Year: 1865

thing of more than ordinary importanc
was to take place, as each one fastened
the quarters of the commandant, thougl
court martial is no very unusual thing
yet it is sufficiently rare to attract atten
tion in camp.


Soon the quick roll Of the drum toll
that the court had convened and was read,
to try criminal. Within spacious
tent, was gathered large number of of
: ticers in full uniform.
Seated on raised platform was Gener
al Lovick, acting as judge. Another rol
of the drum announced the entrance o.
the prisoner.


'9Of what is this man charged ?" asked
the judge.


"Of attempting to destroy the life Of
his superior officer, Col. Lavillier," said
the advocate.


Sand where is the accuser?" continued
the court.


"Here, may it please your excellency,"
replied the Colonel, whose arm was done
up in sling.


GLOW came Martel to attempt your
life 2"


"I know not" said Lavillier.


"What provoked the insult ?'


"a conversation with young girl with
whom the prisoner is acquainted.


"Is that all z"


1t is, your excellency."


After a short consultation with the 9TH
er officers, the Judge turned to the pris-
oner and thus addressed him:
Anthony Martel, you have been found
| guilty of an attempt to murder a superior
officer of the French Army, the punish
ment of which is death. What have you
to say that you should not suffer the ex-
treme penalty Of the law which you have
| offended"


Martel, who stood as though uncon
scious till now, raised his manly form he
bent his eyes searchingly upon the Col
| onel, and said in firm voice:
"Your excelency, am aware that any
| vindication which make, will be of no
avail, but being permitted, l will speak
the truth, that my fellow soldiers may
| know that die innocent of the charge
brought against me. did not fire upon
Colonel Lavillier, and had no weapon
| when arrested At the moment enter
ed the dwelling of Cadeline, found her
struggling in his arms. l stopped not to
inquire his rank, but struck him with my
doubled fist to the floor. This is all /
have done, and had it been the Emperor
himself in his place, [ would have done
likewise For the duty of true soldier
is to protect the innocent and defenceless.
| am willing to debut my death shall
not be unavenged, for the grass will not
have covered my grave before my COM
rades shall have found the heart Of my
murderer, for there is not one who will
shrink when the hour comes. | am rea-
dy-pass your sentence.


"Martel, your language does not be-
come man who is on the threshold of
eternity"


''Truth becomes a man at all times"
replied Anthony.
Colonel Lavillier, during the time the
prisoner was speaking, seemed greatly
excited, and turned pale; he knew that
Martel was great favorite in the regi-
ment, and he feared his own life was in
danger.


"Anthony Martel," said the Judge,
"the sentence of the court is, that you be
shot by twelve of your comrades" :"


Again the roll of the drum told that
the ease had been decided, and they were
about to conduct the prisoner to his quar-
ters, when young girl rushed past the
guard into the tent, and prostrating her.
self at the feet of the presiding officer,
exclaimed:


"He is innocent spare him he did
shoot Colonel Lavillier."
As the tears flowed down her beautiful
face every heart was touched with pity
save one. He stood unmoved by suppli-
cations. The Judge informed her that it
was impossible for him to alter the sen-
tence of the court, that the only hope
was left her was in Col. Lavillier, who
was the injured party, who had power to
ask for his pardon or recommend him to
mercy.


In vain Cadeline pleaded with him; he
was inexorable, and she was borne sense
less from his tent.


On the following morning little be-
fore sunrise, some soldiers were busily
engaged in placing red flags at short in
tervals on beautiful plain not far from
the camp. No sooner had this been ac-
complished than the muffied drum and
band playing the dead march was heard
A company of soldiers drew near, accom-
panied by large number officers, who
came to witness the punishment of death.
Anthony Martel was walking with firm
step to meet his doom Arriving at the
spot designated for him to die, he was
calm and unmoyed at the approaching
crisis. Twelve of his fellow soldiers were
brought into line. Every movement
showed their unwillingness to perform
the odious duty which had been assigned
to them.


All being arranged, the commandan
walked up to Martel, and taking him by
the hand he shook it warmly. Bidding
him farewell he gave him permission t.
ol1raSc bio in arms