Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-05-19
AnAmerican
Messenger
He Carried a Dispatch In
the European War.
By GEORGE Y. LARNED

j BY GEOkGE I. LAkNED
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ,e a.s
Cyrus Delano, an American. went to
Italy when he was twenty years old
and was so delighted with the coun
try, the climate, the historical associ-
atoms, that he found it hard to get
away. Finally he settled in Rome and
became a foreign resident Of that in
teresting city. Several years passed,
during which Delano became intimate
with many Italian citizens of promi-
nence and was invited to social func-
tons in the royal circle. On several
occasions he met the king, who SEEM
ed to take great fancy to him.
Then like bolt from heaven came
the great European war. Italy found
herself In very equivocal position.
A member of the triple alliance with
Germany and Austria, bitter hatred
existing on the part Of Italians against
the Austrians, unprepared to enter the
fray on either side. the government
was IN quandary. Nevertheless the
sympathies of both the government
and the people were strongly in favor
Of the allies.
One day when Cyrus Delano was
walking idly down the Via Rationale.
watching the knots Of people discuss
ing the advance Of the German troops
into Belgium. he felt a tap on his
shoulder. Turning, he saw gentle
man he did not remember to have seen
before. who said to him:
"Signor Delano, will you please &C.
company me. The minister Of foreign
affairs wishes to speak to you"
Wondering what in the world so dis
tinguished a functionary wished with
him, Delano accompanied the man to
the foreign Office and without any de-
lay whatever was ushered into the
Office of the secretary. There was an
other person present whom Delano
recognized as the French ambassador.
| The former asked the American to be
seated and then began to interrogate
him. When he had finished the ques-
| tons he said:
Mr. Delano. this Is the ambassador
from France. He desires to send a
| very important message to his govern
| ment at Paris. In this am equally
| interested on behalf of the Italian gov
eminent. We are beset by spies. If
we send an Italian or Frenchman he
is liable to be waylaid by secret ennis
| saries of the members of the triple al
lance. An American will have a far
better chance to get through with the
message than one Of different nation
atty. Besides, you Americans are fer
tile in expedients. Indeed, you are
very bright people,"
| Delano, though he had no preference
for either side, was quite pleased with
the idea of such a service and at hav-
ing been chosen for it. He accepted
the mission and was told that the dis
patch would be sent to him the same
afternoon and it was desirable that he
depart at the earliest possible moment
| afterward.
However," said the secretary. I'VE
have decided to intrust you with
knowledge of what the message con-
tains. II you are waylaid and robbed
OF the document you can in that case
proceed and deliver your message
orally. We shall send person
known to be in our confidence to con-
firm what you say. What we desire to
tmpart to the French government is
this: AS members Of the triple alliance
we are expected to threaten France in
the south while she Is attacked in the
north. All the French troops will be
needed on the northern border. We
are sending word by you that we have
| no intention whatever Of attacking
France. For the present at least We
shall remain neutral"
| II confess, your excellency," said De-
lano. that feel highly aattered at
having been chosen to carry a message
of such vital Importance"
Delano was then furnished with
funds for his journey and given in
structions as to the different routes he
might pursue. Then he took his de-
parture and began preparations for his
| journey.
The shortest route from Rome to
French territory is by way of Genoa.
Therefore II spies were on Delano's
track they would naturally expect him
I to proceed by this route. It was there
fore decided that he should go by
Switzerland. passing through Lucerne.
Berne and Neuchatel.
Having received the dispatch, which
was written in as small compass as
possible. Delano called a cab and was
driven to the railway station. Walk.
ing back and forth on the platform
was lady whom he had met at func-
lions at the Quirinal palace. Nine.
Tatiani, Greek. who he had un-
derstood was distantly related to the
queen of that country. The lady on
seeing Delano smiled graciously, though
he did not remember to have been pre-
scented to her.
"Oh. Signor Delano! Are you going
on the train? Yes? am so glad. I
| dislike travelling very much and shall
be glad of our company"
Delano said that he was going to
Switzerland. since he could no longer
stand the midsummer weather Of
Rome. He expressed himself pleased
In words at the lady's company. but
bis brows were knit. for he bad been
assured that he could trust no one, and
IN M