Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-20
The Maid OF Orleans.

Inc MaIO Oh UIledns.
The story of Joan of Arc is one of the
most wonderful that history records, and
seems almost to justify the young girls
assertion that Heaven itself inspired and
led her on.
Living in the village OF Domremy, IN
France, was husbandman and his fam
ily named D'Arc. They were Ignorant
and simple, piople, but pious and reputa-
BILE JOAN the daughter, was pretty
and modest girl, fond OF going to church
and ministering to the poor devoted to
animals, and the beauties of nature. Fond
of solitude and prayer, she seemed un-
like other young girls, and in the seclusion
of her hours of meditation she iancied that
mysterious voices spoke to her.
At this time large portion of France
was in possession OF the English : the hor-
rOrs Ofcivil war prevailed ; and the young
dauphin was friendless and powerless.
Young as Joan was, her heart was filled
with sorrow for the wrongs of France and
the dauphin. One day, when in the gar
den, she heard a voice say, Joan. arise
Go to the succor of the dauphin. Re-
store him to his kingdom of France"
Falling on her knees. she exclaimed,
How can do this. since am but poor
girl, and know neither how to ride, nor
lead armies 20 The voice replied, "You
will 90 to the Lord of Baudricourt, the
kings captain at Naucouleurs, He will
send you under escort to the daupin. Fear
nothing. St. Catharine and st. Margaret
will protect you"
Still Joan hesitated about undertaking
her mission. as well she might. She con-
tinued to see visions and to hear mystic
rious voices, and she wept and prayed
over her own reluctance to obey what she
believed to be a command from heaven.
The delay lasted several years; and at
length she told her parents her experience,
but met with opposition and ridicule.
Joan had an uncle whom she succeeded
in persuading to 90 to the Lord of
Baudricourt and inform him OF her wish.
go home,' was the answer, "chastice
your neice, and return her to the house of
her parents" Nothing daunted in COM
pany with her uncle, this simple peasant
girl of seventeen visited the Lord OfBrad
dricourt, and succeeded in impressing
him by her words. II come to you in the
name of God, my lord she said, to tell
you to send word to the dauphin to re-
main where he is, and not give battle to
the enemy at this time, because God will
send him succor by the middle of Lent
The kingdom does not belong to him, but
to God. his Lord. Yet God wills that he
shall reign. Notwithstanding all his
enemies, he shall be king; and it is who
shall lead him to be crowned at Rheims"
1t was a firm faith that her mission was
divinely appointed, that sustained this
young girl through the dangers and hor
rors of her subsequent career. The faith,
too. she had in herself seemed faith in the
impossible, yet it bore her on, until
Rheims opened wide its gates, and stand
beside the alter. with her standard in her
hand Joan saw the dauphin Charles
crowned king of France.
Before this was accomplished, she had
inspired others with her faith. the dauphin
himself. his courtiers. soldiers and the PEG
pie. the dauphin going so far as to entrust
to her guidance the army which was to
raise the seige of Orleans. Wearing a
suit of white armor. and carrying stan
dard, with the white lilies of France. she
went forth. She bore a sword marked
with four crosses. which she had seen in
a vision hid in church near Clinton, and
was accompanied by a knight, two pages.
two heralds-at-arms, and achaplain. Thus
she reached the army. and then began the
march to Orleans. and in three days they
arrived before the city. Entering the
gates, men women and children came forth
to greet her, hailing her as the deliverer
of France.
Desperate fighting ensued, and Joan was
badly wounded. She had performed pro-
digies of valor, and came very near falling
into the hands OF the enemy. The English
finding the impossibility OF contending
against this virgin leader whose very
presence melted their opponents to heroic
deeds. burned their fortresses and raised
the siege of Orleans.
Joan did not cease her efforts here
City after city was wrested from the enemy.
and the dauphin and Joan proceeded to
Rheims where the coronation took place.
In the battle that ensued this intre pid girl
fell into the hands of the enemy. and thus
her doom was sealed. CONSERVATION
seized the cities, where she was regarded
as more than mortal, and the stern war
riors, whose inspiration she was, were
filled with dismay.
Confined in an cage. her arms, ankles,
and neck loaded with iron chains. thus for
six months remained this wonderful girl.
Tried and condemned to be burned, it was
not long before the sentence was put in
execution. A statue in Rouen marks the
spot where the Maid of Orleans yielded
up her life As bravely as she lived, as
bravely did she die. leaving a memory
that will last as long as time itselt.-Frona
Horfb1,