Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-05-08

"''en berthne reappeared she wore
cunning smile She gave the jug Of
claer to the prussans
When the soldiers had finished eat
lng they lay down to sleep about the
'aOle' They stretched themselves on
'ae loor with their feet toward the
ule' their heads supported by their
'iO'ks rolled Up for pillows, and soon
'aey We're snoring in six different tones
Ihey had slept some time. when
suddenly firing was heard without. and
soplainly that it 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 appa-
Fently frightened. Her feet were bare,
she wore a short skirt and carried
candle in her hand
"Ihe French are coming" she eX-
Claimed. "There are at least two hun
dred Of them. If they find you here
: they will burn the house. Go into the
cellar quickly and make no noise If
you make sound we are lost.
The officer, thoroughly frightened,
said in a low tone, I'VE will; we will.
How shall we descen / p
! The young woman quickly opened
the trap door and the six men disap-
peared, one after another, down the
little winding stair.
When the point of the last helmet
had disappeared Berthine lowered the
heavy oaken plank, thick as wall and
hard as steel, which was held in place
by hinges and a lock, and, turning the
key in the lock, began to laugh. 1t was
ia low, hystericaI laugh. Then She
suddenly evinced an irresistible desire
to dance over the heads of her prison
ers
Soon, however, she heard murmur-
1ings under her feet. The prisoners
had OWNED the ruse, and presently
the officer mounted the little stair and
began to pound the trap door with his
fist. Again lie cried, "Open the door,
"What do you want?' she asked.
"Open the door"
a will not"
The man became angry, and ex-
claimed, "Open the door, or | will
break it in
Then she began to laugh, saying
'ABreak it, my good man, break it, .
and he began to knock with the butt
end of his musket against the door OF
oak closed above his head, but it re-
sisted the force Of his blows.
The young woman went to the outer
door Of the house, and. opening it,
looked out into the night and listened.
A distant sound fell upon her ear.
Then she cried with all her might
lilo, father.
"lIo, Berthine!' a voice replied.
Presently the large shadow O. man
appeared where the moonlight fell be
tween two trees
a have the Prussians in the cellar, -
said the young woman.
"Prussians in the cellar? What
Prussans? How did they come there ?"
Berthine said, laughing They are
those who were here the other day
They were lost in the forest, and | am
keeping them cool in the cellar. 3"
Then she related the adventure, how
she had frightened them with the re-
port Of the revolver, and had fastened
them in the cellar.
well, what would you have me do
at this hour?' asked the old man.
Go and fetch NJ. Lavigne and his
troops lie will make them prisoners,
and will be glad to do it
Yes, he will be glad,' said Father
rlchon, with a smile, as he departed.
For long time Berthine remained
alone, with her eyes fixed on the
clock. From time to time the Prus-
SLAMS We're heard battering away at
the trap door with their muskets At
length, thinking it time for the troops
70 arrive, Berthine opened the door
ana listened. Soon she saw shadows
moving IN the forest. They were the
shadows Of NJ. Layigne's men. There
We're 2oo Of them, and each carried 200
cartridges.
n. Layigne arranged his troops so
as 70 surround the house. Then he
snoeleo lhe dwelling and informed
alllissll and,s Of the force and position Of the
NJ. Layigne stamped on the trap
aoor' calling to the Prussian officer
me latter made no reply. Again NJ.
LaYlgne called, but in vain. After a
4apse OF twenty minutes he summoned
- 'ne oiheer tosurrender. promisingthat
.He hYes Of himself and his men should
oe spared and that they should receive
sooa treatment. There was no sign
- ~ cdpitalation. Then the command.
a"e arranged his plan of attack.
Let PIanchut and his men come
mere he said. Planchut. who was a
1lne worker, and two of his assistants
approached.
j.. Tear down tho cutters and the
"a'efspout from the roof"
IN quarter of an hour fully 6ftv
lset l Of these wooden cutters wers
oiouSht. Then he had a little hole
,naae at the edge of the trap door and
formed a pnnd,,it F