaffold with paper which he handed to TIL
I prisoner who yet unpinioned
:, A shudder OF anxiety passed through the crowd
followed by audible sigh OF relief and the whspe
. crept from mouth to mouth, "a reprievep growing
and gaining strength till it broke into faint dubi
cheer.
0 Meantime the young Frcnchman turned wonder
l. ing look upon the intruder. as though not under
c standing.
The provost marshal spoke and with asperitv-fo
t to him should have been handed any communication
s at this moment: "a reprieve?"
: No" replied the scout, colby, "only prvat
message
. The handsome youth raised his eyes swimming
over the paper, looking as though he saw it not, I'll
: he came to word that roze his being as with some
c thing worse than terror His hand moved con
vusively as if clutching some invisible object III
d paper dropped from his grasp. A spasmodic move
: ment OF the right hand seemed instincvey to max
Il sign of the His head was thrown back hi
S eyes raised; and then he murmured in a strange bu
e steady voice TO the priest. 81 ready now"
turned. nearly faintinp from FIJI e;o