The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-09-27

with crowns on their heads and sweet
songs on their lips. We know nothing
of the conflict that Joan must have
been waging in her own soul during
The five years that elapsed between her
first vision and her departure from
her fathers home. Her family tried
to marry her to young man Of the
village, claiming that she had promised
him when anly child but she refus-
ed and carried the trial to court and
in order to escape was taken by an
uncle to another village, and there she
was received as if she were a spirit,
some declaring she came from the Evil
one, others said she was from God.
People came from far and near to see
ner She was very much interested in
the conflicts between her nation and
England, and was known to forecast
what the effect of certain battles would
be. So true were her predictions that
the people were convinced Of her mis-
sion and decided to listen to her ad-
vice, and secured her horse, the cap
tain giving her a sword Her mission
was to lead the king, Charles VII, to
Rheims to be crowned. Clad in male
attire and on her white horse, she ar
rived at the court of Charles VII. So
strong was the opposition against her
| that for awhile she was not allowed to
see the king, but finally she was lead
into his presence. She Immediately
recognized the king from among a
number of lords and embraced his
knees. Joan told him who she was
and that she was sent by God to lead
him to Rheims to be crowned. Ev-
eryone marveled at her knowledge, so
much so that experienced doctors,
distinguished professors and priests
were called to examine her. The re-
plies she made to their questions were
astonishing to these learned men and
they gave the verdict that she was evil
Gently inspired. No time was to be
lost. Orleans was crying for help,
and Joan having convinced the king,
priests and the majority of the COM
mon people, was equipped for the
work by being given a train consisting
OF squire, a noble page, two heralds-
at-arms, a seneschal confessor, and
two Wallets. She was also accompanied
by her brother.
She was followed into Orleans by
a great number of captains and their
armies, all of whom through the good
influence of their leader, were changed
from savage, warlike beasts into Chris
tan gentlemen. On the way to Or
leans she caused to be erected an altar
where they took communion. On the
first night of their march Joan was
forced to sleep on the ground, and moi
being accustomed to such hardships
she was i'll in consequence, but she was
not daunted and pressed forward, the
fear of danger being unknown to her
Joan entered Orleans on the night Of
April "a, 1929, about eight o'clock ant
proceeded to the church, and from
there to the home of the duke of Or
leans, where she was welcomed by tn,
dukes wife and daughter. She enter
ed the town along with the provision
but her army marched down stream
again so the immediate attack Joal
had planned had to be postponed. TIL
people believed her to be a witch an,
were afraid of her. The captain wa
very cruel to her, keeping her heral,
with the thought of burning him il
the hopes of breaking the charm. TIL,
army was late and she sent a messen
ger to order its arrival, herself advanc
ing to meet it, while the people an,
priests sang hymns. The procession
passed before the English bastille
and the army entered the town on Ma,
lth, protected by some priests and
girl. Joan was so excited over tn,
coming battle that she was unable t,
sleep, and Immediately after lyins
down that night, started up exclaim
ing: MY God, the blood of our peopl
is running on the ground. It was il
done! Quick My horse! My arms!'
In moment she was armed and gal
loped off at full speed and met men al
ready wounded. The bastille was at
tackled again and upon reaching tn,
battlefield Joan put herself the heaC
OF the army, and the opposing force.
withdrew and the bastille was carried
This was Joan's first victory and il
thanksgiving she declared that sh,
would take communion on the morrow
and spend the day in prayer.
During the several days that the
battle continued Joan was struck by
an arrow between the neck and shout
der, but would only allow a little OF
to be poured on the wound. No fur
Their progress was made that day bu
the battle was renewed the next day
but only for a short time, as the Eng
lsh leaders, Suffolk and Talbot, gave