The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-05-19
RUSSIAN JOAN OF ARC
BY BESSIE r. HOOVER.

Dmitri Pretzoff had been notified
that he must serve in the cars army
This news came like a thunderbolt
to his mother, Anna Pretzof, who 10
nv distant kinswoman and who has
cared for me ever since the awful
night at Priblov ten years ago, when
my parents we're both killed.
It seemed as If Dmitri could not be
spared. for his mothers little holding
had to be cared for; and Anna Pref
zoff and myself could never do all the
work, though was twenty years ola
and strong for girl.
The day came when Dmitri was to
70: but like stroke out OF a clear
sky, a strange sickness fell upon him
that very morning as he started on
his way to Svelk, where the recruit
ing officer was stationed
Dmitri was very sick, so sick that
he seemed near death. OF course ne
could not go to Svelk that day, but
that only put of bis going little
longer.
Then q quick resolve came to me,
and with It daring plan. that though
I was only q peasant girl, I formed IN
a moments time.
Fired with an unreasoning zeal OF
adventure, I slipped up to the lott
where Dmitri's best clothes lay ready
for him on a cot. I hastily put them
on, and they were a good fit, for ]
was about his height, and large and
strong for q girl. Then I quickly
clipped my hair in the fashion of the
peasant men, and went down stairs.
Calling Anna Pretzoff into the kitch-
en-, l told her Of my determination to
take Dmitri's place. march away with
the troops, and when there was no
longer any fear Of them coming back
for Dmitri. I would explain all and
come home.
At the recruiting station all went
as 1t should, and was soon march.
ing, shoulder to shoulder between two
stalwart peasant soldiers, who took
my presence as 4 matter Of course.
Gu the third day my name was
called as we stopped for dinner beside
q little stream.
"Dmitri Pretzoff, a letter." had
almost forgotten my new name.
The letter had been written by kins-
woman, and said that must come
home at once, for Dmitri was dead.
Dead! Dmitri, my old playmate:
the man I was going to marry some
time! I had not thought that Dmitri
would die.
The old scenes and the familiar
faces that had faded 20 quickly from
my careless mind. that the strange
events Of the last three days had
seemed to obliterate, came back. and
I was homesick with dull, physical
pain. After all. I was only q woman.
and Dmitr1 had been more to me than
/ had been conscious of. must go
home and care for his mother.
That night got permit to visit
the commanding officers tent. He
was alone and I told my errand
briefly.
II am a girl" I said, II took the
place Of Dmitri Pretzoff, who was
too sick to come-now he Is dead.
May I 60 back and take care Of his
mother?"
The officer was astonished, then
nonplussed, and above all he was dis
pleased to think that such . trick had
been played.
did you do this for love Of coun.
try! he questioned.
mo" answered, 81 went to seek
adventure" then l hung my head. for
the part that I was playing did not
seem so heroic as 1t had at home;
al Of q sudden I saw that was
really an impostor.
But I was a woman. very tired,
almost sick, and the officer had com.
passion on me, for he wrote q pasa
and gave me money enough to get
back homo on.
And some way the papers got hold
Of the story and dilated on It a. ~
pers will, and it went all over the
world that I was q second Joan Of
Arc" when I was only . foolish and
ignorant girl.
I started home. still In my uniform.
with my knapsack strapped across ny
shoulders and the precious pass signed
by the commanding officer. in my
pocket.
Leaving the train at the little sta,
ton at Svelk. I tramped disconsolate-
~ through the fields towards my kins.
woman's holding.
A peasant was working In the field
a strong young fellow. I could tell
by the lusty strokes of his mattock.
1t must be Jan Governs. I thought,
helping because Of Dmitri's death.
"Ho. JAM" / called, glad to speak
to one Of my own people again.
But 1t was not Jan that turned
toward me at the sound of my voice
1t was Dmitri. Then I supposed that
l must be delirious from overstrain,
and that the man I saw before me
was only phantom.
But no. 1t was Dmitri, who welcomed
me back % one from the dead; for