The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-05-25
FRENCH SPIES.

The police system of Russia, intolerable as
it is, is not whit more dangerous to the
liberties of the people than the French system
under the last Napoleon was In the last
years of his reign he brought the spy corps
to perfection Outside Of the criminal police
the emperor had thousands Of political spies
in his pay. No work was too degrading for
these men, They had the contempt of the
regular police and the hatred of all honest
men, but Napoleon increased their number
and encouraged them in their high handed
measures. He feared investigation, revolu-
tion, assassination; he believed, or pretended
to believe, that he lived over slumbering
volcano. French sentiment was drifting to-
ward liberty, and he aimed to kill it. Tho
Russian masses are fifty years behind the
French. When the time comes they will do
just as the French did, and the czar and his
spies and police will be helpless. Napoleon
smothered liberty by threats, insults, impris-
onnlents, confscation and other bulldozing
methods, but when the alarm came he was
helpless. In one single hour his power and
greatness fled away, his numberless spies
turned traitor or hid themselves. and the
people threw eff the yoke forever
In the early days of the war was selected
by our government to perform u certain mis-
sion i'll France had Travelled oil over that
country, could speak French like native
and President Lincoln honored me enough to
believe i'll my wisdom and discretion This
mission was connected with the attitude of
France toward this republic If Napoleon
was not personally hostile to tho United
States, and had not plans to further no
boundless ambition, he was at least causing
great anxiety in Washington by his hesitancy
and half-heartedness.
When | landed in Havre was surrounded
with all the safeguards one could ask for
had my certificate Of American citizenship, q
passport, letter to the American minister,
and my movements were to be controlled
from his headquarters. My departure from
Washington was known to less than half q
dozen officials We had no ocean telegraph
in those days. Thcro we're Frenchmen among
my fellow passengers, but | had been very
discreet, may have been over cautious. 1t
may have been for this very reason that
was spotted as soon as walked down the
gang plank, for spotted l was had been
engaged in detective o::d secret service work
long enough to pick l:p good many point
ers. had shadowed men, and | knew how
i
walked from the plank to hack felt that
was al object of sollcitudc to some ono in the
crowd. could not pick him out, but knew
he was there.
did not purpose going to Paris for several
days. drove to hotel, registered plainly
and correctly, and went to my room Al
most Immediately descended again, to find Il
spy and the clerk with their heads together
over the book, and | heard my name men
toned The spy slim, spare man of 30,
well dressed, black hair and eyes, and carried
a cano. ! knew from his ways that he was
not detective connected with the regular
police, and if SO he must be political spy
returned to my room without being seen, and
half an hour later had call from the man.
~ beg a thousand partlons, monsieur, but
you just arrived by steamerf' he asked.
II did. y
l had frieuds relatives. two sisters, who
wero to sail by her from New York. They
have not arrived am very anxious. Per.
haps you met them!"
'What is the nameT'
Dubois, monsieur"
"Ah yes Well, have sad news for you
They were swept overheard and drowned on
the third day out"
He threw up his hands. uttered sort Of
shrek and fled down the corridor He had
simply come to make sure that | was an
.iIlerican and to get q closer look at me.
His sisters" were myths, and gave him the
guy because | knew that such was the case.
We landed before noon. After dinner
tool! u walk about, and | hadn't gone four
squares before ! tumblcd to the fact that
was shadowed. My spy had changed his ha:
and coat and donned red wig, but | knew
him by his build and gait. Men can dis
guise their faces and bodies and draw on
gloves to hide scars on the hands, but no man
living can long disguise his gait He may
limp, toe out, too in, or make any other
change but he will unconsciously relapse
into his old gait after few minutes gave
the fellow no attention, and after little be
grew bold enough to almost walk beside me.
| was out for a couple of hours, and he
shadowed me back to the hotel That even
ing | went to the theatre. and he had a seat
not far away.
After breakfast next morning received a
visit from the spy's superior. If l rcmem-
ber right, he said he was chief of some di.
vision acting under orders from Paris He
politely asked for my passport, and not
only gave him that but some letters which
seemed to open his eyes very wide.
"Oh, yes-certainly- nly-axcuse-excuse!' he
hastened to say. Monsieur is prominent
American, Of course. am very sorry, and
hope you have not been inconvenienced
He went away seemingly satisfied, but when
| went but for drive the spy took up my
trail again. When l went out after dinner it
was on foot, and the man had now become
very bold. He must have argued that
could not remember his voice nor penetrate
h "A for I
the quays, he overlook me and said in French
We'll, JULIUS what brings you here7'
III think you have made mistake" re.
piled, in English.
"Ahl so have, thousand pardons!n he
exclaimed, as he lifted his hat and bowed.
You closely resemble valued friend of
mine, and | was so sure of his identity, you
know. You are English monsieur, one from
Eng!andT'
"Well!'
~ like the English. My mother was an
English woman. Are you seeing the sights2'
"Yes, trying to-"
"They are not grand, monsieur, but it is g
pleasant place. Has monsieur been long from
Londont'
Only few days"
"Ah And monsieur can only speak Eng
lish. 1t is too bad"
YES so it isl
understood that his object was to find Out
something about me, and that it did him lot:
of good to have me tacitly admit that was
an Englishman when be knew better. could
speak French and he knew it, but he encour
aged me to deny it. In this way he could
make me out suspicious character. Ia wa:
with me for two hours, and We seemed To
| part with regret That evening as l walked
out he followed me in new disguise He lost
sight of me only as l slept until l took the
train for Paris at Rouen we had delay of
| half an hour owing to accident, and second
spy took me in charge. BE was got up as a
shopkeeper on his way to Paris on business.
and he addressed me in French and answered
him promptly enough l felt sure of his
identity, and as We rode together be exhibited
the dspicable side Of character for which the
political spies were notorious. he had dis
covered that was an American travelling
for pleasure
''Ahl how glorious to live in republic