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
热门推荐
  • 红尘行吟(全集)

    红尘行吟(全集)

    《红尘行吟》分上下两册,一共六章,计有600余首诗词。诗作有时代气息,有思索,有情感。从开篇的《观景抒情》到结语的《参禅悟道》,王锦森的浪漫之心贯穿始终,不蔓不枝、不雕不啄、不掩不映,发自内心的真情书写。
  • 先婚后爱:顾先生请出局!

    先婚后爱:顾先生请出局!

    他的一句“我们试试”试着试着,她把自己的心给试进去了,一次意外有了孩子,却没想到有一天女人会带着球跑了,好不容易追到手了,女人拿着一张人流手术的单子递给他,“慕小沫,你到底有没有心,”他嘶吼道。
  • 劳拉博士有问必答:搞定父母问得最多的72个问题

    劳拉博士有问必答:搞定父母问得最多的72个问题

    精选劳拉博士回答父母问得最多的72条问题,为父母提供最全面和实用的解决方案,包括新生婴儿的养育、吃喝拉撒睡好习惯的养成、情绪管理情商培养、棘手育儿挑战的解决办法、多子女的养育。基于劳拉博士的平和养育法,你将从实例中学到最实用的育儿方法,得到有效的育儿支持。“我们的目标是要慈爱地引导我们的孩子……当孩子们感受到与父母的深度联结之时,他们会为了维持那种情感而做任何事情,而且他们永远不会与我们作对。有了联结,如果我们的孩子越界,我们会追上他们,慈爱地将他们带回界限之内,而不会利用惩罚措施将他们隔离开来。因为在爱之中没有界限可言,只有爱而已。”
  • 思维补丁:修复你的61个逻辑漏洞

    思维补丁:修复你的61个逻辑漏洞

    古代哲学家曾说,人是理性的动物。但随着哲学、生理学、心理学、行为经济学等领域的学者的研究,发现在人的潜意识中存在不为自己意识到的偏见、谬误和错觉,比如先入为主、事后诸葛亮、对人不对事(因人废言)、多数人说的就一定是对的、迷信权威,等等。本书总结了在我们的思维中存在的61个偏见、谬误和错觉。针对每一个问题,作者用一篇生动的文章来介绍这个问题在我们生活中的表现,哲学家、生理学家、心理学家、行为经济学家怎样通过思考或实验来解释它们产生的原因、在历史上或现代生活中有哪些典型的案例,以及我们如何才能克服这些偏见、谬误和错觉。
  • 凰惊天下:倾世小妖妃

    凰惊天下:倾世小妖妃

    异世为妖,是为废?天下尽欺?慕容凰眉目一冷,生而为王的宿命,在骨血里觉醒!挡我路者,灭之!伤我人者,杀之!纵使为妖,也必是尔等遥不可及的璀璨星辰!六界纷乱,他邪魅入骨,覆手天下,却独对她猛追不舍,强压在床,“你是嫁我呢,还是嫁我呢?”慕容凰霸气扬眉,“给你两条路,一,滚,二,死!”某妖孽痞笑倾城,强势霸宠,“第三条,娘子乖乖,嫁与本王,不滚不死,附带天下随你虐,如何?”那年那月开的桃花,她红裙黑发,“我的梦想很简单,与你有个家-”
  • 新编餐饮企业管理工具箱

    新编餐饮企业管理工具箱

    《新编餐饮企业管理工具箱:最新餐饮管理人员实用操作手册》共分为管理实务与工作规范、管理制度、管理表格三部分内容。具体以管理实务、工作规范、岗位职责、管理制度与管理表格等实用工具的形式,全面而具体的呈现了餐饮企业进行规范化操作管理的要点。《新编餐饮企业管理工具箱:最新餐饮管理人员实用操作手册》的突出特点是:内容详实、具体、易于操作、实用性强。该书具有非常高的使用价值与参考价值,是餐饮从业人员与经营管理人员必不可少的案头参考工具。
  • 阎典史传

    阎典史传

    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。
  • 改变千万人生的一堂课

    改变千万人生的一堂课

    本书是马登励志教育系列图书之一,在马登的作品中占有重要地位。作者列举了一些成功人士的经典案例,剖析他们成长道路上失败和成功的原因,从个人素质、生活习惯、生存环境、生活观念等方面探讨了一个人成功所要具备的素质,并教会年轻人如何获得在实际生活中必须具备的各种能力,怎样在各自的领域中缔造属于自己的辉煌,成就不凡的人生。
  • 噬云境

    噬云境

    一个负仙级修真大陆的小城罗城,一个从小就不知道自己父母是谁的平庸少年,从小是由打铁的元铁匠将他带大,一次外出只因见到不平事见义勇为最终却落得个家破人亡,并遭到城主大公子的疯狂追杀,他逃命中无意间进入了幽蛮森林,这虽是罗城在内所有乡镇方圆几百里的人们禁忌的魔地,但是城主的大公子依然不依不饶,无奈被追杀的少年在魔兽纵横的森林中继续疲于奔命,不慎掉入一个溶洞川流不息的河道中,被一股激流卷走,追杀者才就此作罢,少年在激流中晕厥,他感觉到自己快要死了!但醒来时少年却到了一片世外桃源,从此踏上了一条坎坷的修真的大道,道有所成时开始冷酷的复仇……
  • Jasmin

    Jasmin

    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。