The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-07-08
A French Village Romance.

"A lew Udls ago "a hayaUOe was
married in a pretty little village only
3 few hours distant from Paris. Julia
Ravaude, handsome girl of IS years,
with large blue eyes and a rosy mouth
which opens on two rows of pearls,
looked charming in her white dress
and under her wreath of orange bios
soms. The promenade de la noce
(wedding promenade) over the sunny
plain was also charming, for there
were the fichus and the red skirts of
the peasant girls, the ight-colored
white, sky-blue or pink costumes of
the several bridesmaids and of the
other young girls in the party against
the green background of the growing
wheat, looking from a distance like
peoples and bluebells and margue-
rites springing up in the we'll titled
fields. The long procession wound It's
way along the rural path preceded by
two musicians covered with ribbons,
one playing on q violin, the other q
cornet a-piston, en- route for the ham,
lets where the happy husband was to
introduce his wife to new friends and
relations. In the public square of
each hamlet the young people had
spread out tables, and offered the Gin
d'honneur to the bride, with an ac-
compartment of music and the firing
of guns, after which the procession,
swollen by the addition OF all the BOYS
and girls of the place, passed on to-
ward the next hamlet. In the even.
Ing there was q grand feast-a pontd-
9ruelesque feed in the barn, with open
wine casks and barrels of beer, at
which every one could at will repIen-
ish his or her mug; and this ,sted
all the next day, and the day after
thft also.
In the month of October, 1870, the
Rauands Inhabited a little isolated
house situated on the edge of forest.
One day while the father and mother
were at work in the fields their little
girl Julia was left in charge of the
house. She was then only seven
years old, but had already manifested
rare intelligence and an energy that
Is seldom to be met with in one so
young. For two months or so she
had been hearing stories of the exac-
tons, of the enforced services, and of
the outrages committed by the Prus-
sian invaders, who had become all the
more cruel on account of the invisible
bands of francs tireurs who killed a
great many German soldiers from
behind ambuscades. Julia was stand.
Ing at the door when suddenly lad
whom she knew very well came run
ming out of a thicket and dashed into
the house.
Is Monsieur Ravaude here?" he
asked.
"No. My father and mother are in
the field at work"
Well, 1 must hide me. I am pur-
sued by two Prussan gendarmes.
They have seen me, and are close Oh
my heels. If am captured, nay fate
is certain one."
The child led him into the back
room and pointed to the oven. When
he had got into it, she took fuel and
laid it ready to be lighted. She then
returned to the door and presently the
two Prussians galloped up. They
sprang from their horses, fastened
them, and the one who spoke French,
began to question Julia.
Where are your parents?"
In the fields, SIR" she answered,
shrinking back as if with fear and
hiding her face in her apron.
There Is frdnc-tireW here and
we must have him-where ia hep"
The child had sudden inspiration.
She went and took from its corner her
fathers old gun and brought it to the
PrussiaH. A man came in and set
bis gun down and then when he saw
you coming he ran away along the
road to Mont Saint German. This
way, l will show you'll" The soldiers
looked at her suspiciously. but she
had such a childish and frightened air,
and was 80 pretty that the one who
could speak French said to her:
Do not be afraid, little one, we
won't hurt you," and while they were
hunting all over the place she drew
near them, watched them with wide
oIen curious eyes, and soon began to
touch their sabers and kick her sabots
against their rafting spurs. One of
the Prussians turned and patted her
on the head, and then picking her up
in his arms he said:
Will you give me kiss ?"
Is it you," answered little Julia,
that killed Father Chauvean ?"
This was the name of an old game.
keeper who had been shot by the in
vaders.