The Irish standard., 1904-02-27

but hurried after the retreating foe.
Cities were recaptured, and upon the
field OF Patuy the British chieftain was
taken captive. The invaders were
driven back into the nortl, OF France.
Still was the mission OF the maid in
complete. The daupllin was yet to be
crowned. She hurried back to court
and urged him Immediately to journey
to Rheims for his coronation. Still
irresolute and uncourageous he waver-
ed, but the maid was now accustomed
to being obeyed. She would not be
refused. He needed an army, so she
raised one. Dangers were to be con-
fronted, so she would fight his battles
for him, and go to Rheims he did.
Here, in the ancient cathedral Joan
of Arc, bearing in her hand the ban
ner that had been her battle standard
in the war, stood beside him when the
crown of his fathers was placed upon
his head. Tears OF Joy coursed down
her cheeks as she did homage to her
rightful sovereign, King Charles VII.
Now that she had fulfilled her des-
tiny her heart went back to the home
OF her childhood. She was girl
again and longed to be again amid
surroundings to which she was accus-
toned, but Charles would not listen
to her return. She was the idol of the
hour and conscious of his own weak
ness he felt need OF her at his court.
Here she consented to remain, not as
a mere ornament amid scenes of revel-
ry, but as the advocate of renewed
efforts to regain the lost provinces in
the north. The more the weak king
temporized the more she urged. Ever
and anon would she leave the court to
take part in the desultory campaigns,
nor was she reconciled to the indolent
policy of inaction when in December,
142o King Charles ennobled her fam
lily and gave her the proud right to
bear upon her escutcheon the lilies of
France. Ever must she be fighting the
nations enemies with the kings con-
sent or without.
But honors bring enemies with them.
Envy and malice did what the English
could not; they worked the fall OF the
Maid OF Orleans. Petty. courtiers,
jealous OF her influence and power, had
sought her ruin ever since her first
success.
Their opportunity came when, in
aiding the Duke OF Alencon against the
English ally. the Duke of Burgundy,
Joan was wounded and taken prisoner.
Burgundy, aware of the identity of his
captive, rejoiced, while her secret enc
mics easily persuaded the king, who
owed her everything, that her capture
was evidence that her pretensions to
derive inspiration were false. That I'M
grateful monarch, again absorbed in
the intrigues at his court, viewed her
fate with utter indifference, not even
attempting her ransom.
The powers at Paris were not so
dilatory. No sooner did the English
learn that she was in the hands of their
ally then they set about to get posses
sion of her. This was not difficult
The only question was the price, and
finally the English agreed to pay 10000
francs. For this sum she was deliver
ed RI then, NJ Roren
Then came disgraceful revenge for
the loss OF Orleans. Friendless and
alone she was dragged before tri-
bunal, partly civil and partly religious,
but entirely antagonistic, and accused
as a sorceress and hereto. She
could not defend herself in legal fash
ion, but even shameful and heartless
abuse failed to lure her into any con-
fessions of guilt Her religion was,
as she had learned it at her mothers
knee, simple, fervent and orthodox;
of wtchery she knew nothing. Voices
spoke to her, she reasserted; she fol-
lowed their commands and was borne
to victory. That was all.
1t was enough for the enemies that
hated her and she was condemned.
According to this sentence she was
burned at the stake in the streets OF
Rouen, May goth, 1881,
But the fruits of her labors did not
perish with her French patriotism
rose steadily and in spite of himself
Charles was borne on to victory he
little deserved. Burgundy finally de-
serted the English. France reunited
and in 14s5 her recreant mobiles re-
turned to their allegiance to their law
full king. Then ended the Hundred
Years War between France and Eng
land, and with it all Britain's rea
pretensions to dominion over the
country Joan of Arc had given hel
life to save.
Even her enemies came at last to re
pent their persecution of the Maid o
Orleans. In 1856, a quarter OF cen
fury after her death, the sentence
against her was formally revoked ant
all the stigma it cast upon her fame
was removed.
Famous Irish Band Coming.
A cablegram from Dublin announce