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

on her way to see the King, and to
undertake the deliverance of Orleans.
Perilous was Joan's journey to
Chinon, where Charles was holding
his shabby little court. wearing his
old shoes-the distrustful bootmaker
hsving carried away the view ones.
Finally Joan is received.
In plain, earnest terms she states
her mission.
IL am Joan the Virgin, sent 10y
God to save France" She asked for
troops that she might go and save
Orleans.
Charles was mucn disposed to
treat her as II visionary, but seeing
the Impression she had created. he
hesltated. She was lodged with the
Kings lieutenant and treated well.
Day after day she renewed her re-
quest for troops.
After full inquiry into her life and
character, after hearing what she
had to say, after viewing her clad as
male soldier, which was afterward
charged against her by the Church
as a crime. the examiners sanctioned
her mission. aud urged Charles in
strong terms to equip her for the
work
y suit Of beautiful armor is made
for her; a white banner. embroidered
with lilies, Is given her; rusty
sword is found in d church and
secured into creditable appearance;
IA military staff is appointed her; her
brothers, Peter aud John. who fol
lowed her To Chiuon, are placed in
her retlnur; tw" pages are appointed
for her service; her two faithful
knights are placed in her troop; the
Archbishop of Rheims accompanies
her; soldiers are enlisted. and all is
ready.
"Unfu=l the white hammer; and
forward march,
One can hear the silvery tones of
her thrilling voice come breaking
through the mists of time.
Night and morning, as that army
marched, there is n ceremony Joan
will not omit.
An altar must be raised, and the
cOnSecrated standard placed beside.
it; the soldiers kneel, the priests do
their holy office, sacred songs are
sung, and the Virgin takes the Sac
rament-her troops taking it with
her
Woe unto the enemy which such
an army, led in such spirit, shall
meet in battle.
Already the English were half
whipped. The French had been
aroused to confidence. They saw the
hand of God In it. How could they
fail.
1t was an age when sorcery and
withcraft were believed in. The
English were superstitious, and they
believed that Joan was sent by the
devil.
Hence both armies fell into the
same faith, so far as the supernatu-
raj character of the Virgins mission
was cOncerned-the ground for dis
pute was, who sent her, God or the
devil?
When Joan entered Orleans the
siege had already lasted since Octo
ber. 1t was now May. The English
had been steadily gaining ground all
the while; and at no time had the
French prospects been so gloomy AS
they were when she arrived.
But in ten days after her magic
touch was laid to the work the Eng
lish bad been utterly vanquished and
driven away!
The fearless and tireless girl was
IN The thick of the fight all the time,
was ever the first to advance, and the
last to retire.
Her lips, ever uttering words of
pity for the wounded, ever breathing
prayers. ever chiding profanity and
levity. were also ready and constant
with the battle cry of Onward"
Struck down with a severe wound.
she herself drew the iron f.om it,
and was up and fighting again, In
time to save the day.
Never was she petulant and harsh,
save when the chieftains foiled her
plans for advancing.