Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-05-24

official Would dare to question, and, after
looking them over he bowed very low, and
inquired:
"Will monsieur remain long in France?'
s'That will depend on the state of the chest
nut Market" replied.
During the day I called upon the secretary
of legation for consultation, and when told
him of the spies he said that every American
in the country was under surveillance to
greater or less degree The war in the United
States was exciting the French people and
making them restless and the political police
had been doubled in number. Revolution
was breeding, and Napoleon was determined
to apply the knife with vigorous hand. Sus-
poets were arrested and imprisoned in the
most arbitrary manner, and no one felt that
he could trust any one outside his own fam
lily.
was to go from Paris to Reims. Spies
had followed me everywhere in Paris, and
planned to get out of the city without being
Swallowed. The clerk at the hotel Office
hoped 1 would give him days notice Of my
intended departure. He wanted to inform
the spies, but determined to beat him.
ate my dinner as usual, went out for stroll,
and when returned rushed for valise, al
ready prepared, demanded my bill on the in
slant and was out Of the house in ten minutes
pleading a case of life or death. went on
foot for three squares, engaged a cab to take
me to the station from which could depart
from Versailles, and as soon as he had put me
down and departed walked away and en-
gagged another vehicle to convey me to the
right depot. We arrived ten minutes be-
fore the departure Of the train, and I pur-
chased my ticket and got away with the rush.
As came to know subsequently, there was
great row raised over my departure. Spies
were sent out by the dozen, kilograms de-
spatched by the score, and l arrived at Reims
to find a crowd Of no less than six officials
awaiting to arrest me. 1t was not exactly an
arrest, either. As I left the train an official
touched me on the arm and respectfully said
Monsieur the American will oblige me?' i
''If possible" replied, knowing well what
was coming.
s'Then monsieur will accompany me in my
carriage to make call at headquarters"
Two carriages followed ours, and after a
drive of a mile we drew up at the headquarters
of the bureau of public safety In Reims It
was misnomer. 1t should have, been called
the bureau Of public peril, for the arbitrary
measures of this department were making
fresh enemies every hour in the day. The
chief was very pompous and digniied man.
Hereceived me politely, but coldly, and the
first question asked was:
lis monsieur guilty of some crime that he
leaves Paris so secretly?"
II left when got ready, and after my own
fashion. Here are my papers. Examine
them and satisfy yourself"
He looked them over. No official in France
dared dispute them or put me under arrest
after seeing them
But why did monsieur claim to be an Eng
lishmang' he asked.
II never did"
$50! But you speak French, and yet you
denied it."
~ never denied it."
''But you say you want chestnuts for
American soldiers. What do they do Ewith
them?'
make soup, Of course.n
"Oh That is different. 1t must be good
soup. Monsieur asked why the French did
not make a republic"
''That was to please one of your political
spies"
''Spies! Have we spiesa"i
Thousands, sir They are at every sta
ton, in every hotel and cafe, on the steam
boats, in the omnibus In the theatre and
church. They have logged me ever since I
landed. Napoleon is afraid have come to
usurp the throne. You had better search
my hind pockets and see if have usurper
with me-"
They looked puzzled, and, after consulta-
ton, was bowed out Of headquarters and
sent in a carriage to hotel. Twice after
ward, at Amiens and Lille, I was brought
up in the same way and sent off after exami-
nation; and during my three months stay
in the country there was never day that I
was not under surveillance and suspicion
New York Sun.