The Princeton union., 1892-04-07

"Do you see those four closed win
dows above that balcony? In the
early days OF the month OF August,
that terrible month of August in 1870,
SO heavily freighted with disasters, 1
was summoned there to attend very
bad case OF apoplexy. It was at the
house OF Colonel Jouve, a cuirassier
OF the First Empire, an old man, in
fatuated with glory and full ofpatriot-
ism, who at the beginning OF the war
had come to live in the Champs Ely
sees, in an apartment over that bal
cony-and for what purpose, do you
suppose? To take part in the cele-
bration when our troops should re-
turn in triumph.
"Poor old man! When the news OF
the battle of Wissembourg came he
was about to rise from dinner. On
reading the name of Napoleon at the
end OF that bulletin of defeat he fell as
if struck down.
II found the old soldier lying at full
length on the carpet, his face purple
with blood and the veins sluggish as if
he had been stunned by heavy blow
on the head. When standing he
seemed to be very large man; lying
down his statue seemed immense. He
had handsome features, superb teeth,
a fleece of white curling hair and was
QO al oil l.
pear to be more than 60. Near him
was his granddaughter on her knees
and in tears. She resembled him.
Seeing them side by side made one
think of two beautiful Greek medal
lions from the same mold--the one,
however, being antique, with the con-
tours partially efaced, the other fresh
and clean cat. e
"The grief of the child touched me.
She was both the daughter and the
granddaughter of a soldier. Her
father was staff officer with
MacMahon, and the sight of that
grand old man lying before her called
up in her mind another image not less
terrible. reassured her as best
could; but l really had little hope, for
[ knew that at his age one could hardly
recover from such an illness. For
three days the patient layi in the same
condition of immobility and stupor.
''In the meantime news of the bat
tie OF Reischoffen reached Paris. You
remember in what q strange way it
came. Until evening we thought we
had gained great victory; that 2O,-
900 Prussians had been killed and
the Crown Prince made prisoner. I
know not by what miracle or magnet
ic current an echo of the national joy
reached that poor old man, lying mute
and helpless on his couch. On visit
ing him that night Ifound him alto
gether another man. His eye was al
most clear and his tongue lessthick. He
was able to smile at me and to STAN
mer, 'Vic-to-ryp
"'Yes, colonel, I answered, "a grand
victory ..
"By degrees, as related to him the
details Of McMahon's success I could
see his features relax and his face
brighten.
"When was about, to depart I
found theyoung girl awaiting me at the
door. She was pale and was sobbing.
But he is safe, : I said to her, tax
ing her hand in mine. u
''The poor child had scarcely the
courage to answer me. The truth in
regard to the battle OF Reischoffen had
just been made known. MacMahon
was IN retreat and his army was
crushed.
1--WE looked at each other in con-
sternation. She was in an agony of
doubt as to the fate other father. But
I trembled for the life of the old man.
I was sure that he would not be able
to survive this second blow. But
what was to be done? Clearly we
must not destroy the Joy, the Illusion
which had revived him. But it would
2 be necessary to lie.
'Oh, well, will lie,' said the young
girl heroically, as she quickly brushed
away her tears. Then, with bright
face, she returned to the chamber of
her grandfather.
"It was severe task which she had
undertaken. AT first, however, it
was not so difficult, for the old man
was very feeble and allowed himself
to be deceived, as if he were a child;
but with returning health his ideas
became more clear. 1t became neces-
sary to keep him informed of the
movements of the armies, to write out
military bulletins for him. 1t was in
deed pitiful to see the beautiful girl
bending night and day over map of
Germany in her efforts to plan a
glorious campaign. Bazaine was at
Berlin. F'rossard in Bavaria, Mac
Mahon at the Baltic. In all this she
asked my counsel, and / gave her
such advice as could; but it WAS her
grandfather, above all, who aided us
most in making this imaginary invas-
ion. He had taken, part in so MANY
conquests in Germany under the first
Empire! He knew all the routes.
''That' he would say, lis the way. tbev
will go; there is where they will fight
His predictions were always fulfilled.