A Romance Of The American War.

thing to say , snceringiy turned . way , refusing to make any ansAvcr . The second prisoner , a tall , slender person , of dark complexion , with one eye concealed beneath a handkerchief that Avas tied diagonally around his head ; Avhile his face was

scratched and scarred with fresh Avounds , apparently the result of some bacchanalian brawl Avith his comrades , observed : " This shooting a feller arfcer he ' s a prisoner for fighting for the freedom of Missouri , and agin the Obclitionors , ain't according to law . "

Here a member of the court-martial asked him , ;( If the murdering of a helpless Avoman anct her children at midnight hour , by burning them to death Avhile sleeping , Avas fighting for the freedom of Missouri . " The felloAv turned aAvay from this question Avith a dejected look , muttering " that hoi husband AVUS an 'Abolitioner . '" The

third person Avas a young man or boy , apparently about sixteen years old . From his dialect , and nationality of expression in his countenance , it was easy to discover that he Avas of Irish descent . He was Avell dressed , and appeared to be greatly distressed at his situation as a prisoner .

He observed , with much alarm expressed on his countenance , "that he was an Irish boy , and that he had been in the United States but ten Avoeks , and had taken no part in the Avar ; that the men AVIIO had burned the house had called upon him that

evening , and asked him to join them in a coon hunt , and it Avas not until they were fired upon at the bridge , that bo Avas aAvare of the character and object of the party . He Avould have left them then , but the

night was dark , and he did not knoAV the Avay home . " Here one of the court-martial arose , and informed Mm that his story partook of the character of all guerilla picas of innocence , that it availed him nothing . He had been caught with othersin the

, very act of committing this cruel and unfeeling murder , and sentenced them to be shot at seven o ' clock the next mornin " . The prisoners were then ordered to the guard-room , a log dwelling , and placed in the cellar beneath the building . The

remainder of the night Avas devoted to the making of coffins , and the digging of a grave of sufficient dimensions to hold them side by side . When the morning returned the rain ceased ; the clouds had passed aAvay , and soon the sun arose . Avith a Avarm

and gonial glow . All nature seemed refreshed with the murky shoAver of the night , while all around the blades of grass , the lilac bushes , and forest leaves , drooped under the sparkling rain-drops that glittered on their folds , and the birds carolled Avild and loud their morninsy

matms . All folt that it Avas a day to live and not to die in . The drum was beat at early dawn , mustering the company under arms to Avitness the punishment , and a dotail of twelve men Avas made as executioners , under the command of a corporal . As the time dreAv near the executionit was

dis-, covered that two of the prisoners had made their escape by forcing a passage through the partition Avail of the collar into the cellar of an adjoining house .

The boy , however , was still a prisoner , and all Avere determined he should be made an example of . Accordingly , about eight o ' clock he was brought out to be conducted to the place of execution . Upon seeing the soldiers drawn up to receive him , he

commenced Avringing his hands , crying and calling to the captain , saying , " Oh ! Captain , I am not guilty . Do not let them kill me . Don't , Captain , you can save me . I Avill give you my Avatch . My sister will give you money . Oh , God ! oh , Holy

Mother ! Oh , Captain , speak to them quick ; they are taking mo away . " With a soldier upon each side of him he Avas HOAV led by the arms towards the place of execution , still calling upon the captain to save him . When he discovered the coffin and the grave that had been prepared for him , ho gave a Avild frantic scream , and then seemed to realize for the first time

that in a fcAV minutes he Avould be no more among the living , for in a moment after he became calm , Avhen , turning to the officer of the guard , he requested him to ask the captaim if he AVOUM give him time to Avrite to Ms mother in Ireland . The captain , AVIIO Avas standing on one side of the hollow

square of soldiers that surrounded the prisoner , hearing his request , immediately answered , "Yes , let him have Avriting materials , " Avhich was immediately brought , Avhen he kneeled doivn , placing his paper on the coffin-lidand as his dashed off

, pen the words , "Dear mother , " tears fell upon the paper , Avhich in brushing aAvay Avith Ms coal-sleeve , erased the words he had Avrittcn , Avhen springing to his feet , he commenced Avringing his hands , saying , "I cannot