Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-19
Jeanne'S BlaYeru.

J6allle'S BRAVERY.
Felix Labardie had been French
tireur In the great war of 1870, and
liked nothing better in the evening than
to sit and listen to his stories of the
terrible time when France lay gasping
and bleeding.
One evening we had been silently
smoking for some time when he said:
did ever tell you, monsieur, how
fell into the hands of the Germans and
out again?"
NO." said. 81 thought the Ger
mans shot all the guerillas they
caught"
'"rhey let me go free, monsieur" he
said, with grim laugh. st may seem
Incredible, monsieur, but Jeanne yon-
der held the life of royalty on her fin.
ger tips"
II should like very much to hear the
story" I said.
Certainly, monsieur, and If monsieur
thinks what was done was wrong he
must excuse a woman in love.
After Sedan, monsieur, meeting
was called in our village, and thirty
Of us enrolled ourselves as company
of Francstireurs. We felt we could
do more for France as irregulars than
serving under incompetent generals.
We were well armed and brave and
skilful old veteran commanded US. AS
the Germans were In force around
hfQfZ 0roI, o1 in I,n<
made our headquarters in the hills be-
hind village called Pency, about
three leagues from the fortress. 1t was
In Penney Jeanne lived, and from the
first moment 1 saw her, monsieur,
said to myself, If fortune is kind, Fee
Ex, that girl shall be your wife, Her
rather was the miller of Pency, and
the accursed Uhlans had almost ruined
him. They were very bitter against
the Invaders and my profession made
me ind favor In her eyes. Before we
had been ut Penney month we had
plighted our troth, on the understand
Ing that we should not marry until
France was rid of the enemy.
Small us our band was we made
ourselves a terror to the marauding
Uhlans. thanks to the generalship of
old MOntbon. Jeanne was invaluable
to US. She was all eyes and ears. and
MontbOn called her the head of the
intelligence department Of our band.
used to meet her every evening, when
1t was possible, in little cave had
discovered, which, having no outlets,
was proof against surprise.
We staid three months Mt Penney,
and then the place became too hot for
US, and we prepared to leave for
village some leagues to the south. III
I'll into the hands of the Bavarians
the very evening before we were to
leave Penney.
Jeanne declares to this day, and I
believe rightly, that was betrayed by
q villager, young fellow named
Odeau. who believed fate had intended
Jeanne for his wife, and who was even
savage when she refused him. But be
that as 1t may, monsieur, was seized
at dusk that evening, as was on my
way to meet Jeanne, and taken so COM
pletely by surprise that had not the
least chance of defending myself or
trying to escape, and, worse than all,
was taken with the rifle in my hand.
You are an assassin sud the stout
little officer In command in barbarous
French. You shall be shot. Where
are your companions?
but l protested not to understand.
was afraid Of being shot on the spot.
There was much of the executioner
and little of the judge in those days,
monsieur.
much to my relief my arms were
bound behind me, and we set out for
the hamlet where the Crown Prince
Frederick had his headquarters.
AS fortune would have it, Jeanne
met us on the road. Monsieur would
suppose that Jeanne is quiet little
woman, but monsieur has not seen her
thoroughly aroused. She was reused
then, monsieur. She flung herself on
me and tried to release me. Then she
seized the bayonet of Bavarian, and
II had not begged her for my sake
to be calm She would have fought the
whole party single-handed. Then she
fell to beseeching them, for she could
speak German well, but they only
laughed ut her and drove her Off with
foul words. My heart was like lead
then, monsieur, but l did not know
Jeanne.
was taken before the princes ad-
jutant who promised me liberty IL l
would betray my compatriots. But
feigned stupidity, and when he found
that l would tell nothing he ordered
me to be shot at five the next morn
Ing. We give you till then,' lie said,
to find your tongue. You'll be dumb
enough after And he laughed.
81 was bound like log, monsieur,
and thrown into hut and brutally
kicked. My thoughts were not pleas
ant all this time. lay thinking of
Jeanne, whom should never see
again. picturing that, womanlike, she
would go home and weep in her help
lessness and despair. But l did not
know her then. She was working for
me with all the energy and wit of a
woman. Jeanne, Jeanne, ma petite,
come here
Jeanne came to the door.
"Come and tell monsieur how you
saved me, ma petite
A blush overspread Jeanne's feat
pres.
"What, that foolish story again?"
Certainly not foolish l interposed.
u should deem it kindness If you
would oblige me-"
IF monsieur wishes it, and monsieur
will allow me, will get my knitting"
Certainly" said.
when l saw him carried off,"
Jeanne began us soon as she was
seated, Il was in despair, for knew
what his fate would be. There had
been sharp fight week before, and
knew Jacques Pellot had possessed
himself of some German uniforms that
he had taken from the dead. So de-
manded them from him and threaten
ed him till he produced them. A sous
lieutenant's uniform fitted me nicely,
and after cutting off my hair and con-
r. ~ nd 1or IT,,