The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-07-30
was stocky, nervous lit
&%, ,@ tie chap, with merry gray
* - x eyes, which had the begin
g. - ming of "croM'S feet in

&x xx ming of 'crow's feet II
XS<ASleeKKS<x each corner from laughter
He had smooth, aristocratic face will
bit too much jaw, which, however, tc
some would add a charm as indicating
grit and tenacity. He was non
chalant fellow, who just escaped be-
ing fresh by narrow margin.
formed the opinion that the verdancy
had been knocked out of him by bit
ter experience, for while he was bright
and breezy to a degree, he never
seemed to overreach.
I met him in the smoking room O!
the Umbria with number Of his col
lege mates on the morning Of the
"Glorious Fourth" as he was tying q
bit of red, white and blue ribbon
through his buttonhole in honor of the
day, and from then till the end of our
voyage had many pleasant chats with
Harry Beaton. The boys called him
Shorty, not because of his size.
learned, but because he had played
short stop on his college team.
We chatted the morning through,
I telling some yarns about navy
experiences, and how I had hap
pened to be appointed attache at Paris.
and Beaton of how he missed Ann
apolis because of his rotten mathe-
matics, thereby compelling him to en-
ter university. I am convinced that
in this case the navy was loser, for
he surely had the timber of which sea
fighters are made.
We parted company in Liverpool af-
ter agreeing to meet in Paris, and
while the jolly party of light-hearted,
strapping fellows took train direct for
London, I crossed to Birkenhead and
was soon speeding off to the Shakes
peare country, where intended to put
in a week before reporting at my post
in Paris.
had been in the French capital
about ten days, and was beginning to
acquire the Frenchman's easy deliber-
alton, when one fine afternoon, while
lettering about the Rue de Rivoli, l
stopped at the insection of the Boule-
ward de Sebastopol to watch the work
men digging the trench for the Metro
politaine, the new underground road,
which follows the Rue de Rivoli its
entire length. 1 was comparing their
methods and workmen with our own,
when a CHEEKY voice hailed me from
the other side Of the trench.
"Hello, lieutenant. are you looking
for work?"
And there was Beaton, balancing
himself on snoring beam and making
his way slowly, at the imminent peril
of breaking his neck and to the ac-
compartment Of choice line Of French
oaths from the foreman, not a word
of which he understood or minded in
the least.
"Well," I said, II am happy to see a
familiar face. How are you and all
the bully boys; and when did you ar
rive?" I fired away, still clinging to
his fist, for be it known that Lieuten-
ant Crosby, o. S. n. had been rather
homesick among his new surround
ings.
Shorty began in his breezy way and
soon brought his story from our part
ing in Liverpool up to his arrival in
Paris two days before.
'And the funniest thing about the
gay metropolis" he ratified on, "is the
uniform courtesy we meet with every
where. They all seem particularly
anxious to please me, although my tips
are no larger than those of the other
chaps. have concluded that this is
what commands so much respect"
tapping his buttonhole, where he still
kept the small strip Of red, white and
blue ribbon. ''You see. since our little
argument with Spain, some of these
foreigners have been convinced that
We are not all saveges running about
in a breech clout and a pair of ear
rings, and are inclined to cultivate
our friendship. even caught pref
ty chambermaid making eyes at the
ribbon, mind you, the ribbon''- and
so he babbled on, not noticing dap
per man with a fierce mustache, who
had been edging toward us, until the
dapper one touched him on the shoul-
der.
Pardon! Ze Prefect would inter-
view monsieur at re prefecture. Will
monsieur accompany me?
''The deuce he wouldr' cried Beaton.
"And who are you my friend?'
The Frenchman, drawing back his
coat, pointed to small gold star.
''Ze messengaire from ze Prefect,
monsieur"
Seeing that the man was detective,
I inquired in French why my friend
was wanted. He answered with
shrug OF the shoulders and an out
spreading Of the palms that that was
the business of the Prefect-his duty
was to have monsieur accompany
him.
''Well, Beaton," I said, there is
nothing to do but to comply with a
polite request in polite manner. Evi-
dently there is mistake, or else that
swearing foreman has complained Of
your doing tightrope stunt across the
ditch. III go along and see you
through"
So We started along the Boulevard
du Palais, across the Pont St. Michel,
and were soon at the prefecture, which
occupies the old municipal barracks,
and We're ushered Immediately into the
presence of the Prefect, smooth
faced. wiry man with gray, hawk-like
eyes that seemed to read ones mind at
Il glance. I could see that Beaton,
thought not one whit abashed, felt
those eyes.
"Good-day, Monsieur Beaton. Mon
sieur wonders that l should wish to
see him." said the Prefect.
Eyes, chief, you have the best Sf
me-" returned Beaton, coolly.
Il wish to inquire whether monsieur
has the right to wear this:' indicating
Beaton's strip Of red, white and blue.