The daily Alaskan., 1905-11-01
Bad MarkSmaDship
IOriglnall

DuCu WuS tue oAtA bAAAlb eNAAAASN'AAN that came at the close of the Franco Prussian war and the downfall of Ma poleon III.
 Thousands of misguided communists fought worthy of a more practical cause and when their effort collapsed were led out in squads, placed with their faces to a wall and shot down like dogs.
 Victor Fournier, an artist, who had entered the army when all young Frcnchmen were needed there, was one morning ordered to lead his com rqny to the Rue B. and dIslodge the communists from behind a barricade of paving stones they had erected across the street
 Fouruler gave the order to march There was a sharp tap on the drum, followed by others-reverberating be, tween the tail houses on either side, and the company moved forward.
 They'll have a hard fight for that barricade," said a bystander to another. Louise Dechatellc lives in that sec ton and has wonderful influence. She has an iron will and the courage of a lion."
 The soldiers tramped on until they turned into the street where the barrl. cade had been placed, then marched by the flank and proceeded shoulder to shoulder with cooked rifles. When they were yet POO yards away from the bar ricade a bullet sang spitefully over their heads. They paid no attention to it, moving steadily on, their captain, with drawn sword, marching at their head. Then coming nearer they dis tinguished a woman looking over the burricade. Doubtless the other de lenders were crouching below, waiting d signal to spring up and pour a vol. ley Into the faces of the advancing troops.
 That must be Louise Dechatelle," muttered a soldier to the man next to him on his right. "I promise you we'll have a bloody time taking that work. If you want men to fight just give them a woman to lead"
 The maid of Orleans, for instance" replied the other.
 When the attacking force came with in a hundred yards of the barrlcade the woman mounted it and, taking aim at the captain, fired. The bullet went wide of the mark The woman threw out the exploded shell. put in a cSr fridge and, taking aim again at FOuT- uIer. sent bullet over his head.
 "They're keeping mighty dark, mat tered the man who had spoken of Lou ise Dechatelle. They're waiting till we're right against them"
 By this time the troops were within half d block of the barriCade. The wo- man could be plainly seen raising her weapon for another shot. She was eyl- dcntly trying to bring down the cap tain. trusting that this, followed by vol.ey in the mems faces, would drive them back in disorder. The captain saw her object, but paid no attention to her. tramping on, followed by his men, till they came directly under the barri- cade. There stood a girl, with eyes anamc, her hair partly uncoiled, color lu her cheeks, the impersOnatiOn of beautiful fury. Taking final deliber- ate aim at the captain, she sent a bull let, this time tearing the sleeve of his coat, but doing no further injury. SpringIng on to the barricade where she stood, he looked down on the other side. To his astonishment not mar was there. The girl had been the sole defender.
 You have made a gallant defense, mademoiselle," he said, "but cannot compliment you on your marksman- ship"
 
 A squad of prisOners-men, some wo- men and a bOy-was standing up against a wall waiting to be sent to their long home. Captain FOurnier, who, with his company, was on duty at the prison, stood near platoon of his men, who were commanded by a sergeant. The captain was in charge of the execution. A woman turned for q moment and looked calmly upon the soldiers.
 Sergeant" said the captain, that Is the woman who single handed de tended the barricade in the Rue B, Tell the men,"
 Tie sergeant saluted and informed the men that they were to execute Louise Dechatelle.
 At the first fire seven-eighths of the communists fell Louise DeChatelle remained among those left standing. After the second fire she stood alone. Turning. she looked at the executioners with the same impassive face as before. Captain Fournfer gave the order "Pre- sent armsr Then advancing, he sa- luted her and said:
 "Mademolselle, l am the man who owes his life to your poor marksman- ship. You did your best to kill me and failed. My men of their own accord have declined to fire on you. I shall in tercede in your behalf with the com mander of Paris"
 H-- !. L.ga