Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-11-15
JEAN BART.
Incident In the Life of tho Famous Old
Frenchman.


Frenchman.
One of the French war-ships which
took part in the Columbia naval re-
view at New York was named the
Jean Bart. AS the ship was one OF
the first class, and attracted conse-
oueutly a great deal Of attention, no
little curiosity was aroused by It's
name, which to most people seemed
a strange one. In books OF reference
people were told that Jean Bart was
a French Admiral who hourlShei at
the close of the seventeenth century,
and who, beginning life as a dsher-
man, rose tc high rank, and became
a popular hero; but none OF the cur
rent biographies contain any or the
curious and amusing anecdotes ABOUT
him which nave come down from the
lime when he lived.
One OF these stories will serve 10
show what sort of man Jean Bart
was When he had made a brilliant
record as kind OF buccaneer, and
shown that he was a much ADLER sea-
warrior than any OF the officers OF
noble birth who commanded the navy,
King Louis made him first 4 lieuten-
ant and then the captain of frigate,
in which position he greatly distin-
guished himself.
One day, while several elegant
courtiers were waiting in the great
rnOnarch's antechamber for an inter
view with the King, rather rough
looking sailor came In. The courtierS
aud attendants were greatly shocked,
but the sailor announced that he was
Jean Bart and that he had come to
see the King. One of his men,
Keyser, had been condemned to death
for killing a man in duel, and he
was going to ask the King to pardon
him.
''But, Monsieur lie Capitaine," said
the attendant, have you royal in
vitation emitting you to an au-
dience?"
"a royal invitation" exclaimed
the Captain. What do L want of
that? The King and I are good
friends. No need of all that nonsense
between us! You just tell him that
Jean Bart wants u talk to him, and
that'n be enough"
But 1 can't announce any one
who hasn't an invitation" said the
attendant"
'.All right" said Jean Bart; "I'll
announce myself"
He bounded toward the door of the
Kings apartment, very much as if
nc were starting TO run up a main
mast. The attendant with pale
lace, placed himself before him, ex-
claiming:
But the Kings ordersi Don't you
obey the Kings Orders?h
"Oh we'll" said the sailor, 'ff it
comes to that, I'll wait. won't go
against the Kings orders"
He sat down among the astonished
courtiers, took out pipe and some
tobacco, struck light with his flint
and tinder, and began to smoke. The
attendant protested that no one
smoked in the Kings antecham Der;
but Jean Bart insisted that when he
was waiting he always smoked.
Put him Outr some one whis-
pered; but no one ventured to do more
than whisper it. Soon the King
learned what was going on. and
ordered Jean Bart in as soon as he
should have finished his pipe. The
interview, in which Jean Bart con-
Quoted himself with all due respect
TO the King, ended in the granting
Of Keyser's pardon, and Jean Bart
came back into the courtiers' pres
ence triumphant.
They all crowded about the bluff
Captain, very ooseq uious to him now.
and completely blocking his exit He
was 10 great haste to carry the pardon
to Keyser.
"Oh, tell US, Monsieur Jean Bart"
the courtiers began to exclaim, tell
US how you got out OF the harbor OF
Dunkirk, when you were blockaded
there by the English feetm
You want TO know, eh?" asked
the Captain, pausing.
Certainly" they exclaimed.
still more closely about
him.
All right Pll show you just how
twas done. Look here; Pm Jean
Bart, amt 1? Well, this room is the
harbor OF Dunkirk, and YOU fellows
are the English feet blockading me;
and now"
Whack! bang! whack! Jean Bart
laid about him, now administering a
cuff, now kick, and very forcibly
clearing way toward the door As
be reached it, he exclaimed:
And that's the way, gentlemen,
that / got out OF Dunkirk harbor
when l was blockaded there by the
English fleet! Good d-by"
The war-ship that bears the name
Of this redoubtable sea-dog should ba
q formidable antagonist.