Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-09-20

But, arguing thus, they still walked on;
and, as it proved, marched right into the
lions mouth. When it was too late, even
for women as they were TO retreat, they
| found themselves right in the midst of
Russian and Prussan soldiers, who, up
to that moment had been pouring their
| fire against Luneberg. There WAS, how
ever, just then, momentary forced ces-
salon Of hostilities on the side of the as
sluItIng party, and in fact, the French
were rapidly gaining the advantage. An
accident had occurred. Close before Jo-
hanna and Caroline, a cart laden with
cartridges had been overturned, and its
contents were strewed on the ground
No one was near it save a dead trooper
or two, and one who was just expiring
Carol ne, tender and thoughtful woman,
ran up to the wretch, and held draught
of milk to his dying lips, but johanna
clasps her hands crying out
. Rouleaux Rouleaux Come quick,
and help me Caroline ~
She took the cartridges for rouleaux of
com, which they somewhat resemble
johanna and her companion bo;h wore
large white aprons with big pockets, not
like those of grISe;teS on the stage, hut
good substantial ones, fiji to hold half
quarter loaf Johanna filled these as
quickly as she could pick her spoil up
quite obliTious of the bullets from Lune-
berg, which hailed round her-as oblivi-
Gus of them, in her thirst for getting
quickly rich, as was Caroline from a bet
ter, holler motive. In after-liines think
the look of gratitude which bea amed from
the dying soldiers eyes, the broken
words of eternal blessing which dropped
from his white lips, must have been a
dearer, more blessed memory TO the hear,
Of her, who, naturally timid, forgot that
tlmidity under the influence of woman's
honest promptings Of tenderness and
mercy, than the subsequent homage, the
brilliant fortune showered on the being
who, with avaricious grasp, was busly
employed in cramming her pockets with
that which indeed ultimately proved more
valuable toward her aggrandlzement,t than
the gold, for which she took the PACKAGES
strewed around.
But Johanna's career of speedy ac-
quirement Is speedily stopped. \ Prus-
sim Colonel rides hastily up. He has
no idea of the girls self-dcception. He
hastily dubs her IN his mind kind
hearted by the excitement of action--as
an ardent heroine aspiring to aid his
troops in their temporary distress.
Ny brave girl! those pockets will
not hold enough; fill your prom, quick.
Here, young woman (to Caraline, who
sull kueIt by The dying,) ''do the same
as one goes the other can come back.
There was no murmur Of disobedience
possible. Here was the terrible Prus-
sian flaming with loud voice, stern in
command, indisputahle in authority. Jo-
hanna was qnte unconscious of the ad-
miration with which the great man, whom
she took for general at least, viewed
her. Fear alone made the girl obey,
and, indeed, as her retreat was by lhls
time cut off by body of advancing troops.
TO get back WAS impossible, to go forward
inadyisable. Her acceptance of the du-
ty imposed was, however, aS prompt and
ready as if The action had really elnana-
ted from herself. She was always sturdy
and bustling, and not less 50 now, when
bullets wbstled around, and she was IN
mortal fear. Quickly she filed her
apron, and as quickly ran with her bur
den 10 the poor fellows, who, for want of
them, were being rapidly picked of by
the French fire, man hy man. As she
returned, Caroline performed the same
good office; So backward and forward
amid a rattling fire, mid voileys of no less
fiery oaths, midst blood, carnage, the
groaus Of the dying, the carcasses of the
dead, did johanna Stegin, and Caroline
Burger, carry pail after pail of the car
trldges, distributing them to he troops,
till the day advanced and the allies had
gained the victory-gained II as ali to a
man declared, by the heroic conduct of a
woman-that woman Johanna Stegin.
Caroline. her pale face heated by the
danger and stern excitement of the scene,
equally arduous, equally - even more
generously-obliviou OF danger, IS per-
mlted, unnoticed, unlhanked, to make
her way as best she can to Grimm, there
to amaze the pastoral inhabitants with
the recital of that adventurous and blood
stained morning.
Our Johanna was not too much over
powered by bashfulness to remain on the
field, waiting for applause and thanks
She had wit enough 10 see that she was
appreciated beyond what she had merit
ed. However, Just then, every one was
too busy wiih rejoicing and hopes of
plumber, to notice her whom they consId-
cred the victress of the day.
As, weary and disappointed she was
about TO return 10 Grimm. the same colo
mel who had directed the milk grl's ef-
forts, rode up to her, hot, and ready to
drop off his horse with fatigue.
Afr rirl-ouicL,-vour anrop cri,-a
it to ne Not q word-off' with it-thal'
right now, your Johanna-Jo. o.
hanna what! Johanna Stegin. So =
Now. my lads, onward! Stragglers faI
I back"
/ And thereupon, one of the stragglers
who could not understand what tha
grand, terrible, fierce solder could wan
with her apron. now half dirty, stained
/ with blood and the moisture Of her weary
brow, fell back at the word Of command