The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-09-15

we saw heart rending scenes as young
soldiers bade goodbye TO home and
friends, and went forth, to what, they
knew not. Still, they seemed to go
cheerfully, and with songs on their
lips when their tears had dried away,
and the fond goodJbyes could be i
heard no more. Thus we rode |
through the night and reached Wien
ma on the very day that war was de-
clared between Austria and Servia
I'VE were advised to move on be-
cause all trains would probably be
used for the mobilization of the sold
iers and we might not be able to get |
out later. We were assured that Ger |
many would be safer and more quiet
place. So, accordingly, we moved on
| into Germany only to find that we
had Jumped from the frying pan in
the fire" We went to Berlin by way
of Dresden, and arrived the very day
that Germany entered into the con-
ffict. We saw and heard the Kaiser
and the Grown Prince and their adj
i
streets in automobiles Issuing the war
proclamations. From that time on
all was confusion and tumult, and
things moved with startling rapidity.
The whole city and surrounding
country was alive with soldiers. The
troops were being modified. One day
as Aimee and l were walking on one
of the main thoroughfares Of Berlin,
some one grabbed us by the shoulder
and shook US, at the same time point
ing upward. We looked and only
short distance above, hovering about
hike a hungry hawk, scared dirigi-
BILE aircraft, so close to the ground
that the aviator and military Obser-
YER could be seen sweeping the dis
trict with glasses. Troop trains
streamed into and out of the city ev-
cry few moments. Infantrymen, ar
ltiTlerymen and cavalrymen were be-
ing hurried here and there to strate-
gic points and no one knew what
might happen next, nor the underly-
ing cause back of it all.
81 think the scene rather fasci-
mated than frightened us. 1t seem
ed at first that it was some terrible
nj Nightmare that would surely pass
away, but, alas, it did not.
1--WE secured passports from the
American ambassador at Berlin and
made ready TO get out of Germany or
the first possible train. The wilC
scramble of the soldiery and the terri
fed mobs who seemed to be fleeing
from they knew not what, made /
next to impossible to pass along th'
leading thoroughfares, and our ex
periences trying 90 board the trail
were such that none of us cared T.
repeat them. My one great fear wa
that we might he separated and los
one another, bu. our party manage
to get into some of the railway car
riages of the same train, and rode TO
Is hours packed in like herring in
box, with out food or water, or &C
commodation of any kind. Our lead
er, Miss Mathews, sat on her sui
caseNin the aisle good part of tina
long tedious night. while others sa
on the floor, or crowded into seats, O
stood as the case might DE. ALL alon
i5he road the soldiers were in evidenc
guarding the railroads, the bridge
and the entrances and exits to tn
tunnels We were halted every no
and then to allow soldiers to enter g
leave the train, and all along the roa
were pathetic scenes as the depar
ing soldiers ibade farewell to thos
whom they were leaving behind, still
as in Austria, they went with sons
of .'the Fatherland' on their lips.
'TThus we rode, changing cars Sc
eral times. until we reached Hollan
where things were not quite SO excl
ing-lbut before we lert Amsterdam
the queen gave orders for the mobil
cation of her troops for the prote
ton of her borders and frontiers.
once again all train service was d
moralized and the people Thrown i
to a frenzy of excitement, many
them trying to get out of their ov
country into England. Wild rumo
were afioat that all transportatiC
across the channel had been cut o
no boats running, no trains runnin
etc. These reports -ere somewh
exaggerated, although discomfort
and Inconvenience of all descriptiC
were attendant upon travelling. o.
trip across the channel was thrillil
and DEMONSTRATING We were escol
ed by a British man-of-war and pile
ed in over certain districts of Il
mined harbor by tender boat.
we neared Harwich the next mornil
after leaving the Hook OF HOLLAND '