The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-08-09


two nations did not seem disposed to
fight one for the benefit of young
American who had come across an
ocean 10 see the fun. So after re
naming for time with the. French
| determined to join the Germans /
realized that passing from one army
to its opposing one during actual war
was serious business. but | had
heard SO much OF the thrilling episodes
OF war from friends who mad fought
IN the American contest that my
young blood was fired to participate
in a similar affair. So, selecting a point
between the lines where the French
had no outposts. | left them and, walk
ing down road. was taken in by a
Prussian yedette.
This was rather a tame adventure,
and / was on the lookout for some
thing more exciting Though | was
not aware of it, something more exciti
Ing was on the lookout Tor me.
/ presented my credentials, which
were my passport and my letters to
the French commanders. | had struck
the troops under General Manteufel.
and It was at his headquarters that the
documents were examined. ] was
treated with the utmost civility by the
officers of his staff. Indeed, could not
but contrast the attention Received
with that of the French officers. who
upon the statement Of the American
minister, vouching for me. permitted
me to go pretty much where pleased.
but paid little heed to me The Prus-
slams showered me with attentions,
but | was not permitted 10 go about at
all Indeed. excuses were made TO
Keep me at headquarters.
One evening General Manteufel's
chief of STAFF gave dinner at which
were several ladies. was tue guest
Of honor and was seated beside very
beautiful woman who spoke English
with 4 broken accent ! was young
and correspondiugly susceptible; there
fore it is not surprising that before the
evening was spent had fallen under
spell which. had been older.
might have seen was purposely thrown
over me Before the party broke up
and this lady were left alone together
Suddenly her manner changed from
lightness 10 intense seriousness.
Il am being watched" she said.
"Watchedgv
yes; they know my mission"
"What misslon?
Il saw you at MacMahon's head
quarters. 1 was receiving my instruc-
lions while you We're there. Save meA''
"How?' ~
"They know that MacMahon' has
sent some one into their lines for in
formation. If you take the risk for
time win so free. If suspected you
can prove that you are an American
and win not suffer. cannot prove
that am not Frenchwoman. Here
is the Information bear. Take it, If
they find it on me | die. Keep it for me
till the danger is past, then give it to
me-"
She thrust little roll of tissue paper
upon me. AT the moment she did so
Prussian officer entered. and | had no
opportunity TO hand it back without
being seen, To do so would be equiva-
lent TO Informing the officer that she
was a spy.
But if found with the paper in my
possession | would be shot.
From that moment was not for a
second free from observation. When
we were about to depart the chief of
staff came to me and said:
I'VE move at O'clock The general
win have no one except soldiers with
US, We have kept you at headquarters
for your own good. You have seen
nothing: therefore you may so back
whence you came"
Without waiting for a reply be con-
Quoted me to the picket line. Glad to
so free with the lovely spy's pellet, |
walked hastily away. was followed
and arrested. Taken back to General
Manteufel's headquarters, | was
searched and the paper found on me.
AS was being led away passed
the lady who had given me the paper.
The officers were apologiz;ng to her
for something, and | heard them tell
her her carriage was waiting for her.
was kept under guard till morning.
when an officer came hurrying toward
me. AS soon as he reached me he said
angrily. You are a foolr'
Il am at any rate not spy"
"No: the real spy has gone, We
learned that some one was among us
and suspected two persons who came
in at the same time this woman and
yourself. AS soon as the woman had
gone beyond our reach she sent us
proof that she was in MacMahon's
service and had duped you. You will
depart for our rear at once :
| had had all of war | wanted and
went.
Began EARLY,
VVhnn nanfnl Webster xVnS a bow he