The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-12-24

never been more frivolous cause given
for war than that alleged by the French
nation for declaring war against Prussia
in 1870. Be that as it may, both parties
were quite ready to engage in hostilities
when the war was declared.
The first serious engagement took place
at Weissenburg, where the French Gen
eral Abel Douay was killed and his forces
defeated Two days later at Saarneck
the French encountered another serious
defeat. On this very day Marshall Mac
Mahon was defeated at Woerth by the
Prussian Crown Prince "Unser Fritz
And 80 defeat after defeat came to the
French army. But Paris, the pride and
beauty of all France, still remained stub
born. The Germans, flushed with vic
tory, began to close in on the great city
and besiege it. The siege lasted from
Sept 10, 1870 to Jan. 30, 1871. During
this period in the midst of the siege an
event happened which is the subject of
our story. A French officer in command
of one of the divisions relates the story
as follows:
1t was on the eve of the 25th of De
Gerber, 1870 Paris had been besieged
for three months. had been ordered to
| the outermost station-just before the
beleaguered city. The soldiers under my
command were made up wholly of
young volunteers from the city of Paris
and the surrounding region. The in
trenchments of the Prussian army Were
so near to ours that we were able distin
city to hear the call of their patrol,
"Wer DAP, and they undoubtedly heard
our "Qui vive2' every time.
All was quiet on this particular night
only now and then II rifle shot WAS heard
in the distance to show that the enemy
was not asleep. Suddenly a tall young
man stood before me, and saluting said
Captain, may | be allowed just for Il
moment to step out of the trench?'
What ails you. ] answered gruiily
back to your place Do you think that
it is you only who feel the coldH | dc
the same. Only wait till morning wher
the battle begins and you will warm NJ
till the sweat appears on your brow.
But he did not move from his place
Calmly he stood before me resting upor
his gun. Again he spoke:
Captain. allow me to leave the caml
just for five minutes, and believe me
you will not regret it.
But who are Won anyhow, and wha
are your Intentions
my name is n he said, anC
| heard the name of Il familiar ana pop
ular author, "bnt what intend to do
do not wish to know just now
Should allow everyone to do rs h
wished, | would have no one here by to
morrow morning. No, sir, cannot give
You permission to go into the city
But do not want to go into the city
allow me only for five minutes to go thu
opposite way" and he pointed to thu
enemy's camp,
| could not help wondering ut hi
unique request, and having reminde,
him that he was going ut the cost of hi
life. gave the permission
With quick skip he jumped out o
the intrenohment and with II firm stel
FASTENED toward the enemy, We aardl,
breathed, following him with orr eyes
for the night was bright anl the mool
shone in her full splendor. He came al
most within five steps of the German pa
troll, aud saluting quickly, began to sins
in beautifully clear voice the well
known Christmas hymn:
"Mnuit Chretiens. c est l'heure solcuncllc
OulIlommc Dicu dcSCendn iusqua nous
IT'S midnight O Christians, It's the solemn
hour
| When the God Man came down to us.
All this happened so unexpectedly an'
quickly that we all stood amazed listen
ing to the rest of the song ~ if some
mysterious power were bidding us stan'