The Durham daily globe., 1894-01-13

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died with shells, the sidewalks ploughed
up by grape shot, and the siege of Paris
generally when, a little before reaching
the Circle Of the Star, the doctor stopped,
and, pointing out to me one of those large
corner houses so pompously grouped
around the Arch of Triumph, said:
| "Do you see those four closed windows
up there on that balcony? Along about
the first of the month of August, that
terrible August of last year, so heavy
with reVerses and disasters, l was called
in there to case of apopIexy. The pa
tient was Colonel JouVe, cuirasser of
the First Empire, whose head had been
completely turned with his ideas Of glory
and patriotism, who had, in fact, soon
after the outbreak of the war, come to
lodge On the Champs ElYsees, in an
apartment opening on a balcony-can
you imagine for what? Why to be pres.
ent at the triumphal re entrance of our
troops. Poor old gentleman! The news
of Wittenburg reached him as he was at
table. Reading the name of Napoleon
written at the bottom of that bulletin Of
defeat, he had fallen, paralysed.
II found the old cuirassier stretched
full length upon the carpet Of the room,
his face flushed and lifeless, as if he had
received the blow of club on the head
Erect, he must have been very tall; in a
recumbent posture, he had the appear
ance of being almost gigantic. Of fine
features, elegant teeth, and with head
of curly white hair, he seemed no more
than 60 years of age, though in reality,
upwards of so. Beside him knelt his
granddaughter, weeping bitterly. So
did she resemble him that to see them
side by side, made one think Of two beau
the same die, only that one was little
time battered in its profile, the other re-
splendent in all the brilliancy Of new
cast.
The grief of the girl touched me. She
was the daughter, as we'll as grand
daughter, OF a soldier, for her father was
on MacMahon's staff, aud the sight Of the
old man, lying before her, called up in
: her mind another picture, no less terrible.
tried to comfort her, but had very little
hope, myself. We had to do with a well
defined case of paralysis, and at eighty
there is very little chance Of recovery
you know. For three days, in fact, the
patient remained in the same state of
stupOr.
"In the meantime the news of Reichs
hoffen reached Paris. You remember
2 how strangely that was: up to evening
We were all confident of grand victory
q with twenty thousand Prussians slain
and the Crown Prince taken prisoner.
by what miracle l don't know, bu
e the national Joy certainly touched re
sponsive chord in the sick mans breast
That evening when went te tell him
he was different man, almost. Hi:
: eye was almost clear and his tongue les!
5 coated He even smiled, and twice ar
ticulated, 'Victory!'
eyes, colonel said |, great ViCto
| ry', and as | went on to give him the de
5 tails of MacMahon's glorious triumph
e could see his features relax and his fac'
brighten.
when left his grand daughter wa
waiting for me at the door, sobbing.
"'But be is saved said |.
: "The poor girl could scarcely answer
They had just given out the bulletins o
: the true Reichshoffen, MacMahon il
flight, the whole army crushed w
; looked at each other in CONSERVATION
! she could not bear to think Of her father
5 and his probable death or capture; 10
my part | trembled for the old man
Most assuredly, he could not stand thi
: new reverse. And yet, how were We Il
r do? Leave Linn his joy, leave him L
;, cherish the Illusions which had brough
, him back to life! But, then, twas nee
= essary to deceive him. oh well, I'll d.
e it., said the heroic girl, brushing ava.
the tears, and all bravery, she went bacI
to her grandfsther's room.
:, 1T was severe task she had set her
/. self at first, 10 is true, the old gentlemal
was easily deceived, but with health, hi
mind grew clearer He had to be KEEP
posted about military affairs, the new
OF each day from the front. 1t was trui
: pathetic TO see that poor child, poTin
night and day over nap OF Germany
dogting it with little flags, forcing heE
self TO project a glorious campaign
o Bazaine was 10 move upon Berlin, / roIs
q SAINT was a. Baviere, MacMahon mus
{ strike for the Baltic. In it all she asket
my advice, and helped her as much
l could, but it was the grandfather him
= self. wh > saved US in this imaginary II
y vasion. So many times had he con
: quered Germany under lne First Empire
. He kne,, every move beforehand; Mo-
: this mast be their objective point here
Whist N .st be done and his prediction
II niah failed (