Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-02-28

he saved the village in which he lived
from the enemy, although to accomplish 1t,
he sacrificed his life? And he was only ten years
old, TOO.
Some years ago there a war between the French
and the people who live in that little mountainous coun-
try to the northeast of Italy, called the Tyrol. Noun
tains have always bred patriotism and love OF country,
and at this time the Tyroese anxious to save
themselves from the French, that the women and
children followed the soldiers to war in the hopes OF
being of some assistance Albert of the boys
who thus followed his father. The father one OF
the bravest leaders of the Tyroese and little Albert lay
awake at night, thinking how he could bel p.
One day the French soldiers marched to capture
village from which they separated by deep ravne
or canyon, way down at the bottom of which dashed
the Ard river at terrific rate. The only way to reach
the little village by footbrdge across this canyon,
and YOU cannot imagine what queer bridge the vii
layers had built to prevent the enemy from stormng
the town in force They simply had felled big tree,
so that it lay directly across the chasm, which was
only wide enough for one person to cross at time.
The Tyrolese had word that the French intended to
attack the village, so three hundred OF them, with
SpeCkbaCher as their general went down to defend the
bridge For long time the battle ragged each side
of the bridge and under the brave defense of the Tyo
csc, the French getting the worst OF 1t, when the
French general ordered a cannon dragged up to the
place. and opening up murderous fire, IN short time
over a hundred of the brave Tyrolese were killed.
Among the sain was their gallant leader SpeCkbaCher
The Tyrolese were disheartened They had no cannon
to fire back at the French and it seemed though the
invaders would surely the bridge and put the vii
lage to fire and sword. Then of the bravest of
the Tyrolese stepped with sharp axes, resolved to
cut the bridge in two If that could be DONE the enemy
could not possibly enter the village.
Little Albert knelt beside the dead body of his be-
loved father and watched his countrymen cut into the
tree But to work. they had to stand out in the open
and expose themselves to the French bullets. They
worked boldly, but the enemys rifles killed many of
Them one after another till at last their courage failed
and there was no who would face this almost certain
death A great part of the tree had been cut through
but enough of it remained to hold it solid. Then
Albert looked down again at his fathers white face
and saying little prayer to Heaven, he sliced small
axe and attacked the tree with all his strength He
knew well how to swing axe, for had he not
gone with his father along the mountain-side to cut
wood, many a time? The Frenchmen cared not for
his youth and shower of bullets whizzed around him.
as he chopped but he worked on unframed 1t seemed
as though he bore a charmed life The tree was
could reach without entirely exposing himself. He
did not hesitate. Waving his and shaking his axe
deany he ieered at the French soldiers which caused
them to empty their muskets at him. Then while
they reloading he sprang upon the tree chop
ping with all his might But just the last axestroke
fell which would cut the log through, and before he
could lump back, bullet crashed through his head
and boy and bridge were dashed down into the
below And this is how Albert Speckbacher boy OF
only years. sacrificed his life his native village
The French general when he saw the bridge fall