The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-01-28
A BATTLE STORY.

"A thousand thanks, my dear Henri"
said the young German, as he turned the
precious railway pass over in his hand.
The American Minister is a splendid
fellow, and your acquaintance with him
has been worth something. Now shall
escape this horrible seige. Hurrah for
the Rhine! How I wish you and Louis
were going with me-"
"Not we, Becker, my friend our place
is here. | care very little for that, since
Lauri and Mathilde and the old people
are safe south of the Lolze.
''Give my love to Katrina, and tell her
that 1 shall fight as hard as / can against
her darling king and these swarms OF her
destroying countrymen.'
''She will love you none the less for
that, Think" said Carl ''Good-bye."
The two strong right hands were
wrung hard for moment, but no othel
word was spoken.
The De Rosats, though patriotic, had
been wise, and they had left in Paris
only those of the family who were able
to fight the Germans as we'll as help con-
sums the stores Of provisions-the only
reliable garrison of the beautiful city.
Carl was safe, thanks to the American
Minister, but the bitter seige dragged on
through week after week of tho terrible
winter, until the enemy within began
slowly to wax even more menacing, in its
deadly silence, than the laundering foe
without.
The famine was likely to prove strong
or than King William.
Henri De Rosat had seen little of his
brother Louis since the seige began, for
Louis was an officer of the engineers, and
his duty had kept him on the outer lines,
but one frosty morning they met IN the
Place Vendome.
The brothers had really too much to
say to talk great deal, but each, as he
looked IN the others eyes, could discern
that deep and mournful shadow of the
siege which will never be forgotten by
any OF those whose lives were .larkened
under it.
"You keep your flesh marvelouslv.
Louis said Henri. II am daily grow.
ing thin, both in soul and body
Because you are penned in the city.
said Louis, "while every day can sec
beyond the siege from the Notifications. ~
''But the Germans, Louis, you see then,
Mso."
'Yes, but am mining nowadays, and
make myself merry by thinking that.
perhaps, shall dig my way under them,
and come out into the bright world be-
yend. I believe l could do that or any,
thing else to escape the siege How I
envy those balloon men. They get out"
ave, too, may get out" SAID Henri.
my gay hussars and are to have our
chance tomorrow IN the sortie."
"Your gay hussars2"
eyes, indeed. We have eaten our
horses, but we shall charge in our hussar
uniform. Perhaps we shall capture a
mount. could charge milliard OF
Uhlans if I saw any hope of cutting
through"
"You will not. We shall none of US
get out. The city is doomed
The last words came in deep, solemn,
sepulchral voice, and the brothers turned
quickly as they recognized it.
A tall, broad, blue-eyed man, in a
dark blouse, stood near them.
CDR. Spielburg?" exclaimed Louis.
''why man alive, thought you had been
killedr'
"They will not give me a chance. /
look too much like German, and so. be-
cause I am a physician as well, an
forced to do hospital duty instead Of
fighting these yandals that have burned
nay home in Alsace'
This is a good duty for you, too"
said Henri, "the best of duties.''
"But l learn things there, and I have
learned that Paris must fall
The brothers looked at their stern, sad
faced friend, and at each other; and as