Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-09-23
THE WHITE APRON;
Or, The Fortunate Nilkm.,a

ton composed Of those who have greatness
thrust upon them, compared to individuals
who, ey the virtues Of true courage, persever-
snee, boldnsss and ssgacity, have achieved il
for themselves
1t is at all events one that rises to the mind
after hearing the story Of Johanna Stegen, a
fortunate milkmaid of Luneberg, who, by no
particular effort Of her own, save forced con-
pliance, rose tn fame, ultimate elevation in
rank, and extreme prosperity.
In 1913 the French, greatly to the disgust Of
the conquered, still occupied Lunebers
time, however, was at hand when the power
that deemed itself all bat omnpOtent, was to
totter, and presently fall down amidst the
well-earned execratiOns Of all Europe
But it is the story of the fortunate milkmaid
which is the object Of this paper not the pro-
gress and termination Of the first Napoleou's
Wsrs.-
On the outskirts Of Luneberg there stood
then, and very possibly still remains, little
settlement of mileh farm houses. The inhabit-
ants of this village, which is called Grimm
carried ON brisk trade by supplying the lac
teal fluid in large quantities to Luneberg,
which city depended mainly on these farms for
that important srticle of diet. Our heroine
Johanna, was employed in one Of these rural
dairies and was, in short, just milkmaid and
nothing more. Truth cOmpels her biographer
10 stale that there was little enough of the
picturesque in our JOhanna's personal apDesr-
ance, aud that she had even more than the
usual bucoiic attributes of robust health and
fOrid bloom, charms accompanied moreover by
locks whose redness was fact beyOnd ali CON
tradictiOn.
But Fate, the mighty, can overcome all;
and, for anything we know. could make even
an empress Of short. stout, red-headed, dairy
woman.
Little indeed Johanna dreamed when-bar
milk-pail slung from her squere shoulders-she
Issued forth on certain morning, the exact
date OF which the present biOgrapher owns To
have been unable TO ascertain; little did she
dream or think-suppOsing she was even in
the habit OF thinking, 20 which practice Iucki-
" for their health and yigor miIkmaids are
not Prone-that fortune was waiting still, in no
faT-oh nook, 70 invest her with all that the
heart Of 4eman is said-mind, only said-to
love best, viz: rank, homage wealth. fame.
By JOhsnnas 8 side, on hat honorable MORN
ing. came forth at the same time similarly Ia
dened, being, gentler and fairer though in
all likelihood no better nurtured or cultivated
than her companion. This young person was
an assistant dairy maid, and in this narrative,
with the courteous readers leave, shall be
called Caroline.
These girls were bound on their usual er
rand, taking to Luneberg supplies of rich
my huld. They chatted and sang and
laughed on their road from Grimm to iune-
berg, a distance of probably not more than a
mile and half. Suddenly ms they wers near
ing the city, Johanna said:
Nv hat dOst thou stare atl' said Caroline. in
her cultural German. Il see nothing"
"Canst hear neither. perhaps" answered To-
hanna, raising her hand pointing
And row indeed Caroline heard sharp and
load reports, which gave her an idea, express
ed cnrtly enough.
Fighting, eh'' quoth Caroline
Come on, answered Johanna; ''the milk
must 60 10 Lnneberg, if Boney himself be
there Were late enough, 1 tell you" For
Caroline showed symptoms Of turniny hack 70
a Tendency IN
plainly proves her 10 have pretensions to
b, a heroine, and which ought to reconcile us
to her ultimately. Come now. / tell Won.
fool they won't hurt usi''
NO, but the bullets may Hark, there
they g0-pOp, pop johanna. never mind the
oIce" O'
But arguing thus, they still walked on; and
a. II proved, marched right into the lions :
mouth When it was too late even for women
n they were, to retreat, they found themselves
right in the midst Of Prussian and Russian soI
dIers. who, mp t. that moment. had been pour-
ing their FIRE against Luneberg There was
however, just then, a mOmontary forced cessn-
uoh Oh h"S'llities ON the side of the assauIting
party. and, IN fact, the French were rauidIV
gaining the advantage. An accident had oc.
eurTel- Close before Johanna and Caroline
cart laden with cartridges had been over
turned, and ITS contents were strewed on the
ground No one was near il save dead trooper
line. tender and thoughtful woman. ran nm "a
Tins wretch and held draught of milk to his
dying lips, but Johanna clasps her hands, cry
ing out:
ROUleaux. roulesux! Come quick, and
help me, Caroline
She took the cartridges for rouIeaux of coin
which they somewhat resemble. Johanna and
Der companion both wore large white aprons
with oIg pockets, not like those Of grisettes on
tie stage but good substantial ones iii to hold
ntl rfs N,af IL
quickly as she could pick her spoil up. ouite oh
hElOus TO the bullets from Luneberg which
haIied round her-as ObliyiOus Of them in her
thirst for getting quickly rich as was Caroline.
from better, hOlier motive. In after-times I
think the look of gratitude which beamed from
the dying soldier eyes; the broken words of
blessing which dropped from his white lips,
must have been dearer, more blessed memory
To the heart Of her who, naturally timid forgot
ths' timidity under the influence Of woman's
hottest promptiDgs Of tenderness and mercy,
than the subsequent, homage, the brilliant for
tune shoWered on the being who, with eager
eyes and svsrieious grasp, was busily employed
M eramming her pockets with that which in
deed ultimately proved more valuable towards
ner aggrandlsement than the gold tor which
she took the Packages strewed around.
But Johannas career Of greedy requirement
u speedily stopped. A Prussian colonel rides
hastily up. lie had no idea Of the girls decep-
tl0n- lie hastily dubs her in his mind-a mind
hCat'U W tue eActteinent OF actlOD-an ardent
heroine aspiring TO aid his troops in their tenn
eorary distress.
My brave girl, those pockets will not hold
enough; hll your apron, quick Here, Young
woman 10 Caroline, who still knelt by the
dying do the same-as one goes, the other can
come back
There was no murmur of disObedience posi-
bic. Here was the terrible Prussian with loud
voice stern in command indisputable in su-
th1rIiy Johanna was unconscious OF the ad-
TtratI1n which the great man, whom she took
Tor general at least viewed her. Fear alone
made the girl obey; and, indeed. as her retreat
was ny this time cut of by body of advancing
troops, To 20 back was impossible, TO 20 forward
was In1ivissble. Her acceptance Of the duty
imposed was, however, as prompt and ready as
u the action had really emanated from herself
She Was always sturdy and bustling, and MT
lees 80 now, when bullets whs.Ied around and
she was IN mortal fear Quickly she filed her
apron. and ran with her burden to the poor fell
lows who, for the want Of them were being
rapidly picked of by the French fire, man by
AS ii -