The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-12-26
Welded IN HEAVEN.

geance on the invaders of their hearts
aud homes. Poor souls, Little do they
know of the state of affairs of their
now unhappy country. They do not
even stop to inquire, but look upon
Gambetta a. god.
After the disaster OF Sedan and the
surrender Of Metz, ia Pucelle," the
German Army of the North is cover
ing the siege of Paris, not yet surren-
dered. |. is under the command of
General won Cohen, whose headquar-
ters are at Amiens, commanding the
line 81 the Somme and guarding the
road 10 Paris. The command of the
French Army Of the North has fallen
II General Faidherbe, if the term army
can be applied TO some 60,oo0 men COM
posed of the depots of different line
regiments quartered at Lille, Douay
and Cambria, stragglers from other
corps. Mobiles, franc-tireurs, one soli-
tary squadron of Dragons and an ar
tiliery composed mostly of fortress
guns. But Faidherbe was brave sol
der and a capable general, one of the
few, alas, for France. Already at Ba-
paume he had nearly compelled the
Germans 10 evacuate Amiens and
abandon the line of the SOmme when
darkness came on. and the advantage
he had gained was lost 10y reinforce
ments arriving during the night, and
il Is Immediately after this action that
Our story commences.
The billeting of the German troops
in and around Am;ens had been heavy
and the burden griev0us TO bear, bat To
none - disastrous did it prove As to
Captain De Monceaux, a retired caval-
~ officer who had fought with dis
tinction az Magenta and SolferinO. A
fine specimen of the old French sol
der was Alfred de Monceaux. With
the courage OF a lion he combined the
heart of woman. He resided in a
pretty little cottage in the outskirts of
Amiens, on the Bapaume road, and his
household consisted Of a son, then with
his regiment under Faidherbe; his on
~ daughter, Louise de MOnceauX, and
faithful servant, Suzanne. At Is
wears of age Louise was certainly the
most beautiful girl in the Srrondise-
ment. She was idolized by her father
and spoiled and petted by Suzanne.
1t was on Nov. %, 1870, the battle of
Amiens having taken place on the pre-
vious day. the dull evening had closed
in with a heavy fall of snow. The
captain and his daughter had just seat
ed themselves at their humble supper,
the old man with a sad, grave expires
sion on his face, his daughter pale and
nervous, when the tramping sound of
footsteps outside caused them both to
start. Then came a heavy knock at
the door. They both rose TO their
feet.
''Come in, said the captain, draw
ing himself up to his full height.
The door opened, and sergeant of
the Fifty-seventh Prussian regiment
entered. The moment he caught sight
of the captain instinct made him sa-
Lutte.
Pardon, monsieur he said in to!-
cradle French, "but an officer, his ser
want and three horses are quartered on
You. They will arrive shortly"
Il have only four rooms, sergeant.
One is occupied by my daughter, one
by myself, and the third 10y my ser
want, and there is this room. L have
no stabling"
sorry, but must obey orders" And
the sergeant produced piece of chalk,
marked the door, saluied and depart
ed.
For moment there were consterna-
tion and exclamation. Then Louise
burst in'o tears, speedily followed by
Suzanne
''Come, come,n said the old soldier,
forcing a smile. Remember, Louise,
YOU are soldiers daughter. This is
war, and We cannot make war with
rosewatern
"oh, my father, what will these
wretches do: They will insult usr'
Not while am here, my daught-
or."
''They VIII murder u.s. sobbed Sd
zanne.
''Now, don't be foolish, but let Us
rather 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 fathers room. The private was 10
have Suzanne's room, and bed was
10 be made up for the captain in the
lumber room under the root. Scarcely
had these arrangements been complet-
ed when another knock sounded AT
the door, and on the invitation to en-
ter the latch was lifted, and a tall cav
airy officer, enveloped in long blue
greatcoat, entered, followed by hus-
sar bearing some baggage.
Il am sorry to disturb you, sir" he
said politely in excellent French, "but
l ann told | am billeted here. The
major gave me to understand that you
We're an old soldier who had seen much !
service. You will, therefore, under |
stand that-that''-
Perfectly, sir, and ] will endeavor
Il make YOU as comfortable as my poor |
little cottage viii permit. am entire
~ at your orders. A. to your horses,
] regret that
Hearing you had no stabling, / |
have arranged for them close by, so
please do not distress yourself. Ny |
name is Rudolph Won Armsdorf, lieu |
tenant in the Seventh Kings hussars.
May my servant place my baggage in
the room am TO occupy??"
The distinguished courtesy of man. |
ner and soft veice of the Prussian hus-
sar at once made a favorable impress
ion on the captain, who proceeded to
show the way, followed 10y the soldier
servant, a good natured looking, stupid |
fellow.
This i the best can do, SIR said |
the captain, showing him into Louise's |
room, II viii now go and have some |
supper prepared"
pray, monsieur, oblige me by do