Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-25

YOU ARE no son OF NINE"
they took more pride in the control of the
conquerors than they did in their kinsmen
beyond the Rhine And n quarter of a
century, of alliance by force with their old
neighbors has, as rule, but intensified
their love for France.
When the Franco Prussian war broke
out in the summer Of 1870, the people of
AlSace and Lorraine were much in the
same condition as the people in our own
border states of Maryland, Virginia, Ken
lucky, Tennessee and Missouri when our
civil war burst upon us just nine years be-
fore.
There were families in those provinces
that still turned their hearts to Germany;
there were families that had become heart
and soul reconciled to Franco, and, as in
the case of our own border states, there
were families that were divided, sorely di-
vidcd, and here came in the cruel bitter
ness which we Americans know SO we'll
The name Neuman, or, in English, New
man. is certainly German, although NJ.
Louis Neuman, wealthy merchant Of
Metz, with large vineyards on the Mosellc,
was n Frenchman by birth and in heart
NJ. Neulnan was Hebrew, but he mar
ried a French Catholic woman, and being
man of broad ideas and n big heart he
gave up his creed, and love made him ac-
knowledge her filth and have his children
baptized at the affairs of her church.
N. Neuman had three children, all sons
In 1870 the youngest, Franz, was nearly
Il
one and three years older.
The youngest boy was an artist in tenn
permanent. The other sons had their fa-
theirs business qualities and received their
business training in their fathers stores
and In the public schools of Metz.
II never knew u family with three boys
in 1t where one Of them was not fool, -
said the senior Neuman to his wife when
they were discussing Franz S mania for art
80 let him study painting"
YES" replied the mother. Better a
fair artist than an Indifferent merchant
But whatever the boy does am sure if we
give him our sympathy hewill not disgrace
himself or u.s.
This bit of family conversation came out
on the trial which will be presently refer.
red to.
Up to the breaking out of the Franco
Prussian war the Newman brothers were
as warmly attached to each -uther as any
brothers in the world. Louis and Joseph,
though full Of the money making spirit OF
their father, felt not a little pride in the
talents and personal beauty of Franz, who
had been in Rome and Florence and for the
two years preceding the war had been
studying art in Munich, the queenly CAPT.
tai of Bavaria.
cho1l ho,x,< 1900 r..
to his father, "at least not till peace brings
justice. have Joined the students corps,
and we are to be the bodyguard of that
grandest of men, Fritz, the crown prince
Of Germany, who before he dies will be the
emperor Of the united Gerlnanic race who
are not held to the Vatican
NJ. Louis Neuman and his good wife and
sober, b,Isinesslike sons were in great
tribulation after reading this letter. They
felt that Franz had disgraced them, and
the more they thought it over the stronger
this feeling grew.
The hcartbroken old father just before
the historic crossing Of the Rhine by the
German forces secured a pass and succeeded
in reaching his still beloved boy near
Strasburg.
Franz, who had been promoted to the
rank of sublieutenant, mounted and de-
tachcd to do courier work in the provinces,
which he so well knew, met his father
with all the old respect and warmth, but
he refused to leave the service and 90
home He said:
Father, could not leave If would
and would not if I could am German,
| as were my ancestors, and as you are By
end. -
| ssRI,t r.s,r hro<Icrs said tho old mos,