The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-21
AN ANEcDoTe OF "uNsER FRITZ"
He Saved for Fllippe the Cow Which
His Soldiers Were About to Eat.

His Soldiers Were About to Eat.
A contributor to The Sunday School
Visitor relates the following characteristic
incident Of Frederick William, crown
prince at the time the incident occurred
and afterward emperor of Germany: 1t
was during the war of 1870, when the Ger
man troops were marching on Paris, Flippe
Lerouge, young French girl living not
far from the city, had petcow, Fauchette,
which was almost the only support of her
family. To save the animal from the Ger
mans she was taken out to Craze only at
night and kept hidden in the daytime.
1t was Filippe's task, as soon as she had
cleared away the supper things, to take
Fauchette TO the meadow where she
grazed, and stand guard over her for the
hours necessary to give her sufficient time
for her meal. 1t was n lonely and dreary
vigil, and many times Filippe felt her
heart sink while undergoing it..
One night, when the new moon gave Just
enough light to make out objects clearly,
Filippe was suddenly startled by the sound
of horses feet coming along the road. 1t
needed no glance in that direction to know
that a body Of horsemen were approaching
at a slow gallop.
With the swiftness of the wind she flew
to Fauchette's side, and, with her hand on
the gentle creatures shoulder, was about
to push her away toward n clump Of tall
bushes. But through some carelessness
the bell had not been removed, and either
it gave out a tinklng sound or Filippe's
swift running had drawn attention to her
self. At any rate, before she could move
the COW, grufT voice called to her in her
own tongue;
"Hold on, therel We see you'll Don't
take that COW awayp
Overcome with terror, Filippe could only
stand with her hand against the cows
shoulder, looking in the direction whence
the grulf voice had come.
The soldiers had halted. Some had al
ready dismounted and were climbing the
fence Others tore a wide gap and entered
through it on their horses. How their
guns and sabers glittered in the moon
light!
Z "Oh, Fauchettep exclaimed Philippe, with
a burst of tears, as she threw her arms
around her dear cows neck, Il am afraid
they are going to kill you" Then with a
sudden determination she cried, But if
they do they shall kill me frst!'
Let go that COW, girl" said the same
harsh voice now unpleasantly near to her.
ave must have her"
"What do you want of her?" said Filippe,
raising her head and wondering at her own
bravery.
'To eat!" was the gruff response.
AT these words Filippe burst into tears.
To eatl Her beautiful Fauchette? No, 10,
mol
care you going to get away or not9" the
man asked again. IF you do not shall
take you away by force Gomez
She did not move, but stood with her
arms firmly clasped about the neck of
Fauchettc The officer turned to two of
the men, who had dismounted and were
standing near.
'Seize her!" he said
They started to obey orders. Filippe saw
them coming, and her screams rang far
and near, They were echoed by an angry
exclamation from the direction of the road,
and the next moment horseman OH
powerful horse came galloping through
the gap into the field.
He was man in the prime of life, with
an air that bespoke the commander. When
they saw him the men who had been about
to seize Filippe moved away. Only the
officer held his ground, looking confused.
"What does this meanf" sternly de-
manded the new conner. But he didn't
wait for an answer; he seemed to compre-
hend the situation at II glance.
"There, little girl, do not cry!" he said in
the kindest tones. "They shall not take
your COW. Go home with her 1t is late
for little girl like you to be out"
Then while Filippe, smiling through her
tears and courtesying, drew Fauchette
away, the commander turned and she could
hear him, after she had gone some dis
tance, angrily reprimanding the soldiers.
Filippe did not know until long after
ward that the noble looking horseman who
had come just in time to save her dear
Fauchette was no less a parsonage than
Frederick William, crown prince of Ger
many-the good "Unser Fritz" rs he was
called, who died so universally loved and
regretted.