The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-03-14
A VISIT To AN ARMY
fOriginal ]

When the Franco-Prusslan war broke
out was studying at a German uni
versity or. rather, | had finished my
course and was making pedestrian
tours over the continent of Europe.
One morning after the battle OF GRAY
elOtte | walked into the German lines.
hoping to find among the officers some
Of my former fellow students. but If
any Of them were thcr" | did not meet
them | was taken to Lieutenant Colo
mel Schiff. who was what In the United
States army we call the provost mar
shal, to whom | presented my credcn-
tials | was travelling on an old pass
port that had not been yised Endorsed
by the proper authority for some time;
but. being an American. with no inter
est whatever In the contest then waging
between France aud Germany, | did
not consider II necessary to be very
careful
Colonel Schlff took my passport, as
surfing me that an examination was a
mere matter of form, though an imper.
alive duty with him. An officer in his
company at the time scanned my face,
looked my figure over from head to foot,
then said something To Colonel SChiH
In a language mot German that | did
not understand. felt sure 1t referred
to me, but II it did the colonel gave no
indication of IT, After the officer left
us the colonel invited me to be his guest
/ Iurinp my StuV i'm lp cutIu
II presume" he said To me. that YOU
wish to See something OF the army |
am going 10 visit several different
corps today and will be happy 10 have
| you accompany me
assured him that | should be very
! thankful FOR the opportunity. and after
! furnishing me with n horse accOmpa.
MED by n small escort, We sailed forth
| The colonel had his duties to perform
and often ieft us to visit different head
! quarters paying no attention to me cN-
| cept when disengaged, but | noticed "A
/ young officer Of the party continually
! watching me II got out my glass 10
/ view Il distant object. he cranod his
/ neck Ia Sc" what | was looking at, II |
/ TOOK especial interest IN rrduuht, he
seemed equally Interested in the fact;
! II | asked for Information he Spurrrd
his horse close enough To me 70 hear all
/ thnt was said
when We returned from the tour
was diued ly the colonel and when /
1 retired was given II tent with au army
cot ia II la which to sleep. | was a.'aE
cncl IN Tie night by the guard chang
ing sentries. and after the relief had
passed away, hearing some one walk
Ing bnck and forth | arose and looked
out There was a sentry pacing before
my tent
Well" | said surprised these Ger.
mans are not inclined To Let people get
away In the night But | suppose II is
Srmy custom with regard to civilians
The next morning after breakfast
/ thanked the colonel for his hospitality
and told him that | thought | would
take my departure
where do you go from herc?" he
asked
II shall go 10 Paris, then take Il
steamer for New York"
knew nothing about military mat.
( ters or | should not have thus boldly
/ declared that after inspecting the Ger.
man army was going straight to the
! capital OF France The colonel looked
at me strangely, Then a faint shadow
/ OF incredulity passed over his face
/ Better stay with IA another day" he
said. II have invited IA number OF OH
GERS To dine with you
Somehow felt that the invitation
was akin tn an order. At any rate !
did not feel quite safe In declining |
spent the day at the colonies heud.
quarters and noticed that whenever
walked beyond the chain OF Scntincls
those between whom | passed kept Il
! critical eye upon me, and once when |
| went some distance nm officer came
running after me politely informing
! me that no one was allowed To leave
the camp without the Colonels pass
At dinner | was introduced to sulnr
dne fellows and enjoyed their society
80 well that forgot the espionage Is
which had been subjected During the
dinner the colonel was called away,
and when he returned his manner to
ward me changed entirely, lie was less
defrrential and less constrained. In
deed. for the first time his bearing to
ward me was natural
IN YOU care to rise early" he said 10
me before | retired. Il will show YOU
an interesting army ceremony Then, II
you choose you may proceed with your
tour"
II shall be delighted 10 join you FOR
the ceremony, aud | really must pro
cecd rs soon MS Il is over" replied.
Notwithstanding the change In the
colnncl's bearing toward me | felt I'm
easy There was a drawing down "
the corners OF his mouth when be used
the word ceremony" that | did not
Ike | Awuke soon after going Ia sleep
and looked out There Was no guard
before nay tent was puzzled Finally
| went to sleep and was awakened AZ
dawn 10y the colonelS orderly
cur party rode short distance and
stopped al haru \ platoon ot soldiers
were standing at what we call parade
rest suddenly the barn door opened.
aud a man pale as death was led out
under guard
Urea, heavens lie was the very i'm
age ~ myself
Here was the explanation OF all that
had passed This mau WAS a spy, and