登陆注册
5426900000200

第200章

ANDREAS HOFER'S DEATH.

The court-martial at Mantua had passed sentence of death upon Andreas Hofer for fighting against the French after the last proclamation of Eugene Beauharnais offering a general amnesty. But the court-martial had not adopted this decision unanimously; several members had voted for long confinement, and two had had the courage to vote for his entire deliverance. By a singular revolution of fortune, the same General Bisson, who had been taken prisoner at Innspruck at the outbreak of the insurrection, and with whom Major Teimer had made his triumphal entry into Innspruck, was now governor of Mantua, and president of the court-martial which tried the commander-in-chief of the Tyrolese. The general, in consideration of his captivity among the Tyrolese, wished to act mildly and impartially, and sent a telegraphic dispatch to the viceroy at Milan to inquire what was to be done with Andreas Hofer, inasmuch as the sentence of the court-martial had not been passed unanimously. An answer was returned very soon. It contained the categorical order that Andreas Hofer should be shot within twenty-four hours.

Commissioners of the military authorities, therefore, entered Andreas Hofer's cell on the 21st of February, and informed him that he would suffer death within two hours.

He listened to them standing, and with unshaken firmness. "I shall die, then, at least as a soldier, and not as a criminal," he said, nodding his head gently. "I am not afraid of bullets, nor of the good God either; He was always kind to me, and it is even now kind in Him to relieve me from my sufferings here. I am ready to appear before the judgment-seat of God.""If you have any special wishes to prefer, communicate them to us now; and if it is possible, they shall be granted," said one of the officers, profoundly moved.

"There are some wishes which I should like to prefer," replied Hofer, musingly. "In the first place, I wish to see once more my dear Cajetan Doeninger, who was separated from me and confined in another cell; and then I wish to dictate a letter and my last will, and would request that both be sent to my dear brother-in-law.""These wishes shall be complied with; I promise it to you in the name of General Bisson. Do you desire to prefer any additional requests?""I wish further that a priest be sent to me, that he may receive my confession, and grant me absolution; and finally, I should like to see once more my dear countrymen, who are imprisoned in the casemates here, and take leave of them in a few words.""A confessor will be sent to you, but your last request can not be complied with," was the reply. "An exciting and perhaps disorderly scene would ensue, and such things must be avoided.""Well, then," said Andreas, sighing, "send me my dear secretary, and afterward the priest."A few minutes after the officers had withdrawn, the door opened, and Cajetan Doeninger came in. He burst into tears, rushed toward Andreas Hofer, and folding him to his heart, exclaimed mournfully:

"Is it true, then, that they intend to kill you? Is it true that they are going to assassinate the noblest and best man like a criminal?""Hush, hush, Cajetan," said Andreas, gently, pressing Doeninger tenderly to his heart; "do not scold, but submit as I do. I die gladly, for it is better that I should sacrifice myself for my native country than that others should die for my sake, or for the fatherland." [Footnote: Hofer's own words--See "Gallery of Heroes:

Andreas Hofer," p. 195.]

"Oh, would that I could die for you!" sobbed Doeninger; "my life is worthless without you. Is it possible that you must suffer now so ignominious a punishment for all your noble deeds and aspirations?""God alone knows what is good," said Andreas, mildly, "and I have doubtless committed many errors, for which I have to suffer now.

But, Cajetan, will you fulfil my last request?""Name it, and I will comply with it."

"Then weep no more, my dear friend, for your tears give me pain. Be, as formerly, manful and firm.""I will," said Doeninger; and he dried his tears and forced himself to be calm and composed.

"And now, Cajetan, be my secretary for the last time," said Andreas, gently. "I will dictate to you a letter to my brother-in-law Pohler, at Neustadt. The jailer has already laid paper, pen, and ink on the table. Sit down, therefore, and write."Cajetan went to the table and seated himself. "I am ready, commander-in-chief," he said; "dictate to me now."Andreas walked up and down several times musingly; he then stood still near the table; a wondrous expression of serene calmness and peace beamed from his face, and he dictated in a clear, quiet voice which did not once tremble with emotion.

"Dearest brother-in-law: It was God's will that I should exchange here at Mantua my earthly life for a better one. But--God be praised for his divine mercy!--it seems to me as little painful as if I were to be led out for another purpose. God in His mercy will doubtless be with me to the last moment, when I shall ascend to that eternal dwelling-place where my soul will rejoice for evermore with all the chosen spirit! and where I shall pray for all, and particularly for those to whom I owe my intercession; above all, for you, too, and your dear wife, on account of the book which you presented to me.

同类推荐
  • 佛般泥洹经

    佛般泥洹经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 阿毗达磨顺正理论

    阿毗达磨顺正理论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 药师七佛供养仪轨如意王经

    药师七佛供养仪轨如意王经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 龙王兄弟经

    龙王兄弟经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 九华楼晴望

    九华楼晴望

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 曾国藩:唐浩明修订版(全集)

    曾国藩:唐浩明修订版(全集)

    修订老版讹误106处!一字未删,原貌呈现手稿!唐浩明独家作序认可版本!阅读收藏最佳版本!政商必读!最受中央国家机关干部欢迎的10本书之一,中纪委“读书推荐”栏目推荐学习。柳传志、宗庆后、白岩松鼎力推荐!历史小说巅峰之作,关于曾国藩最权威、最好看、最畅销的读本。了解千古名臣曾国藩的唯一经典,读懂国人处世智慧的殿堂之作。依据人民文学出版社三卷本《曾国藩》编校而成,全新修订原貌呈现。
  • 莫少,好久不见

    莫少,好久不见

    追忆似水年华,回首,原来你一直都在女主为了查出父亲去世的真相,与男主联手破案,两人相遇、相知、最终相爱。在即将识破凶手的那场决斗中,中了凶手的陷阱,女主意外失忆,男主抑郁三年,三年后,两人再次相遇,重新联手,一起抓获凶手。
  • 一斛珠(上)

    一斛珠(上)

    她满门抄斩后被丢到敌国榻上承欢。好不容易吊个王爷金龟婿,又被诬陷她勾引皇帝。她本是个漂亮可人儿却落了个削发为尼的下场,还不幸痛失她腹中的胎儿!怎么会有那么悲催的女人!她发誓要来个绝地大反击!她该如何在这险恶的后宫中留有一席之地?
  • 商市街 回忆鲁迅先生

    商市街 回忆鲁迅先生

    《商市街》是萧红的散文集,创作完成于1935年5月15日,作为巴金主编的“文学丛刊”第二集第十二册,1936年8月由上海文化生活出版社初版,署名悄吟。收入散文《欧罗巴旅馆》、《雪天》、《他去追求职业》、《家庭教师》、《来客》、《当铺》、《广告员的梦想》、《家庭教师是强盗》、《十三天》、《拍卖家具》、《最后的一个星期》等41篇,后附郎华(萧军)《读后记》1篇。
  • 来时路既然

    来时路既然

    回首来时路,来时路既然;去路变来路,再去可逆转?
  • 诸哽门

    诸哽门

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 逆天实录

    逆天实录

    穿越者牛逼不解释!?不!不!不!小人物的悲哀在于,拥有搅动风云的实力,却无镇压四海的能力。且看暗流涌动的世界,一个穿越者挣扎求存的故事。
  • 隐仙尊

    隐仙尊

    大言山上有少年,一朝成道可为仙。新作求点击,求推荐,求收藏~
  • 诗辩坻

    诗辩坻

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 甜蜜婚令:墨少,宠妻入骨

    甜蜜婚令:墨少,宠妻入骨

    《容少,你老婆又穿越了》,作者新开的,现正在免费哦!被渣母逼婚给妹妹当垫脚石,林冉不服,处心机虑本以为只是睡了个英俊入骨的‘退伍军人’,却没想到这个男人是个权倾帝国的狠角色,对她一睡成瘾。他救她于虎口,他把她再次床咚扑倒,“嫁给我,我宠你,以后我给你撑腰。”“……”“跟我扯证,我必须要名正言顺的只跟你睡。”“……”“只此以上两种,你没有别的选择。”林冉笑着拉着男人的领结扯下,“睡就睡,但是墨大人要做好心理准备,我要的可不止以上两种。”其实墨大人在林小姐身上只有一种纵,宠!宠!宠!男女主身心干净,欢迎跳坑,求票!求收藏!