Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-04-19
Stlctt Storp.
STORY FOR THE YOUNG.
The Milk Can Of Strasburg.

l am only going TO try aud tell the
chill iren story while they make them
selves snug by the fire. and look into the
red caveIus. and think how comfortable it
is to be safe from the moaning wind. You
have all heard of the terrible war between
France and Prussia; and low, at last,
the famous old city Of Strasburg surren-
dered under irave General Ulricb. 1t is
ve-v curious old town, with its houses
b ilt Of red stones, and with its narrow
sire Is. But the chief wonder is the
Cathedral, begun in 1918, and not quite
finished yet Its marvellous tower, 474
feet high, has staircase of 725 steps
You see | am as good as guide book },
and the stonework is so exquisiiely fin
ished As almost to look like lace In this
Cathedral tower is the curious astronom-
zeal 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-Do lat the very
time when the Prussians had begun to
surround 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 lis little girl Marie, Their own
home was on the coast of Brittany, but
his business, for he was large exporter
Of leather and carpets, brought him to
Strasburg.
lie, Ike most French folk, had thought
the great army had only to take a military
l. oliday 10 Berlin but he found his mis-
ta1e. lie had two difficulties, therefore,
to encounter First, to escape from the
Ere nch garrison, who were exceedingly
Jealous of any able-bodied man leaving
the city; and, secondly, to pass through
the I'russian sentries. .i. r. .G--,r..-,
Every day made their position worse.
The Prussian batteries had opened fire
on the forts, and though as yet they tiled
to spare the town, yet shell every now
and then would scream through the air,
and, falling into the open streets. scatter
desolation around. So NJ. Despard, hav
ing found deserted cellar, carried the
little Marie here one dark night and, by
degrees, store away some small stock of
provisions, candles, and so on. Day by
day they said their prayers earnestly
day by day the y talked Of the dear wife
and mother far away IN the little fishing
village on the co.,st, from whom no letters
now came.
NJ. Despard thought over every plan,
and at last determ ined on a bold project.
One dark evening he returned with a
stranger. Marie almost cried out in ter
ror, till, when the candle was lit, she saw
a stout peasant woman, with a strange
sort of white linen bow f.ied on top of her
head. Marie opened her eyes as the
put down an enormous
milk cana perfect giant in its way
polished like silver, with brass top and
jauniy-looking lid, and two polished han
dies, and standing about four feet high
and foot and half wide. Then, hur-
riedly the father explained how he had
bought this milk can. and to what use he
was to put it. He had bou ght 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 dear
mother and home once more. and pick up
shells upon the beach. and see the goats
and the old brindle COW.
o So, with great care, NJ. Despard took
of the lid of the monster milk can, and
slowly drew forth suit of peasant
woman's fclothes-cap and gown and
wooden shoes, and -four to make his hair
gray; and Ursule laughed in a quiet
way, and told Marie to be brave little
girl. and not to mind the milk can for an