THE THREE FRIFNDS Or TAUX
VILAOE
AN EPISODE OF THE rRESENT WAR,
BT F. M. F. SKENE.
In the month of July of this last fateful
Tear, there did not exist a more trannnil
tinny spot in all France than the little vil
lage of Vaux Viiaine. Venr rural anrlTnrimi
tive it was, and the echoes from the great
tumultuous world without carue few and faint
amoDg me green fields And purple vineyards,
"u"' " uirus Bang bo merruy and the sum
mer winds sighed so softly through the rust
ling trees.
It possessed several substantial farm-h nnnAo
among Its humbfcr cottages, and a pretty
little aV..1 1 . -"
uuiu "j an oia cure, who, in
his broad hat and black soutane, walked bre
viary in hand from honse to house, and was a
'huib miner ana menu to every man wo
man, and child in the plaoe. The nnnnloti
was entirely agricultural, and the magnates of
the village were a few thriving farmers, who
bcuv men noun 10 me core for a few hours
daily teacbiDg, which gave tbem some intel-
jeciuai advantages above the rest of the
jevnesse of Vaux Viiaine.
Among these farmers' sons were three
young men about the same age, who were for
some years under the good priest's tuition,
and who had at that period of their boyhood
contracted a friendship for eaoh other, which
they had preserved intact through the years
that bad intervened since then.
Sunday, the 10th of July, 1870, was a glo
rious summer day, but intensely hot, and
when the benediction service, at which the
ure generally gave his people a little address,
was finally over that evening, these three
young meD, Martel Lepelretier, Jules Desma
rets, and Evariste Kossel, sauntered away to
large tree which stood in a retired part of
the churchyard, and threw themselves down
under its spreading branches to enjoy the
soft evening air, while they conversed toge
ther in free and happy confidence.
Now, their talk was of the future; it is not
often of anything else with most of us in
those hopeful days of youth, when the un
known life is full of golden psssibilities, and
no shadow from failure or disappointment
has dimmed the sunshine which expectant
fancy Bheds on all that is to come.
"How Hoomy the bon ptre was in his ser
mon to-night !" said Martel, a Btalwart youth,
with blue eyes and curling fair hair, and a
bright, frank expression of face; "he could
talk of nothing but the uncertainty of life,
and the necessity of preparing ourselves for
all sorts of possible trials and troubles. Ma
foil I see no uncertainty in it, and I do not
anticipate any trials. My fate is settled for
me, and I am very well contented with it."
"I should think bo, indeed! " said Jules,
who was tall and slender, with keen dark
eyes, and a look of great intelligence and
vivacity. "Who would wish anything better
than to have that gentiUe Vevette for fiancee,
and the prettiest farm in Vaux Viiaine for
your home and possession; your father gives
bis home up to you when yoa marry, does he
Hot?"
"Yes, he means to retire to my grand
father's old house, and leave me to manage
the farm, and you shall see what 8uccessI
mean to have. I have some famous plana,
which will astonish all our Id farmers not
a little, I expect."
"And your wedding is to be on All Saints'
day, is it not ?"
"Yes, on the 1st of November, without
fail. I wanted it sooner, but Vevette's
mother declared she could not possibly,
before that date, get ready the fine store
of linen she means to give us for our new
menage."
"In the meantime you Bee Vevette every
day, so jou are not much to be pitied, mon
ami."
"No, indeed, nor you either, for the matter
of that, Monsieur Jules. I suppose you will
be of! to your uncle as soon as my marriage
is over."
"That I shall! Paris! Paris!" exclaimed
Jules, starting up, and taking a flying leap
over the nearest grave, as an outlet to the
exoitement which the very name of the gay
capital woke in him. "I promised to dance
at your noee, Martel, so I will wait for that,
but I do not stay here a day after it. My
uncle said I might come in November, and
he will have the honor of reoeiving me on
the 2d of that month."
"Is it true that he means to make yon his
heir?"
"So he hints, and he is rich. Ah! delight
fully rich; he is a horse-dealer, you know,
and he gets guineas without number from the
Milors Anglais, who come to Paris for their
amusement. I shall have horses to ride when
ever I please; that is the glorious part of it.
I am to take them out for exercise, and I
shall take good care they have enough of
that, I promise yon," and Jules looked at his
friends with a roguish smile.
"It is a pleasant prospect, I must say," re
plied Martel. "Well! the cure had surely no
need to talk to us of the trials and miseries of
life unless you have reason to anticipate
them, Evariste," he added, turning to the
third young man, who had not yet spoken.
Evariste was smaller and more delioately
made than either of bis companions, and had
very refined features and soft hazel eyes,
which were shaded with a certain pensiveness
that hardly amounted to melancholy; as he
turned to Martel a peculiarly sweet smile lit
np his face.
"No," he answered, 'I have no fears, nor
any special plans formed for life; but I have
day-dreams," he added, in a lower tone.
"Ah! let ua, hear tbem, then," exclaimed
Jules. ' "You are somewhat poetio, Evariste,
mon ami, and perhaps you mean to go about
the comtry like a troubadour, winning the
hearts of all the fair ladies with your sweet
aongs."
Evariste shook his head, smiling, but did
cot answer.
"Come, tell us what your ambition is,"
said Martel; "I am sure yoa have some great
scheme."
"You will mock yourselves of me if I do
tell you," said Evariste, while a faint tinge
of color spread over his face.
"No! no!" they both exclaimed, "why
should we'r"
"Yon know yoa are far more learned than
either of us," said Jules; "we never studied
as yon did in the old days when the cure la
bored so Lard to hammer a little knowledge
into our brains. I dare say you have flown
far over our beads in your dreams. Come!
cive os tbe benefit of them."
"Well "i n&id Evaniste, somewhat reluc
tantly "I onj want to do something for
my fellow-creatures before I leave the world.
I do not want to live just to amuse myse f,
and then die to be forgotten. I should like
to follow the exampla of the heroes of old
who died for their country; or Letter still
the martyrs who died for Christ. And
U. faceecame flushed with a glow of entha-
'U"2W that is an idea which would not
bava come to me," aid Jales. I prefer to
live."
Veil I aould not object to die a glorious
... WIS Mattel, "but I must fir. Uva a
death.' eid MW"i,
THE DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH PHIL ADELPUIA, SATURDAY, MAT 27, 1871.
long, happy life with Vevette, b ten entendu.
It would be pleasant enough to know that
one s name would be honored bv rtosteritv:
but let me take my pleasure out of existence
"But. Martel." said Evariste. "it is not in
old age, for the most part, that we can make
a sacrifice. L,ne has come to an end by that
unit anyhow.
"Sacrifice! old age! death!" exclaimed
Jules; "why, Evariste, you are worse than
tbe cure, with your gloomy ideaR; but happily
they are only ideas after all. With all these
fine sentiments, mon ami, I think I know
pretty well what will be your fate you will
ie a von pere ae jamiue, ute your latlier be
fore you. Do yoa think I did not observe
Leonie Michen s pretty blue eyes glancing
your way an tnrougu .ueneaicuon. tins even
ing? And you love her, Evariste. You need
cot deny it."
"I do not wish to deny it," he answered
quietly. "I do love her better than my life.
Still I think I could give up love, with life, if
I were chosen by Heaven to be a hero or a
martyr."
"Hut if you are not so chosen, which does
not seem likely in these commonplace times,
you will marry Leonie and rock the baby's
cradle in due course, will you not?" said
Jules, looking at him laughingly.
"I dare say I shall," he answered with a
bright smile, "and be thankful enough that
I was allowed to be happy in life, instead of
glorious in death."
"So! we are all three provided for, in spite
of the cure," said Martel, "etpas vial, I must
Bay;" and after a little more conversation on
indifferent subjects, the three friends sepa
rated, and walked away to their different
homes.
A few more days durincr which the birds
etill sung among the sunlit trees, and the
grapes ripened on the vines, and the inhabit
ants of Vaux Viiaine went to and fro in happy
security and talked of the prospects of the
harvest as the most important subject in the
world and then the pastoral quiet of even
that most peaceful home was awfully broken
by the Btunning thunders of the great war
news, which all knew to be, in truth, the
death-knell of thousands upon thousands of
tne bravest Hearts in France.
Was there a spot in all that fair and clea-
eant country, however secluded and remote.
to which the dreadful tidings failed to brinar
aDguish and terror, even before a shot had
been iired or a Bincle life sacrificed? Surelv
not one; and Vaux Viiaine was no exception,
mougn, ior me nrst two nionms, the tide of
war rolled far away from its green fields and
tranquil homes. But there was scarcely a
family who had not a relation with the army;
bbq aay aiter aay Drougni imings which told
of beloved faces that would be Been no more
of national disasters, and heroio self-devotion
that courted death, but failed to retrieve
the terrible disgrace.
Jules, Martel, and Evariste had each a
brother in the army, but they themselves, for
various reasons, nad as yet been held exempt,
greatly to their indignation and annoyance:
for even the special ties which bound Mar
tel and Evariste to tbe homes that held
Vevette and Leonie did not prevent them
feeling quite as Btrongly as Jules did the
burning desire to throw their young lives
into the balance, and help to turn the scale
in favor of their beautiful and unfortunate
France, in whose ultimate success and glory
they could not cease to believe, in faoe of the
wont reverses.
Still, though there were lamentation and
disquiet in Vaux Viiaine, and many a signifi
cant notice on the church door asking the
faithful, of their charity, to pray for the soul
of Borne brave soldier lying in his last cold
sleep on the blood-drenched soil of Woerth
or Weissenburg, yet the ordinary life of the
villagers went on much as usual; no one pre
vented them from continuing their aocus
tomed employments; the harvest and vintage
were gathered in with a little additional toil
because the numbers of the men who re
mained to accomplish that pleasant task were
eo much fewer than they had ever been be
fore. And the domestic events in the vari
ous families proceeded as they had ever done;
children were christened, young maidens
given in marriage, and old men peacefully
buried, whose last sigh had been for their
dear and fair France, so sorely worsted in the
gigantic conflict.
Among other plans which had undergone
no alteration, the marriage of Martel was still
to take place on tbe day originally fixed; but
he and Vevette were not alone in their happi
ness now. Evariste and Leonie were to be
united on the same day; and Jules often de
clared that of tbe three be was tbe only vic
tim of the war, as it was, to say the least, very
doubtful whether he would be able to join his
nncle in the besieged capital at the time he
proposed; though, with the irrepressible
buoyancy and confidence of a Frenchman, he
declared that Trochu and his brave soldiers
would have broken through the Prussian lines,
end utterly routed the enemy long before No- i
vembercame. j
After the investment of Paris had taken j
place, however, the surging waves of the
great combat that was flooding France began
to draw nearer and nearer to Vaux Viiaine.
Prussian troops, basteuing down to join
tbe besieging army, constantly passed quite
close to the village. Occasionally some of the
nondescript Btragglers who followed in the
rear would make a raid upon tbe little shops
in the main street, and carry off all tbey could
lay their hands upon. This exasperated the
peasants, already fuiions at the national-disgrace;
and the cure in vain preached patience,
and impressed on his people that the forgive
ness of injuries was the noblest of Christian
virtues. There were not a few turbulent
spirits who declared that if they could get the
chance, tbey would have their revenge on
these "maudits Frvssieiis," and knook the
life out of seme of them, at least. These
threats gave great anxiety to the wiser and
more experienced inhabitants; for rumors had
reached the village of the terrible reprisals
exaoted by the Prussians, for every attempt
at defense on the part of the peasantry.
At length one evening, when the autumn
days were growing dark and cold, an un
usually large number of Prussian troops
marched past the village, and bivouacked
for the night within a quarter of a mile from
' Vaux Viiaine. They had never been so near
before, and scarcely was their presence
known when a Prussian colonel, with a small
escort, rode haughtily np to the house of
Lepelletier, Marttl'a father, who acted as
Major, and made a requisition of food and
wine for his men, which could only be
obeyed at tbe cost of impoverishing the
whole inhabitants of tbe village for some
months- de.
ltrmobi.tiraneea and entreaties were all in
vain, and every family sullenly yielded np of
their Lest, till tbe exorbitant demand was
satisfied, and then the Germans rode away,
followed by tbe curses of every man in the
place. There were some, however, who were
not content with midedictions, and muttered
ominous threats, which caused Lepelletier, as
tbe chief personage in the plaoe, to make an
earnest harangue to the assembled people, in
which be implored them not, by any rash act,
to bring down npon their unprotected village
me wratn or tne wnoie vast nost who lay en
camped so near them. He could see that
ome of the younger men listened to him with
ill-suppressed impatience; but he could do no
more, and, calling to his son, who was stand
ing near with Jules and Evariste, he made
them all three enter his house with him. lest
A 1 a . '
mey Bnouia ne lea away by any of the ill
advised proposals which were circulating
tmoDg the crowd.
Several of the principal inhabitants of
Vaux Viiaine, both men and women, followed
ijepeiietier into nis sitting-room, and re
mained in porrowful conversation for some
time over the disasters of their unhappy
country and their own present wrongs.
Among them were Vevette and Leonie, with
their parents; and their presence tended
greatly to reconcile Martel and Evariste to
tbe inaction to which they were doomed, even
with the hated enemy lying so near to them.
Jules, meanwhile, who was naturally elo
quent, was talking eagerly with Lepelletier
and some of the gray heads of the village on
the remedies which, in his inexperience and
fielf-confidence, he thought might rectify the
dreadful state of matters in France.
Suddenly, aa they were all thus engaged,
and the conversation was waxing more and
excited, there came a sound, clear and ring
ing, though distant, which caused the voice
of the speakers to cease as suddenly as if a
thunderbolt had fallen among them. It was
a shot coming from the direction in which the
Prussians lay, and followed in quick succes
sion, by one or two more, as if from the dis
charge of a revolver. There was consterna
tion on every face as the sound died away,
and for a few minutes no one spoke; and then
one of the women hazarded, in a trembling
voice, the remark that perhaps one of the
maudits Prunens had killed some of thoir
people; and while the other women cried
out in horror at the idea, Lepellttier shook
his head and answered gloomily:
"If only it be nothing worse than what
you fear. But I doubt there is that in the
sound we have heard which may cause our
whole village to be burned over our heads.
Stop!" he exclaimed, as Jules and one or two
others sprang to the door with the intention
of ascertaining what had happened "Stay
where you are, one and all, I charge you.
Let not a man from Vaux Viiaine be seen
near the spot where that shot was fired, if
you would have any one of us left alive by
this time to-morrow!"
Suppressed shrieks from the women fol
lowed these words as the young men drew
back from the door. Vevette threw herself
into Martel's arms, and Leonie lifted up her
blue eyes, swimming in tears, to Evariste,
and became suddenly awed and tranquillized
by the peculiar expression of his face. His
foft hazel eyes, wide open, appeared to be
looking far away into scenes nnperceived by
others, and his lips were parted with a calm,
sweet smile, which seemed full of hidden
meaning. All agitation, she felt, was mis
placed in the presence of such a look as Eva
riste wore, yet Leonie trembled with some
dark, mysterious foreboding, even as she
gazed, and wished with all her heart that he
would look less beautiful and noble, and more
like the joyous, light-hearted fiance with
whom she hoped to pass all the years of her
earthly life.
For an hour or so the persons assembled at
Farmer Lepelletier's remained talkiner to
gether, tbe women in tears, the men Bullea
and disquieted; and then in groups of two
or three they crept away silently to their
homes.
Before day broke over Vaux Viiaine next
morning it was known throughout the village
none could have told how that the Prus
sian Colonel had been shot dead by an unseen
foe as he rode round the outposts the evening
before, and it was whispered cautiously that
two of the hottest spirits among the young
men of Vaux Viiaine were niissinar from their
homes.
From the moment that this was known.
but one thought filled the anxious minds of
every inhabitant of that once happy village
what vengeance in blood or fire would the
Prussians require for this ill-advised and
cruel deed ? They were not long left in sus
pense. A beautiful sunrise it was which brought
tbe light of day to Vaux Viiaine on that fair
autumn morning. The heavy dews which
bad fallen the night before glistened like scat
tered gems in tne early sunshine, and the air
was sweet with the breath of flowers, vieldint?
up their perfume to the soft, warm breeze.
Tbe Dealing sheep and cattle, lowing in the
fields, seemed to call the people to their usual
peaceful occupations, and the little church
bell, with its Bilvery tone, eave notice that
tbe cure meant to celebrate an early mass on
behalf of their dear patrie, so sadly in need
of aid from heaven. All things were aa they
had been many and many a morning before,
when the.people of Vaux Viiaine rose to carry
on the gentle, peaoeful life which made so
Bweet an existence for them, and nature still
vas doing her part in beauty and beneficence.
The skies failed not to shed on all their
brightest smile, but there were human pas
sions at war upon earth; and truly the records
of this tremendous struggle might well lead
one to believe, that if all the demons of hell
had been let loose they could hardly have
1 j - a' r . . ,
lupuo uivio iciiiuio uovuu ju vjtuu H lair worm.
V hue yet the peaceful church bell runs.
and the sunbeams streaming through the
lattice windows of the cottage woke the chil
dren in their cradles, there was heard coming,
ever nearer and nearer, the heavy tramn of a
large bedy of . mounted Uhlans, galloping
uowu upon me vmage. in a moment mora
tbey were swarming, a fierce and merciless
crowd, in the main street, and in every lane
and alley in the place. A certain number
were told off, who dismounted, and, entering
into all tLe houses, from end to end of the
village, they dragged out every man they
could find, and drove them in a mass into the
cburcn, wbere a very different scene was to
be enacted from tbe qniat holy service the
good cure nad intended to hold.
The women, who would have followed their
husbands and brothers, were driven back
with blows and curses by the Uhlans, aud the
church doors were shut upon the whole male
inhabitants or the village, What would be
done to them there? The poor women
shrieked and wept, as they asked themselves
that question.
Leonie and Vevette, united by the anenisk
of their common Buspense and terror, crept,
Land in hand, nearer to the church than any
of the others dared to go, and hid them
selves behind the very tree beneath whose
branches the three young men had held their
conversation on that bright, peaoeful even
irg, before even the shadow of war had cast
its gloom on the earth, and when they were
looking forward so gayly to the fulfilment of
their various plans of happiness.
Meanwhile, a strange scene was taking
place in the church. The cure, already robed
tor mass, was thrust rudely aside by the
Uhlans, and knelt down in a corner, praying
fervently, while tbe commanding officer of
the hoop of avengers went and stood on the
steps of the altar. There, in a loud ringing
voice which was heard over the whole church,
he announced the tribute of blood which the
clemency, as he expressed it, of his superiors
woma aione exact lor tne murder or the oolo
net.
They would not burn down the village, as
would have been but just, nor would they put
the inhabitants to the sword, richly aa they
ucnerveu , put mey wouia De Batisned with
the li yes of three men out of those now as
sembled in the church, who must be executed
instantly, before the troops resumed their
conquering marcn through France not an
tour s delay could be accorded. , The offioer
added that the choice of the victims might be
made by lot, among themselves, but it must
De aone men and there, without loss of time.
As he concluded, he held np bis watch before
"In ten minutes-." he said, "vour choio
must be made; if you delay longer than that,
I choose for myself, and I ehall take the first
three on whom I happen to lay my hands, and
nave mem snot at once.
It was but too plain there was no BDDeal.
and that it w ould be only wasting the precious
moments to attempt it. Lepelletier, with some
of tbe older men, began in silence, and with
trembling Hands, to prepare the lots with the
three fatal numbers, which would be drawn
by tbe men on whom the deom of death
should fall.
But, suddenly, there was a movement in
tne crowd, and a young man came forward
with a licht, active Bteo. and. l&vina hia
hand on Lepelletier's arm, to prevent him
continuing his dreadful task, he made a sign
that he wished to speak. There was silence
over the whole church in an instant, and all
eyes were turned on Evariste Rossel. Fa
miliar as his features were to most of them,
they looked on him now as though they had
never seen him before, so completely was his
thoughtful face transfigured by the pure he
roio resolution that shone in his srft eyes
ana mrniea in nis ciear young voice, as he
spoke, with the utmost simplicity, words
deatb-laden to himself.
"Js amis" he said, and every individual
in tne Bad assembly heard him distinctly, "if
we caBt lots for the victims of the enemy, it
may be that the doom will fall on fathers of
families who would leave widows and orphans
to mourn them not only in sorrow, but in
poverty and destitution. It is not well, there-
lore, mat Bucn as tney are should be taken
from the homes they support and protect,
while there are others who have not, as yet at
least, formed ties so close and binding. Of
these I am one my mother has other sons
my fiancet will find many a worthier man to
seek her love, and I ofler myself freely to
die that the husbands and fathers may be
spared. I am sure that there are others, situ
ated as l am, wno will no less willingly give
meir uvea to niaue up tne number.
Evariste carefully avoided looking at Jules
and Martel as he spoke, for he would not
seem to summon them, but they needed no
other call save his bright example. Instantly
they Btarted forward and ranged themselves
at nis siae.
"We, too, give ourselves freelv to the
death, they exclaimed; "the number is com
plete."
Lepelletier bad been on the point of re
monstrating with Evariste, because he could
not bear tbe thought of that young life
quenched in blood; but when he saw that
Martel, his own son, was among the offered
victims, the words died on his lips, and he
turntd his face to the wall, groaning in un
speakable anguish. He felt, Brntns-like, he
could not atk that a father of a family should
die to spare his own unwedded son. No time
was given him, however, to Btiuggle with his
heart. The Prussian officer held np his
watch, exclaiming that the ten minutes were
expired he must have three men instantly
for execution.
' We are here, we are ready!" said the
three friends, coming forward with firm step
and dauntless look.
"One moment only." exclaimed Evariste.
and taking his two companions by the hand,
he drew them down on their knees before the
cure, saying, "Father, absolve us; bless ns in
mis supreme moment!
The good man, appalled and bewildered.
turned towards them his eyes streaming with
tears. He seemed too much overwhelmed to
know almost what he was doing; but, upheld
by the habit . of priestly functions, he mur
mured the form of absolution, made the sign
of the cross, and blessed them in the three
fold name of Him before whom they were
about to appear.
They thanked him. addincr. "Adieu, mon
pere," and rose from their knees. Instantly
tbe Uhlans surrounded them, bound their
bands, and hurried them to the door. One
moment those gathered in the church saw
their shadows darken the threshold as they
passed out into the dazzling sunshine, and
tbe next instant they were gone, to be Been
of men no more forever. Then, with a
simultaneous impulse, the whole assembly
ien upon meir Knees, ana as tne cure, turn
ing to the altar, intoned the "De Profundis,"
the wailing voices joined in the funereal
chant with one deep, heart-wrung cry that
rose in niourmul appeal to the listening
heaven.
Meanwhile, across the sunlit church-yard
the doomed men were hurried by their execu
tioners; but their terrible march had a mo
mentary interruption. Suddenly, from be
neath the spreading branches of the tree
which the victims knew so well, the graceful
figure of a young girl bounded forth, as if
her feet were winged; and Leonie, flinging
herself on the breast of her fiance, exclaimed,
in a tone of horror, "EearUte. que, va-t-on
faire de toi?"
"Aduu, mon angef was his only answer:
but the instinct of her woman's heart told
ber all tbe dreadful truth. She flung np her
hands with a bitter cry, and, as his bound
arms could not hold her, she sunk at his feet
as if she bad herself already sustained the
death-blow be was about to meet. Vevette,
bo had followed ber, was clinging to Martel,
uttering shriek on shriek.
"Remove these women," exclaimed the
commanding officer, with angry impatience,
and the soldiers instantly tore Vevette from
Martel's arms, while others lifted up the
senseless form of Leonie, and both were
roughly flung aside npon tbe church-yard
crass, and the captives hurried on without
another moment's delay. Then indeed did
the bitterness of death piss into the hearts
of Martel and Evariste, while Julep, turning
to them with a pathetic smile, said softly:
"I may well be thankful that I have no
fiancee"
Yes, truly, that hour had come to them, as
come it will to all of us, when those are hap
piest who have fewest earthly blessings, aud
whose best treasures are garnered in that
realm where all that has been brave and
eweet and good, like the self-devotion of
those three young men, will have a plaoe
throughout the eternal ages, among the im
perishable things of God.
There was an open field lust below ih
church-yard wall, which had been the favorite
playground of Evariste and his companions
tnrougn ail meir nappy ooynood. There
were they taken by the soldiers, and placed
with their eyes bandaged, facing the aun they
were never to see again 2
A few minutes more, and through the wail
of the De I'rofundis, rising and falling amid
the sobs of men grown weak as women in
their anguish of pity, there went the sharp,
ringing report of the volley which told that
the sacrifice was consummated, and that if
the brief earthly life of the noble young men
was over, on the roll of the glorious army of
martyrs their names would live forever more.
The story we have told is no notion. It is
but a few weeks since the village of Vaux
Viiaine witnessed the execution of the three
friends, who, lest the lot. should fall on the
fathers of families, volunteered to satisfy
the blood-claim of the Prussians for the death
of their Colonel. We have given this little
record of their fate, not to harrow the feel
ings of our readers by the mere recital of
a tragedy, but to afford them another in
stance of that glorious springing of good out
of evil, which has been the deathless conso
lation of the human race since the first man
woke to the mystery of suffering.
Amid the horror and anguish and aching
helpless compassion with which this droadfal
war has filled the world, auch deeds rise up
full of sweetness and refreshment, like the
fragrance of flowers which only give forth
th eir richest perfume when they have been
crushed and beaten down under the foot of
the destroyer. Temple Bar.
LUMBtK
1 flfifl AflA FEETHEMLOCK JOIST
AND SCANTLING.
iLL LENGTHS,, ALL S1ZE9.
K(f ADA FEET 5- aud 4-1 SOUTH.
ERN PINE FI-OOIUNU (Dry).
Oar own working. Assorted and unassorted.
OKA AAA FEET 4-4 VIRGINIA SAP
FLOORING (Dry.)
Our own working. Assorted and unassorted.
OKA nflft FEET 4-4, 3-4, 5-8 audi-'
AUV J ' vr
INCH SAP BOX BOARDS,
Together with a large and well-selected stock of
thoroughly seasoned DuiMlnsr Lumber of all descrlD
tlons, suitable for the erection of large factories.
stores, dwellings, etc in connection with the above
we are now running a
Steam Haw and lMnnlns; 31111
And are fully prepared to furnish Bulldors aud
otuers wita
Plill Work of all Description.
WINDOW FRAMES, SASff, SUUTTEUS, DOOK3,
SUPERIOR WOOD MOULDINGS A SPECIALTY.
BROWN & WOELPPER,
No. 827 RICHMOND STREET,
0 9 tuthslm PHILADELPHIA.
1Q71 SPRUCE JOIST. lOTI
lOll fiPKUCE JOIST. lOlJ
HKMLOOK,
HEMLOCK.
1Q71 SEASONED CLEAR FIN3. IQ171
IO I 1 SEASONED CLEAR PINK. 10 i J
CHOICE PATTERN PINE.
BPANISH CEDAR. FOR PATTERNS,
RED CEDAR.
1 Q"71 FLORIDA FLOORING. 1 QT1
lO ll FLORIDA FLOORING. lb i J
. CAROLINA FLOORING.
VIRGINIA FLOORING.
DELAWARE FLOORING.
ASH FLOORING.
WALNUT FLOORING.
FLORIDA STEP BOARDS.
RAIL PLANK.
1 Q71 WALNUT BOARDS ANDPLANK. - Qrji
lOllWALNUTBOARDS ANDPLANK. lol
. WALNUT. BOARDS.
WALNUT PLANK.
1Q71 UNDERTAKERS' LUMBER. 1071
lO I 1 UNDERTAKERS' LUMBER, lOll
RED CEDAR.
WALNUT AND PINK.
1U71 SEASONED POPLAR. 1 Qif-i
lOll 8EASONKD CHERRY. lO J
ASH,
WHITE OAK PLANK AND BOARDS.
HICKORY.
1 07I CIGAR BOX MAKERS' lQn
10 I I CIGAR BOX MAKERS lOll
SPANISH CEDAR BOX BOARDS,
FOR SALE LOW. ..
1Q71 CAROLINA SCANTLING. 1 Q1
10 41 CAROLINA H. T. SILLS. 10 1 1
NORWAY SCANTLING.
1Q71 CEDAR SHINGLES. 1tT1
lO 1 1 CYPRESS SHINGLES. lO I J
MAULE. BROTHER tt CO.,
No. 8500 SOUTH Street
PANEL PLANK. ALL THICKNESSES.-.
COMMON PLANK, ALL THICKNKSSElt
1 uummua isuakus.
1 and 1 SIDE FENCE BOARDS.
WHITE PINE FLOORING BOARBS.
YELLOW AND SAP PINE FLOORTNOS. IV an
t)i SPRUCE JOIST, ALL SIZES.
JUSAllAMJK. JOIST, ALL SIZES.
PLASTERING LATH A SPECIALTY,
Together with a general assortment of Balldlni
Lumber for sale low for cash. T. W. SMALTZ,
11 80 6m No. inn RIDGE Avenue, north of Poplar St
TUIL,lI21CSt TAKE NOTICE.
The largest and best stock of :
W O O I M O 17 I I IV 8
IN THE STATE,
t AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES,
Can be found at the;
U. 8. BUILDERS' MILL,
Nos. 22, S4.J8, 23 South FIFTEENTH Street
Also. Scroll. Ittai'tr Anil Tnmlnn TOnrlr tni
netted to order at very short notice.
can ana Bee biock ana prices. 4 2T lm
PLUMBING, CAS FITTINO, ETO.
PANCO AST & MAULE,
TUIIID and PEAK Streets,
Plain and Galvanized
Wrought and Cast Iron ! Pipes
For Gas, Steam and Water.
FITTIKGS, BRASS WOKK, TOOLS,
BOILER TUBES.
Pipe of all Size Cat and Fitted to Order
Havlnir aold HENRY B. PANCOAST and FRAN.
CIS L MAULE (gentlemen in our euaploj for se?e
ral vears pt the Stock, Hoodwill and mturea of
our RET I L ESTABLISHMENT, located at the
corner of THIRD and PEAK Street, In thta city,
that branch of rnr business, together with that of
HEATiNG and VENTILATING PUBLIC and PKI
VATB BUILDINGS, both by STjtiM and HOT
w 4 TKR. in all tta various evutema. will b Harriett
on under the Urm name of PANCOAST A MaULK,
it the old stand, and we recommend tbena to the
trade and business public aa be lug eutirulv compe
tent to perform all work of thttt ctirni!ttr
Jiwntua, TASaK & CO.
Philadelphia, Jan. 82, 1670.
nWARBURTONJS IMPROVED VENTILATED
and easy-liulng DRESS HATS (Datente,. in all
tbe Unproved fashions of tbe Bessou, CtUtSNUT
bireet, next door to Uie Post Omoe. rpj
AUCTION BALES.
M THOMAS St SON 8, AUCTIONEERS NOt J
139 and 141 S. FOURTH Street
Sale on the Premises,
S. W. corner of Beach and Coaxes strata.
BUILDING, MACHINERY. AND FIXTURtS OP
A DISTILLERY.
On Monday Mornlnfr,
May S9, at 10 o'clock, by catalogue, the valuable
Machinery and Fixtures.
?,',r5vtona 10 the 8ftle 01 th valnable machinery,
will be sold the three-story brick building. Lot 33
feet front and 68 feet 10 Inches deep. 0 29 2t
SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND STOCKS.
On Tuesday,
May 80, at U o'clock, noon, at the Exchange:
Twentieth and Arch Streets, S. E. corner
Elegant doable Keglaenoe.
TowKsnir Hub and Niw Street, Chesnat Hill
Polnted-Hoae Residence, with lx acres ground.
CiusNiT Street, No. 1924 Handsome Real
dence.
Dock and Gold Streets, s. E. corner Brick
Building.
Dock Street, No. 223 Brick Building.
Fourth Street (South), No. 2S5 Modern Resi
dence. Saksom Street, No. 1734 Brick Dwelling.
Rack Street, No. 217 Frame and Brick Build
ings. Green Street, Rising Sun Frame Cottage.
Goodman Street, Rising fan 4 Lots.
(ioonMAN 8treet, Rising Sun 8 Frame Cottages.
Fourth Street (North), Nob. 1330 and 133a a
Brick and Frame Dwellings and Large Lot.
Forty-firbt and Westminster Avenue, South
west corner Residence and Stable.
Rked Street, No. 1407 Modern Dwelling.
Lancaster Avenue, above Forty-eighth street
Brick Coach Factory, Dwelling, Shop, etc.
Queen Street, Germantown, No. 103 Stone Re
sidence. Sunset Avenue, Chesnut Hill 4 Desirable Lots.
Franklin Street, No. 2221 Genteel Dwelling.
Bainuriikie Street, No. 1937 Genteel Dwelling.
Rack Street, No. 800 Building, Columbia Hose
lion ne.
Thompson Street, No. 1209 Modern Dwelling.
Richmond Street, No. 422 Dwelling and Stable
Richmond Street, No. 418 Brick Dwelling.
Allen Street, No. 422 Frame Dwelling.
Beach Street, No. 1368 Brick Dwelling.
Warren street, Nob. 919 and 921-Two Brick
Dwellings.
Shaiiswood Street, No. 2220 Qen teel Dwelling.
Twenty-second Street (South), No. 906 Genteel
Dwelling.
Thirteenth Street, below Washington avenue
Lot. Passyunk Road, No. 1333 Dwelling and Stable.
Marshall Street, south of Washington avenue
Lot.
Christian Ptrebt. No. 1S3S Brick Dwelling.
Seventeenth and Reed, n. E. corner Store ami
Dwellmg.
seventeenth Street (South), Nob. 1303 and 1305
Two Dwellings.
EixswoRTn Street, No. 2131 Brick Dwelling.
Second Street (South), No, 1822 Brick Dwelling.
Ground Rents 6, each $36 a year.
Mortgagbs 8 13000 and 2 ticooeach.
Cuba Street, No. 1744 Brick Dwelling.
40 shares West Laurel Hill Cemetery Co.
12000 Huntingdon and Broad Top Consolidated.
fSfiO scrip Huntingdon and Broad Top conv.
M)0 Belvldere Delaware Railroad 6 per cent.
200 shares Delaware Mutual Insurance Co.
t'20 sctlp Delaware Mutual Insurance, 136S.
6S0 scrip Delaware Mutual Insurance, 1SC9.
CO shares Reliance Insurance Co.
27 shares Merchants' Hotel Co.
8 shares Continental Hotel Co.
25 shares Commercial National Bank.
18 shares Washington Manufact'g Co., Gloucester.
1 share Philadelphia Library Co.
80 shares Pacific Mutual Ina. Co., Trenton,
300 shares Kenkaid Oil Co.
2 shares Natatorlum Institute.
Pew No. 110 Sixth Presbyterian Church.
684 shares Vinton Furnace and Coal Co. of Ohio.
1 share Point Breeze Park Association.
Stalls Nos. 14 and 40 Point Breeze Park Ass'n.
200 shares Empire Transportation Co.
1 share Academy of Fine Arts.
20 shares Third National Bank.
B shares West Philadelphia Bank.
100 shares Pennsylvania Railroad Co.
25 shares National Bank of the Republic.
70C0 sharca New Creek Coal Co.
100 shs. American B. U. Sewing Machine. 5 26 3t
60 shares Philadelphia Trust and Safe Deposit Co.
Lot 8H7 Monument Cemetery.
1000 shares McCllntockvllle Petroleum Co.
1388 shares Karthaus Coal and Lumber Co.
60 shares Girard National Bank.
40 shares Western National Bank. '
Catalogues now ready.
Sale No. 670 N. Tenth. Estate of Mrs. Tacey R.
Fanccast, deceased.
NEAT FURNITURE, CARPETS, ETO.
On Tuesday Afternoon,
May SO, at 2 o'clock, by catalogue, the neat fur
niture, etc. 6 87 3t
HENRY W. fc B. SCOTT, JR., AUCTIONEERS,
No. 1129 CHESNUT Street (Olrard Row).
TnOMAS BIRCH A SON, AUCTIONEERS AND
COMMISSION MERCHANTS, No, 1110 Ones
NUT Street; rear entrance No. HOT Sanaom street.
CARD. We call particular attention to the large
stock of new and second-hand Household Furni
ture and Carpets. Also, 37 gilt and walnut-framed
mantel, pier, and chamber Glasses to be sold on
Friday next, at our store, No. 1110 Chesnut at. 6 27 8t
BUNTING, DURBOROW A CO., AUCTIONEERS
Nos. 238 and 834 MAR2ET street, corner of
Bask street. Successors to John B. Myers A Co.
LARGE BALE OF "FRENCn AND OTHER
EUROPEAN DRY GOODS.
On Monday Morning.
May 29, at 10 o'clock, on four months' credit. 6 23 5t
SALE OF 2000 CASES BOOTS, SHOES, TRAVEL
LING BAGS, HATS, ETC.
On Tuesday Morninir.
May 30, at 10 o'clk, on four months' credit.
52l6t
LARGE SALE OF BRITISH, FRENCH, GERMAN
AND DOMESTIC DRY GOODS.
On Thursday Morning,
June 1, at 10 o'clock, on four months credit. 5 26 5
SALE OF CARPETINGS, OIL CLOTHS. 500 ROLLS
WHITE AND RED CHECK CANTON MAT.
TINGS, ETC.,
on Friday Mornlnp,
Jnne 8, at 11 o'clock, on four months
credit. 5 27 6t
BY BARRITT A CO., AUCTIONEERS
CASH AUCTION HOUSE,
No. 830 MARKET Street, corner of Bank street
Cash advanced on consignments without extra
charge. U845
LARGE SALE DRY GOODS, HOSIERY. READY.
MADE CLOTHING, Table and Pocket Cutlery
Balmoral Skirts, Etc.
On Tuesday Morning,
May 80, at 10 o'clock.
STRAW GOODS.
Also, 100 cases men's and boys', ladles and misses
straw hats; also, 160 cartona tine artlnclal flow
ers. o 27 2t
SALE10OO CASES BOOTb, SHOES, AND BRO
GANe, MEN' AND BOYS' HATS, CAPS, ETC.
On Wednesday Morning,
May 31, at 10 o'clock, on four months' credit. S373t
JPPINCOTTi SON &CO., AUCTIONEERS,
Nos. 821 MARKET and 810 CHUHCH Street.
ONCEHT HaLL AUCTION KOOM8, No. 1811
CHESNUT Street. ' "
t. a. moulelland, auctioneer.
Personal attention irlven to sales of hnnanhniii rn.
niture at dwellings.
Public sales of furniture at the Auction Rooms.
No. 1219 Chesnut street, every Monday and Thar
day.
For particulars see "Publlo Ledger."
n. i. a auponur can ui larunure at private saie
H
E N R Y MOLTEN. AUCTIONEER
BY HENRY MOT.TPN fvv
Salesroom, Nos. 81 and 23 MERCER Street,
ilCVI 1015,
. REGULAR TRADE SALE
OR
FUR AND WOOL HATS,
LADnrS' AND GENTS' READY-MADE FURS.
STRAW, FKLT, AND VELVET GOOB8,
Every THURSDAY during the season.
additional charges. 9 s
CAUARTKRMASTltR'S OFFICE, UNITED
STATES AKMY,
Philadelphia, Ta., May 86, 1871.
SEALED PROPOSALS In trinllcate will h r
celved at this ottlce until 18 o'clock M. on MON.
DAY, June 26, 1871, for bulging a brick or stone
wall, win one double sod one single Iron gate at
the following named NATIONAL CEMETKRIES.
viz. ;
4'ulnener C. H.. Va.. Fort Harrison imipvu.
mocd, Va.. and Beverly, N. J. '
1 he rubbish resulting from the exoavfttmn tnr h
wslls to be removed from the groumis or each ceme
tf ry at the expense of the successful bidder.
Bidders will U required to snecirv tim nrin
linear foot, and no bid will be entertained that doea
liui cuuiurui mj hub rcquirem? nw
Plans, b permeations, and blank forms for hHa
furnished by the undersigned.
HENRY J. HODGES.
6 26 6t Major aad Quancuwutor u, S. Army.