The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-01-12
A MENTAL DIPLOMAT
81 MArHAN AARnY.
lcowrisht. 1910 by American Press ASS
~fuffa.

put into Alden, British port. for re-
pairs Now, the British lion has al.
ways been used to prowling about look
ing for a bone with plenty Of marrow
IN Il, and If be observes another ami
mai going In an unexplained direction
he Immediately scents a feast. In 9th.
er words. Englishmen have occupied
every desirable vacant point on the
face Of the earth.
Naturally when the governor at Alden
saw 50 formidable a fleet he wondered
what was Its object He asked the
French admiral, and the admiral aver
red that the ships were making an or
binary cruise, but the Britisher knew
very well that vessels In those days
did not make ordinary cruises In feets.
and his curiosity was sharpened by the
evasiye reply. Believing that some
move Of Importance politically was on
foot, he gave orders that the repairs
Cd the vessels should be dragged along
as far as possible and IA order to avert
any suspicion as to the cause Of the
delay that might arise IN the minds Of
the French officers arranged for a Sc
ries of functions for their entertain
ment.
For a couple OF weeks the French
and British officers fraternized while
the work on the vessels was pursued
with a pretense Of activity. but with
little accomplished. During this Pc
riod the Britishers made every effort
to learn the Frenchmens secret. The
French are not secretive people. but
for once the mouths OF the French Of.
fceFs on the subject OF their intentions
were shut like clam shells.
And 50 long as men alone had the
matter in hand the secret might have
been kept forever. wheeling nfor-
nation is province especially be.
longing to women. The governor. de.
spairlng Of inducing the Frenchmen
to speak. asked his wife to help him.
He was met by the simple reply, "Why
didn't you ask me beforeg
Katiew she called.
A trim serving maid whose pink and
white complexion denoted that she
hailed from Ireland came into the
room
Katie" said her mistress, "what
are your intentions with reference to
that young French sailor who is at
tentive to your"
please, MN. it's only sparllin'"
do you love him better than your
government
"Oi don't love him at all, MN.
Leastaways it's only French love be- /
tune us, and that's no love at ali, at /
ALL"
His excellency is anxious, Katie, to /
learn to what point the French fleet
viii sail after leaving Alden DO you I
think you could find out from the
sailorg'
"Orll thry, NM"
''We1, try, and If you succeed III
have something handsome for You
IN q day or two the French sailor,
who was a petty officer on board enc
Of the French ships. came to see Katie
During bis visits be had been used to
taking an occasional kiss. This time
be was refused
"Dve think. said Katie, chat 0rll
be givin ye kisses aud We goin' away
to madagascar or some other haythen
place and never see me again?'
Il not so 50 far as zat' the French 4
man protested.
How far ye goin, them
"Oh we 20 west"
"To Franceg
"Non."
ITO AmerilzyT
"Non. don't know"
"Then yen get no kiss"
"Why you wish to knowW
"Oi don't let d feila kiss me an thin
20 to the other side o the worruld "
The banter was kept up for some
time. Katy's red lips being very near
those Of the Frenchman. At last. hun
CRY for the kiss. he gave up the secret.
AS soon ais he had gone Katy sought
her mistress. The governor was pres
ent.
"He towld me. MN"
where do they go?' asked the gov
ernor eagerly.
"It's place called Parim."
"Pariinl'
s'Yls, sor: Parim."
''You mean Perrin"
"Yis. sor; Parimv
The governor opened his eyes. De
Lesseps had just completed bis ar
rangements for building the suez canal,
ana when 1t was finished Perrin isiand
would be Of great importance as com
handing the southern entrance to the
Red sea. part OF che waterway con
Meeting two hemispheres II was, Of
course. the intention Of the French adj
miral to occupy # and hoist on i the
fficolor Of France
Secretly giving orders for a gunboat
10 Immediately sail with detachment
Of British soldiers under cover Of the
night and occupy the island, the gov
ernor Invited the French officers twho
were about to sail to a farewell BAN
auef and ball for the day but one fol-
lowing The admtral was loath 70 de-
lav sailing. Dnt could not well decline,
having placed himself under obliga-
lions iii the matter Of repairs for his
fleet. The dinner came oH, aud while
the Frenchmen we're eating it the gov
nrnor had news that Perrin had been
occupied by British soldiers
When the French admiral reached 1
his point of destination and saw che
British Gag lying there be knew that
his secret had escaped. Bnt be never
knew that ii had been revealed bg
.n-.n " liz naftn Officers to an irish girl