Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-06-05

was unmarried. ] had no ties, and
there SEEMED no reason why should
not sec something of war st first hand.
| Accordingly I accepted the invitation.
and within week was with the Prus-
Sian forces near Ssarbuck. I am not
writing the history of that famous cam.
paign. and shall therefore pass over
the preliminary events of the war and
go on 20 tho time when the Prus-ians.
having easily recovered from their iirpt
reverres. pourci over Al.ace snd Lor.
Iaine and began to besiege Strasburg
and Metz. .. In company with seversl
other English war correspondents and
artists, was with the advance corIs ~
the attacking army and had consider.
able difficulty In getting ON at all. The
Prussian military authorities hal small
love for special correspondence, anil we
were indebted solely to ourselves for
whatever information we got. To me
this official standofiishness did not ~
much matter n to my COMPANIONS. the
special correspondents. Ny business
was a. make pictures; theirs % find
newr. Nevertheless ! found u hard
work sometimes 60 get materials for my
sketches. and the risks I occasionally ian
were greater than tbo-s which I should
have incurred had fniSed In the thick
of the skirmi.he-. which went on con.
tinually.
n was n cold, damp afternoon In oc-
tohsr. and we were lying half way be-
tween Bonxonville and 6ravslotte, about
nine miles from Metz. The Prussisns
were slowly advancing upon that city,
and the air was continually disturbed
by the vibrations of their cannon. \
regiment rear which I had remained
ell day was engaged In skinnishing
OPERATION. with French battalion. and
iIom the top 10 . slight eminenco ] was
sndeayOring a. max. an effective sketch
of the scene Suddenly white fog
rolled over the valley and wrapp.d both
bodies ~ comhatants In its thick folds.
! .ndeayOred to regain my quarters, hut
the fog increased In density. aud won
found u impo-sible Ia make headway
against u. For so,ne time ] remained
motionless. The noise 10 cannon and
muske,ry died away. and ! heard the
buglc- sounding retreat ON both sides.
Then I determined 90 10 slowly back
90 my quarter, near the village u Bon.
ronyilie. Unfortunately I found II i'm.
po.sible o. decide which was east and
which west. had been stationed on
round knoll 90 eininence. and ] had
walked sbOut its crown - many times
during my observation. that ! was now
unable o. decide on the exact spot at
which, had asccnded 10. AZ last. how.
ever. I came to tr,. - which seemed
o. have some recollection, and ! de-
.c.ndcd the hill and walked. ~ ]
thought. toward Bonkonville. by that
time the plain was quiet, and ! heard
nothing save an occasional farOH bugle
note. I walked ON for an hour through
the thick white fog. seeking TOT some
familiar Landmark. NObe came. be-
gan to realize that I was lot. ] stood
aud wondered what 10 10. Then ] went
forward again. A church clock struck
the hour. q. close by. Clearly was
near village. came 10 q roai and
hastenci along IL and presently fell
into the hands ~ q French picket. ]
had walkei west instead of east. ! was
al Gra,elOti-.
The picket marched m. into the vii.
lag, and lei me lefur. their colonel. u
fi.rc. looking militair-. who glar,si at
me from behind q table at which be-
was evidently writing dispatches.
What's thisy' said he. - spyf'
Now. unfortunately for mc, cannot
speak French. but my knowledge of
German u extensive. I replied 10 the
coloD.l'squ-stion IN English. He shook
his head. then spoke In German, anil
his face grew dark. A soldier inter.
pr,tei my answer.
"So!' said the colonel. "A pretty
story ind..ll lie speaks 6erinan like
q native AMI pioies-es 90 L. an English.
man. Everybody knows that AN Eng.
ii.hnan an speak no language other
than his ,wn. An English artist. eh'
ssc what papers be has"
I drew all my papers from my bress;
pocket voluntarily AMI handed them
over. As III iuck would have II, l had
that morning made plan Of the sur.
rounding country In my sketchbook.
Tn. French colonel looked at this mar.
rowly ani nodded his head. AS ]
thought, z" said he. "What IL this brt
a mapi Come. Mr. Spy. what have
you 10 say
Tell the colonel" said I TO the In.
t.rprcter. that I am no spy. but the
special war correspondent of . great
English NEWSPAPER. and that what l said
before u true. These are my credentials
bid him look at them"
The colonel tossed the papers aside
conte,npiuously. What Of themi'
said he. They may have ben stolen,
forgod-how do I know' lie speaks
German-he looks like German-he
has maps. charts, drawings ON him
eniin. he !. = spy. TakS him out and
shoot him."
A corporal tapped me ON the shonldei
and mOtion-l mc toward the door. ]
was 81 surprised at the colonels last
words that I stood motionle~s, but when
1 realized their full meaning | sudden
ly found tongue and rated the whole
group In forcibls English. The colonel
shrugged hi. shoulders and repeated HE
commands. and the file of soldiers began
20 hustle me out. Before We reached
the door. however, he stopped us.
spy" said he. 1--WE will give you q
chance. Tell rs all you know Of the
Prussian movements. and We will con-
slider your case"
- shall do no such thing" said i.
II am English gentleman, and ! will
not do dirty work for either French oi
Prussian."
"Take time." said be. Think II
over. Corporal. call In sous lieuten'
ant and two men,"
A young officer and two privsies en-.
tered the room Of the farmhouse In
which we were standing and saluted.
"You see this man," said tho old
colonel, pointing TO me. Keep him
safe till daybreak. Then bring him to
me-" Tie turned to me again. Think
over my offer. Mr.. Spy. lyon accept
Il. we'll; u You don't. you will be shot
In the morning"
The young officer and the two men
marched me out into the fog again and
took me to q cottage clo-e by. ! was
placed in room where fire burned on
the hearth and an oil lamp shed soms
Il listl. l,,,lt an, m niain deal tahie NV