The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1900-05-31
Senior Grafton Of Miss Bessie
Hixson on One of the
Greatest Characters
in History.
Interesting Sketch Of the National
Heroine Of France--0ne Of the
Best Of a Series Of Eight
Essays CO Appear in
This Paper.

Nestled beneath wooded hillside
in'the province of Lorraine, lies the
little village of Domremy, the birth
pla ce of Joan of Arc, the "Maid of
Orl eans," and national heroine of
France. At the upper end of the viii
lage beside the church stands the pic
turesque cottage wherein was born
January s, 1412, the little girl whose
names shines out as one of the bright
est figures upon the pages Of media-
wal history. Her father, Jacques of
Arc, was one of the most prosperous
farmers in the village. He was a
much respected citizen in the small
community, performing many of those
duties now regulated to mayor, and
entert aiming in humble way the
pilgrims who passed along the great
highway.
Joan was happy, pious little girl,
beloved by all in the village, and with
an early home>life as simple and ap-
parently as suneventful as we could pos
sibly imagine. Her childhood was
peaceful, happy and industrious and
filled with an abundance of healthful
exercise, leading to that hardy, iron
physique which was later to astonish
Veteran warriors. Hers was sweet,
winsome and trustful character. In
hattie her courage was peerless, and
we'll it was so, for each success was
dearly bought, her indoinitable energy
alone inspiring her faint-hearted fol-
lowers Often wounded, she distained
her own pain, and remained on the
field as an example to her men. A
gracious woman withal, her pity was
even greater than her courage, brav-
ihg and receiving blows but never re-
thrning them. She had but one wea-
pbn, her banner, for it is said her
sword never left its scabbard.
The influence she exercised on her
surroundings, her success, and the love
of the people never spoiled the charm
of her simple nature. To the end she
was the humble girl, rendering to God
the glory of each action. Joan had
reached the age of thirteen when she
saw her first vision, and heard an un-
earthly voice, which enjoined her to
be modest, and to be diligent in her
religious duties. The impression
made upon her excitable mind by the
national distresses of the time soon
gave new character to the revela-
tion which she supposed herself to
have received, and when fifteen years
old she imagined that unearthly
vpices called her to 60 and fight for
Her country and the -dauphin. Her
htOry was at first rejected as that of
an insane person; but she not only
succeeded in making her way to the
dauphin but in convincing him of her
heavenly mission.
| She assumed male attire and equip
ments, and with sword and white
banner she put herself at the head of
tie French Koops, whom her example
4 b the notion of her heavenly mis-
sion inspired with new enthusiasm.
In April 1929 she threw herself
. Nh supplies of provisions into Or
leans, then closely beseiged by the
Aglish and from the 4th to the 8th
May made successful sallies upon
the English, which resulted In their
being compelled to raise the siege.
AFTER this important victory the nat
ional ardor of France was rekindled
tothe utmost and Joan became the
dread of the previously triumphant
English; She conducted the dauphin
to Rheims, where he was crowned