The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-01-12

unandIng the line or the Somme ana guaro
ing the road to Paris. The command Of
the French Army of the North has fallen
to General Faidhcrbe, II the term army
can be applied to some 90, 600 men DOM.
posed Of the depots of different line regi.
ments quartered 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 Faid-
herbe was brave soldier and capable
general, one of the few. alas! for France.
Already Mt Bapaume he had nearly CON-
PEELED the Germans to evacuate Amiens
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.
mediatcly after this action that our story
commences.
The billcting of tho German troops In
and around 4Amicns had been heavy and
the burden grievous to bear, but to none
so disastrous did it prove as to Captain dc
Monccaux, q retired cavalry officer who
had fought with distinction at Magenta
and Solferino. A fine specimen Of the old
French soldier was Alfred de Monceaux.
With the courage of 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 son, then with his
regiment under Faidherbe; his only daugh-
,er, Louise de Monceaux, and faithful
servant, Suzanne. At Is years OF age
Louise was certainly the most beautiful
girl In the reimbursement. She was idol
lied by her father and spoiled and petted
by Suzanne. 1t was on Nov. 30, 1870, the
battle of Amiens having taken place on
The previous day, the dull evening had
closed in with heavy fall Of snow. The
captain and his daughter had just seated
themselves at their humble supper, the old
man with a sad, grave expression on his
face, his daughter pale and nervous, when
The tramping sound of footsteps outside
caused them both to start. Then came o
heavy knock at the door. They both rose
to their feet.
Come in" said the captain, drawing
himself up to his full height.
The door opened, and a 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 tho third by my servant, and
there Is this room. / have no stabling."
'Sorry, but must obey orders" And the
sergeant produced piece of chalk, marked
the door, saluted and left.
For moment there were CONSERVATION
and exclamation. Then Louise burst into
tears, speedily followed by Suzanne.
Come, come" said the old soldier,
forcing smile. Remember, Louise, you
sre u soldiers daughter. This is war, and
VIC cannot make war with rosewater."
"Oh, my father, what will these wretches
los They will insult us!'
mot while am here, my child"
"They will murder u.s." sobbed Su-
sanne.
"Now, don't be foolish, but let us rath-
n think what to do"
Finally 1t was thus arranged: Louise
vas to give up her room to the officer and
with Suzanne take possession of her IA
hers room. The private was to have Su-
room, and bed was to be made
up for the captain in the lumber room un-
Ter tho roof. Scarcely had these arrange
nents been completed when another knock
sounded Mt the door, and on the invitation
% enter the latch was lifted, and tall
.avalry officer, enveloped In long blue
entered, followed by q 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 / will endeavor to
make you MS comfortable as my poor little
cottage will permit. am entirely at your
orders. AS to your horses, regret that
Hearing you had no stabling, I have
arranged for thom close by, SO please do
not distress yourself. My name Is Ru-
iolph Won Armsdorf, lieutenant In the
Kings hussars. May my servant
place my baggage In the room am to CO.
,upy'"
The distinguished courtesy Of manner
ind soft voice of the Prussian hussar at
once made favorable impression on the
captain. who proceeded to show the way,
followed by the soldier servant, q good ma
,ured looking, stupid fellow.
"This Is tho best can do, sir, said the
captain, showing him into Louise's room.
Il will now 60 and have some supper pre-
pared"
Pray. monsieur. oblias ma hS dnirs