Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-09-23
VOL. V. NO. 80.

want their breakfasts for once"
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 Prussian and Russian soldiers, who,
up to that moment, had been pouring
their fire against Luneberg. There was,
however, just then, momentary forced
cessation of hostiities on the side Of the
assulting party, and, in fact, the French
were rapidly gaining the advantage
An accident had occurred. Close before
Johanna and Caroline. cart laden with
cartridges had been overturned and its
contents were strewed on the ground
No one was near it save dead trooper
or two, and one who was jus. expiring
Caroline. tender and thoughtful woman,
ran up TO this wretch. and held draught
of milk to his dying lips, but Johanna
claps her hands, crying out
"Rouleaux rouleaux /. Come quick
and help me, Caroline y
She took the cartridges for rouleaux
of coin which they somewhat resemble.
Johanna and her companion both wore
large white aprons with big pockets, not
like those of grisettes on the stage, but
good substantial. ones, fit to hold a half
qunrtein loaf. Johanna filled these as
she coulI PICK her spoil up. quite obli-
vious to the bullets from Lunc berg,w
nailed round her-as oblivious of them.
In her thirst for getting quickly rich, as
Caroline, from better, holier motives. =
In after-times, think the look of graft
tude, which bcamed from the dying
Ing which dropped from his White lips.
must have been dearer, more blessed
memory to the heart of her who. natu.-
ally tmid, forgot that timidty under the
influence of womans hottest promp-
tings OF tenderness and mercy than the
subsequent homage, the brilliant fortune
showered on the being who, with eager
eyes and avaricious grasp, was bu,lly
employed in examining her pockets with
that, which indeed ultimately pruved
more valuable towards her agsran iisc-
men, than the gold for which she took
the pckages strewed around.
But Johanna's 5 career of greedy az
qui.ement is speedily stopped. Aftuss-
ian colonel rides hastily up. He has no
idea Of the girls selfdcccption. He
hastily dubs Lcr in in his mind "a
mind heated by the excitement of action
AS an ardent heroine aspiring to aid
his troops IN their temporary distress.
"My brave girl those pockets will
not hold enough : fill your apron
Quick, here, young woman ," to Caro-
line, who stlll knclt by the dying, "do
the same-as one goes, the other can
come uack -
There was no murmur of dsobs dit nc
possible. Here was the terrible Prus,
sian flaming with loud voice. stern in
command, indisputable in authority
johanna was quite unconcious of the
admiration 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
this time crt off by body of advancing
troops, to 20 back was impossible, to 90
forward inadvisable. Her acceptance Of
the duty was imposed was, however,
as prompt and ready as if the action had
really emanated from herself. She was
always sturdy and bustlng, and not less
so now, when bullets whstled around,
and she was in mortal fear. Quickly
she filled her apron, and as quickly ran
with her burden to the poor fellows who.
for the want of them. where rapidly
picked off by the French fire. man by
man. AS she returned, Caroline per-
formed the same good office; so back
wards and forwards, amidst rafting
fire. mid volleys Of no less fiery olths,
midst blood, carnage, the groans OF the
dying. the carcasscs of the dead, did
Johanna Stcgen and Caroline Burger
carry pail after pail of cartridges, dis
tributing them to the troops, TIL the day
advanced, and the allies had gained the
victory-gained it, as all to man de-
clared, by the heroic conduct of wo-
man, Johanna Stegan.
Caroline, her pale face heated by the dan
gar andstern excitement Of the scene ,eqla!-
ly arduous, equaly-even more generous
ly-oblivious Of danger,s permitted, un-
noticed unthanked,to make her way back
a, best she can to Grimm there to amaze
the PASTORAL inhabitants with the recital
of that adventurous and blood-atain.l
morning.
Our Johanna was not too much over
powered by bashfuness to remain on
the field, waiting for applause and
thanks She had wit enough to see
that she was appreciated beyond what
she had merited. However. just then,
every one was too busy with rejoicing
and hopes Of plunder.to notice her, whom
they considered the victress of the day.
As, weary and disappointed, she was
about to return to Grimm, the same
colonel who had objected the milk-grl's
etfo,ts, rode up to her, hot, ard ready to
drop off his horse with fatigue.
my girl-quick-your apron-give
it to me. Not word-oF with it
that's right-now, your name-Johanna
johanna what Johanna Stesen-
So Now my lads, onward Strag-
glcrs fail back y
And thereupon. one of the strassler
who could not comprehend what thar,grand
IA