The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-05-28
che Story Of Joan Of Hre.

= 90 90
this time about seventeen years of age.
Jacques dare was man possessed of
a good deal of common sense, and is
credited with having told his daughter
that she needed good husband to take
care of her. She had an uncle, how
ever, a village wheelwright and carpen-
ter, who needed her and who vol
unteered to 60 with her to Baudricaut,
a general of the French army. After
surmounting many difficulties the pair
finally gained access to Baudricaut and
he, perhaps in spirit of irony, allowed
himself to be persuaded to send
Joan with an escort to the Dauphin.
The Dauphin was then at Chinon
where he had established his court. At
her first audience Joan managed to
pick him out Immediately from among
the whole court, which was thought a
very wonderful thing for her to be able
to do. In fact this feat was considered
SO marvellous that she had not much
difficulty in persuading the weak, pleas
ure-loving Dauphin to send her at the
head of some troops and long pro-
vision train to the relief of Orleans,
which was then beseiged by Lord Spf-
folk and his English army.
So Joan, now OH a white war-horse
with her morning face framed in a
steel helmet and with banner adorned
with the lilies of France firmly grssped
in her hand, set out to the relief of Or
leans. Her troops, inspired by her
young enthusiasm, cut their way
through the line of forts encircling the
town, and after winning decisive vic
tory over the English entered the be-
seiged city. In few days there was
more fighting. During one engage
ment Joan was wounded and the
English thought she had been killed;
but when, after few hours, she reap
peared in her shining armor on her
white horse in the thick of the fight,
the English soldiers turned and fled
like cattle before storm, crying out
that if she was not an angel, she GER
tainly was a witch and that. no one
could fight against witches.
From Orleans Joan, now at the head
of confident army, slowly proceeded
toward Rheims, the Dauphin riding be.
side her. On the way the English gave
battle several times, and when the vic.
tory looked easy the French troops
hailed Joan as inspired by God. When
assometimes occurred, victory appeared
to be about to perch on the opposite
banners, they grumbled and wondered
aloud if, after all, she was not a witch
At last, however, after many stops and
many disappointments due to the weak
ness of the Dauphin, the army did reach
RHEIMS, and there, amid great pomr
and ceremony, new king was crowned
in France.
Then Joan wanted to return to he
home. Her mission was fulfilled; bu
the king would not hear of her goin,
and made her as near royalty as b,
could, giving her permission to wea
the royal arms of France. Meanwhile
the Duke of Bedford in England ant
the Duke of Burgundy in France wer,
active. They formed an alliance an,
J once more the work of devastatin,
France was commenced. Whether
: was owing to her changed environmen,
, or whether she felt that she had accom-
plished all thatshe was called upon to dc
or whether both were factors in the sit
!, uation we do not know; but about thi
} time Joan's voices became unreliable
Their directions were conflicting. To
day they would order her to do on
thing; tomorrow they would order he
to do the opposite. She lost credit wit
l her soldiers and in giving battle to tn
enemy was twice wounded and desert
, ed by her troops. AT last at the seig
: of Compeigne she was left alone in th
| field with her face to the front Will
!; her army ran away, and there she wa
pulled off her horse by one of the Duk
, of Burgundy's archers and taken car
t tive to the enemy. Ihave no heart t