Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-02-11
A VISIT To AN ARMY
[Original.1

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 I walked into the German lines,
hoping to find among the officers some
of my former fellow students, but if
any Of them were there I did not meet
them. l was taken to Lieutenant Colo
mel Schiff, who was what in the United
States army we call the provost mar
shall, to whom l presented my creden-
tials. l was travelling on an old pass
port that had not been vised Endorsed
by the proper authority for some time;
but, being ain American, with no inter-
est whatever in the contest then waging
between France and Germany, l did
not consider it necessary to be very
careful
Colonel Schiff 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 Schif
in language (not GERMANY that did
not understand. felt sure it referred
to me, but if it did the colonel gave no
indication of it. After the officer left
us the colonel invited me to be his guest
during my stay in the camp.
Il presume" he said to me, '*that you
wish to see something Of the army.
am going to visit several different
corps today and will be happy to have
you accompany me-"
l assured him that I should be very
thankful for the opportunity, and after
furnishing me with horse, accompa-
MED by small escort, we sailed forth.
The colonel had his duties to perform
and often left us to visit different head
quarters, paying no attention to me ex-
cept when disengaged, but l noticed a
young officer Of the party continually
watching me. If I got out my glass to
view distant object, he craned his
took especial interest in redoubt, he
seemed equally interested in the fact;
if I asked for information, he spurred
his horse close enough to ME to hear all
that was said.
When we returned from the tour,
was dined by the colonel and when
retired was given a tent with an army
cot in it in which to sleep. was awak-
ened in the night by the guard chang
ing sentries, and after the relief had
passed away, hearing some one walk
ing back 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 l suppose it is
army custom With regard to civilians"
The next morning after breakfast
thanked the colonel for his hospitality
and told him that thought l would
take my departure.
Where do you go from here?" he
asked.
Il shall go to Paris, then take a
steamer for New York"
| l knew nothing about military mat
tiers or I should not have thus boldly
declared that after inspecting the Ger
man army l 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 us another day." he
said 81 have invited number Of Off
! GERS to dine with you"
Somehow I felt that the invitation
| a To Md fn
did not feel quite safe in declining. I
spent the day at the colonel's head
quarters and noticed that whenever l
walked beyond the chain of sentinels
those between whom l passed kept a
critical eye upon me, and once when
went some distance an officer came
running after me, politely informing
me that no one was allowed to leave
the camp without the colonel's pass:
At dinner l was introduced to some
fine fellows and enjoyed their society
so well that l forgot the espionage to
| which I had been subjected. During the
! dinner the colonel was called away,
and when he returned his manner to-
| ward me changed entirely. He was less
! deferential and less constrained. In
deed, for the first time his bearing to-
ward me was natural.
IF you care to rise early" he said to
me before retired, II will show you
! an interesting army ceremony. Then, if
you choose, you may proceed with your
tour
II shall be delighted to join, you for
the ceremony, and really must pro-
| coed as soon as it is over" replied.
Notwithstanding the change in the
coloneps bearing: toward me 1 felt I'M
easy. There was drawing down of
the corners Of his mouth when he used
the word ceremony" that l did not
like. I awoke soon after going to sleep
and looked out. There was no guard
before my tent was puzzled. Finally
I went to sleep and was awakened at
dawn by the colonel's orderly.
Our party rode short distance and
stopped at barn. A platoon of soldiers
were standing at what we call parade
rest" Suddenly the barn door opened,
and a man pale as death was led out
under guard F." < -. s >*ss@z~.
Great hoav Ho was tho vor1, l,,,.s