People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 July 1895 — WAS HELD BY HONOR. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WAS HELD BY HONOR.

ERC Y, MARIE, they are hunting me like a wolf!” The speaker was a fine-looking man in the prime of life, and he bounded into his own home as he uttered the startling exclamation. “Have there been

new arrests, Pierre?” asked his wife, looking up from her work with a terrified expression on her beautiful countenance. It was a troublesome time In Paris. The new government had just issued a decree that all communists and insurgents found with arms in their possession should be put to death) without delay. The terrible edict was being carried out on every hand, and every hour witnessed the untimely fate of many an honest, if misguided, heart. Pierre Lamonte had been among the most zealous workers against the republican party before election, and now that the latter had come Into power he was wanted to answer for his rash speeches and intemperate action. -‘They have just arrested a dozen at the Heyward and dragged them away like so many sheep to the slaughter. Curse them! it was only the thought of your sake and Henri’s I am almost firing into their midst.” ■“Hush, Pierre!” cried his frightened wife, who trembled to think what his Impetuous nature might bring upon them. “You must not talk like that. Calm your passions until the storm has blown over. In a few days, I dare say, the trouble will be escaped.”

“I am not so sure of that, Marie," he replied, showing that her words had not been without their effect. “I am not a coward, you know that, Marie, but for your sake and Henri,s I am almost afraid to remain here.” “Do you think they will follow you to your home, my husband?” “Alas! I know not where I am safe. They may be here any moment, and again it is possible that I am safer here than I would be elsewhere.” “I have a plan, Pierre. Why not let Henri go upon the street and see what he can learn? Our boy is capable of taking care of himself, as you well know." Though he was not quite 15, and small for his age, little Henri had proved on several occasions that he possessed a man's ready wit and courage, so his father willingly allowed him to start upon his errand, little dreaming of the fearful consequences it was likely to i incur. Whistling merrily to give a show of unconcern, Henri left his home, going swiftly toward the more densly populated portion of the city. Everywhere he went he saw evidence of the reign of excitement. Men were grouped together in earnest conversation at almost every corner, while through the darker streets and alleys crouching figures could be seen stealing away in all directions. He saw several squads of armed soldiers and as he approached the Elyses palace he was startled by the arrest of half a dozen Insurgents. Not wishing to be seen too near such scenes Henri turned off to the left, and •was entering the garden, when he was startled by the utterance of his father's name. Concealed from the speaker’s .gaze by a thick bush, he heard the other describe to an officer his own home, with the added Information that his outlawed parent would be found there at that moment. He heard the officer say that a squad of soldiers would be sent at once to affect his arrest, when he was further startled by the appearance of four fugitives, who were fleeing for their lives All were armed and they looked like a desperate party; but seeing an officer and his men suddenly stopping their escape. they uttered cries of dimay. All but one threw up his arms and surrendered after a short resistance. The exception, catching sight of Henri’s hiding place, leaped to the spot, and thrusting his weapon into the frightened boy’s hands, pushed him out into the pathway of the excited soldiers. Before he could offer a word of explanation Henri found himself borne

away with the; rest a prisoner! The smaller party was soon added to the larger band under a tierce-looking colonel. who marched them away to the place of execution, highly elated over his success. I need not describe poor Henri’s feel"ings, but I really believe he thought mqrejof his father’s peril than he did <of that overhanging himself, terrible as It was. They were nearing the scene which had witnessed the death of so many of .his countrymen, and in a few moments It would be all over with him. Then his father would be dragged to the same fate! And then what would become of his mother? Though Henri Uas a brave boy, he turned pale as he thought of all this, and then, with the spirit of a desperate resolution in his heart, he stepped boldly in front of the officer, and making the true military salute with a good deal <of grace said; “Monsieur, I suppose you mean to •hoot me with the others?” “Of course, you young rebel!” answered the surprised colonel. "Baek there into the ranks with you! Taken •with arms in your hands along with the rest, what else can you expect? It is sny orders,” he added, with less of severity. as he saw the extreme youthfulness of his prisoner. "I don't blame you. monsieur.” Henri

went on boldly, “for it Is part of your duty. But I left my mother, promising to return in a few minutes, and If I do not come back she will worry about me. Then, too. I have her watch, which she prizes highly, as it was a present from my father. She is very poor, too, and the watch will be so much for her when lam gone Now, if you will only let me run home and quiet her a bit and give her her watch. I will return just as soon as I can to be shot. I won’t be gone over fifteen minutes, monsieur. May I go?” It is safe to say the grizzled soldier had never seen the equal of this audacious request. He pulled his heavy gray mustache fiercely, and was about to order him back into the lines, when the peculiar gravity of the situation struck him with so much absurdness that he demanded: “Want to go home to bid your mother good-bye, eh? What proof have I that you will come back to be shot?” “My word of honor, monsieur.” replied the youthful hero, drawing his slight figure up with great dignity. There was no mistaking the sincerity of his words. “Your word of honor, eh? Well, I must say if it is the equal of your wit and assurance, you have a pretty good stock. Go home, and mind that you are lively about it.” With a joyful exclamation Henri bounded away, and a few minutes later he entered his home, where he found his parents anxiously awaiting him. In a few words he told his father of his peril, when the latter lost no time In fleeing to a place of greater safety. The brave boy then turned to iss his mother, saying: “I think I had better go back on the street, that I may keep posted in regard to what Is being done. Please take your watch, for I may lose it, or it may be stolen from me.” He could not tell her he was going back to be shot. She would know that all to soon. Bidding her to be of good cheer, he went out of his home with a farewell look at its dear surroundings, and her with her tear-wet eyhs.

It had taken Henri longer than he had expected to go home and return to his dismal fate, so he found that the place of execution was temporarily deserted. But upon inquiring of a bystander he was directed to headquarters. Ten minutes later Col. Beauchamp was surprised in the midst of his rush of terrible business by the appearance of the young communist before him, who, with a military salute, said: “Here I am, monsieur. I am afraid It took me longer than I expected. But I have comforted mother and given her the watch, and now I am ready to be shot.” For a moment the bluff old soldier was unable to speak or move. He recalled the boy's countenance as belonging to him whom he had considered as set free on account of his youth, and then, in a brusque manner, he cried: “Get thee hence, you young rascal! Go back to your mother, and never let me catch you in such company again, or even your honor may not save you.” Then, as Henri, showing his first evidence of fright, left the place, and the colonel with a very red face returned to his stern duties, he muttered to his companions, as he waved his hand to a party of communists doomed to die: “So they have heroes among them — those wretches!” I am glad to say that Henri’s father escaped, thanks to his timely warning, but when at last the danger was over and the story of the young hero reached his parents’ ears, they could not help weeping to think how near he had been to death on that fateful day. If it was not true heroism I do not know what is.

“GET THEE HENCE. YOU YOUNG RASCAL.”