The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-05-06

was so cold and s1ppery, and she should
be suffocated Her father must not ask
her ''Very well, Marie,' he said, eve
will die together. But l thought my
little girl loved her dear mother and the
old home.' And Marie wept much and
said little; and after saying their prayers,
father and child fell fast sleep.
Next morning the gray dawn stole
through the cellar window, and again
came the roar Of the heavy guns, the
growl of the cannon, and shrieks of the
enormous shells. So, after breakfast,
they looked at the milk can, and Marie
thought she would try it and her father
took out his watch and challenged her,
playfully, to stay three quarters of an
hour for Ursule had declared that an
hour would be long enough to escape in
the milk-can. And so the little girl,
looking at her fathers pale face, and
thinking of the village or the coast and
her dear mother, grew braver day by day
till she was able to stay the whole hour
in the milk Her kind father had
bored holes here and there, and got her
some thread to knit, so that her fingers
might be employed. There was also a
little soft seat at the bottom. And SO
they awaited Ursule's arrival
When she came, Marie, who was Just
six years old, was in great delight, for
NJ. Despard had dressed himself, while
the child slept, in the peasant woman's
costume. There he was pale and gray>
haired and thin, with thick wooden shoes
on; he had shaved off his whiskers and
moustache. Ursule leaned against the
wall and laughed so heartily, her black
eyes dancing with fun, and her white
teeth cleaning, that Marie skipped into the
milk can. In a moment the father and
Ursu.e, having blown out the light, crept
up the dark stairs, while high above them
burst she'll.
No time was to be lost. The milk>can
was placed in the cart, and Ursule urged
on her donkey, NJ. Despard walking by
her side. They reached the gate ; mere
boy, conscripti is on guard, who challen-
ges sleepily, and gave the can a tap with
his hand. 'Pass empty milk - lie
said in French.
Marie nearly screamed out, but by
strong effort, restrained herself. And so,
down the causeway, over the draw-bridge,
and out on the road that led from the fort,
the donkey struggled along against thea
wind and rain. Poor Maria felt almost
seasick with the jolting and Mr.. Des-
pard steaded the milk-can as much as he
could, whispering that they were nearly
safe. They were close upon the Prussian
line
The glare of the bivouac fire shone on
the spiked helmets of the Prussian Land
wehr. An uhlan sat, lance in hand upon
his poor horse, shrivelled up by the wind
and rain. Gutteral sounds of jolly laugh
ter came from the group of officers and
men putting huge clouds of smoke from
their long pipes and, as the two peasant
women and the milk-can approached, the
laughter grew louder and longer. An offs
Ger said something, and one of the soldiers
stepped forward and gave the milk can a
ringing blow with the but-end of his
musket. This was too much for Marie,
and she gave scream of terror.
The group was astonished. One of the
great bearded soldiers advanced, took off
the cover, and then calling an officer,
pointed out the poor girl fainting at the
an agony, yet he restrained himself. He
was ready to fight thousand soldiers for
his child. But, to his surprise, the great
giant took up the little Marie as tenderly
as mother might.
'tWhat milk can = shouted the SOL
diers. The officers smiled Ursule show
ed her white teeth; so merry were they
all, that Marie could not realize what
had happened. She sprang to her father.
"Oh, father, take me away -
tHa, ha ]" laughed the deep bass
voices. ''Her papa in petticoats -
However, when NJ. Despard had told
his story, after communicating with the
general, father and child were passed
through the lines by the Prussians, and
reached home after some days.
The wind and waves roared. No
mother sat at home, and they entered the
village all was still, no light in the case
ment. The clock struck ten. They
went to the good clergyman's home, who,
with upturned eyes and hands welcomed
them. Marie should stay by the fire, if
M. Despard would 60 up to the little
church on the hill. There, if anywhere,
his wife would be. So he went up the
mountain roads.
Through the mist shone the little
church.
Within he saw kneeling worsEippers.
Yes, there in the corner, with tear>
stained face, was his own loved wife
How grandly came the storm psalm from
the sea Lord have mercy on US !"
rang from the choir.
He had heard that sudden joy may
kill. He stood behind buttress and
plucked a neighbor's sleeve-a cross old
man. ''Let me alone !" he snarled. He
touched another, who recognized him, and
went in and prepared the wife and mother.
He could see the sudden gleam, the hur-