Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-03-21
Brave Daughters Defence.

sSA - SS"s- SeS'S
Il was sad day for the Neckers. William
Ncckcr, ,he good, honest Iaan, who had risen
up at lis couutry's need, and BY his wise coun-
sci saved France from financial rain, was TO-
day humiliated by the bitter reproaches Of bis
sovereign aud the nobility.
His notable corn-laws, which only a great
financior could hayo conceived and executed
had lifted from the nation an enormous debt
and rcpleuishcd her treasury. Louis XVI
rested on Neckor TO support his tottering
throne, and the people looked up to him as
the only man who could save France from
bankruptcy Some Of bis reccni.acts, however,
had excited camor among the royalists, who
were at heart his enemies, and with base in-
gratitude they now overwhelmed bin with IN
Just censure.
Louise Germaino Neci,er, who sat in her lit
tie boulor above her fathers library. listened
with aching heart to his slow, heavy step, as
he paced lis room wearily to aud fro like one
who bends under a great burden. Although
only a siA of fiteca, she understood well the
anguish Of lis soul. Her love for her father
was one Of the passions Of her life, and all Of
his sorrows were her sorrows.
1t was a stormy day; the rain paiicrcl3jn
a sorrowful monotone against the quaint, old
mu,loued windows; the winds walled mourr-
u'ly around the turreis and gables Of the old
chateau, and now tossed the branches ofnagh-
boring trees wildly against the easements,
which ratified and shullcred as with pain.
Louise stood 10 an orcl window and gazcd
out fcarlcssly at the darkcuins sky aud raving
storm. L suited her fearless nature, and she
loved to watch it in its widest moods. Her
Imagination was so vivid that she'd sec 10 tho
aying clouds the geai.i the storm, whose eye
flashed lightning, and whose chariot whe-lt
rolled like thunder over tie sky She otter
fancied that she heard the csrven gargoes IN.
( Pc the cave, Shrek when the storm was at th'
/ highest, aud that the s,ouy lions below crouch
cd lower as the foaming rain dashed over the
shaggy names.
At such times as these beautiful Thoughts
would thrill her soul like strains Of music, an
she could dash of whole pages of rhyme
which in q few moments she would give 70 th'
flames. Her fathers guests, who were attract
ed to the bright young girl by her charming
ways and sparkling sallies Of wit, wondere,
+ more 40 her brilliant talents rs an iniprorisq
. tore. Alta moments warning, she would i'm
provi~e the most charmin. little songs, accom-
pangine them With music Of such beauty and
tenderness that her listeners were always en-
rap;ured.
But there vas no poetry in her sonl now
Her fathers sorrow seemel to crush all i7y out
Of her young life. Now and then, as the storm
lulled. she could hear her mother trying in vain
to comfort lin. She threw herself on low
couch aud sol bed passona:ely. On if her
father only had some true, noble friend, She
thought, to stand up bravely and tell the peo-
pie what be had done for them, what a pre-
server he had been to France ia her hour of
need But who was brave enough TO face the
strong tide Of the royals,s' reproaches? Nonel
no. not one could she think ofin her sorrow.
She remembered the cruel words Of malice
which her father had read to them from the
morning journals, aud they seemed to burn
themselves into her brain. She leaned her
head on her hands and tried % think Of some
thing she could do 70 help her father. II She
were king. she would have his enemies ban
;shed to the farthest corners Of the earth. II
she were a general at the head Of an army, she
would destroy them. II she were only SOL
der. she would make them answer for those
bitter. unjust words at the point Of bayonet.
But she was neither king, general, or SOL
disr.-she was only a little girl. There was
only enc weapon at her command. Would it
avail?
Her whole face WAS illumiue1 with glorious
thought. Springins to her feet, she ran t.
lock her doors, then wheeled little writing
desk ilto her faTorite oriel window. For a
few moments she sat leaning her face upon her
hands. The wind ratified her easement; the
rain hurried past the flying cloud-genii peer
ed curiously in, but none could divine bel
thoughts. She might have been asking help
from Him who is a stronghold in the day o
trouble. Her arm was weak, but His was
strong.
She commenced writing. The frst page was
blottel with tears and thrown away. The Sc
cond shared the same tate. The third pageshI