The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-12-28
miscellaneous.
Welded IN HEAVEN.

Deep snow covers the north of Franco.
Tho thermometer is almost at zero. The
cold is intense, but the heart of the people
is burning redhot with indignation and a
desire for vengeance on the invaders OF
their hearths and homes. Poor souls! Lit
tie do they know of the state of affairs OF
their now unhappy country. They do not
even stop to inquire, but look upon Gam
BETA as god.
After the disaster of Sedan and the sur
render of Metz, LA Pucelle, the German
Army of the North is covering the siege
of Paris, not yet surrendered. 1t Is under
the command of General Won Cohen,
whose Headquarters are at Amiens, COM
handing the line of the Somme and guard
ing the road to Paris. The command of
tho French Army of the North has fallen
| to General Faidherbe If the term army
can be applied to some go, 600 men COM
posed of the depots of different line regl-
ments uuartered at Lille, Douay and
Cambria, stragglers from other corps, Mo-
| biles, franc-tireurs, one solitary squadron
of dragons and an artillery com
posed mostly of fortress guns. But RAID
herbe was bravo soldier and capable
general, one of the few, alas! for france
Already at Bapaume he had nearly COM
PEELED the Germans to eyacuate Amlens
and abandon the line of the Somme when
darkness came on, and the advantage he
had gained was lost by re-enforcements
| arriving during the night, and 1t is i'm
| mediately after this action that our story
commences.
The billeting of the German troops In
and around Amiens had been heavy and
haor lint To NJ
SO disastrous did it prove as to Captain de
Monceaux, a retired cavalry officer who
had fought with distinction at Magenta
and Solferino A fno specimen of the old
French soldier was Alfred de Monceaux.
with the courage of a lion he combined
the heart of a woman. He resided In
uretty little cottage in the outskirts OF
Amiens, on the Bapaume road, and his
household consisted of son, then with his
regiment under Faidherbe; his only daugh-
ter, Louise de Monceaux, and faithful
servant, Suzanne. At Is years OF age
Louise was certainly the most beautiful
girl in tho reimbursement. She was idol
| lied by her father and spoiled and petted
by Suzanne 1t was ON Nov. 20, 1870, the
battle of Amiens having taken place on
the previous day, the dull evening had
closed in with heavy fall of snow. inc
captain and his daughter had just seated
themselves at their humble supper, the OLD
man with a sad, grave expression on MS
face, his daughter pale and nervous, when
the tramping sound of footsteps outside
| caused them both to start. Then came
heavy knock at the door. They both rose
to their feet
Come in," said the captain, drawing
| himself IN tO his full height
The door opened, and q sergeant OF the
Fifty-seventh Prussian regiment entered.
| The moment he caught sight OF the cap
tain instinct made him salute.
| Pardon, monsieur" he said In toler-
able French, but an officer, his servant
and three horses are quartered on you.
| They will arrive shortly"
II have only four rooms, sergeant. One
is occupied by my daughter, one by my
self, and the third by my servant, and
there is this room. 1 have no stabllng."
| Sorry, but must obey orders. 5" And the
sergeant produced piece of chalk, marked
the door, saluted and left.
| For q moment there were CONSERVATION
and exclamation. Then Louise burst into
tears, speedily followed by Suzanne.
Come come" said the old soldier,
| forcing a smile. Remember, Louise, you
arc soldiers daughter. This is war, and
we cannot make war with rosewater.
"Oh, my father, what will these wretches
dor They will insult us!''
Not while am here, my child"
They will murder us" sobbed Su-
zanne.
"Now, don't be foolish, but let us rath-
| er think what to do"
| Finally it was thus arranged: Louise
was to give up her room to the officer and
| with Suzanne take possession of her IA
theirs room. The private was to havc Sn-
zanne's room. and bed was to be made
I'D for the captain in the lumber room un-
| der the roof. Scarcely had these arrange
ments been completed when another knock
sounded ut the door, and on the invitation
to enter the latch was lifted, and tall
cavalry officer, enveloped in long blue
greatcoat, entered, followed by hussar
bearing some baggage.
II am sorry to disturb you, sir, /" he said
politely in excellent FRENCH, but I am
told am billeted here. The major gave
me to understand that you were an old
soldier who had seen much service. You
WILL therefore, understand that-that"-
Perfectly, sir, and 1 will endeavor to
make you as comfortable as my poor little
cottage will permit. l am entirely at your
orders. As to your horses, regret that
Hearing you had no stabling, have
arranged for them close by, SO please do
not distress yourself. My name is Ru-
dolph Won Armsdorf, lieutenant in the
Seventh Kings hussars. May my servant
place my baggage in the room am to oc-
cupy3"
The distinguished courtesy of manner