Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-04-19
;. So she bade father and child good.

| 7 =
would come, and, bringing her donkey
cart, take Marie and her father safe
through the sentries. There was no time
to be lost, FOR after that date no country
folk could pass to and fro. s.t
When they were left alone. NJ. Des
pard talked to his little girl, but could
not comfort her. Oh, tina: terrible milk
can. 1t was so cold and slippery, and
she should be suffocated. Oh, her dear
father must not ask her-she should die
Very well. Mary" he SAID, 1--WE will die
together. But thought my little girl
loved dear mother and the old home. u
And Marie wept much and said little
and after saying their prayers. father and
child fell fast asleep. t.f, .-
Next morning the gray dawn stole
through the cellar-window, and ever and
again came the roar of the heavy guns,
the growl of the cannon, the shrek Of
enormous shells So after breakfast they
looked at the milk can again, and Maria
thought she would try it; and her father
took out his watch and challenged her
playfully to stay there quarter of an
hour; for Ursule had declared that an
hour would be long enough in the milk
can to escape. And so the little girl.
looking at her fathers pale face, and
thinking of the village on the coast, and
her dear mother, grew braver day by day,
till she was able to stay the whole hour
in the milk.can. Her kind father had
bored holes here and there, and got her
some twine to net, so that her fingers
might be employed. There was also ar
ranged a little soft seat at the bottom.
And SO they anxiously awaited Ursule's
arrival ID. ..r.....
When she came, Marie-she was Just
six years old, | ought to tell you-was
in grear delight; for NJ. Despard had
dressed himself, while the child slept, in
the peasant woman 5 costume. There he
was pale, aud gray haired, and thin.
wooden shoes on; he had shaved off
moustache and whiskers. Ursule leant
against the wall aud laughed so heartily,
her black eyes dancing with fun. and her
white teeth cleaning, that Marie skipped
into the milk can, and in moment the
father and Ursule, having blown out the
light, crept up the dark stairs. while
above them, high up, burst shell.
No time to be lost Up into the cart
goes the milk can. and Ursule urged on
her donkey, NJ. Despard walking by her
side. They reached the gate; mere
boy, conscript, is on guard, who cbal-
lenges sleepily, gives the can tap with
his hand Pass, empty milk can!' he
said in French. ,4 .
Marie nearly screamed out, but by a
strong effort, restrained herself. And so
down the causeway, over the drawbridge
and out.on the road that leo from the
fort. the donkey struggled along against
wind and rain. Poor Marie felt almost
sea-sick with the jolting and NJ. Des-
pard steadied the milk can as much as he
could, whispering that they were nearly
safe. They were close upon the Prussian
line. ....
The glare of bivouac fire shone on
the spiked helmets of the Prussian Land
wehr; an Uhlan sat lance in hand, up
on his poor horse. shrivelled up beneath
the wind and rain. Cultural sounds of
jolly laughter came from the group of
officers and men, putting huge clouds of
smoke from their long pipes as the don
key drew near, and at the two peasant
women, and the milk can the laughter
grew louder and longer. An officer said
something. and one of the soldier step
ped forward and gave the can ringing
blow with the but end of his rife. This
was too much for Marie; she gave
scream of terror! ... ... ..f -...... ..
The group was astonished. One of
the great bearded soldiers advanced and
took off the cover, and then, calling an
officer. he pointed out the poor little
girl fainting at the bottom of the CAM
NJ. Despard was in agony. yet restrained
himself He was ready to fight thou
sand soldiers for his child. But, to his
surprise, the great bearded giant took up
the little Marie as tenderly as mother
might, What milk can," shouted the
soldiers The officers smiled. Ursule
showed 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"
"Ha! hal" laughed the deep bass
voices. "Her papa in pe,ticoats !"
However, when NJ. Despard had told
his story, after communicating with the
brigadier, father and child were passed
through the lines by the brave 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
easement. The clock struck ten. They
went to the good clergymau's home.
Who With unfurnpd evea and hands wei |