The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-05-03
The Story of a Frenchman Hunte d by thu
Germans.
CHAPTER TX

After that for some days all was quleC. we
heard no more of Orleans. From time to
time the cannon in the city Numbered, that
of the enemy replied from Quatre Vents and
Wechem, and then all was still.
One morning when the bar room was va
cant Father Ykel said TO me.
"Frederic, it is known that Jean Merlin,
your son-in-law, has gone away to join the
national army. Beware, the Prussians will
make you suffer for itP'
was taken aback, and said TO him after a
moment, "But no, Father Ykel! Jean has
some business on the other side of Dossenhein.
He is looking after some old debts; at this
time we have need of money"
''Bah! bail p he replied, "you have no need
to hide anything from me, am an old friend
of the Bruats and of yours. Merlin has not
been here for some days. He has passed the
mountain, aud he has done well. He is a
noble fellow. But traitors are not wanting.
You are denounced, so be on your guard"
This warning alarmed Inc, and thinking
it was best to warn Mother Margradel and
Uncle Daniel, after breakfast, without saying
any thing to Marie Rose, took my stick and
went off to Felsburg. 1t had ceased raining,
the winter sun shone on the woods, and this
picture, coming out of our dark corner, gave
me new life. The Path to the foot OF the bill
passed near the forest house, and seeing that
old roof in the distance made me sad. Old re-
membranes were awakeud. The idea came
to me TO 60 to the little house, to look inside.
II seemed to me that it would do me good to
see again the room where the old people had
died, and my children were born; my heart
quivered, and went quietly along, when ar
irving at the little bridge in the rear, between
the willows covered with frost stood stupe-
fed. saw a German guard forester, his
green cap with cocks feather tipped on one
side of his head, his porcelain pipe with a
long stem in his thick blond moustache, and
his arms crossed on the window sill, smoking
TRANQUILITY, with calm happy expression as
if in his own nest.
He was watching two children who played
near the door way, and behind him in the
shade of the room a stout woman with rosy
cheeks called '.Wilhelm, Karl, come, here is
your bread and butter"
The guard raised his head just then. was
afraid that he saw me, and hid. Yes, l hid
behind the willows and hurried to reach the
distant path, stoopng like maIefactor. l
should have been ashamed TO have him know
that the ancient master had seen him in his
house, in his room, at his fireside. 1t would
l. r Il ha
would have been able to laugh at the Asa
tian turned out of bis home. He would
have had good joke at my expense. But
since thai day hatred which l had never
before, entered into my heart. l hate these
Germans, who peacefully enjoy the fruits OF
our labors and think themselves honest men.
/ abhor them!
At last 1 went up to FelsbeIg sad and des-
pondent. The poor village in its mud and
rubbish was as sad as l. Not face was seen
in the streets, where acquisitions of all sorts
had been made more than once. Reaching
the old school house ard placing my hand on
the latch l found the door barred. / listened,
no noise, no murmur of children was heard
I looked in through the little windows. The
copies hung by their strings, but the seats
were vacant. 1 called "Father Danel!'
looking up to the first story, for the door OF
the alley was also closed. A few moments
after another door, that of Margredel's house
built against the gable, opened. Uncle Dan
lei a small active man in a great wooden coat
and black cotton cap on his head appeared,
asking, "Who's there?" 1 turned round.
"Aha, it is Brigadier Frederic" he said,
'Come in"
"You live there no longer" said /.
''Ne, since day before yesterday the school
has been closed" he replied sadly, and in the
lower room of the old barrack near the little
iron stove where the potatoes were cooking
in pot filling the room with steam per-
ceived Margredel sitting on a stool. Her face
wore its ordinary smile.
"Ahv' she said, eve have no longer the
pleasant room above for our friends. The
Germans drive US everywhere. We shall
have no place soon to flee to! But no mat
ter! Sit down there on the bench, Father
Frederic, and if it is agreeable we will eat our
potatoes together. Marie Rose and the
grandmother, are they well?"
eyes, thank God. But we are all anxious
about Jean. The Prussians know that he
has gone. Father Ykel has warned us to be
on our guard, and am come to tel you"
''What do l care for the Prussians," she
replied, Struggling her shoulders with an air
of contempt "Jean has passed over the
mountain long ago; they were not able to
stop him, We should know it already; they
would not fail to come and tell us of to-
rubbing her hands-'but he has gone over.
He is a nimble felow!' and she laughed.
"Those who fall into the hands of the
Prussians do not laugh. That is very sure of
our volunteers. The shot of gun and cannon
flies thick down there"
The poor woman saw everything at its
best as usual, and l thought, what luck to
have such good character, what happiness!
Uncle Daniel walked back and forth, say
ing, at is because Jean has gone that these
bandits closed my school. They could find
no fault with me. they gave me no explana-
ton; they shut it up, that is all and they on
ly gave us time TO carry our furniture out
side. They watched us with their squint
eyes crying, quick quick!'
YES" said Margredel, "they are cunning.
bypocriticaL They strike without warning.
In the morning they smile on you, they sit
like good apostles at your freside, they kiss
your children with tears ia their eyes; then
all at once their coun;enances change, they
collar you and put out OF doors Without pity.
All! the good Germans. We know now
these brave men. But they will not always
be so proud! wait-wait little-heaven is
Just-our time will come. Jean will be
there You will see, father Frederic. We
shall return to the forest house, the marriage
will be celebrated. Don't you see you must
Lave faith in God? Now We suffer for our
faults. But the good God will make every