The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-09-20
A Sharp Soldier.

NHE struggle now going on between
IL the French and Prussians recalls to
mind an amusing anecdote of the wars of
the first Napoleon. will tell the tale as
it was told me-making allowance for diff
ference of style in the narrators:
A certain French soldier, whose name
l know not, moved by the love of beer,
pretzels, sauerkraut, or aught else, which
also l know not, had deserted over to the
German service. Twice he was retaken,
and escaped punishment through some
fortunate accident but the third time it
was resolved, with sacres' loud and deep
No mercyl
However, he had laid in good stock
of Germau-not bolognas, but gutturals.
Possibly he had been taught by some fair
Katherine, for who can talk if woman
can't! So our Frenchman resolved to
pass for a good old Dutch Hans; no
mistake about that OF course his COM
rades loaded him with a shower of re-
proaches for his rascality or courage
take your choice-and he overwhelmed
them with torrent of High Dutch.
The trial came. Jean, Henri, Fran
chois, and dozen or two more testified to
his identity. And such host of ques-
tions was poured on him! Still he per-
sisted he was German, in German too
$50 much that the services of an inter-
prefer had to be called into requisition.
So the trial had to be postponed that
the wise heads might find some plan to
entrap this imperturbable German.
1t was agreed that at the next session
of this most worthy court-martial, the in
terpeter should give questions and an
swers just the opposite of the real ones,
hoping to stir up the French blood. Re-
solved, seconded-passed.
Well, the prisoner was once more
brought before them. The game was
perfect failure. Not muscle of the
would-be Germans face moved.
"Mon Dieu! What shall we do ?"
said the presiding officer.
Off our friend was paced to prison,
and you may think how heads were
scratched and scratched to devise some
other plan. "I have it," said one. $50
you have" said they all, when he made
known his sagacious plan.
So this enterprising individual went at
night to the prison with single compan-
ion. Overpowering the guard-rather
easy when the latter made no resistance
they seized the keys, rushed to the pris-
oner's cell, shook him and awoke him.
" Come, now; we know you're so-and-so,
but no matter, you're a good fellow
Here's your only chance. Come along w
Our deserter looks at them with va
cant stare, and thunders out cart load of
German jawbreakers. Failure No. 2.
Then it was agreed, probably by the phil
osophical officers, to snare real live Ger
man, and compare his sprachen sie with
that of the pseudo Teuton-"Tres 5esn"
"Well, some poor countryman was
found, probably cajoled by the promise of
" Zwei glass lager" and brought before
the august tribunal with his friend and
brother"
But the latter was not yet to be caught.
AS soon as he laid his eyes on the burly
peasant, he cried out-in German, of
course: go, my dear cousin How
are you Don't you remember me ?" etc.,
even affectionately inquiring after the
health of the pigs and poultry.
This was too much but the French
character is magnanimous. The presid-
ing officer turning to him said:
Well, [ know you're so-and-so, but
your coolness, worthy of soldier, mer-
its your forgiveness. Go, but let this
be your last offence"
One would think that here his pres
ence of mind would fail him. No, in
deed Turning to the interpreter, he
asked for an explanation. 1t was given
him. Then, bowling respectfully to the
officer, he thanked him in--German
Talk Of German relations and Dutch
uncles' after that