The daily Alaskan., 1905-08-18
Bad niarksmanship
F mail

AAAH AH AA w mune!" Such was the startling annouuc alsut that came at the close Of the Franco Prusslan war and the downfall Of Na- poleon III
 Thousands Of misguided communists fought worthy of more practical cause and when thc'r effort collap ed were led out in squads. placed with their faces Co a wall and shot down Ike dogs.
 Victor Fouruicr. an artist. who had entered the army when an young Frcnchmen were needed there, was one morning ordered Co lcal bis com. pany to the Rue B and dislo lge the communists from behind barricade Of paving stones they had ercr.ei across the street
 Fournler gave thc order to march. There was a shnrp tap on the Grim. followed by others rcvcrherating be- tween tho tan houses on either side, and ..s company moved forward.
 'rhey'u have a hard fight for that br-gicadc," said a bystander to another. "I.aulsc Dechatelle lives Ia that sec ton and has a wonderful influence. She has an iron will and the ge of a lion"
 r-.. -.1.gt.,,.- sr,-,,,,g,3 sr, ,,ftu tbav turned Into the street where ;he barri- cade had been placed, then marched by the flank and proceeded shoulder to hsalaur " .h cooked rifles. When they We yet gJ0 ards away from the bar. ricadc bullet sang spitcfully over their heads. They paid no attention Co lt. moving steadily on, their captain, with drawn sword. marching at their head Then coming uclrcr they dis tlnfuishcd a woman l'.s.ag over the barrlcade, Doubtless thg cher Cc- fenders were crouchlug below, Nditing signal to spring up aud pour a vol lcy Into the faces of the advancing troops
 That must bc Louise peC eChatelie," muttercd soldier Co the man next Co him ou hls right "I promise you ven have a bloody time taking that work. If you want men Co G-h; just give them woman Co lcad
 'Thc maid of Orleans, for ln stance," s..4.fr...n HNr. ..fT.rFs
 When the attacking iJ.ce came with m a huuGrcI yarls %. tIe bIrricade the woman mounted it and, taking aim at the captain. fired The bull. ( went wldc 0f tEc mark g.s Engu threw ou. ts7 c-r!r3cl ehrN rvj Ca a car trldgc and. taking aim agvin Tt Four nicr, sent bullet over his head.
 '.Thcy'rc keeping mllh y dark nut tered the man who had spoken of Lou. ISc pcchatelle. "Thcy'rc waiting tlll we're right against them"
 By this time the troops were within half a block of the blrricade The wo- man could bc plainly seen raising her weapon for another shot She was eyi- dently trying Co bring down the cap tain. trusting that this. followed by a volley ln 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. til they came directly under the barri- cade. There stood a girl with eyes afame, her hair partly uncoiled, a color In her cheeks, the lmporsonatiCn of a beautiful fury. Taking a 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. Sprlnging on to thc barricade where she stood. Ec looked down on the other side. To his aslouishmcut not a man waS there. The girl had been the sole defender
 "NOu have made a gallant defense, madcmoiscl'e" he said. but cannot compliment you on your marksman- ship
 
 A squad Of prisoncrs-mcn, some wo- men and boy-was standing up against wall waiting Co be sent to