Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-04-20

n was a glorious fall evening in Par
IS. we were seated in the club, on
the Boulevard German, discussing the
been rumors and reports of Disagree
ments between France and Germany.
NO man could say what would hap
pen next. Both nations were on the
light at the drop Of PG the hat. 'saos -
Brangere, the sculptor, drew up q
small table and we prepared for a
game OF the fascinating American polk
er, which had just. become all the rage
In France. We had just dealt the
cards. Brangere, with Ouvrard, the
banker, Mongerval, former French am
bassador to st. Petersburg, and myself,
made up the party
or La Vie,- burst in upon us. His eyes
were sparkling. Latour's eyes always
contained a message of some kind.
Have you heard the latest?" he in
mo. What has happened%
War Is declaredw
we jumped to our feet In astonish-
Mutual insults have passed. Yhe
Germans have burned the French am
bassador In effigy. The French retail
ate by hanging a dummy. Kaiser. The
streets are full of mobs, all of one mind
-Germany must back down. In Ber-
streets, demanding that Germany
stand STAN !, upon her dignity. So there you
"4And what from the War Officer
asked Mongerval.
~ Missed the words: "The Germans
have already invaded France. They
are swarmng across the frontier. And
oh, the shame of tive are not ready,
is the asininity of the Government;
the littleness, the sel1shness, the
istersv'
Latours breath gave out. He was
always tragic. Our game was forgot
ten. We looked at one another in
dumb establishment. For none knew
better that we the unpreparedness of
mighty power Of the enemy, her tenn
ing population, every man of which
had been trained to carry q gum. to
shoot, to obey orders. And the Ger
mans had chosen their season well;
recalled a announcement Of the Ger
man General Staff in 1905, when they
said. I'VE shall impose on the French
q winter campaign. Our soldiers, COM
ing. from the cold regions of the north
mate, and the advantage will be alto
gether ours"
Latour left us on his chase for news
Our party was broken up. The i'm
pending crisis was too much for us
1T shall go to the front and gather
material for q wonderful group-the
dying Generalissimo," said Brangere
throwing back his broad shoulders;
'The French will win,". said Ouv-
rard, smiling, "and shall loan them
funds-as much as they may need
without charge for the sake. of my
beloved France" And here he lied
for knew that he would demand In
terest to the last sou.
"Adieu," said Mongerval. Il go tt
the President. I shall urge meditation
and I, myself, shall be an. ambassador
to arrange terms" He withdrew
grandiloquently.
was left alone-I, James Adams
a plain American of adventure, to per
form a part Of which had then nj
conception =.
It is dangerous in France, or II
Germany either, for that matter, to b.
secretive. Suspicious are sure TO o.
aroused IL your business Is not wei
known and openly stated. Therefor
it was well that was allied with larg
American manufacturing firms, VIII
Offices in Berlin. Hamburg, Paris an
Calais. In France ] was careful 70
French in sympathy. and ourspoKcl
too, In Germany ] became a Teuto
to the core. In addition to this read
adaptability, was personally &C
0uainted with the French and Germa
rulers, had excellent German connec
lions, and was we'll known in Belgium
ROLAND and italy. And inasmuch g
It often became necessary for me