Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-21
SAVING THE FLAG.
An Episode of the EraEce-Prussinn
War Recalled by a Recent Marriage.

Count Paul de Leusse, whose son married the
granddaughter of Marshal Mareau the other
day. is the hero ola romantic adventure in the
FrancO-Prussian war AS the Prussans ad-
vanced, on the evening of the battle of Worth,
driving the French trailleurs before them. the
latter made desperate stand at the Chateau de
LeUsse. The Prussians forced their way into
the park and the French fell back on the cha
teau itself young chasseur, terribly wounded
and holly pursued by the enemy, staggered up
to the old count, who viewed the dismal spec
tacie in anguish from the balcony and holding
up French flag called out to him to save It,
Take it, said the dying soldier; lam done
for. Keep it. am willing to die if can only
save it from those wild beasts" So saying he
fell across the steps and expired. The count
did not know what to do. The Prussians were
thunderin" at the gates: in few minutes they
would be swarming all over the chateau, which
could make no defense, and it was full OF the
wounded and the dying. Time pressed and the
count had but few minutes to make up his
mind. Rushing to his room he tore the flag
from its staff, which he burned folded it up
and hid it in bureau drawer among his linen,
remembering that the best hiding place in the
world Is the one least hidden. The event
proved his foresight. The Prussians searched
every inch of the chateau except the top drawer
o! the counts bureau.
But as it might he dangerous to leave the
flag where it was he had it tightly packed in a
tin box and. with the aid OF old servant
named Pierre, buried it at night under a large
square stone in the cellar The count felt very
much relieved. but scOundIel OF an hOstler
who had watched them, denounced them, slim
ulated by the hope Of gain. to the Prussans.
The count had made the old servant swear to
let himself be cut to pieces rather than betray
the present hiding place of the poor soldiers leg
acy. So when the Prussian lieutenant i'm COM
maud seized him by the collar and asked him
where it was he simply answered that he did
not know
You lie," said the officer. land file of fusi-
leers will soon get the truth out OF yOu''
al do not lie, Monsieur i Officer"
Yes you do We took the flag. 1t was the
fortune Of war. You and your master stole it.
Give it up
do What you please with me. don't know
anything about tt
I'VE will turn this place inside cut but we will
have it,. cried the officer, in rage, land when
We find it God help you
The old man felt that he was lost. The cellar
was a large one. 1t would take q long time to
take up the whole pavement but sooner or
later the fatal stone must te removed, and
then
The Prussian lieutenant became impatient. as
stone after stone was lifted from its place and
discovered nothing but little muddy water
An idea struck him. He picked up q walking
stick, and tapping the stones ordered every one
that sounded hollow to be marked with piece
OF chalk; the Others might be left undisturbed
Old Pierre. the servant, watched the proceed
ings in silence. Near the stone that hid the
flag was pile of bagging. He sat down on the
pile and noticed that one end of the bagging
tralled over towards the stone: by pressing hts
foot against this and rubbing 1t gently against
the chalk he succeeded in effacing it. The
search was over, the flag had not been discov-
cred and the officer was furious.
A few weeks afterwards young lieutenant
ofZOuaves, who had been wounded and pa
rolled. was sent through the Prussian lines to
the French headquarters. He was weak and
feverlsh when he arrived at the chateau and
had to stop to have his wound dressed. 1t was
very severe one; his leg had been shattered by
piece of shell. When the men of the ambu-
lance corps came to carry him down stairs his
leg appeared to be swathed in unusually heavy
bandages. Between the upper and the lower
layer was the tri-cOor of the tn Chasseurs
"Au revor. Messieurs.' said the wounded
Frenchman. as he acknowledged the Prussian
officers salute. Then raising his KEPT to the
count, who stood on the balcony to watch this
departure, his lips formed the words ..Vive la
France "