The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-03-08

why, that's Lucca !" they cried III
chorus.
Alas. it is |, whom they want to
leave here, shipwrecked and alone"
she acclaimed with theatrical pathos.
They made room for her, the maid
and the boxes, and merry conversation
ensued. After a few hours the train
stopped.
Are we not yet at Frankfort 2" ask
ed Pauline.
Not by ten miles, was the reply.
1t seemed telegram hal commanded
the colonel to stop and await new or
ders with the train of wounded from
Saarbruck. They were there two
hours.
My kingdom for horse" cried
the major. :" haven't eaten morsel
since morning"
Gentlemen" said Lucca, q I'll do
my share for our country's glory. III
prepare you cup of veritable Mocha.
| have two pounds in my valise." The
maid went to the company cooks and
got kettle; the officers looked ont for
wood. Soon the water boiled and
Lucca emptied her coffee into it. 1t
was soon all ready aud poured into tin
cups. AS they were about to drink the
train of wounded approached. The
major who accompanied it leaped
from the first car, and came near y It'll
the request to give the wounded lit
tie coffee.
" Gestlemer, " commanded the prima
| donna, = take up your cups and carry
the coffee to the wounded [ will do
SO myself. And she FASTENED to car
where handsome young man lay in a
hammock, covered to the neck.
II have some coffee for YOU" said
Lucca, with her sonorous voice.
The man did not move.
May L raise you up a little?" she
asked, putting her hand under his
head. s. Give me your arm"
He shook his head and burst into
tears "Ihave no arms, both are gone, !"
he said.
She was touched to the heart. After
Simplifying him with refreshments, she
Joined her party again, and late III the
evening they all reached Saarbruck
There the officers took leave Of the la
dies, and Madame Lucca began TO IN
quire where they could lodge.
" Lodge? said the baggage master.
"Nowhere. Every house, every hut,
every stable is full of soldiers and
prisoners Twill sleep III pig-pen to-
might.
Full of soldiers. But I may fix
you III the engine house No one Is
there. / can shake down some straw,
and you may be able to rest. -
Have you blankets 2"
Lots of them, and brand new"
They went there, and placed the box
as security against the door whose
lock had been torn off. Lucca gave
the master gold piece, and he vas
highly satisfied. The officers sent one
of their number to keep guard over
their fair travelling companions, and he
disturbed their sleep occasionally by
singing Good Night" from the Bar
Der of Seville.
Early Ia the morning there was 81
sudden drumming and trumpeting
Guns and heavy wagons rolled along
tie streets, horses galloped, and the
noises OF war were general. Lucca
rushed out of the engine house. Lieu
tenant L., another of her fellow travel
ers, pranced up on a splendid bay.
1.-The alarm is given, madame, and we
advance upon the enemy The regi-
rnent Is already on the way, and [ de
layed to report to you Your husband
Is IN field hospital near P0nt-d Nous
son. Az rerOi:"
How far from here is it 2
" At least thirty miles. ] must go
Pardon. The knight must to the
, bloody charge"
After the troops had left, the town
looked deserted and entirely bare. An
old nun came along the street. Lucca
asked him, ''Old gentleman, can we
get wagon here z"
Not a wheel, " replied the other, as
he passed on.
"Ole more question. Who is left
in charge of our soldiers 2"
1.-The Grand Duke OF Oldenburg.
There he comes with his staff, " and he
pointed to a cavalcade.
"That's our last hope" said Lucca.
"Quick, Edith"
She posted herself on The curb-stone,
and, as the Grand Duke passed, said,
IN her sweetest voice, Good morning,
| highness.n
The Duke stopped his horse. " Am
[ mistaken, or is this Madame LUcca,
| the beautiful prima donna2 [ have
| heard yOu several times IN the OPERA
g am happy to hear that your high
! ness remembers me. [ was presented
to the Grand Duke of Mecklcnburg at
court Here | present myself in the
open street. L have the honor sire
Pauline Lucca!"
g Pleased to know you" replied the
Duke, bowling, But, Madame what
do you here in the turmoils of war?"
81 want to take my husband home,
who is wounded and at Pont-a- Nous
son. As far as Saarbruck | came, but
here the world is boarded up.
What does that mean? / am
here and cannot get wagon.
For this reason / ask, in the most re-
spectful manner, your powerful AID. F."
"That will avail you little, my dear
madame. With all my power ] cannot
dispose Of a wagon, except the army
team which follows me here and carries
my servants and baggage
III ghness," replied Lucca, ''your
servants seem to have good strong
legs. If few of them would walk to
Pont a-Mousson there would be room
for me and my maid.
"But [ can't seat so celebrated an
artist on an army wagon, objected the
duke
Most illustrIous duke 70 ride
uncomfortably is better than to walk.
Well, are there no other objections