The Children of France Part 16

"A long time elapsed ere Captain Grivelet learned, through the Red Cross, what had become of the child. His sorrow had been keen, for he believed that she had been executed. The Padre was still in a prison camp the last I heard of the case. I hope the beautiful little patriot and her uncle may be reunited some day. But Marie has served her country n.o.bly and if she ever comes back she will be splendidly rewarded by her government," said the captain, in conclusion.

CHAPTER XIV

CONCLUSION

"My dear children," said Captain Favor, "there are not many more things to tell you. I knew of one brave little French lad who was mortally wounded, when the Germans took the town in which he lived and shot many of the inhabitants.

"The little fellow I refer to refused the aid of the German surgeon, declaring that he preferred to die rather than to accept the aid of a hated Prussian.

"Another child lost his life for his refusal to tell a German commander in which direction a detachment of French troops had gone.

He did this with full knowledge of what would happen to him if he refused this information. Death were preferable to betraying his own people.

"The full story of the deeds of heroism of the children of France never will be fully told. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of incidents such as I have described to you, that have occurred over there.

"These deeds, this spirit of patriotism and self-sacrifice should be a great lesson to us in America, whether we be young or old. You children who are growing up have a grave responsibility to help your fellows make patriotism a part of their lives. I know you will do, with the lesson of the French children in mind, all you can. America has need of patriotism, and she will have need of more in the years to come. Start something, boys and girls, and keep the fires of patriotism burning."

"We will!" cried the children, with Joe Funk's voice heard above all the rest.

"Perhaps one of these days I shall have some other stories to tell you. I think I have told you enough stories to last for some time. I have told you only such little stories as I know to be true, and here we will stop. Come in to see me any time you feel like it. I shall go to New York in a few days to see a big, big surgeon who thinks perhaps he may put my leg in shape so that I shall walk as well as ever."

"Then, then," said Joe, "I'll bet that you will be going back to the army."

"I'll bet you win, Joe," answered the captain, laughingly. "For the present, au revoir."

THE END