Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-11-07

port. Hon. Saml Shellabarger had told
him when he left Springfield that he would
not need one. This would have been true
so far as peace times were concerned, but
in the warlike state of Europe a pass
port was an absolute necessity for
foreigner. Just at this juno
ture the news came that King Louis
OF Bavaria had decided to join his forces
to the German cOnfederacy This fact rem
dered it likely that Munich would be under
marshal law and an undesirable place for
| study. Mr.. Griffith therefore resolved to
see Italy and after that Switzerland He
waited some time at Zurich for a passport
which the American minister procured for
| him. Just at this time an uncomfortable
desire possessed him to go right on to Paris
the American heaven. The more he
thought over the plan the better it
seemed to him, Paris at least, it was
thought, would never becOme.-sA eat OF
war. He thereupOn decided to set OF I'M
medately far Paris. The war had inter-
fered with all railway travel TO points in
France, "Griff' therefore walked most of
the way with knapSack and staff to Dijou
in France. From there he found that it
would be practically impossible for anyone
but soldier to get to Paris. He therefore
determined on the bold course of eniisting
in the French army. Regiments were be-
ing made up every few days ard in mar
yellOusly short time Griff found himself
in the national uniform of the
grenadiers of Louis Napoleon's army.
The troops were then put into trains and
taken direct TO Paris. We landed" said
Griff. lat the Care du Nord, the great
northern railroad depot of France, and were
marched up one of the grand bOulevards as
far as the Column of July. 1t was deter
mined to billet the troops on the citizens.
Up to this time had had no difficulty with
my fellOw-soldiers, as l had said little or
nothing, and attracted no attention in the
hurry of transportation. In Paris it was
different, however. The soldiers soon saw
that was not Frenchman, and could not
speak French. Like lightning the report
flashed through the ranks that l was a
PrusSian. Kill him. they yelled again and
again. l thought my last minute had come.
was finally rescued, however, and hun
died off in a carriage to the Office of the
American minister, whom l had asked TO
see. The minister at that time was Hon.
Elihu B. Washburne. He was rather grutf.
| stated my business. Yes said he, dry
ly, You came to Paris; of course you did.
II there was road to Hell the Ameri-
cars would find it. l was very cool
Iy received and was In rather
despairing mood by this time. Minister
Washburne took me to the office of the
explained. The prefect looked over my
passport and papers of enlistment and
obviously could not understand how
Yankee could have the surprising enter
prise to enlist in the French army in order
to get to Paris. My enlistment could not
be annulled and / was granted parole.
Under this parole wandered around Paris
and saw all its sights. Once during the
siege Washburne sent for me and told me
that in view of the uncertain state of things
in Parie, had better come and stay at his
house with his son Clarence, a very fine
Young man, for time. l did so, being
treated with great kindness, and at the end
of a short period my stay in Paris was
ended A number of English, Americans
and Germans were collected into one COM
pany and sent through the lines with flag
of truce. That was the last l saw of Paris.
Before left Paris got my discharge from
the army of France and have it up in my
trunk at home now. Come up some time
aud will show it to YOU"