The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-05-20
DANGEROUS SITUATION.
An Americans Experience In tho
Franco-Pruss.an War

F'ranco-Frus5san War.
Twenty years ago, when the Prus-
slams, like ring Of iron, drew their in
vincible army slowly around the fortiA-
cations of Metz, found myself In lii.
tie French village that had just been
taken possession of by the Germans
was correspondent for Cincinnati pa.
per during what the French persist in
calling the FrancsPrussian, and the
Germans persist in calling the Franco
German war.
A low stone coping ran along the
road at the end of the village, and one
sunny day l stood here leaning against
the wall, beside the sentry.
For several days only some slight
skirmishes had taken place between
the two armies engaged at this point.
They were separated here by dimn.
utive valley, whose sides were covered
with that most delicious fruit for which
this region of the Moselle is famous
punches of glowing autumn grapes.
Those grapes, as | gazed down upon
them, tempted me wonderfully. | knew
the sentry beside me- he was n huge
Pomcranian, who, in the capacity of his
calling, had shaved me number of
times in the capital of Prussia. But as
I expressed an inclination to descend
the hillside and secure some of the
fruit, the sentry shook his head.
Down there" said he, lin the midst
of that thicket of trees and vines, the
place was swarming with Frenchman
only too eager to get a shot at a man."
laughed at his words. "Why, what
can you see down there, Moritz?" said.
And, in truth, as we gazcd down, the
scene seemed peaceful CROUCH.
Two peasant women, in gaudy cos
tunes, were gathering grapes in little
baskets. Beyond on the other side Of
the valley, ran wall, upon which we
could catch aglimpse of the red trousers
of the French sentry lolling there.
After moments hesitation | leaped
suddenly over the coping and ran light
ly down the hill. Moritz cried the
words of a 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
In another moment my parched gums
were feasting upon those famous
grapes They were delicious can
taste them yet
My pleasure was of short duration.
From some close quarter a shot came
suddenly and tore away a bunch few
inches from my outstretched hand.
thought Mt first that this was Joke on
the part of my friend. the sentry, and
was just turning about to protest
against such grim humor when another
shot came in as close proximity, but
fortunately without harming me.
The bright sun dazcd rny faculties for
an instant. What should do? could
not ascend that steep and unprotected
hill behind me and reach the stone cop
ing alive.
plunged into the thicket where prob
ably the very danger was lurking; and
yet it was my only refuge.
slipped carefully through the rows
of vines until found myself in the
shelter of the trees that covered the
bottom of the valley. A little stream
ran past here, and the wood, though
small, was very dense.
What troubled me most was that the
cracking twigs ceaselessly betrayed
my footsteps The whole ground was
covered with dead branches. halted
and listened, after every step, for an
other sound or sign of the enemy.
IL they were near they must infalli-
bly, have heard the noise of my move
mcnts: yet ] could not hear the slight
est noise of their presence.
AS ! stood here, unmolested for q
time at least, began 10 speculate on
way out of this dilemma into which 1
had thoughtlcssly wandered. My eye
restlessly roamed from tree TO tree,
seeking safe avenue for retreat All
things were so still that could hear a
faint rafting Of musketry, 30 distant
that the fall Of leaf would have
drowned the sound borne on the trem-
bling wind
OF a sudden a grumbling voice broke
upon my ears SO close 10 me that IL was
startling
lou est il donc'" inquired the grum-
bier. in u voice that was intended for
his companion only, but which reached
me distinctly, so near were we to each
other
The other answered. but his words
escaped me. They spoke together in
lowered tones AS they stood there, and
from what overheard. they seemed to
think that |, not beiag in uniform, was
spy trying to creep through the French
lines
A sudden great cracking of the twigs
made me retreat TO the stream, and
covered the sound of my progress.
"Ah." J muttered 10 myself, there
come the two grape-piclSers. | thought
that TIE two Frcnchmen were approach
ing to Investigate my position, but here,