The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-08-18
BETWEEN THE LINES.
A Portland Boys Adventures in the
Franco German War.

+
Getting Out of Beseiged Paris-Kindness
of Bismarck-A Glimpse of Won Moltke-
German Ravages in French Chateaux-
Carriage Drive through a War-Rav-
aged Countrywide Field of Sedan.
Written for the Press
The November sun was just gliding
the top OF Des Invalides and parting the
mist which rises from the Seine as a
group of carriages with their occupants
might have been seen collectingin front
of the Palace de L'Indrustrie, on the
Champs Elysse in Paris.
The party consisted of a number of
Americans, who, with such belongings
as could be crowded into small trunks,
were about to be permitted to depart
from Paris. leaving the less fortunate
inhabitants of that city to still face the
rigor of the siege.
With some misgivings, and many
prophecies from those left behind that
we should be turned back, the line was
started. Leaving the city by one of
the gates through the Notifications, on
the side furthest away from our point of
destin alton, Versailles, we drove along
the road passing houses and trees which
showed the effect of battle in their torn
branches and battered walls, till we
came to the extreme outpost Of the
French. In the road directly ahead was
an outpost of the Germans. They had,
like the French. throw up barrier
across the road, over the top of which
the spiked helmets of the German sold
iers could be seen.
After the officer in command of the
French outpost had made an examina-
ton of our passports, flag of truce was
sent out by him. In response to this a
German offic r, likewise bearing a white
flag and accompanied by two-soldiers,
came out from behind the German
barricade. The two officers meeting
midway held short parley. Then turn
ing they came toward the line of carria-
ges. The German on his part made a
careful examination OF our papers and
finding them all right saluted the French
officer, who at once withdrew. The
march was again taken up and we passed
in behind the German OUTPOST. AS we
did SO soldier took his place beside
was KEEP. up all day and night until we
drove into Versailles at about two
o'clock in the morning.
We had been that time accomplishing
journey, which if made direct should
not have taken over an hour and half
to two hours. Making as we did an al
most complete circuit of the city, at
laI Il L. L.
French pickets That such was the case
was.brought forcibly to our attention
during the early hours of the night. On
account of the heavy condition of the
road, the sidelights on the carriage had
been lighted, when suddenly from out
the darkness came.
THE SHARP CRACK OF A RIFLE.
Evidently some keen eyed French SEN
try had espied the glimmer of the car
riage lights, and, to keep his hand in,
had taken shot in our direction. It is
almost needless to say that the order
"put out all lights was quickly obeyed.
The morning following our arrival in
Versailles it became my duty to deliver
letter from Mr.. shburn, the US.
Minister to France, to Bismarck under
whose care / was placed. 1t may be of
interest in explanation of the above if
the writer takes a slight retrospective
glance.
At the time of the events desert bed,
he was youth fifteen years of age, and
had been shut up in Paris during the
siege, while his mother was in Ger
many. In the anxiety of mothers
heart for her only child, she wrote to
Mr.. Bancroft, U. S. Minister at Berlin, to
see if it were possible to get her son out
of Paris. Mr.. Bancroft being former
friend of her husband, who was, as is
well known a friend and great admirer
of Bismarck, at once proceeded to in
terest himself in her behalf, to the ex-
tent of forwarding to Bismarck the full
particulars, begging him to intercede
Whereupon Bismarck wrote and sent into
Paris letter to Mr.. Washburn to the
effect that an American lady, the widow
of former United States Minister, who
at present is residing in Germany, and
whose son is in Paris. 1nasmnch as he is
neutral and minor, if His Excellency
could obtain the consent of the French
to pass him through their lines, he