The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-06-08
Bad Workmanship
fOrigInal.l

Such was the startling announcement
that came ut the close Of the Franco
Prussian war and the downfall Of Ma.
polcon III.
Thousands Of misguided communists
fought worthy Of a more practical
cause and when their effort collapsed
were led out I'm squads, placed with
their faces to wall and shot down like
dogs
Victor Fourier an artist, who had
entered the army when all young
Frcnchmcn were needed there, was
one morning ordered to lead his com
pany to the Rue Il. and dislodgc the
communists from behind a barrlcade
of paving stones they had erected
across the street.
Fourier gave the order to march.
There was a sharp tap on the drum,
followed by others rcvcrbcrating be.
tween the tail houses on either side
and the company moved forward.
"rhcy'll have hard fight for that
barrlCadc," said a bystandcr TO another
"Louisc Dcchatcllc lives in that sec.
ton and has wonderful influence. She
has an iron will and the courage of n
lion"
The soldiers trnmpcd OH until they
turned into the street where the barri
cade had been placed, then marched by
the flank and proceeded shoulder TO
shoulder with cooked rifles. When they
were yet 200 yards away from the bar.
rlcade II bullet sang spltcfully over
their heads. They paid no attention
to it, moving steadily on their captain,
with drawn sword, marching ut their
head. Then coming nearer they dis
tinguishcd woman looking over the
barrlcade. Doubtless the other de.
tenders were crouching below, waiting
signal to spring up and pour vol.
ley into the faces of the advancing
troops.
"Tlat must be Louise Dcchatellc,"
muttcrcd soldier TO the man next to
him Oh his right. IL promise you well
have II bloody time taking that work.
If you want men to fight just give
them woman to lead"
"'Ihc maid of Orleans, for instance"
replied the other.
When the attacking force came with
In Il hundred yards of the barrcadc
the woman mounted 1t and, taking aim
ut the captain, fired. The bullet went
wide Of the mark. The woman threw
out the exploded shell, put in Il car
fridge and. taking aim again at Four
nler, sent Il bullet over his head.
They're keeping mighty dark" NUT
tered the man who had spoken Of Lou
ise Dechatellc, They're waiting till
we're right against them"
BY this time the troops were within
half block of the barrlcade. The wo.
man could be plainly seen raising her
weapon for another shot. She was evil
IDENTIFY trying to bring down the cap
tain, trusting that this, followed by Il
volley in the mems faces, would drive
them back In disorder. The captain
saw her object, but paid no attention to
her, tranlplnS on, Followed by his men,
till they came directly under the barri-
cadc. There stood girl, with eyes
aflame, her hair partly uncoilcd, color
In her checks, the lmpcrsonation of
beautiful fury. Taking final dclibcr.
ate aim at the captain, she sent bull
let, this time tearing the sleeve of his
coat, but doing no further injury.
SprInglng Oh to the barrlcade where
she stood, he looked down on the other
side. TO his establishment not man
was there, The girl had been the sole
defender.
you have made gallant defense,
mademoiselle,' he said, but cannot
compliment you on your marksman-
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