The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-02-02
there ?"

"XATHo's there?"
wv Are you the English pris-
oner?" was the response In low, musi-
cal whisper, with dash Of American
ism in II.
~ am-and you?
Although there was no verbal reply
to this. my attention was attracted the
next moment by, but anticipate.
II was an opprcssively close evening
In 1870, when "a self-appointed war cor
respondenO ! was deposited at the lit
lie railway station of Mulheim, in the
Black Forest. 1t came about in this
way: was on long vacation ramble
in Switzerland when the declaration
OF war between France and Germany
startled Europe. had no sooner heard
the war cry than | sent kilograms to
several London and one or two conu-
mental papers, announcing my willing
ness 10 represent them at the front
with pen or pencil. or both.
1t was Lord Beaconsfield who said:
"The seizure of opportunity is the Sc
cret of success" This. at least, was The
turning point in my somewhat eventful
career, when, re-pacSing the knnpsask
with which | was provided for noun
taineering purposes. | left Lausanne
via Basle-for Mulheim, there to await
the arrival of the next train for Sar-
bruck, where the French and German
armies were concentrating. 1t was
while thus waiting that | realized the
focusing of many eyes upon me- A
sodierly sergeant of Baden regiment
and several local luminaries. including
the station master. all glaring at me
with undisguised curiosity.
"Your passport" said the sergeant, in
French almost as execrable as my own
81 have none"
"Soh No passport, and in war time,
tool Your card. then"
Alas had given my last TO fell
low tourist in Switzerland.
"Donnerwetter!" He was breaking
into his own vulgar vernacular now, so
saw things were getting serious.
"Who in the name of der teufel are
your" Then, coming closer, he said
impressively: Il tell you, my young
friend, you are nothing more nor less
than French spy. Consider yourself
my prisoner"
"a French spy! Why, I'm an En-
glishman," replied in my innocence
80 much the better for French pur-
poses" he promptly replied. as he indi-
Gated the nearest way TO the little wait
ing-room, where | was forthwith
searched, revolver with which had
been amusing myself in Switzerland)
giving much color to the accusation,
which was again supported by my hav-
ing return ticket from Switzerland via
Paris to London, quite outside which !
had just been arrested in Germany
Nothing on the face Of it could look
blacker. At this moment the incoming
train for which had been waiting dis
persed the little crowd surrounding me,
all save that burly sergeant who fol-
lowed stealthily behind me, and direct
ly attempted TO open the carriage
door, seized me unceremoniously by
the collar, and dragged me back On the
platform. Fritz (for this was the name
the station master addressed him) was
a man of herculean strength. on which
he relied perhaps just little too much,
for my blood was now thoroughly up. |
The moment he relaxed his grip made |
for him. and boxing" being with him
an unknown quantity" | sent him |
with the first well-directed blow reeling
against the waiting-room door. from
which he had just emerged. But In the |
meantime, two things had happened |
the train had gone. and Fritz had re-
covered himself. His tactics were sim
pie. Wrestling was his speciality and |
he had no sooner succeeded In closing
with me than. by a dextrous movement,
/ was thrown heavily TO the ground,
and secured by four soldiers u the
same regiment who had now come upon
the scene. and by whom ! was being
taken off to the common cell a, Null
helm. when they were intercepted By
young lieutenant who. having had Ely
case put before him. examined my
sketch book with as much gravity as II
a ground plan Of Ehrenbreitstein were
therein delineated, but who at the
same time decided that ] should be
Iaken to the guardhouse Ia the Black
Forest. 10 which place was now sum-
narily marched of. followed BY an ex-
.iied crowd of tag, rag and bobtaii. who |
would. believe. have lynched me had ]