Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-03-01
JOAN OF ARC.

w" -" "aio III Deat down the
rrehch, sack their cities, and ravage
their fields. We have seen the slaugh-
Ter OF French knights at Cressy and
fo;ters and Agincourt. We have
seen the terror of the English name
grow upon the French to such an ex
tent that one Englishman can over
come five Frenchmen in the omen
field.
In the dreadful orgy of lust and
crime we can hear the stout chief
tain, La Hire, affirm that "if God
himself were n soldier, he would turn
robber."
a country boy saved Israel; and a
country girl was to save France.
Wars aud rumours of wars were
all about her. The air was full of
the clash of arms. The wounded
soldier often stopped in for nights
shelter for nourshment and for
nursing.
Once the alarm came that DOM
remy was to be pillaged, and the
villagers had to flee for shelter.
Thus round the tireside at ner fla
theirs house Joan was in full contact
with the troubled times. She heard
all the strange stories which were
atioat, anu the niserieS of her conn-
try spoke to her every dav.
She heard them talk in awe and
vague hope of the old prophecy of
Merlin, that "France, lost by "A wo
man, shall be saved by woman"
Her wonder grew as she heard
them tell that the woman who was
to deliver France WAS to be a virg n
and was To come from the marshes
of Lorralne-her own country.
The heroines of the Bible aroused
her Imagination; the needs of her
PROSTATE and bleeding country wrung
her heart; the intense religious zeal
within her turned her thoughts to
God: and the unutterable yearniug
of all the people round her for Divine
help. for Divine delIverance, fed the
wishes, the hopes, the aspirations of
this piouS, superstitious. imaginative
girl until they burst into the holy
flame of faith.
She believed that Merlin's prophe
cy applied to her. She believed that
the heroines of the Bible were to live
again in her. She believed that
Voices, voices from on high, called
on her to 60 forth and deliver France.
The father wished her to marry.
\ suitable match was offered her.
and the lover was so eager that he
even sought the aid of the courts to
force her consent, but without sue.
cess.
She vowed to remain virgin, and
she was constant in her belief that
heavenly Voices called her to the
great work of saving France.
And now the wind begins to set in
JOsn's favor. Faith begets faith.
The scofiing Governor suddenly
grows attentive and respectful. He
brought priest to see her with IL
view of learning whether the spirit
that possessed her was good or evil
She received the holy man upon her
bended knees, made a good impress
sion upon him, and be reported fav-
orahly to the hesitating Governor.
Still he doubted, and still he de-
layed.
For three weeks the poer girl was
kept waiting and during this weary
interval she lived with Catherine de
Roger, helping her in household
work, and spending much time at
prayer in the chapel.
The people of Vaucouleurs now
came forward as her friends. They
gave her horse and the equipments
of a soldier. Then came news of a
battle in which the French had, AS
usual, been beaten.
''In Gods name, let me co." said
Joan; and at last the Governor con
sented.
He gave her sword and letter
to the King.
With her two pledged knights and
four armed men OK lesser rank, she
set out on February 23rd. 1929. to go
to the King.
She did not see her parents to bid
them farewell, but she sent them q
letfar enfraufino tbair fnrri vanacS