The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-06-16
With the Prussians at Metz,
BIZ CHARLES A. GOLDMAN.

Twenty years ago, when the Prus-
bians, like ring of iron, drew their
anvincible army slowly around the
Notifications of Metz, found myself
IN 1 little French village that had just
been taken possession of by the Ger
mans. was correspondent for Gin
cinnati paper during what the French
bsflist in calling the Franco-Prnssian,
kud IN Germans persist in calling the
Ezanto.H herman war.
low stone coping ran along the
rod at the end Of the village, and one
bunny day stood here leaning against
4 HE wall, beside the sentry.
For several days only some slight
pkirmishes had taken place between
The two armies engaged at this point.
They were separated here by di-
gninutive valley, whose sides were
lowered with that most delicious fruit
kor which this region of the Moselle
- famous s--bnnches of glowing all
tumn grapes.
These grapes, as gazed down upon
them, tempted me wonderfully. l
knew the sentry beside me; he was
huge Pomeranian. who, in the capacity
/ bf bis calling, had shaved me num-
ber Of times in the capital of Prussia.
bat q I Iexpressed an inclination to
descend the hillside and secure some
OF the fruit, the sentry shook his
head.
Down there, said he, in the midst
bf that thickct of trees and vines, the
nlnOe was swarming with Frenchmen
only top eager to get shot at man.
laughed at his words. "Why,
what can you see down there, Moritz"
/ Z saids And, in truth, as we gazed
down. the scene seemed peaceful
enough.
Two peasant women, in gaudy CO.'S
&umes, were gathering grapes In little
baskets. Beyond. on the other side
Of the valley, ran wall, upon which
we could catch a glimpse of the red
trousers of the French sentry lolling
there.
After moments hesitation Ileaped
suddenly over the coping and ran
lightly down the hill. Morilz cried
the words of hasty warning after
me, but the sounds fell unintelligibly
upon my ears. The two French
peasant women dropped their baskets
and ran hastily away at the sight of
what they took to be the approach of
one OF those dreaded Prussians.
y In smother moment my parched
gums were feasting on those famous
h grapes. They were delicious. l can
4 taste them yet.
Ny Measure was of short duration.
From some close quarter shot came
RSnddenly and tore away bunch few
lnches from my outstretched hand.
thought at first that this was joke on
the part of my friend, the sentry, and
Ma inst turning about to protest
aeainat such grim humor, when
another shot came in as close prox-
Unity, but fortunately without harm
ing me:
The bright sun dazed my faculties
for an instant. What should / do?
could not ascend that steep and un-
protected hill behind me and reach the
stone coping alive.
l plunged into the thicket where
probably the very danger was lurk-
ing; and yet it was my only refuge.
4 / slipped carefully through the rows
sof vines until l found myself in the
oheller of the trees that covered the
6btlom of the valley. A little stream
f3p past here, and the wood, though
slmell. was very dense.
What troubled me most was that
4 m crackling twigs ceaselessly be-
u &Vod my footsteps. The whole
0nd was covered with dead
tkes. halted and listened, after
ptep, for another sound or sign
enemy.
4 "a sudden a grumbling voice
ppon my ears SO close so me
was startling
est il done?" inquired the
GFll Pr, in voice that was intended
3ok companion only, but which
me distinctly. so near were