The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-08-20
these interesting observa lions. troublous times

these interesting observa dons troublous times
| came to Holland.
| Pchegru advanced suddenly across the border.
The stakeholder did not attempt to dispute the
march of the Frenchman. He simply retired. and
when the French army was we'll in the centre Of
the land. he adopted against the invaders the old
time tactics that years before had bafaed the
Spanish Alva, and had cost a French kings
brother, the Duke of Anjou, splendid army.
The word was given and the bikes cut. The
Dutchland was all a swamp the Frenchman could
not advance-could hardly retreat the fate of
Anjou 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 move
ment. for the wiley Gaul had anticipated the tao.
tics of the Holland commander But the weather
had suddenly shifted around. and an almost sum.
mer mildness reigned over the land. And affairs
were thus on the morning when the prisoner of
Utrecht lay full length upon his pallet and watched
for his friend the spider.
The jailer brought the prisoner his breakfast,
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 jaier, who
leaned by the door, swung his keys unsteady, and
watched the prisoner.
81 have little appetite"
THAT is bad the jailer remarked thoughtfully
"Mynheer should eat and so keep his strength
De Jonval made wry face.
Bah. such food as this is enough to take away
the appetite of we'll man. let alone sick man."
the Frenchman said.
"That is true. mynheer." the jailer replied.
1.-THE food is coarse, but will that you have a
better dinner, although go against my instruc-
tions. and would suffer if the government should
find it OUT
1.-THE matter is between two" De Jonval re.
joined. II shall say nothing, and judge you will
not care to speak of it,
II feel more inclined to do you kindness, myn-
heer. because two days ago thought it might be
probable that should change places-you be-
come jailer and the prisoner
"How so?' asked the Frenchman in astonish-
ment.
The jailer then related to De 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 had only
been prevented from taking the town by the cut
ting of the dikes and the flooding of the country
with water
You see, mynheer," said the jailer in conclu-
sion, your countryman depended upon hard
weather If frost had he surely would have
taken the city, but it is he must retreat to
Belgium"
"Hark ye, Betof,'' said De Jonval. "if could
get note to Pichegru. he would be sure to secure
my release by intercession with the stakeholder,
possibly exchanging prisoner for me. Now will
you give good turn; give me pen and ink.
and paper. afterward smuggle the note through
the lines to the French general?'
II could do that easily enough the jailer said
thoughtfuly. MY brother is turning pretty
penny now by supplying Pichegru with fresh pro-
visions. but'-and he hesitated.
do not fear; what possible information can l.,
IA poor. helpless prisoner, convey to PichegruP'
THAT is true,' the jailer said. ut is bargain
Great was the establishment of the French gen.
eral to receive a note dated from the prison at
Utrecht. And what did the note contain?
simple explanation about the spider who had
not appeared for three days, and the writer's
headache. Within week he predicted hard
frost, and implored Pichegru not to fall back
The general knew De Jonval; he resolved to
wait a week, and then-true prophet, o spider!-
there came the hardest frost that Holland had
known for 100 years. The waters were bound with
an icy chain. The French advanced. Utrecht fell.
and De Jonval was released. To the spiders
ing the prisoner of Utrecht owed his release
Selected