Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-04-21
THE MILK CAN OF STRASBtRG.

And our lost, loved ones will be found again.
t. - -
THE MILK CAN OF STRASBURG.
l AM only going to try and tell the chill
dren story while they make themselves
snug by the fire, and look into the red
taverhs, and think how comfortable 1t is to
be safe from the moaning wind. You
have all heard of the terrible war between
France and Prussia; and how, at last, the
famous old city of Strasburg surrendered
under brave Gen. Uhrieh. 1t is a very
curious old town, with its houses built of
red stones, and with its narrow streets.
But the chief wonder is the Cathedral,
begun in 10l5, and not quite finished yet.
Its marvellous tower, Ala feet high, has a
staircase of l25 steps (you see 1 am as
good as guide. book, and the stone work
Is so exquisitely finished as almost to look
Ike lace. In this Cathedral tower is the
curious astronomical clock, which not
only tells the time of day but the motions
OF the planets. But what has all this to
do with the milk-can? Stop! don't yawn
Once upon time-no! lat the very
o. time when the Prussians had begun to sur
round the city, before the townspeople
were forbidden to pass to and from the
city, French gentleman of the name of
Despard had been shut up in the city with
his little girl Marie. Their own home
was on the coast of Brittany, but his busi-
ness, for he was large exporter of leather
and carpets, had brought him to Strasburg
He, like most French folk, had thought
the great army had only TO take military
holiday to Berlin; but he had two dicul.
ties, therefore, to encounter First, to
escape from the French garrison, who
exceedingly jealous of any able able-bodied
man leaving the city; and, secondly, to
pass through the Prussian sentries.
Every day made their position worse
The Prussian batteries had opened fire on
the forts, and though as yet they tried to
spare the town, yet shell every now and
then would scream through the air. and
falling into the open streets, scatter desola-
tion around. So NJ. Despard, having found a
deserted cellar, carried the little Marie
there one dark night and, by degrees,
stored away some small stock of provis-
ions, candles, and so on. Day by day they
talked of the dear wife and mother far
away in the little fishing village on the
coast, from whom no letters now came.
M. Despard thought over every plan, ar d
at last determined on bold project One
dark evening he returned with stranger.
Marie almost cried out in terror, till, when
the candle was lit, she saw stout peasant
woman, with strange sort of white linen
bow tied on top of her head Marie
opened her eyes as the countrywoman put
down an enormous milk-can-a perfect
giant in its way-polished like'silver, with
brass tap and jaunty- looking lid, and
two polished handles, and standing about
four feet high and foot and half wide
Then, hurriedly, the father explained how
he had bought this milk-can, and to what
use he was to put it. He had bought it OF
the good Ursule, and Marie was to get into
it some day and be carried out past the
French and Prussians, and see her deal
mother and home once more, and pick uI
shells upon the beach, and see the goats
and the old brindled COW. So, with great
care, NJ. Despard took off the lid of the
monster milk-can, and slowly drew forth 9
suit of peasant-womans clothes-cap anC
gown and wooden shoes, and flour to make
has hair gray; and Ursule laughed in &
quiet way, and told Marie to be brav,
little girl, and not to mind the milk car
for an hour. SO she bade father and chile
goodbye, with many tears on Marie's part
promised that in a weeks time she woulC
come, and, bringing her donkey cart, tax,
Marie and her father safe through thu
scntries There was no time to be los
for, after that date no country folk coulC
pass to and fro.
When they were left alone, NJ. DesparC
talked to his little girl, but could not com
fort her. Oh, that terrible milk-can. /
was so cold and slippery, and she should b.
suHOcated? Oh, her dear father must no
ask her-she should die? "Very well
Marie" he said, 1--WE will die together
But thought my little girl loved her dea
mother and the old home" And Mari
wept much and said little; and after say
ing their prayers, father and child fell fas
asleep.
Next morning the gray dawn stolt
through the cellar window, and ever anC
again came the roar of the heavy guns
. the growl of the cannon, the shrek of tht
enormous shells. So after breakfast they
looked at the milk.can again, and Marie
thought she would try it and her fathe
took out his watch and challenged he
playfully to stay there quarter of al
> hour; for Ursale had declared that al
hour would be long enough in the milk
can to escape. And SO the little girl, look
ing at her fathers pale face, and think
ing of the village on the coast, and he
dear mother, grew braver day by day, til
she was able to stay the whole hour II
the milk-cau. Her kind father had bored
holes here and there, and got her some
IWlHt W net, bO bHdJ neI uuS6IS ullBub "
employed. There was also arranged
little soft scat at the bottom. And 80 the
anxiously waited Ursule's arrival.
When she came, Marie--she was JUS
six ye rs old, ought to tell you-was il
great delight; for NJ. Despard had dresse
himself, while the child slept, in the peas
ant woman's costume. There he wa!
pale, and gray-haired, and thin, with thic
wooden shoes onl he had shaved of mus
tache and whiskers. Ursule leaned again'
the wall and laughed so heartily, he
black eyes dancing with fun, and he
white teeth cleaning that Marie skippe
into the milk can, and in a moment tn
father and Ursule, having blown out tn
light, crept up the dark stairs, Will
above them, high up, burst shell.
No time 10 be lost. Up into the ca
goes the milk can, and Ursule urged o
her donkey, NJ. Despard walking by hC
side. They reached the gate a mere bo,
a conscrlpt, is on guard, who challenge
sleepily, gives the can tap with his han,
PASS, empty milk can" he said,
French.
Marie nearly screamed out, but, by
strong effort restrained herself And |
down the causeway, over the drawbridg
and out on the road that led from the fol
the donkey struggled along against wiz
and rain. Poor Marie felt almost sea'siC