The Bossier banner., 1892-07-21
|yGEROUS SITUATION.
Experience in the
Franco-P Prussian War.

M ,pg years ago, when the Prns-
HE ring of iron, drew their in
ssarmy slowly around the fortifi-
/ great ], Il Metz, found myself in lit
neees sueh village that had just been
mems at .ssession of by the Germans. l
chicks .rpspondent for Cincinnati pa
Fms aud a,ine what the French persist in
|enient !, tbe Franco-Prussian, and the
| aii the ans persist in calling the Franco
e. = SSnsn war.
e WIN low stone coping ran along the
easier i the end of the village, and one
r VITA day stood here leaning against
|'fooae' wall beside the sentry.
/ y sae several days only some slight
70 ae' ubhes had taken place between
70 De so armies engaged at this point.
|AeIs O Ywere separated here by dimirl-
: tnei Valley, whose sides were covered
Eraekfa Sgt most delicious fruit for which
WeeM rrion of the Moselle is famous
|o'ii sae hes Of glowing autumn grapes.
lilsfhe' se grapes, as | gazed down upon
keep tempted me wonderfully. / knew
ghsea sntry beside me; he was a huge
a'ess Y ranian who, in the capacity of his
i'o@. IL, had shaved me a number of
IN the capital of Prussia. But as
dressed an inclination to descend
ley win hillside and secure some of the
L treat the sentry shook his head.
Hbwn there said he, sin the midst
|mi1Y o Bat thicket of trees and vines, the
70 masa was swarming with Frenchmen
oi ~ too eager to get shot at a man."
8ughed at his words. "Why, what
y ~, e you see down there, Moritz?" said
e' IN truth, as we gazed down, the
n' seemed peaceful CROUCH.
No peasant women, in gaudy cos
a'e uis we're gathering grapes in little
|on-ss'a RS Beyond, on the other side OF
porn z nley ran wall, upon which we
dsateh aglimpse of the red Trousers
Enitiye French sentry lolling there.
constr asr moments hesitation | leapet
resuis saly over the coping and ran light
|rops q sWn the HILL Moritz cried th'
aof hasty warning after me, bu
hsity @ nunds fell unintelligibly upon m.
tite ! The two French peasant womel
and 3Rd their baskets, and ran hastil,
|undant 4 at the sight of what they took t.
approach of one of those dreade'
which &Sians.
. to in. another moment my parched gum
Is farm feasting upon those famou
L inter PES They were delicious. l ca
them yet.
maks pleasure was of short duration
use II some close quarter shot cam
fathers ehly and tore away bunch a fe,
outol nom my outstretched hand.
It con: gat at first that this was Joke O
y witA AH of my friend, the sentry, an
just turning about to prote:
Ia. thai " such grim humor when anothe
|enough zane IN as close proximity, br
To con aately without harming me.
work bright sun dazed my faculties fe
Jar, n ssant What should ] do? l coul
is Be ssend that steep and unprotecte
ratheF shind me and reach the stone CO.
aiiye.
I is The paulged into the thicket where pro-
bt onlT 'ae very danger was lurking; ar
serious j vas my only refuge.
bitusE apped carefully through the rov
IS in y .Es until | found myself in ii
|e help ~ OF the trees that covered Il
sooner = oi the valley. A little strea
|7,ap ii II past here .,a +ho ,od +Lo,,r
Ranch y was very dense.
|rihutss / ~ ~ troubled me most was that Il
bpnleAs sag twigs ceaselessly betray,
n thah was'eps. The whole ground w
Ids aIs -sa Waeh dead branches. / haltt
! ne tos saed, after every step, for a
|ndeea' sOund or sign of the enemy.
cow, wy were near they must infal
|gnizss ~. aeard the noise of my NOV
ko nesa yet l could not hear the sligl
lrIners .'se Of their presence.
stood here, unmolested for
|narkea @east, began to speculate on
|pe ana this dilemma into which
|are ~ agatlessly wandered. My e
|leson .s~ foamed from tree to TIRE
|cesfar ssafe avenue for retreat 1
bp ing saese @ so still that could hear
TO u suing of musketry, so dista
|cesto's @ fall of leaf would ha
| whea Z wind. " " '
gros sudden grumbling voice bro
td = ears SO close to me that it W
pfs eSs it doncP" inquired the CRU
voice that was intended