Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-09-14
hSy- For City News see third page.
For Market Reports and Marine News see fourth
page
[From Once Week.
THE WHITE APRON.

heroic traditions of war, how large is the pro-
portion composed Of those who have greatness
thrust upon them, compared to individuals who,
by the virtues of true courage, perseverance,,
boldness, and sagaoity, have achieved il for
themselves.
IL is at all events one that rises TO the mind
after hearing the story Of johanna Siegin, a for
tunate milkmaid OF Luneberg, who, by no par
ticular ofiOrt of her own, save forced compli-
ance, rose to fame, ultimate elevation in rank
and extreme prosperity.
in 1919, the French, greatly to The disgust Of
the conquered still occupied Luneberg. A time
however was at hand when the power that deem
ed self all hut omnipotent, was 10 tOtter, and
presently fall down amid the web earned execra-
tions of all Europe. r...l.r..
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 Napoeon's
wars
On the outskirts of Luneberg there stood
then and very possible still remains, little set.
tlement Of mich iarm.houses. Theinhabitants
OF this village, which is called Grimm, carried
on brisk trade by supplying the lacteal Huid
in large quantities to Luneberg, which CITY de-
pended mainly ON these farms for that impor.
tant article of diet. Our heroine Johanpa was
employ cd in one OF these rural daires, aud was
in short, Just milkmaid and nothing more -
Truth compes her biographer to state that there
was little enough Of the plcturesquoin our Jo.
hanna's personal al pearance, and that she had
oven more than the usual bucolic attributes OF
robust health AMI lord bloom, charms accom-
panied moreover by locks who e redness was O
fact above all contradiction.
Little indeed Johanna dreamed when--hei
milk. pals slung from her square shoulders-sh,
issued forth on a certain morning, the exact date
of which the present biographer fairly owns tC
have been unable to ascertain; little did she
dream or ihink-supposing she was even in tho
! habit ofthinking, TO which practice luckily ior
their health and vigor, milk maids are not prone
that rune was waiting silly, in no far OF
nook, to invest her with all that the heart ofw
men is slid-mind, only said-to love best, viz
rank, hom ,ge wealth and fame.
BY Johanna's side, on that memorable morn.
ing, came forth at the same time, similarly la
den, being gentler and iairer, though in all
likelihood no better nurturcd or cultivated than
her conmpanion. This young person was an
assistant dairy ,maid, and in this narrative, with
! the courteous readers leave, shall be called
"Carolino" "
These girls were bound on their usual Grand
taking 10 Luneberg supplies oirich CREAMY fluid
they chartered and sang and laughed on then
road from Grimm TO Luneberg, a distance o
probably not more than mile aud a half Sud
denly, as they were nearing the city, johanna
halted.
''what dost thou stare atlo says Caroline, il
her cultural German. II SEQ nothing" (lcl
sehe nichfs).
"Canst hear neither, perhaps answered 10
hanna, raising her hand and pointing.
And now indeed Caroline heard sharp ant
loud reports, which gave her an idea expressed
cuItly enough.
"Fighting, ehl" quoth Caroline,
"COnc on" answered johanna; "the mill
must 90 to Luueoerg, if Boney himselfbo there
We're late enough now, tell you" For Caro-.
line showed symptoms of turning back towards
Grimm, tendency toward oOWardice which
plainly proves her to have had no pretensions L
be a heroine, and which ought to reconcile us
to her ultimate fate. "COmo on, tell you, fool!
they won't hurt us!"
'iNo; but the bullets may. Hark there they
go-pop! pop! Johanna. never mind the milk
let the people want their breakfasts for once.
But, arguing thus, they still walked on; and
as il proved, marched right into the lions mouth
| When it was too late even for them as the
were to retreat, they found themselves right il
tho midst of Prussian and Russian soldiers, VIII ,
up to that moment had been pouring their fir
against Luneberg. There was, however, jus
then, a momentary force cessation OF hostllitle
on the side of the assaulting party, and, in fact
tho French were rapidly gaining the advantage
An accident had occurred Close before JOhan
ma and Caroline, cart laden with cartridges
had been overturned, and its contents Wer
strewed ON the ground. No one was near
save dead trooper or two, and one who wa
lust texpring-CarOllne, tender and thoughtful
woman, ran up to the wretch, and held 0
draught of milk to his dying lips, but johanna
clasps her hands, crying out t
"Roulcauxl rouleauN! Come quick, and he'll
me Carbline!"
She took tho cartridges for rouleaux Of coin
which they somewhat resembed, Johanna an'
her companion both wore large white apronl
with big pockets, not like those OF gTisettes OF
the stage, but coed substantial ones, fit to hol'
half quarter loaf. Johanna filled these a
quickly as she could pick her spoil up, quit
obiiyious of the bullets from Luneberg, which
hailed round her--as oblivous Of them, in he
thirst for getting quickly rich, as was Carolir,
from a better, hOller motive. In after times
think the look of gratitude which became,
from the dying soldiers eyes, the broker
words Of blessing which dropped from hi
white lips, must have been deareT, NOR,
blessed memory to the heart Of her, who, ma
turally timid, forgot that timldity under th
influence of woman's honest promptings o
tenderness and mercy, than the subsequent
homage, the brilliant foHune shOweTed on tn
being who, with eager and avaricous grasp
was busily employed in Cramming her pocket
with that which indeed ultimately proved NOR
valuable toward her aggmudisemcnt, than tn,
gold, for which she took the packages strewe'
around.
But Johannas career of spec " acquiremen
10 speedily stopped. A Prussian colonel ride,
hastily up lie has no idea Of the girls sell
deception He hastily dubs her in his mind
as kind hearted by the excitement Of setion--a
an ardent heroine aspiring 10 aid his tro ps il
their temporary distress.
"My brave girl those pockets will not hol,
; enough; fll your apron. Quick, here, youni
Boman!" ITO Caroline, who still knelt by th
, dying) DO the same-as one goes the Othe
can come backVh
There was no mumur Of disobedience pos
: sible Here was the terrible Pfussian flaming
with loud voice. stern in command, iudisputa
ble in authority Johanna was quite uucOn
scious Of the admiration with Ahich tho gfea
man, whom she took for general at least
viewed her Fear alone made the girl obey
and, indeed, az her retreat was cut of by
body Of advancing troops, 70 20 back wa
impossible, to go forward inaiVislble, lie
acceptance of the duty imposed wac, however
as prompt and ready as II the action ha
really emanated from herself, She was a
. ways sturdy and bustliig, and not lees so nov
when bullets whistled around, and she was i
mortal fear. Quickly she filed her apron, an
as quickly ran with her burden to the poe
fellows, who, for want of them, were bein
rapidly picked of by the French fire. man b
man As she returned, Caroline performed th
same good Office so backward and forwar'
amid a rattliug FIRE, mid Volleys Of no lea
fiery Oaths, midst blood, carnage, the gIoaI
Of the dying, tho careasses Of the dead, d
' II