Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-10
Gales mud Sketfhts.
TIE MUTE OF THE vOsGEs.

Colonel Dubreuil and l had been talk
ing of the difficulty between England and
Russia. He was a French officer, who
had served through the Franco-Prussian
war. By natural transition, the CONVEX
sation turned on war in general. re-
lated some incidents of the heroism of .
few of the very young soldiers OF whom
had read.
"Ah, yes," said the Colonel, 1--WE had
many of those young martyrs with US in
our war with Prussia-not always soldiers,
either. the patriotism of our French
people is not only, as with you, senti-
ment-perhaps should say principle
leading certainly to great deeds. bet a
passion, a madness, which even possesses
The children. | will tell you a story.
which will never be forgotten in the
Vosges. where it occurred"
Jean was about fifteen years old
at the time of the Franco Prussian war.
His father owned farm in the Vosges. a
very small farm. bat as he was widow
err, with only two sons, Louis. about twen-
ty three, a handsome. intelligent young
man. and "petit JEAN" delicate bov,
who did not seem more than ten years
old-the farm sufficed amply for the
maintenance OF the three. Unfortunately
at the CONSUMPTION, Louis drew fatal
number, and was marched off with the
other village conscripts. But fortunately
as he considered it. ne found himself as
signed to the regiment OF Colonel st.
Amend, who was himself native OF the
Vosges, and had known Louis from the
young mans childhood. He knew him to
be brave, honest, and trustworthy. with
tar more intelligence than the average
peasant soldier. So he trusted him, sent
him on secret missions, his knowledge OF
the country enabling him to carry dis
patches 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 Prussians,
Louis laughed. ''By brute force, yes,
easy to trick them. If they catch me,
good night! But will pass many dis
patch 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 adrot dispatch bearer within the
French lines, 1t was whispered that, in
going to and fro, he always paid stolen
visit to his father at the farm. So. very
quietly. but persistently, close watch
was kept on the cottage. One dark and
stormy night the Prussian vigilence was
rewarded by seeing tall figure slip in at
the back door, and, as if by a signal, the
lights in the cottage were extinguished.
AS Louis and his father sat together in
the dark, whispering, for they dared not
talk aloud, heavy steps were heard out
side. and the door was soon crushed in by
ponderous blows. There was no time for
flight, for the two knew full we'll the cot
tage was surrounded.
One silent pressure of his fathers hand
in the darkness, and Louis recovered his
presence of mind. He cut a package of
papers from an inner pocket in the bosom
of his shirt, and said, in low voice, to
Jean, who was standing near him:
Here, Jean, take this packet. Thou
canst squeeze through the little hole in
the wall which joins the barn. Go through
the stable and bury these papers some
where. They must not be found-dost
thou hear-even if they kill thee"
The boy understood. BY the time the
Prussians had rushed through the
dismantled door and struck 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 All accessory. the business would
soon be settled. AS soon as day dawned
they would be shot
Now tor the dispatches They were
most important ones, and Captain Arm
helm thought with pride how well success
full vigilance was rewarded in the Prussian
army!
The soldiers tore off the young mans
peasant blouse and shirt, examining his
whole person. Not scrap of paper!
The dispatches of which thou art the
bearer; where are theyP" Numbered the
Prussian officer.
dispatches p' asked Louis, coolly.
"But, then. you see | have none"
What didst thou hide in here?" the
officer cried, tapping with his finger on
the cut pocket in the shirt. II know you
had them when you entered here. Give
them up this minute"
"Since you insist that have them-well
then search; search everywhere! You
will find they are not here"
"Search ~ cried Captain Arnheim to
his men. "He has had no chance to hide
them outside. Found or not, the spy's
fate is sealed; but the papers are of more
value than the lives of thousand peas
ant dogs like him."
There were but two small rooms in the
cottage and no loft. Every drawer was
pulled out, every box emptied Of its con-
tents, the flock bed opened and examined.
and even the very ashes in the fireplace
sifted.
Nothing anywhere.
The little hole in the wall did not ex-
cite any suspicion. 1t was too small.
they thought, for anything but dog or a
cat to pass through. Very much discour.
aged the Prussians were, when they heard
a stir outside, and a soldier entered, drag.
ging little Jean be hind him.
Found this child hiding under the
hedge" the soldier said, with military
salute.
"What were you hiding there ?" Capt
Arnheim cried, roughly
"Mep Nothing" Jean answered. his
face deathlike pale. but no fear in his
BRIGHT ewes and clear voice