The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-02-07
TheLaCemaker'S 5
Sacrifice.
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In the Rue de Lille. Valenciennes, |
was little one-story house, half con-
cealed by thick growth of Virglnian
creeper and clematis. From morning
TO night young girl might have been
seen at the open window busily occu-
pied in making lace. The pretty fea-
lures Of the young worker, aud the al
most rhythmlcal movements OF her
graceful arms, we're quite picture OF
loveliness. The bobbins danced in
her fingers, flying in one direction to
return with redoubled speed, so nlm-
bly,, that she appeared like one OF the
good fairies we read of in old legends.
The eyes of the passers-by were raised
to this little window with its curtain
OF verdure, and more than one heart
sighed at the sight of the beautiful
lacemaker; but such slghs found no
response Miss Noemi Verdier was as
good as beautiful. and her modesty
and simplicity won universal respect.
At thirteen years of age she had
been left an orphan with an only
brother, journeyman cabinet.maker,
three years her senior, who thus be-
ing left alone at the head of the fam
tly worked for his sister and himself
At first times were very hard for
the brave youth hardly had he fin
ished his apprenticeship when mis-
fortune arrived AS yet Noemi earn
cd nothing, and the young workman's
days were not very remunerative.
But with goodwill. labor and great
economy, he succeeded, in spite of all,
In enabling his sister to finish her
education in lacemaking, and now, in
this affectionate association of broth
or and sister, 1t was the latter who
contributed the larger share to the
maintenance of the home.
The rich laces of pure artistic de-
sign, real masterpieces of delicacy,
made by Noemi, were those which
won Valenciennes its fame. All was
happiness in the little household.
Years glided by until the time for the
conscription arrived, and Louis had to
accompany the army. The parting
was bitter for these two so deeply at
tached to each other
'I shall count the days which sep
arate me from your returu-a long
time, alas," said Noemi.
81 also" replied the brother, until
the happy moment of being restored
to you"
Left alone in the little house now
too large, Noemi set to work with
a heavy heart, making marvels, more
delicate than gossamer, destined per-
haps to adorn the heads of persons
less worthy of wearing them than
herself. Every Saturday she deliver
ed her work, and divided her earnings
into two parts, one of which she sent
to her brother to tighten the burdens
of his soldier life.
For his part, Louis behaved in his
regiment as he had done at Valen'
ciennes; that is TO say, in a credita
BILE way, so that after term of two
years he sent word one fine morning
that he had been promoted to the rank
of sergeant. Noeml was delighted al
the news and was proud of her be
loved brother.
Some days later cries Of War" sud
denly resounded on all sides. Armed
France rushed to the eastern frontier
The terrible year had commenced
Noemi shed no tears; she wrote tt
her absent brother not to exhort hin
TO duty-thrs she knew was unnec
essary-but to tell him once more o.
her anxious love and to send her lit
tie supply of money. One by one sh'
learned by her brothers letters thu
successive defeats OF the Frencl
army--Worth. Rezonville, Saint Priv
at, Gravelotte, Sedanl Then sudden
ly there was silence; no letters, n
news. nothing. Wounded? Perhap
dead
Noemi, who had never read tn
newspapers, now hurried every morn
ing to the offices of the Valencienne
papers to look for some ray of hope
She listened to the street rumorS
mingled with the crowds discussin
the news, and heard the sorrowfl
accounts Of that horrld war, learnin
that her brothers regiment had su
fered most severely. The wounde
we're transported by the Hirson an
Avesne lines to the northern frontie
towns; every day new conveys a
rived at Valenciernes. Soon the civ
and military hospitals were filled, bl
the wounded still continued to II
crease, so that private ambulance
had to be organized everywhere
Churches and factories opened the
doors to the poor, manned soldier
who seemed innumerabe. Noemi ws
paralyzed with terror; her heart file
with an infinite pity which with h'
brother was shared by all thes
wretched survivors of heroic battle
She watched the sad professions, ca
erly scanning the countenances co
tracted with pain and wasted feye
In hopes of recognizing the belov'
features she despaired of ever aga
seeing in this world
One morning the news reached n
that convoy OF wounded belongil
to her brothers. regiment had arrlv
during the night. The poor girl W
inspired with new hope; she thoue
her beloved brother was there amo
his comrades, and she ran to the a
bulances, passing from one to the o.
er, Questioning the nurses and bel