The sea coast echo., 1895-08-31

lhcV, tne history OF
che siege ot Paris, when just before we
got to the Place de lEtoile, the Doctor
stopped, and pointing out one of those
handsome corner houses grouped
around the Arc de Triomphe, said;
DO you see those four closed win
dows up there, over the balcony? In
the early days of the month of August
that terrible August Of the year 10
so charged with storms and disasters,
was called in there TO a frightful
case OF apoplexy. 1t was to Col.
Jouve, a cuirassier of the first empire
an old man infatuated with patriotic
pride who, at the commencement of
the war, had come to lodge in the
Champs Elysees, in n balcony apart
ment, Guess whyl To be present at
the return of our troopsl Poor old
mani The news Of Wissembourg came
to him as he was rising from table.
On reading the name of Napoleon aethe
foot Of that bulletin of defeat, he fell
thunderStruck.
81 found the old cuirassier stretched
SSaHuinx, i Wy ne must NJ spe naVd rHdo T6cetS taafH
lying he looked immense. With beau
tiful features, superb teeth, and fine
head ofcurly white hair, though he was
nearly eighty, he looked like sixty
years old. Near him, on her knees,
was his granddaughter. She so re-
sembled him that, seeing them side by
side, you would have been reminded OF
two beautiful Greek medals struck
from the same stamp; only the one was
old, dull, and rather indistinct in the
outlines; the other was respleudent
and clean cut, with all the brilliancy
and smoothness of n new impression.
THE grief of this child touched me.
Daughter and granddaughter OF sol
diers, her father was at MacMahon's
headquarters, and the sight of this
grand old man stretched before her
brought another no less terrible image
to her mind. / endcavored to reas-
sure her, but, In reality, had little
hope. We had to deal with a severe
case of hemiplegy, and recovery was
scarcely to be hoped for at eighty.
For three days the patient remained
In the same state of motionless stupor.
In the midst OF all this the news of
Reischoffen arrived in Paris You re-
member In what a strange fashion.
Until evening we all believed in a
great victory, twenty thousand Prus-
slams killed, and the crown prince
prisonerl know not by what miracle,
or by what magnetic current an echo
of the national joy penetrated to our
poor deaf-mute, even to his paralvzed
limbs; certain it is that, on approach
ing his bed that evening, found him
different man. His eye was almost
clear, his tonge less stiff. He had
strength to smile, and to stammer
twice; 'Vic-to-ryI
Yes, colonel, grand victoryv
"And as gave him details Of Mac.
Mahons brilliant success, | saw his
features relax and his face light up.
When | went out the young girl was
waiting for me, standing pale and
sobhing at the door.
" But he is savedr said l, taking her
hand.
The unhappy child had scarcely
courage to answer me. They had Just
posted up the true version OF Reisch-
Decentralization put to flight, the
whole army crushed. We looked at
each other in CONSERVATION. She was
distressed In thinking of her father.
trembled for the old man. IL was
very certain he could not resist this
new shock And yet, what could we
doP Leave him his joy-the illusions
which had called him back to life?
But then 1t would he necessary to liel
Very we'll, then, shall lie said
the heroic girl, quickly drying her
tears, and she returned radiant TO her
Rrandfather's room.
"She had set herself q hard task.
The first few days were got through
without much difficulty. The good
mans head was weak, and he allowed
himself to be deceived like child.
But with returning health, his ideas
became clearer. We had to keep him
acquainted with the movements of the
armies and to draw up for him mill
tary bulletins. 1t was a sad pity To
see that beautiful girl, night and day,
over her maps Of Germany, marking
out the battles with little Gags, and
trying to invent a glorious campaign:
Bazaine descending upon Berlin.
frossard In Bavaria, MacMahon on the
Baltic. For all this she asked my ad-
r'cs, and helped her IA much IA |