beginning a new story. "Such quick thinking as hers in the face of an
emergency, is very rare in a child, which makes Gené's achievement
stand out so prominently.

"Gené's mother had been ill for months. She had been bedridden all
that time, leaving to the little girl the heavy work of the home, for
the father, too, was in poor health. Gené, though only ten years of
age, was a resolute and capable child, as you will see when I tell you
the story of how she won two little battles of her own.

"After the battle of the Marne the Prussians were pressing northward,
venting their rage on the defenseless inhabitants, killing many such
and carrying others away with them. It was desperate business that
these brutal Prussians were engaged in. Finding themselves unable to
whip the Allied soldiers, they sought to terrorize old men, women and
children.

"Gené's home was situated at the edge of a village, and though they
knew the Germans were headed in their direction, they thought the
soldiers would take pity on their sad condition and leave them alone.

"One day, however, a company of Bavarian dragoons entered the
outskirts of the village and halted before the child's home. Tying
their horses, they entered the house and began a systematic search of
it. They ripped up carpets and tore beds to pieces, helped themselves
to all the food in the house, then turned their attention to the
husband, who had stood helplessly by. Not Gené. She stood trembling
with anger, scarcely able to restrain herself.

"'We want your money!' demanded the captain of the dragoons, turning