Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05

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Rheims" Thus in few words
Joan of Arc clearly stated that purpose
for which she believed she was born.
The exact date on which the illus
trious French heroine came INTO me
world is uncertain. although it s sup
posed by some historians to nave oeen
January s. 1412.
Three children had preceded her in
the home In Domremy, Lorraine, where
JACQUES d Arc and his good wife lisa :
beau presided. The latter used to tell
that she had experienced a strange
dream before Joar,5 birth. In which
she saw herself the mother OF great
military commander.
Merlin. magician. once propneSleo
that a wonderful maid would some time
appear to heal the nations, and another
seer. Marie d'Avignon. is said to have
been possessed with the idea that a
woman would ruin France and another
would finally save 1t.
Stories circulated freely among the
poor. superstitious peasants. who sut-
fered greatly because their country was
oyerrun with English troops bent on
completely subiugatinS Il. NOT only
that but there were dlSioyal French
subjects. such as the Duke of Burgundy,
who encouraged the enemy and helped
in the plundering And. worse STILL
Queen Isabeau, mother of the I'M
him. champlonipg the cause of her
daughter Ca herine, wife Of Henry
The latter made known his intention
of reigning over France after he. had
won the battle of AgincourJ and con-
ouered Rouen, and by the treaty Of
Troyes was acknowledge as regent He
did not live long after that. His young
son. Henry VI succeeded him. The
child was proclaimed sovereign OF
France as well as England.
There was no unity in the harassed
country. Some of the people were will
ing to acknowledge the English king,
others we're not. Inhabitants liz ed in
constant fear of boti. foreign and do
mestic plunderers. The dauphin, a
timid weakling, loving pleasure more
than honor. remained inactive while
his land was being devastated.
Into such chaos came Joan If Arc TO
inspire her people with courage and to
unite them by crowning their king.
WHILE other children danced and
w played. Joan more often dreamed
and prayed. She was intelligent,
though uneducated. The girl possessed
the time, and this may account for
those voices and visions which first
came to her when she was ID. The
voices we're particularly articulate when
the village church bells were ringing.
BE a good girl. jeanette, be good
girl and God will aid thee" she thought
the archangel. st. Michael, whose fg-
ure she had often seen in chapel win
dows repeated when he visited her.
Presently St. Catherine and st. Mar
oaret appeared and the three urged
her to free her country.
Shrinking from such a task she is
said to have replied: i am poor
l. hon 70 TriF mr.
tight" But the voices continued to
remind her that it was Gods command,
and the girl. trusting and oheying them
soon saw herself in the role she was
hidden to assume as delverer OF
France.
Although able to keep her secret for
q time, ike other girls In their teens,
she was eager to tell what she knew.
Michael Lebuin," she confidsd to one
of her friends, between Coussey and
Vaucouleurs Is girl. who. in less than
a year from now win lead the dauphin
to Rheims and cause him to be an
nointed King of France" Before long
the whole world would know OF Joan's
dreams.
The voices told her that 1t would be
necessary for her to take command of
the French army Knowing that her
father would oppose any attempt on
her part to become Soldier, because
he had once remarked that he would
prefer to see her drowned. she had to
think out a way of accomplishing 1t
without his knowledge.
It would be necessary to leave Dom
remy. Hearing that a man near Vau-
couleurs. whom she called her uncle,
though he was her mothers cousin. had
need of a household assistant Joan
made up her mind to go and live with
him. Before many weeks had passed
she had induced this relative to take
her to Robert de Baudricourt military
commander of the district.
The captain. on learning of the girls
wild ambition to crown the dauphin.
advised her uncle to take her home and
box her ears.
Joan would not be foiled Deciding to
make her own plea. she appeared before
the scornful commander. who tried his
best to insult her.
What would your voices saw to this?"
Baudricourt exclaimed as he unsheath-
ed his sword.
INV voices would say this" the spir-
tied girl replied. piercing a poniard
which she seized from bystander.
straight through the blade of the
naughty captains keen-edged weapon.
Stunned by her impertinence. Bau-
dricourt answered that he would see
what he could do: and because the
people in the district insisted upon his
taking action to help her. he eventually
sent a favorable message regarding her
to Charles.
THESE same friendly citizens of
Vaucouleurs provided Joan with a
soldiers uniform and fine horse to be
used on a long Journey to the palace,
where she must persuade the dauphln
that her voices spoke the truth.
With a tiny company of men. the
dauntleSs maid started out. facing not
few dangers. for the country was in
tested with bandits and constituencies
militariSts When some one inquired II
she had no fear. the 17-year-old girl
declared. God clears the way for me.
was born for this Her faith carried
her on and helped her overcome count
less obstacles.
Four hundred and fifty miles. with
! motors and good roads. would not be
considered much of a trip today. but II
took II DAYS for Joan to make 1t on
horseback over rough paths 500 years
ago.
The dauphin had been informed OF
her coming. but did not at once consent
to see her. After three days of urging
he was prevailed upon to grant her a
hearing. deciding. however. TO prove
whether she was an imposter or not bN
Disgusting himself. Laying aside III!
royal garments. he donneo those Of g
conmoner. -,
presence of the courtlers, most OF
whom we're richly dressed, she knelt
at once before the man IN plain CLONES
asserting quite positively. Thou art tn
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