The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-05-16
A Heroine of Obscurity
CONTINUED from page one)

stronger also than the deep desires OF
her maiden heart to yield TO her faith
ers importunng that she should mar
ry, he thinking that the affections OF
wife and mother might divert her
mind from the one patriotic idea which
thoroughly absorbed her. 1t cost her
many bitter pains to leave her friends,
hcme and parents but her visions were
more powerful than the pleadings of
nature She left the little village.
went TO the Dauphin Charles. and after
much delay finally persuaded him that
though mere girl of seventeen, she
was designed 10 be the savior of France
And never was this noble country in
greater need of succor. France, a
prey to ruthless despots who sought
only the enlargement of their own
power, was France no more. A large
part of her territory was in the hands
OF the English and the whole nation
was abandoned to tne horrors of civil
war All classes of society were suf-
fering acutely but the peasants. op-
pressed even in the most prosperous
times were plunged into the very deph-
is of dispair and misery. From these
depths now sprung the deliverer> of
France, that deliverer woman, that
woman Joan of Arc.
Her supreme service was accom-
plished by raising the siege of Orleans.
This important city was held closely
invested by the English as means of
their retaining their large possessions
in this country If Orleans was not
rescued, all France would soon be un-
der English rule. To the relief of the
city hastened the maid and by the en-
couragement of her presence stimu
lates the warm impulsive French sold
iery to supreme and successful effort.
The English here forced from their
vantage ground were little by little
pushed off the soil they had conquered.
for the spirit of the maid of Orleans
had taken possession of the whole
French nation.
Imagine this gentle girl heroic at
the head of the army. Imagine the
distresses she must endure, the faunt
ing alteration. and in turn the hatred
of the soldiers, the doubts of the rough
men and their hideous plots to make
way with her. Imagine the shrinking
of her tender nature from the vices
with which she, iron clad with virtue
as SuiiOuuueu III lulS army. IlSluit
her always in the most furious part OF
the battle and even receiving wounds
and shedding her blood for her country.
What courage she possessed to leave
her peaceful country home for an OBJ
noxious life with the army. What
matters it if that army is fighting for
her King and her country, the horror
and obscenity of il all remains.
Let US not imagine when We eXalt
this peasant girl as the savior of
France that she accomplished her mis-
l sion by any force of military genius an
attribute foreign to women. Let us
realize that the service which she per-
/ formed for her miserable country
was higher than any skill in arms or
armies could afford 1t was enthus-
/ iasm, born of passionate brooding
over the wretchedness and wrongs of
her country. 1t was enthusiastic, Or
/ isinal, gigantic ambition to lift it out
Of its distresses that enabled her to
save France from conquest by the Eng
] lish.
Enthusiasm" says Sarah Grike. lis
a sacred flame. We do not analyze it
{ We are daZZled, rapt and silent before
it"
/ Joan, possessing power born of en-
thusiasm, led her soldiers to victory
but more than this, she, by her fear
| lessness in advice, brought hope and
confidence @ the unfortunate heir OF
the French throne. The king, hesitat-
| ing to take the last step toward the
throne was visited one day by Joan
She said. Noble Dauphin do not hold
/ these long debates. Go and receive
your crown at Rheims. The voice o.
/, God commands me to lead you there.
JOAN" said the king, how does
God communicate to you his will?' 81
was at prayer, pouring out my com
plants at your lack of faith when
heard a voice say Go my child. ] will
be with thee. / am always happy il:
my heart when hear that voice"
Thus we see the supreme heroism OF
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