LITTLE PIERRE

"There are many like Francois among those youthful patriots," began
Captain Favor when his little friends had gathered about him on
another occasion to listen to stories about the Children of France.
"They value neither their own safety nor their lives; they are willing
and eager to make any sacrifice if by so doing they can serve their
beloved France ever so little.

"One finds this spirit everywhere. It is one of the few bright and
beautiful things to be found in the great world war, though many of
the deeds of heroism of the French children will never be known. The
little heroes have made the supreme sacrifice and their lips, sealed
in death, can never tell of their deeds.

"That you may the better understand the spirit of patriotism that
fills the hearts of all these little French children, I will tell you
the story of little Pierre," said the captain. "This is not a long
story, but a more heroic one never has been told.

"While Pierre was twelve he was small for his age, but sturdy, and he
loved his country with a fervor that you children of America also
should have in your hearts."

"We have," spoke up Joe Funk.

"Yes, I think that all of you have. I wish you to keep it, to keep the
fires of patriotism burning and never let them grow dim. As for
Pierre, I will now tell you of the noble sacrifices he made for
France.

"Pierre lived with his mother in a small French village at the time
the Germans entered the town. Being hungry, as usual, they intruded
into the homes of the villagers and helped themselves to whatever they
could find, in some instances after first demanding that food and
money be turned over to them. The villagers dared not disobey nor
even raise a voice in protest.

"A captain and several men entered the home of little Pierre, where
there was a wounded French sergeant that the lad's mother had been
nursing and whom the little boy loved very dearly. The sergeant's
wounds were just beginning to heal, but so weak was he that he could
scarcely stand without someone to lean upon. When the Germans burst in
the wounded man was filled with rage, but he knew better than to
attempt to thwart them.

"'Give us food, all that you have. Hold back anything and you die,"
bellowed the Prussian captain, smiting the table with the flat of his
saber.

"Pierre's mother was stout hearted. 'We have only bread and cheese,'
she said. 'You may take it if you will, but I give not to a Prussian,