Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-10-14

"Flghtlng, chr quoth Caroline.
"Come o." answered Johanna; the milk
must 90 to Luneberg, if Boney himself be
there! We're late enough now, | tell you"
For Caroline showed symptoms of turning
back towards Grimm, tendency towards
cowardism which plainly proves her to have
no pretensions TO be heroine, and which
ought to reconcile us TO her ultimate fate
"Come on, | tell you, fool they won't burt
tsp
"No; but the bullets may. Hark there
they go-popl popl Johanna never mind
the milk-let the people want their break
fast for once" But, arguing thus they still
walked on; and, as it proved marched right
into the lions mouth. When il was too late,
even for women as they were to retreat,
they found themselves right in the midst Of
Prussian and Russian soldiers, who up to
that moment, bad been pouring their fire
against Lunebcrg There was, however,
just then, momentary forced cessation Of
hostiliies on the side of tho assaulting par
ty, and, in fact the French were rapidly
gaining the advantage. An accident had
occurred. Close before Johanna and Caro-
line, 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. Caroline, tender and thought
full woman, ran up to the wretch, and held
draught of milk to his dying lips, but Jo-
hanna claps her hands crying out:
"ltoueaux rouleaux! Come quick, and
help me CarolineI"
She took the cartridgesfor rouleau Of coin,
which they somewhat resemble. Johanna
and her companion both wore large white
aprons with big pockets; not like those of
grscttcs on the stage, but good substantial
ones, fit to hold halfquartern loaf Jo-
hanna filled these as quickly as she could
pick her spoil up, quite obIivions of the bull
lets from Luneberg, which hailed round
as oblivious of them in her thirst for getting
quickly rich, as was Caroline from better,
hoIier motive. In after-times | think the
look Of gratitude which beamcd from the
dying soldiers eyes, the broken words of
blessing which dropped from his white lips,
must have been deHer, more blessed
memory to the heart of her, who, naturally
timid, forgot that timidity under the inhu-
ence of woman's honest promptings of ten
derness and mercy than the subsequent
homage, the brilliann fortune showered on
the being who, with eager eyes and avcrac.
ious grasp, was busily employed in cram.
ming her pockets with that which ultimate.
ly proved more valuable towards her ag-
grandiscmenl, than the gold for which she
took the packages strewed around.
But Juhanna's careerof greedy acquire
mept is speedily stopped. A Prussian col
oncl rides hastily up. He has no idea Of
the girls selfdeception. He hastily dubs
her in his mind--a mind heated by the cx-
citement of action--as an ardent heroine
aspiring to aid his troops in their tempora,
ry distress.
any bravo girl! those pockets will not
hold enough: FIJI your aprons, Quick here
young wornanr TO Caroline, who still knelt
by the dying,) "do the same-as one goes,
the other can como back p
There was no murnur Of disobedience
possible. Here was the terrible Prussian
flaming with loud voice, stern in command,
iudispntable in authority. Johanna was
quite unconscious of the admiration with
which the great man whom she took for a
general at least, viewed her. Fear alone
made the girl obey, and, indeed, as her re.
treat was by this time ept off by body Of
advancing troops, to go back was impossible
to go forward inadvisable. Her acceptance
of the duty imposed was, however, as promt
and ready as if the action had really ema
mated from herself. She was always stur
dy and bustlng, and not less so now, whcr
bullets whistled around and she was in NOR
tai fear. Quickly she filled her apron, and
as quickly ran with her burden to the pool
fellows, who, for want of them, were being
rapidly picked off by the French fire, mar
by man. As she returned, Caroline per.
formed the same good office; so, backward
and forward, amid rattling fire, mid vol
leys of no less fiery oaths, midst blood
carnage, the groans of the dying, the car
casses of the dead, did Johanna Stegen
and Caroline Burger, carry pail after pal
of the cartridges, distributing them to tn,
troops, till the day advanced, and the allie
had gained the victory-gained it, as all t.
a man declared, by the heroic conduct of
woman-that woman, Johanna Stegen.
Caroline, her pale face heated by thu
; danger and stern excitement of the scene
equally arduous, equally-even moro gen
; erously-oblivious Of danger, is permitted
unnoticed unthanked, TO make her wa,
back as best she can to Grimm, there L
amaze the pastoral inhabitants with the re
cilal of that adventurous and blood-stainet
: morning.
Our Johanna was not too much overpow
cred by bashfulness to remain on the field
, waiting for applause and thanks. She haC
q enough TO see that she was appreciated be
{ yond what she had merited. However
r just then, every one was too busy with re
? ioicing and hopes of plundor, 10 notice her
r whom they considered tho yictress Of th
t day.
. AS, weary and disappointed, she wa
+. about to return to Grimm, the same colone
2 who had directed the milk-girl's efforts
: rode up to her, hot, aud ready to drop Of
his horse with fatigue.
] "My girl-quick---yOur apron--give it t
$ me. Not word--off with it--that's righ
!, now your name-Johanns-Johann
S whatl Johanna Stegen. Sol Now, m
lads, onward Stragglers fall backP