The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-05-30


door or we win break it," W
Berthine took down the revolver
from above the fireplace and slipped it
into her pocket. Then she said, "Who
are you?"
The same voice replied, "The detach-
ment of soldiers who were here the other
day." M
"What do you want9" said the young
woman.
eve have been lost in the wood since
morning. Open the door or we will
break it inf'
Berthine had no choice. She quickly
drew the large bolts, and opening the
door saw before her six men--siX Prus-
sian soldiers, the same who had stopped
there two days before.
"Why do you come here at this hourP"
she said in a resolute tone.
"We are lost" replied the officer.
eve recognized your house. We have
had nothing to eat since morning"
"Come in," said Berthine, as she
stood aside to let them pass.
They entered the house. They were
covered with snow and appeared to be
completely exhausted.
The young woman pointed to the
wooden benches at either side of the
large table, saying, ''Sit down. 1 win
make soup for you"
When the soup was prepared the
Prussians ate voraciously. AS they
were thirsty, Berthine descended into
the cellar to draw cider for them, She
remained there long time. The cel-
lar was little vaulted cave, which, it
was said, had served during the revc-
luton both as a prison and hiding
place. 1t was reached by a narrow
winding stairway, to which access was
gained through trap in the centre of
the kitchen.
When Berthine reappeared she wore
cunning smile. She gave the jug of
cider to the Prussians.
When the soldiers had finished eating
they lay down to sleep about the table.
They stretched themselves on the floor
with their feet toward the fire, their
heads supported by their cloaks rolled
up for pillows, and soon they were snor-
ing in six different tones.
They had slept some time, when sud.
denly firing was heard without, and SC
plainly that seemed to be directed
against the walls of the house. The
soldiers rose at once. Two more re.
ports were heard, followed presently by
three others.
| Berthine appeared. She was appar
emily frightened. Her feet were bare
she wore a short skirt and carried 6
candle in her hand.
"The French are comingr' she ex
claimed. There are at least two hun
dred of them. If they find you here the,
will burn the house. Go into the celia
quickly and make no noise. If yoi
make a sound we are lost.
The officer, thoroughly frightened
said in low tone, "We will; we will
How shall we descend?"
The young woman quickly opened tn,
trap door and the six men disappeared
one after another, down the little wind
ing stair.
When the point of the last helmet haC
disappeared Berthine lowered the heav,
oaken plank, thick as wall and hard a,
steel, which was held in place by hinges
and lock, and, turning the key in tn,
lock, began to laugh 1t was low, hys
terical laugh. Then she suddenly evincet
an irresistible desire to dance over thu
heads of her prisoners.
Soon, however, she heard murmuring!
under her feet. The prisoners had di
vined the ruse, and presently the officer
mounted the little stair and began t.
pound the trap door with his fist. Agar
he cried, "Open the doorw
What do you want?" she asked.
"Open the door"
81 will not"
The man then became angry, and ex
claimed, "Open the door, or l will
break it in"
Then she began to laugh, saying
"Break it, my good man; break it,
and he began to knock with the butt enc
of his musket against the door of oal
closed above his head, but it resisted the
force of his blows.
The young woman went to the outel
door of the house, and, opening it
looked out into the night and listened
A distant sound fell upon her ear. TheI
she cried with all her might
"Ho, father"
"Ho, Berthinem a voice replied.
Presently the large shadow of mar
appeared where the moonlight fell be
tween the trees.
Il have the Prussians in the cellar
said the young woman.
"Pussians in the cellar? What Prus
|, slams? How did they come there?"
Berthine said laughing:-"They arr
those who were here the other day
They were lost in the forest, and an
keeping them cool in the cellar" Thei
/ she related the adventure, how sh,
J had frightened them with the report o
J the revolver, and had fastened them il
, the cellar.
"Well, what would you have me do a
this hour?" asked the old man.
) $50. and fetch NJ. Lavigne and hi
/ troops. He viii make them prisoners
and win be glad to do it,"
eyes, he viii be glad" said Fathe
3 Pichon, with smile, as he departed.
5 For long time Berthine remaine'
alone, with her eyes fixed ON the clock
/ From time to time the Prussians wer
! heard battering away at the tran doo