The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-04-08
THE MUTE OF THE VOSGES.

Jean v was about Is years old at
the time of the Franco -Prussian war.
His father owned farm in the Vosges,
a very small farm, but as he was a
widower, with only two sons-Louis
about %, handsome, intelligent young
man, and ''petit JEAN" delicate boy,
who did not seem more than 10 years
old-the farm sufficed amply for the
maintenance of the three. Unfortu-
nately, at the conscription Louis drew q
fatal number and was marched off with
the other village conscripts. But for
tunately, as he considered it, he found
himself assigned to the regiment of Col.
st. Amand, who was himself native of
the Vosges, and had known Louis from
the young mans childhood. He knew
him to be brave, honest, and trust
worthy, with far more intelligence than
the average peasant soldier. So he
trusted him, sent him on secret mis-
sions, his knowledge of the country en-
abling him to carry dispatches through
the German lines which separated the
army of Metz from the rest of France.
Three times this dangerous mission was
successfully accomplished.
''But they are betes, the big Prus-
sians," Louis laughed. ..By brute
force, yes, they can crush, but they are
so stupid it is easy to trick them. Ii
they catch me, goodnight! But l will
pass many dispatch under their big
noses yet"
But somehow it became known among
the German forces stationed near the
Vosges that the eldest son of the old
Farmer V was the most dangerous
spy and adroit dispatch-bearer within
the French lines. 1t was whispered that
in going TO and fro he always paid a
visit to his father at the farm. So, very
quietly but persistently, close watch
was kept upon the cottage. One dark
and stormy night the Prussian vigilance
was rewarded by seeing tall figure
slip in at the back door, and, as if by
signal, the lights in the cottage were
eXtinguished.
in the dark, whispering, for they dared
not talk aloud, heavy steps were heard
outside and the door was soon crushed
in by ponderous blows. There was no
time for flight, for the two knew full
well that the cottage was surrounded.
One silent pressure of his fathers
hand in the darkness and Louis recov-
cred his presence of mind. He cut
package of papers from an inner pocket
in the bosom of his shirt and said in q
low voice to Jean who was standing
near him:
Here. Jean, take this packet Thou
cans't squeeze through the little hole in
the wall which joins the barn. Go
through the stable and bury these pa
pers somewhere. They must not be
found-dost thou hear-even if they kill
thee''
The boy understood. BY the time
the Prussians had rushed through ths
dismantled door and struck a light he
had pushed himself through the hole
and was out of sight. Brutal hands
seized Louis and his father and dragged
them to the middle of the room. The
son spy, the father an accessory, the
business would be soon settled. As
soon as day dawned they would be
shot.
Now for the dispatches! They were
most important ones, and Capt. Arm
helm thought with pride how well sue
cessful vigilance was rewarded in the
Prussian army!
The soldiers tore off the young mans
peasant blouse and shirt, examining
his whole person. Not a scrap of pa
per!
The dispatches of which thou art the
bearer; where are they?" thundered the
Prussian officer.
Dispatches" asked Louis, coolly.
"But, then, you see, have none"
'What didst thou hide in herep" the
officer cried, tapping with his finger on
the cut pocket in the shirt Il know
you had them when you entered here.
Give them up this minute"
''Since you insist that have them
well, then, search; search everywherei
You will find they are not here"
Search" cried Capt. Arnheim to his
men. HE has had no chance to hide
them outside. Found or not, the spy's
fate is sealed; but tho papers are of
more value than the lives of a thousand
peasant dogs like him."
There were but two small rooms in
the cottage and no loft. Every drawer
was pulled out, evc'y box emptied of its
contents, the flock-bed opened and ex-
amined, and even the very ashes in the
fireplace sifted.
The little hole in the wall did not ex-
cite any suspicion. 1t was too small,
they thought, for anything but dog Oh
cat to pass through. Very much dis
couraged, the Prussians were, when
they heard stir outside, and soldier
entered. dragging little jean after him.
The child held his hands behind him.
"Tound this child hiding under the
hedge" the soldier said, with mill
tary salute.
What were you hiding therep" Capt.
Arnheim cried, roughly.
"Me? Nothing" Jean answered, his
face death-like pale, but no fear in his
bright eyes and clear voice.
..Hold out your hands this minuter'
The boy obeyed. Very dirty hands
they We're covered with mud and sand.
1T is he who has hidden the papersr'
cried the officer, furiously. Look at
his hands! He has buried them some
where. Speak instantly, boy! Where
are theyP"
Jean remained silent. The Prussian
looked at him, saw the resolution in the
childish face, and suddenly changed his
tone.
Listen, boy" he said, quietly. THAT
is thy father, is ii not, and that thine
only brother?''
Jean nodded assent.
VERY we'll. If thou wilt not tell
where the papers are hidden they shall
both be shot at daylight. But show
where the dispatches are, and, on the
word of an officer and a gentleman,
will strain point and give them their
lives
Jean, paler than before, looked at his
father.
.'Jean," cried the old peasant, listen
we'll to what say. If they kill us be-
fore thee do not tell them. We would moi
take the life bought by thy treachery,
and we would hate thee. Be brave and
firm