A REMINISCENCE OF THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1546, 1 June 1882, Page 2

A REMINISCENCE OF THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR.

A most interesting event took place the other day at the Grand Opera in Paris. Every lorgnette was diiected toward a certain box near the stage when a young lady entered and took her seat in front. The young lady is very fair and aristo-cratic-looking, but the attraction was not created by her beauty. It was the story, so full of interest, which is attached to her name that caused the commotion among the high-bred company on her entrance. Some little while ago the reminiscences of a military officer during the Franco-German war were published, and among other anecdotes was one of a certain freezing moonlight night, with the snow lying three feet deep upon the ground in the forest near Nancy. A detachment of infantry is marching slowly through the snow, when the word to halt is given. By the wayside the form of a tall old man is visible in the moonlight ; he totters along beneath the heavy burthen he is carrying. At first the risk of being fired at wab great, as the German spies were known to assume all disguises to elude suspicion on the part of the French soldiery. But the words spoken by the poor wayworn traveller soon reassured the commander of the troops. " I am the Count de Rouffe, and have just escaped from the chateau, which the Germans have entered and will no doubt burn down before dawn." " And what have you there ?" said the captain, pointing to the burthen beneath which the poor Count was sinking. "It is my child," returned he. " She sleeps for very weariness, and I can carry her no further." The soldiers were soon busy in constructing a rude litter of boughs, the captain threw his capote over the sleeping child, the corporal's napsack was placed beneath her head, and on marched the troop with step all the lighteraud spirits all the merrier for the addition to their cares. All's well that ends well. The troops reached Nancy in safety, and the fair girl, all surprised and scared, awoke to find herself among, friends after - the horrible distress and. terror she had experienced on the ap-' proacli of the Germans. It was the heroine of the romance, no longer a child, but a lovely maiden, who appeared at the opera, and ,was hailed with immense applause. „ ■ , i

The Congregationalists are contemplating the establishment of two schools of a higher grade in Spain, One for the train- , ing of young women; the other for educating yotra'g^rnen to oe'come evangelists. ' ?"£ b'on't like to'lTe left 'alone'^with a gal," says Sam Slick ; "it's plaguy ap*tto set 'me soft : sawdeVih and a courtin.. There's a sort'of natefal attraction like in ' this '^rqrlcl;* ODwbf sMps 1 in ia\ calm are^ sure to^geb 3 along^ide^ol^jeacli pother, if, 1 there ;is no wind:- and" th'eVlJi'ave* "nothingi ; t6ta^u| ;lS.o|^eaf^tH^|natur,does;