The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-07-30

''Of course have a right to wear
that ribbon" BUSTED Beaton. Pm an

RaE1nzal
! "Of course I have right to veal
that ribbon" hustled Beaton. Pm an
American, and that's my flag"
"Oui, monsieur is al American, but
this is not an American flag. Where
are the stars"
"Oh, the stars! Well, you see this is
just the colors you know, just the plain
red. white and blue
"Oui, monsieur; just the red, white
and blue, the tri-color of France, and
worn in this way lie Medaille de Sau-
yetage, awarded by the Government
only to those who have rescued human
lives. Monsieur is guilty of mis-
demeanor and it is my painful duty to
place monsieur under arrest"
Matters beginning to look bad for
Beaton, interposed and in French cx-
planned that my friend had just ar
rived in Paris, that he was innocent of
intentional wrong, that I was con-
nected with the American Embassy
and would stand surety, and finally
that I would have the private Secre-
tary Of the American Ambassador
vouch for Mr.. Beaton's innocence.
This latter seemed to have effect, for
the officer who made the arrest was in
structed to call up the Embassy. I
| went to the telephone and explained
the situation to Ross, the Secretary, re-
questing him if necessary to place the
facts before the Ambassador, enlist
ing his influence to release my friend
from his annoying position.
The Prefect had lost some of his
savoir faire before I had finished and
after most courteous exchange Of
diplomatic soft soap with Ross over
the telephone, the Prefect agreed to
parole Beaton.
Shorty was very loath to unite his
ribbon, but convinced him that there
was nothing disloyal in furling the
colors, because, as the Prefect had ex-
planned, it was not the American flag
he was wearing. But we We're we'll on
the way to his hotel before he had fin
ished roasting the French police for be-
ing pack Of polite idiotic asses. &.
We had turned into the Rue de Rivo-
ii, and were nearing the Rue du Pont
Neuf, where there was q clear srace
extending between the excavation
where had been standing when greet
ed by Beaton and another opening
several blocks farther on, when the
ground under our feet was shaken as
by an earthquake. and looking In thc
direction of the Louvre we saw solid
stream Of water shoot into the air and
then, settling into great muddy
stream, come plunging toward us, in
creasing in speed as it tore down a
slight incline.
Vehicles and pedestrians went dash
ing and scrambling out Of the way Of
the oncoming food, and to the rush of
the water was added the excited
shouts Of the frightened people. Quick
as thought Beaton grabbed me by the
arm, crying:
'The men in the trench! How do
you say Danger! Save yourselves?"
"Sauves vousv' said I, and he was
off like flash, running like a deer to-
ward the opening at the Boulevard de
Sebastipol, while trailed on in his
wake.
Reaching the trench, which was deep
at this point, he yelled like an In
dian:
"Sauves vous! Sauves vousp way
ing his hat and in such earnestness in
his manner that by the time reached
the hole the workmen were scrambling
out and running for places of safety.
Beaton was not second too soon, for
before the last man got out the yellow
food was upon us, and it plunged into
the trench a perfect cataract. 1t took
all our strength as we gripped near
by lamp-post to keep from being swept
into the excavation.
After the first rush the water, which
had been waist deep, began to subside,
carried off into the immense and per-
feet system Of sewers Of which Paris
is justly proud; but it was days be-
fore the trench was entirely clear.
The jabbering French workmen had
returned and were pouring out their
gratitude to the modest little Beaton
with tears in their eyes, while several
wildly excited fellows insisted on kiss
ing their rescuer, and it was all we
could do to keep them off. We were
pretty pair in our wet and muddy gar
ments.
By this time the police had arrived,
headed by our friend the detective,
who approached Beaton in a most
humble manner, and lifting his cap,
said.
II have ze honor to request monsieur
to come with me to re Prefecture
"What! again." said Beaton. "Now
look here, Mr.. Sleuth, I didn't do this
and am not responsible, and I simply
can't go-look at my condition.
But we did go-this time in cab,
the Jehu swearing that his carriage
would be ruined by our wet and mud
dy apparel.
We were met at the entrance by the
Chief in person and conducted into his
private apartments.
"Ah, monsieur, welcome you. Mon
sieur must allow me to send for bis
clean garments and permit me to show
him the bath. The correspondents
would like to interview my friend
Monsieur Beaton. Would monsieur
permit?"
Monsieur did not wish to be inter-
viewed, but the Prefect insisted that
the newspapers had certain rights that
monsieur should respect, and as favor
to himself would monsieur be so kind
as to mention his friend the Prefect.
Well, we had the interview, doing
the talking in French, and Beaton look
ing miserably uncomfortable.
We learned that the blasting Of a
rock had broken a large water main,
which accounted for the geyser, and
that but for the quick wit and nimble