Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-08-22

recent air raids m Paris. An ar rald IN II nerve
racking time. The newspaper accounts and the
magazine stories do not tell you one-hundredth
OF the anguish lived through by the people who
crouch in their cellars. listing to bombs that ex-
tiole close by and expecting all the time that the
next missile will demolish the house over their
heads.
The fayorite gathering places for civilians dur
ing air raids is in the cellars. During the raid Of
which I speak, one Of these underground places
was crowded with refugees. But they were not
mopjng or trembling. Instead, they were con.
stantly joking and laughing about their predica-
ment. They did not for one second lose their
hne courage and stanchness.
When the bombs had ceased to fall, they came
up to the street level once more. But they dd
not breathe great signs OF relief and thank their
lucky stars for not being hit. Not they! Iheir
eyes glowed with the fire Of unquenci'ed spirit
and they shook their fists in the direction OF the
departing German airplanes.
Those FOOLS" they shouted. "ThOse fools!
They think they can break us! They 90 NOT kho"
us! Never shall we yield! Never"
This IL not the only splendid exhibition OF
French devotion that l have seen with my own
ewes. The people in the rural regions are no less
determined In their ardor. Although nearly one
hfth Of France has been Invaded ny u ruthless
enemy and some portions invaded the second
time. these country folk would die rather thah
give themselves up to the roe.
In n village Of the devastated district l FOUND
mttIe old woman who was living alone. She
was working ut washing linen for the soldiers
who were In trenches not far away. Her own
bonsc Ind been burned down by the Germans.
She told me her pathetic story.
7, seems TINT n German officer who had a very
bsd reoutation for molesting the civilians had
noon ouartered IN her house. After he had been
there for a few hours he went to the small stove
which heated the house and opened II 10 pu.
in some wood. But when he put In the stick OF
wood he allowed the end to ~protrude. 50 that. as
aeon AZ It began to burn. the fire blazed outward
into the room. lie then placed a screen near
this blazlng wood so that It would catch nre.
rhe old woman saw what he was doing and Knew
that Il was his design to burn down her mousse.
He had already burned a house In the next street
IN The same manner. Knowing that she was pow
er,ess 10 prevent him.. and being filled with des'
mir. she fell on her knees before him.
.Snare me" she ~entreated Of him. spare
this house and allow me to live mere IN peace
What have I ever done to you'll"
Rut she had hardly uttered these words when
shame overcome her because she was aDasins
herself before a German. In another instant sne
had risen to her feet.
"wTat am I doing!" she exclaimed. "Je suia
perdul I am disgraccd. I have entreated a favo'
from the foe Of my native country"
Then ahe crossed the room Deiorc 'Wc ..o
,shed officer and took up his gun. PLACING u u
his hnnds she told him to kill her. 80
IT deserve no less than death" she said. :"
have ~disgrnced France by knecling to ask a favo'
Of one Of her enemies" 49,
Probably the German officer would nave k,.e,
the woman. hut At that moment one Of MS protne,
officers came into the house. He must nave na'
q more tender heart, for he took pity on tne on
woman aud put a stop to the proceedings 30 nc