Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

r f§i*f*|(xiti*. Ki CONDEMNED SENTINEL. cold, stormy night in the ■Bmth of March, 1807, Marshal ■Hfobvre, with 27.000 French Bmiop.H, had invested Dantzic.— city was garrisoned by 17,000 Bltussian and Prussian soldiers, W and these, together w : th 20,000 lor 30,000 armed citizens, present r ed nearly double the force that could be brought to the assault. So there was need of the utmost vigilance on the part of the sen tinels, fora desperate sortie from the garrison, made unawares, L might prove calamitous. I At midnight, Jerome Dubois B was placed upon one of the most r important posts in the advance I line of pickets, it being upon a Buarrow strip of land raised above Ho marshy flat, called the pe-, of Nehrung. For more an hour, lie paced his lone gfflme beat without hearing more the moaning of the wind n*ud the driving of the rain. At Bjfuigth, however, another sound Bkc upon his ear. He stop HKI and listened, and presently called : Who's there BBkhe only answer was a moan J sound. tie called again, and this time [S*.* heard something like the cry l-of a child, and pretty soon an ’ object came toward hint out of the darkness. With a quick, ein phatie movement, he brought his musket to the charge, and or dered the intruder to halt. “Mercy!” exclaimed a child sish voice; “don’t shoot me! I Bum Natalie! Don't you know Inin r a “Heaven !” cried Jerome, ele- C vating the muzzle of his piece, ■gls it you, dear child ?” B“Yok; and you are good Je- T rottit*. Oh, you will come help j c mamma. Come, she is dying!” It. was certainly Natalie, a lit tle girl only eight years old, daughter of Lisette Vaillant.— Lisette was the wife of Pierre Vaillant, a sergeant in Jerome's own regiment, and was with the army in capacity of nurse. “Why, how is this, my child ?” j said Jerome, taking the little one by the arm. “what is it about your mother ?” ' r “Oh, good Jerome, you can hear her now. Hark!” The sentinel bent bisear, but could bear only the wind and the rain. • “Mamma is in the dreadful mud,” said the child, “and is dy ing. She is not far away. Oh. I i-an hear her crying.” Hv degrees, Jerome gathered lrom Natalie that her father had taken her out with him in the I morning, and that in the even ing, when the storm came mi her j myther came after her. The ser i geaut had offered to send a man back to the camp with bis wife ; but she preferred to return alone, feeling sure that she would meet with no trouble. The way, how ever, had become dark and un- L certain,and she had lost the path wandered off to the edge of morass, where she bad sunk the soft mud. “Oh, good Jerome," cried the little One, seizing t he man's hand, “can't you hear her ? She will <lie if von do not come and help her!” At that moment, the sentinel fancied he heard the wail of the unfortunate woman. What should he do? Lisette—the good, the beautiful, the tender hearted Lisette—was in mortal danger, || and it was in his power to save I her. It was not in his heart to L withstand the pleadings of the BnM He could go nml rercue the Buotherand return to his post Bdtheut detection. At all events B co’uld not refuse the childish ■hJcr me vour hind. Natalie. yqt," jHpN'ith a cry of* joy, the duKl SKruttyC' (lie soldier's side. and. bad secured hi- band, ■r burned him along toward the whejjULbho had lett her I '''' •* ''“"o >it v and on. e he ■HUinrihougi! iio >niid, inrn ■■HBijia ‘f.u death. Bitf K-t '' 'M / B*' * ■ ;: ’ l ' Ui:: - B? U ' r> >;■ • --B&J odp •H f /' ’ T $~ g’-■ r.lKb* be has the fatal mud. It was no easy matter to extricate her from the miry pit, as the workman had to be very caieful that he himself did not lose bis footing. At length, however, she was drawn forth, and Jerome led her to ward his post. “Who comes there ?” cried a voice from the gloom. “Heaven!” gasped Jerome, stopping and trembling from head to foot. “Who comes there ?” repealed the voice. Jerome heard the click of the musket lock and he knew that another sentinel had been sta tioued at the post lie had left.— The relief had come while he had been absent! •‘Friends,’with the counter sign !” lie answered, to the last last call of the new sentinel. He was ordered to advance, and when lie bad given the coun tersign, he found himself in the presence of the officer of the guard. In a few hurried words lie told bis story, and bad the of ficer been alone, be might have allowed the matter to rest where it was; but there were others present, and when ordered to give up his musket, he obeyed without a murmur and silently accompanied the officer to the camp where he was put in irons. On the following morning, Je rdhie Duboise was brought be fore a court martial under charge of having deserted his post. lie confessed that be was guilty, and then permission was granted him to tell his own story. This he did in lew words; but the court could do nothing but pass sentence of death; yet the members thereof all signed a pe tition praying that Jerome Du bois might be pardoned; and this petition was sent to the general of the brigade, and through him to the general of the division, by whom it was indorsed, and sent up to the marshal. Lefebvre was kind and gener ous to his soldiers almost to a fault, buthe could not overlook so grave an error as that which had been committed by Dubois. The orders given to the sentinel bad been very simple, and fore most of every necessity was the order forbiding him to leave his post until properly relieved. To a certain extent, the safety of the whole nriny rested upon the shoulders of each individual sentinel, and especially upon those who at night were posted nearest the lines of Hie enemy. “1 am sorry,” said the gray haired old warrior, as he folded up the petition and handed it back to the officer who had pre seated it. “1 am sure that man meant no wrong, and yet a great wrong was done. He knew what he was doing—he ran the risk— he was detected—he has been tried and condemned. He must suffer!" They asked Lefebvre if he would see the condemned. •No, no!” the marshal cried, quickly. “Should I see him, and listen to one-half his story, I might pardon him, and that must not be done. Let him die, that thousands may be saved.” The time lixed for the execu (ion of Dubois was the morning succeeding the day of his trial. The result of the interview with Marshal Lefebvre was made known to him. and he was not at all disappointed. He blamed no one, and was only sorry that he had not died on the battlefield. “1 have tried to be a goad sol dier." he said, to his captain. “I feel that 1 have done no crime that should leave a stain upon my name.” The captain took his hand, and assured him that his name should be held in respect. Toward evening, l’ierre Yail lant. with his wife and child, were admitted to see the priso ner. This was a visit which Jer ome would gladly have dispensed with, as his feelings were already wrought up to a pitch that almost unmanned him ; but he braced himself for the interview, and would have stood it like a hero had not little Natalie, in the ea gerness of her love and gratitude thrown herself upon his bosom and offered to die in his stead. This tipped the Uriming cup, and his tears flowed freely. Pierre and Lisette knew not what to say. They wept and they prayed, and they would have willingly died for the noble fel low who'liad been thus condom [tied. Later in the evening ' eume a lUmpanion who.if he lived, would IKiiome time return l Jerome's Bmiood’irhome. First the con Sorted thought of hi- wi, loved THE FIELD AND FIRESIDE—MARIETTA, (GA.) THURSDAY, NoVEMbEU 7, 1878. mother, and he sent her a mes sage of love and devotion. Then he thought of a brother and sister. And finally, he thought of one— a bright-eyed maid—whose vine clad cot stood upon the banks of the Seine —one whom be had loved with a love such as only great hearts can feel. “Oh, my dear friend !’ he cried, bowing his head upon his clasp ed hands, “you need not tell them a falsehood ; but if the thing is possible, let them believe I tell in battle!” His companion promised that he would do all be could ; and, if the truth could not be kept back it should be so truthfully told that the name of Jerome Du bois should not bear dishonor in the minds of those who had loved him in other days. Morning came, dull and gloomy with driving sleet and snow ; and at an early hour, Jerome Dubois was led forth to meet his fate. The place of execution had been fixed upon a low, barren spot to ward the sea; and thither his di vision was being marched to wit ness the fearful punishment. They had gained not more than half the distance when the sound of some strange commotion broke upon the wintry air, and very shortly an aide-de-camp came dashing to the side of the general of the brigade, with the cry: “A sortie# A sortie ! The en emy are out in force. Let this thing be stayed. The marshal directs that you face about and advance upon the peninsula !” In an instant all was changed in that division; and the brigadier general, who had tempory com mand, thundered forth his orders for his counter-march. The gloom was dissipated; and with glad hearts the soldiers turned from the thoughts of the execution of a brave comrade to thoughts of meeting the enemy. “What shall we do with the prisoner?” asked the sergeant who had charge of the guard. “Lead him back to the camp,” replied the captain. The direction was very simple, but the execution thereof was not to be so easy, for scarcely had the words escaped the cap tain’s lips when a squadron of Prussian cavalry came dashing directly toward them. The di vision was quickly formed in four hollow squares, while the guard that held charge of the prisoner found themselves obli ged to flee. “In heaven’s name,” cried Je rome, “cut my bonds, and let me die like a soldier!” The sergeant quickly cut the cord that bound his elbows be hind him, and then dashed to ward the point where his own company was stationed. The rattle of musketry had com menced, and the Prussians were vainly endeavoring to break the squares of French troops. Je rome Dubois looked about him some weapon with which to arm himself, and presently he saw a Prussian officer not far off reeling in his saddle as though he had been wounded. With a quick bound he reached the spot, pulled the dying officer from his seat, and leaped into the empty saddle. Dubois was fully resolved that he would sell his life on that day —sell it in behalf of France— and sell it as dearly a- possible. He knew that the Prussians could not break those hollow squares; so he rode away think ing to join the French cavalry, with whom he would rush into the deepest danger. Supposing that the heaviest lighting must be upon the Nehrung, he rode his horse in that direction, and when he reached it he found that be had not been mistaken. At Hagelsberg the enemy had plant ed a battery of heavy guns, sup ported by two regiments of in fantry; and already with shot and shell immense damage had been done. Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortly after this battery had opened, and quickly made up his mind that it must be taken at all hazards. “Take that battery," he said to a colonel of the cavalry, “and the battle is ours." Dubois heard the order, and saw the necessity. Here was danger enough, surely; and, de termined to be the first at the fa tal battery, he kept as near to the leader as he dared. Half the distance #• had gained when from the hill came a storm of iron that plowed into the ranks of the French. The colonel fell, his body litterallv torn in pieces by a shell that exploded against liis bosom. The point upon the peninsula j now reached by the assaulting column was not more than one hundred yards wide; and it was literally a path of death, as the ; fire of twelve heavy guns was j turned upon it. The colonel had fallen, and very soon three other officers went down, leaving the advance ! without a commissioned leader. The way was becoming blocked up with dead men and dead hor ses, and the head of the column stopped and wavered. Marshal Lefevre, from his ele-! vated place, saw this, and his j heart throbbed painfully. If that column were routed, and! the Russian infantry charged over the peninsula, the result might be calamitous. But—see! A man in the uni form of a French private, mount ed upon a powerful horse, capar isoned iti the trappings of a Prus sian staff officer, with his head bare, and a bright saber swing- ; ing in his hand rushes to the front and urges the column forward.— j His words are fiery and his look i is dauntless. “For France and Lefebvre!” the strange horseman cries, wav ing his sword aloft and pointing . toward the battery. “The mar j shal will weep if we lose this day!” The brave troopers thus led by one who feared not to go forward where the shot fell thickest, gave an answering shout and pressed on, caring little for the rain of of death so long as they had a living leader to follow. Hoping j that lie might take the battery; and yet courting death, Jerome Dubois spurred on, and finally the troop came upon the battery with irresistible force. It was not in the power of the cannoneers to withstand the j shock, and the Russian infantry that came to their support were swept away like chaff. The bat- ; tery was quickly captured, and when the guns had been turned upon those who had shortly be- J fore been their masters, the for j tune of the day was decided. The Russians and the Prussians —horse,foot and dragoons—such I as were not taken prisoners, j made the best of their way back into Dantzic, having lost much more than they had gained. Jerome Dubois returned to the guard-house, and gave himself up to the officer in charge. First a ! surgeon was called to dress seve ral slight wounds which he had I received. Next, his colonel was j called to see what should be done j with him. The colonel applied to the general of the brigade, and j the general of brigade applied to the general of division, and the general of division applied to Marshal Lefebvre. “What shall we do with Jerome Dubois ?” “God bless him !” cried the j veteran general, who had heard the whole story. “I'll pardon him to-day, and to morrow I'll promote him ?” And Jerome Dubois, in time, j went himself to see the loved i ones in Franco, and then he j wore the uniform of a captain. The Sarltogian tells of a Uni tarian clergyman at the recent conference who saw the placard, “Leave your dog outside,” and j tried to purchase a dog in order to comply with the regulations. A subscriber wrote to a journal to make some inquiries about the next world's fair, whereupon the wicked editor replied that he was under the impression 'that the next world wouldn’t have any fair. A pedler, overtaking another of the fraternity on the road, ex claimed: “Hallow! What do J you carry?” “Patent medicines,” s was the reply. “Good! you go ahead. I carry gravestones,” wf ■ the rejoinder. Six years ago two young men in Philadelphia inherited from their father about SBO,OOO each. Since that period one has died poor, and the other is now driving a furniture cart for a living. The i name of the daily paper they started is not given. Irate passenger to cabman, who gets off his box and opens the carriage-door: “I told you I , lived at the top of the hill, not at the bottom, you blunderhead.” Cabby: “Whist, your honor, whist! I'll mearly slam the door,! and the haste'll think vou'r out. and go up the hill like the divil.” | 111 effects liable to result from feeding cotton seed may be obvi ated bv boiling the seed and mix ing with other food. FURITITTJREII CTJTHAN TTT /CHEAPEST. HEAPER 1 AHE W lllark Walnut Dressing: Case Suits, Full .Marble, 10 Pieces, SSO. Cottage Suits s*2o. The Best Parlor Goods In The Market For The Money. Walnut Bu reau W ith Glass, $lO. Good Common Bedsteads, $9. And a Full Line Of* Other Furniture Cheaper Than Any Bouse In The State. Terms Strictly Cash IVES & THOMAS. 12 & 44 White Hall Street, Atlanta, Ga. Aug. 22, NEW FURNITURE STORE!! 85 Whitehall and 92 Broad Street’s, Atlanta, Ga. ALL new and fresh goods at low prices. (It is useless to quote -**- them.) Call and examine my goods, you will see that they are as cheap if not cheaper than those of any other dealer in tho city. My stock is complete, consisting of all varieties, from low price to the finest in the City. Satisfaction guaranteed. Goods promptly delivered. Please give me a call. Remember the place ; 85 White hall and 92 Broad Street's, between Hunter and Mitchell. Atlanta, Ga., August 29,1878. JOHN B. STOCKER. ILT. Or. G-ig'zxillia-t, NORTH SIDE OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE Dry Goods and Notions) Boots, Shoes, Hats, Clothing, Crockery and Glass Ware. GROCERIES: Coffee, Sugar, Mustard, Pepper, Syrup, Meat, Spice, Ginger, Lard, Flour, Soda, Starch, Hams, Mackerel, Tea, Blueing, .Tobacco, Soap, Indigo, Blaclupg, Candles, Matches, Sardines, Flavoring Extracts. ALSO, HARDWARE, Such as Axes, Haines, Trace Chains, Nails, Cutlery, both pocket and table, Scissors and Sheep Shears. I will sell at the very lowest juices for CASH for the next sixty days. Persons wishing to buy will do well to call and examine our goods before buying elsewhere. N. G. GIGNILLIAT. Marietta, Ga., Feb. 12, 1878. 1 Drugs and Medicines! And Building Hardware! William Root, HAS AT HIS OLD STAND, Almost an // thing wanted in that line of business. PAINTS, OILS ANI) VARNISH. White Lead, in kegs and eans. Ready mixed Paints, in cans. OILS. PAINTS. Linseed, Lamp Blaek, Train, Drop Blaek, Machine, Venetian Red, Lard, Blue Paint, Neat’s Foot, Green Paint, Sweet, Yellow Paint, Castor, Ac. Brown Paint, &e. DYE STUFFS. WINDOW GLASS & PUTTY. All at moderate prices. IALET BROTHERS. (DEALERS IN) GROCERIES, HARDWARE, NORTH-EAST CORNER PUBLIC SQUARE, Marietta Georgia. October, 1, 1877. l.v THE MERCHANTS AND; MECHANICS INSURANCE COMPANY? OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. Ciih Capital £430,000 - - Cal Aswels $315,000. o $25,000 in IT.l T . S. Bonds deposited in the Treasury of Georgia for fur ther security of Policies! THIS well known company has paid in thousands of dollars to claimants in Georgia since the war. and will maintain its well earned reputation for skill ful, conservative, prompt, just dealing. Dwellings, Stores, Merchandise, Mills, Gin Houses And contents, insured at fair rates. m ” Hf*Agents at all prominent point-in the or to KVN I HAVE ON HAND A CiOO!> ASSORTMENT OF LOCKS For Dwellings, Store Doors, Clos ; ets, Trunks, Smoke Houses, &c. PAD LOCKS. Nails, 2d to 60d. Tacks ami Brads Harness Buckles, Copper Rivets, Sash Pullies, F'iles, Hinges, Picture Nails, Strap Hinges, Brass Butts, Hooks and Staples, : Butts, inch to 6x6. Wagon Nails, Wardrobe Hooks, Sash Cord, i Garden Hoes, Garden Hakes, Spade Forks, Manure Forks, Carriage Bolts, Door Bolts, Sand Paper, Glue, i&e. SCREWS, The largest assortment in town. WILLIAM ROOT. Marietta, October 1,1877.