Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-05-13
With the Prussians at Metz
by CHARLES A. GOLDMAN.

Twenty years ago, when the Prus'
slams, like ring of iron, drew thciI
inyineiblc army slowly around the
Notifications of Metz, | found myself
in little French village that had just
been taken possession of by the Ger
mans. was correspondent for Gin
cinnaii paper during what the French
persist in calling the Franco-Prussian,
aud the Germans persist in calling the
Francc-Gcrman war.
A low stone coping ran along the
road at tho end of the village, and ono
sunny day | stood here leaning against
tho wall, beside the sentry.
For several days only some slight
skirihishes had taken place between
the two armies engaged at this point.
p They were separated here by di-
minutivo valley, whose sides were
covered with that most delicious fruit
for which this region of the Moselle
is famous lunches of glowing au-
tumu grapes.
These grapes, as gazed down upon
them, tempted me wonderfully. !
knew the sentry beside me; he was n
hugo Pomeranian, who, in the capacity
of his calling, had shaved me a num-
Der of times in the capital of Prussia.
But as | expressed an inclination to
descend the hillside and secure some
of the fruit, the sentry shook his
head.
DOWN there, said he, in the midst
of that tlicket of trees and vines, the
place was swarming with FrcncIlmcn
only too eager to get a shot at man.
l laughed at his words. "Why,
what can you see down there, Moritz?"
said. And, in truth, as we gazed
down, tie scene seemed peaceful
enough.
Two peasant women, in gaudy cos
tunes, were gathering grapes in little
baskets. Beyond, OIL the other side
% inc Na.Icy, ran II waIs, upon Trs----sf-
we could catch glimpse of tho rcd
trousers of the French sentry lolling
there.
After moments hesitation Ilcapcd
suddenly over the coping and ran
lightly down the hill. Mort 2 cried
the words of hasty warning after
me, but the sounds fell unintclligiby
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 fcasting on those famous
grapes. They were delicious. l can
taste them yet.
My pleasure was of short duration.
From some close quarter a shot came
suddenly and tore away bunch few
inches from my outstretched hand.
thought at first that this was joke on
tho part of my friend, the sentry, and
was just turning about to profess
against 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 I'M
protected hill behind me and reach the
stone coping alive.
| plunged into the thicket wnerc
probably the very danger was Turk
ing; 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 be-
trayed my footsteps. The whole
ground was covered with dead
branches. halted and listened, after
every step, for another sound or sign
of the enomy.
OF a sudden grumbling voice
broke upon my ears SO close SO me
that it was startling.
"Ou est il donc?" inquired the
grumblcr, in voice that was intended
for his companion only, hut 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 l overheard, they
seemed to think that |, not being in
uniform was spy trying to creep
through the French lines.
A sudden cracking of tho twigs
made me retreat to the stream, and
covered the sound of my progress.
"Ah," muttered to myself, 'fhere
come the two grapc-pickers."
thought that the two Frenchmen were
approaching TO investigate my posi-
ton, but hero, instead, the noise vas
caused by the heavy sabots the two
PEASANT women, who advanced, peer
ing through the trees, as if they were
also seeking the whereabouts Of The
fugitive rrussiau.