The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-24

A SPIDERS PREDICTION.
HOW 1T CONTRIBUTED TO THE
DOWNFALL OF UTRECHT.
The Insects Prophecy Led Pichegru to
Wait and Attack Hollands Stronghold.
1t Foretold a Cold Spell-Dis Jonvafs
Observations Gave Him Liberty

Wait and Attack Hollands Stronghold.
1t Foretold a Cold SpelI-Dis Jonvafs
Observations Gave Him Liberty
A narrow prison cell, avian and haggard
inmate, gloom and damp.
A single window only, barely foot
square, heavily barred and SIX feet, aV
least, from the ground.
Prostrate upon a wretched heap OF straw
in corner was the prisoner not asleep
but watching intently; and watching
what. One might guess dozen times
and vet not hit upon the truth.
And the prisoner, upon his side upon his
hean of straw, his chin resting upon his
band and his elbow fixed upon the floor,
watched large SPIDERS web spun IN the
corner.
A curious place for a spider to rear mis-
airy castle-a corner of that dark cell
where the sunlight never came and fine
fat flies were few and far between.
For no crime had the Frenchman suf-
fered- for Dis Jonval was a Frank, born
and bred. He had simply talked of liberty
and equal rights to man within the do
minion of the potent stakeholder OF Hol-
land.
At first the Frenchman rejoiced that the
martyrs fate was his, and when be dis
covered the spider in the corner OF the
dungeon he talked to him of liberty and
brotherhood. But even the spider fed
from the sanguine republican. And !as
weeks grew into months Dis Jonval grew
weary of his confinement and pinned for the
free air of heaven. The stakeholder was
iron, tears and prayers moved him not
jot. Then, too, the "tricolor" menaced
Holland, and the French general, Piche-
CRU, with large force, was lowering on
the frontier like some huge bird Of prey
preparing for swoop upon his quarry.
The spider, toe, was a constant source of
consolation, and from long observations OF
she habits OF his black friend the French
man became wise. The spider never APP
peared during bad weather, and Dis Jonval
was able to predict frost at least week
previous TO its coming simply by watching
the spiders movements and noting his own
feelings, for he had observed that when the
spider kept securely housed he (he French
mani was usually troubled with bad
headache.
And while Dis Jonval was amusing him
self with these interesting observations
troublous times came to Holland.
Pichegru, with an overwhelming force,
dUFduCt0 SQQOtulN dEICSS bAC DOINCl. 1hC
stakeholder did not attempt to dispute the
march Of the Frenchman. He simply re-
tired, and when the French army was well
in the center of the land he adopted
against the invaders the old time tactics
that years before had baffled Spanish Alva,
and had cost French kings brother, the
Duke of Anjou, splendid army. The
word was given and the dykes were cut; a
OF ntrxy Tho of IT below
the level of the sea, Pichegru found in the
Holland seas a far greater foe than was
the Holland armies. The Dutchland was
all a swamp; the Frenchman could not
advance-could hardly retreat; the fate of
Apjou and his gallant army seemed in
store for him. He had waited until winter
set in before he had given the command
for the forward movement, for the willy
Gaul had anticipated the tactics of the
Holland commander. But the weather
had suddenly shifted around, and an al
most summer mildness reigned over the
land And affairs were thus on the morn
ing when the prisoner of Utrecht lay at
full length upon his pallet and watched
for his friend the spider.
The jailer brought the prisoner his break
fast, a sorry repast enough, for the prudent
Dutchman knew that there was nothing
like simple food to reduce hot blood and
curb impetuous wills.
You do not eat, mynheer," said the
jailer, who leaned by the door, swung his
keys musically and watched the prisoner.
Il have little appetite"
THAT is bad the jailer remarked
thoughtfully; "mynheer should eat and
keep his strength"
Dis Jonvai made a wry face.
Bah! such food as this is enough to take
away the appetite of well man, let alone
sick man" the Frenchman said.
That is true, mynheer," the jailer re-
Piled; ''the food is coarse, but ] will see
that you have better dinner, although
20 against my instructions and would suf
fer if the government should find it out"
THE matter is between US two," Dis
Jonval rejoined. 'Ishall say nothing. and
~ Judge that you will not care to speak of
it"
"I feel more inclined to do you a kind
ness, mynheer, because two days ago l
thought it might be probable that we
should change places-you become the
jailer and the prisoner"
How sos" asked the Frenchman in as
constituent.
The jailer then related to Dis Jonval
what had transpired during the past week.
He told of Pichegru's advance, how the
French general had threatened the capture
of Utrecht, and lad only been prevented
from taking The town by thecutting of the
dykes and the flooding of the country with
water. .&-,-,a ...,-, -
You see, mynheer," said the jaler in
conclusion, your countrynen depended
upon hard weather. IL frost had come
he certainly would have taken the city, but
as it is he viii soon have to retreat TO Bel
GUM"
"Hark We, Botolf," said Dis Jonval, IF l
could get note TO Pichegru he would be
sure to procure my release by intercession
with the stakeholder, possibly by exchsng-
ing prisoner for me- Now will you do
me good turn-give me pen, ink and pa
per, and afterward smuggle the note
through the line TO the French genersl2"
Il could do that easily enough" the
jailer said, thoughtfully. My brother is
turning pretty penny now by supplying
Pichegru with fresh provisions, but"-and
he heSitated.
do not fear; what possible information
can /. poor, helpless prisoner, convey 10
Pichegru7"
THAT is true" the jailer said. 1T is a
bargain"
French general TO receive note dated
the note contain?
a simple explanation .bout the spider,
who had not appeared for three days. and
the writer's headache. Within week he
predicted hard frost and prayed Pichegru
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