The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-01-29
Under the
Red Flag
BY WARREN MILLER

There never has been time since
men began to gather in communities
with view TO establish what We call
civilization that there has not been
sect who desired to take all property
from the rich and divide II among the
poor. In Russia they Gull II the hol-
sheviki, in France it was called in 1870
the Commune.
There was in Paris at that time the
same mixture there always is among
those who desire to detbrone all
government. There are the rascals,
who are usually the leaders; there are
"those who have not" and wish TO de-
spoil those VINO "hnvc." There are
idenlists whose mental vision is
warped, many OF the latter being
Young persons who enthusiastically
ling their whole souls into bad cause,
SuppoSing it to be II noble one.
one day during The occupation Of
Paris by the Commune, when the ma
tiOnal troops We're trying to recapture
the city, small body of soldiers, COM
manded by Captain Boyer, stood in n
street resting on their arms waiting for
an order to advance. Presently their.
captain gave the order attention."
shoulder arms" "march."
Drum taps began to reverberate be-
tween the houses 1s the men moved
forward through the narrow street.
Now and again shot was fired from
II window. some of the bullets bringing
down man in the ranks. But the col
umn moved on.
CASTOR Dubois, the captain, marched
at the head of his men, peerlng for
ward at barricadc he had been or
dercd to take. The street was deserted
between the soldiers and the barricade.
As the command approached the latter
nothing but pile of cobble stones was
visible. The officer led his troops to n
point within range of the defense and
called halt.
The silence of the place puzzled him.
He looked in vain for II hat protruding
above the works, but neither hat nor
face appeared. Thinking to save life
by demanding a surrender, the captain
fixed his handkerchief to the point of
his sword and advanced slowly. A bull
let struck this cxtemporized flag of
truce and 1t noated away in the wind.
The captain changed the formation
of his men from column to company
front, though the street was so narrow
that he was obliged 30 divide the line,
placing Il part OF his men behind the
others, and moved forward. Single
shots were fired from the barricade ac.
companied by an occasional crack from
n window or a housetop. I
Captain Boyer, fearing trap, halted
his men again for consideration. 1t
was indeed singular scene. The mar
row deserted street, the buildings lin
ing it seeming taller from its narrow
ness; not sign of life at window
except an occasional puff of smoke
from one of them; or from roof the
pile of paving stones stopping the way,
behind which the only evidence of hui
nan beings was he crack of rife
every few minutes, all combined to fill
the captain with distrust he would
not have felt in confronting an enemy
ten times us numerous as his company
of rifemcn.
"It is an ambush, captain" said his
first lieutenant.
"What kind of an ambush?" Queried
the commander.
"Why, when we reach Il certain dis
tancc from the barricade swarm OF
, these devilish communists will lear
over It's top and ovcrpower us by mere
/ force of numbers"
"Thnt may be true" reioined the
captain, "but II will not prevent oui
dying like soldiers doing our duty
Then raising his voice: Forward
march !" .-
The troops obcycd, but 1t was plair
that they moved with reluctance
There was scarcely one of them VIII,
had not formed some such solution o
the situation as the lieutenant. The
bnrrlcadc looked to them more dread
iul than hundred men lined up fol
battle, with guns pointed ut them
ready to fire.
They had reached "A point some hun
drcd feet from the rampant when th'
defense Sprang To its crest. But II wa
no hoard Of communists with rifles
shotguns, scythcs and other impro
vlScd implements of war. 1t was ;
slender girl; or rather, beautiful
fury. In her left hand she held blood
red flag, its color reflected in he
cheeks; in her right revolver iron
which she sent bullets at the attack
ing force.
When all the chambers of her weapon
were emptlcd, throwing 1t at the fore
most files, she took the red flag of tn
Commune In both her hands, held
aloft and waved it dcfiantly. The car
tain, his licut"nants, his men stood me
tionless. Not shot was returned
I though several of the men were wound
ed, Presently the captain said;
"MadcmolSellc, have you force col
cealcd behind the barrcadeW
"No, monsieur lc capltainc. The me
have skulked away leaving me Its sol
defender. Nivc Ia Commune
The captain, uncovered, went TO tn
foot of the rampant and held out hi
hand inviting her to descend.
IL. II.