Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25

| dangerous mist ion. Let II be what III mlgHt
Otto Kappuch would always volunteer. and
his big blue eyes would flash with steely
| CLEAN as he got himself ready for the expe.
dition, though he knew he might never see
another sun rise, never go back to the little
yine-clad cottage am Rhein, where he had
first seen the light of day.
CHAPTER !.
It was in the autumn of fateful '10-fate'
/ full for the French-that went out to Ar
lon in Belgium, burning to help the poor
fellows wounded in the deadly struggle
that was going on between the two mighty
powers. My cousin was chief agent abroad
for ''The National Society for Aid to the
Sick and Wounded in War" and was ad-
ministering the fund, amounting to 94OO,-
900, which the British public, with its
usual generosity, had subscribed for the pur-
pose. The society's chief depot was then a:
Arlon, and very busy were all its members,
getting off clothing, bedding of all kinds,
provisions, medical stores, surgical instru-
ments, brandy, wine and beer. 1 had my
hands full, not an instant to spare. and L
was not sorry when one day nv cousin,
Captain - came to me and asked me II
would go down with some fourgons toward
Metz, as the army of 100000 men, under
Prince Frederick Charles then investing
it, were in want of some medical comforts
as well as their less fortunate foes.
OF course, 1 said 'fYes," and early in the
morning of the following day 1 climbed up
and seated myself beside the driver of one
of the fourgons, and off we started, leading
the van. The wagons were strong, heavy
affairs, each one drawn by brace of sturdy
horses, with large red cross painted on
the side, while We flew the Union Jack as
an ensign.
We had no military escort, inasmuch as
it was agreed by the governments that
signed the German Convention that all per-
the sick and wounded should have the pro-
lection of neutrality during the time of
war; 1 wore no uniform. only nv ordinary
clothes, with a brassard, having red cross
upon it round my arm. This badge also bore
the stamp of the society and that of some
German and French authority.
1t was lovely autumn day, and the
CLEANS of the newly-risen sun fell on the
still thick LEAKAGE of the trees, lighting up
their glowing tints of russet, purple, Grim
son, orange and gold, with ruddy glow;
glinting on the dewdrops that hung spark
ling like diamonds on every blade of grass
as tne preeZe s"ePI ny. surfing
them with gentle touch, while over
fecked here and there with light, feecy,
gosssmer-like clouds-a sky that was almost
Italian in its blueness
As we logged along through the golden
dawn, my companion, the driver, Belgian
and a merry grig, amused himself by sing
ing snatches of national songs. in a curious,
cultural patosi, while 1 pulled
steadily at rather disreputable-lOoking
and gazed persistently ahead to
catch glimpse of any fray that might be
going on around Metz.
After driving steadily for about three
hours we stopped by the roadside to rest
and feed the horses, and also to recruit the
inner man with little light refreshment
which we had brought with lis. Rather ,
more than an hour passed, then off we started |
again, and four hours later We arrived at |
the village of Villers-la Ia Montague, where
we were to pass the night. 1 put up at a |
quaint old-world little hostelry, the Croix |
dor, in the principal street, where I had |
some excellent potage, an omelet done as |
only French cook can do them, and bot |
tie of good wine, old / knew from the cob |
webs with which the glass was thickly en-
crusted. More than that L could not get.
Provisions were scarce in the villages any
investing army, for the Prussians made
forced requisitions on the towns and viii
lagos within reach of their army, and left |
the unfortunate peaceably disposed French
folk and the peasantry with woefully little
TO eat.
Still was content, quite SO, when had
nv old friend the meerschaum once more
my lips and lounged in the low,
lark doorway of mine inn, watching the
xestering sun tinge all the heavens with his
-uddy glow, and listening to the boom of the
,eavy guns that came across the valley, and
old that the forts around Metz were throw
ng big shells at the enemy's lines, and it
eemed strange to see young girls driving
home the cows, old women spinning quietly
It their. doors, little children playing in the
treets, and well-grown lads and men loung-
ng idly about, when the enemy, the hated
orussian was so near at hand. As looked
It the stalwart young Frenchmen, l could
lot but wonder why they were not in the
rmy, helping to drive the invaders out of
heir country.
My reflections, however, were dispersed
ather suddenly and rudely, by shouts, ex-
and the clatter of horses
loofs, and looking up in the direc-
ion from whence the noise came,
aw German officer and some thirty Or
orty Uhlans riding down the uneven, stony
treet at full tilt.
/ guessed their errand at once. They had |
ONE on forced requisition.
The troops pulled up few yards from
ne, and the officer asked in tolerable French
Fho was the chief man in the village? Half
dozen eager yet angry voices answered,
nd mine host of the Croix dor was fetched
ut, for it seemed that he was the most
important parsonage then in Villers-la-
1ontagne.
As he went forward to his interview with
he Germans, saw his buxom wife, who
ras a Pole, and therefore of course hated
he Prussians with a deadly hate,
eckon to Jules, the cadaverous
nd ill-favored garcon of the inn, to come to
er
elbow many horses have these miscreants
eft us?" she demanded in French, in low
ones, meant only for her servants ears
''There are three in the stable 4 the pres
Mt time, madam" he replied in the same
'nEgge -,
"Cerise, Loeson dor, and Falette."
(Which is the swiftest of the three?" she
ueried.
Palette, madam, is the youngest"
"How long would it take thee to reach
ongwy on her?'
''Not long," he replied, sudden
ght leaping in his dark eyes
nd burning there luridly, as he cast mur- i
erous glance at the officer and his Uhlans .
inside, conversing with his master. "She
fresh. She will 60 swiftly"
''Saddle her then," ordered the woman
Steal out quietly. Thou knowest the
lortest way to the fort. Do not spare Fal- I
tie. They have plenty there for them,"
he concluded grimly, with scarcely per- ,
'ptible gesture toward the German SOL ]
ers. ,
81 understand he replied with a sar- {