The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-10-12
&EnLd31oNs
MONUMENT TO JOAN OF ARC.

Bronze Equestrian statue Raised In Her
Honor at Chinon.
Sunday | went out from Paris to a
"little village of great renown.' which
Pantagruel declared to be the Oldest in
the world. because, as facetious Rabelias
makes him say, the original name Of
Chlnon was Caino, and that was got
from Cain himself, the first builder of
towns and Cities Chinon is indeed old,
but not interesting on that
alone.
Four hundred and sixty-four years ago
a certain damsel of Domremy, in the
Vosges, was inspired to go from her ma
tive place to the town, where an indolent
king was passing his time in doing moth
ing. and to humbly solicit of him the
honor and privilege of leading his troops
against the English, who were then mas
ter Of three-fourths of French territory.
1t was a difficult task that which Joan
of Arc undertook, for he who persona
fed France at that time was a pale, Ian
gushing, sensual young man Of 90 years,
who seemed to have given up hope of
ever being the real ruler of France, In
his castle, looking down on the river
Vienne, he passed his time in fetes, gal |
lantries and miserable court intrigues. /
and at no time in her history had France
sunk to such low degree. 1t was then
that the peasant girl of Domremy went
to see the king. and in commemoration |
OF her visit to the place in 1429 the town
OF Chinon determined to erect a bronze
monument in her honor which would
last forever.
1t was to assist at the Inauguration of
this ''bronze equestrian Statue" an ug-
ly, hideous thing, though the cause it
represents is sacred, that l took a train
Sunday morning early and went down
that part Of France which is called
fair Touraine.
When Joan reached the castle. the
courtiers opposed her entrance and de-
clared that the king would be humiliat-
ing himself if he received this common
shepherd girl. But she went into a great
hali lighted by so torches, where Charles
VII, surrounded by 800 noblemen dress
ed IN magnificent costumes, awaited her
coming. To test her he put one Of his
Tilted subjects in the place of honor and
half hid himself among the ~courtiers.
Joan went directly up to him, bent
and respectfully kissed his knees.
denied himself to her. whereupon she
Gentle prince. this is you and none
very well, what wilt thou have of
ne:' asked the dauphin, for, though king
n fact, he was not SO officially, not vet
been crowned.
Most noble lord" she replied. II am
allied Jeanne, the maiden, and | have j,
to you, aided by God. to help YOU
Jake war on the English" {
The king smiled. whereupon Jeanne I
ontinued: You do not believe me. .
Veil, l tell you that God, yielding to the |
rayers OF st. Louis and st. Charlemagne.
as taken pity on you and your people,"
Nv no art thou that speaks thus:' de- \
landed Charles. q
Il am only a poor peasant" she an '
who knows not how to read or
rite. but under arms | shall be your '
and God will be your salvation. q
Struck by these words, the king spoke
her alone for awhile, and then he said n
all the court. This young girl has NV v
ltire confidence" c
Such is the true story of what passed u
the old castle above Chinon 46i years d
70, and such Is the reason why a bronze e
has been stood up in the Touraine
wn that Overlooks the Vienne river
)r. Boston Herald.