Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-11-19


noon visiting all things. not on the fir.
ing line, pertaining to war, In which
they being new to mel was greatly
interested. During my perambulations
notlced a sergeant who seemed to be
everywhere was. If l stood gaping
at some enormous guns that had re.
Gently reached the front, he was not
far away examining a pile of firearms
taken from the enemy in a recent fight.
LII was curiOusly observing an arm.
ed auto he was tossing about some
empty shells and fragments that had
been sent from German guns. How. +
ever presuming that my seeing him
near me so frequently was coincidence
l thought nothing about it.
AT the evening meal Colonel ARMOUR
rallied me on the sOftness of my voice
and the absence Of a beard, saving
that l would make up well for a wo.
man. l told him that during my uni.
Versity studies when a Greek play was
given L was assigned a woman's part
ThereupOn the colonel remarked that
German men spies had been captured
disguised as women and laughingly
suggested that | might make a good
thing doing secret service work for
the French in woman's clothes. See.
ing that l did not take kindly to the
suggestion, he turned the subject.
The next morning | was awakened
by an oflicer-one l had met at the
mess table-opening my door, carrying
some articles Of wOman's apparel. He
ordered me in a very decided tone to
put them on. AstOunded beyond meas
ure, | asked him what he meant.
Whereupon he told me to do as he babe
me and at once. Being impressed with
the fact that he meant me harm if
disobeyed, l robed myself in the arti-
cles and was ordered out into another
room where a dozen officers and men
stood staring at me critically.
After they had looked me over |
was ordered back to my room and left
to change my clothes. When | at.
tempted to emerge again | found a
sentry at the door who pushed me
back with his gun.
1t was evident that something had
gone wrong, but what it was | could
not tell. | remained in confinement,
all day, but when evening came it
brought Colonel Arnoux, who, dismiss
ing my guard, invited me to come out.
Il must apologize to you" he said
"for the treatment you have received.
The truth is, a woman who greatly
resembles you came into our camps al
few days ago and mysteriously disap.
peared. l gave her a permit to visit.
her brother in the trenches, but it.
was learned that no such person was
there. 1t was apparent that she was a.
spy, and we suspected that she was a
man in woman's clothes. This after
noon she was caught hiding in an aban-
doned trench in our rear"
l shuddered, at the same time breath
ing sigh Of relief!
81 congratulate YOU" the colonel con-
tinued, upon having escaped DEATH
and | admit that your escape was
narrow one. Upon your inspection in
woman's apparel by a number of per-
sons who had seen the other party nine
out of twelve pronounced you the same
person as she. For my part l was
convinced of your identity with her
the moment | saw you. You were to
have been shot tomorrow morning"
Pale as death, l caught at mante
for support. The colonel went to
closet, took out bottle and a glass;
poured out lumber half full of liquor
and babe me drink it. Having been
thus tided over the shock, pulled my.
self together and told Colonel Armour
that. with his permission, l would take
my departure.
"Would you like to see the person
who you were supposed to be-" he
asked.
"Thank you, no. Is the party man
or woman"
"Woman-a refined lady"
81 suppose, in that case, she will not
be proceeded against"
The colonel's face took on curious
expression.
"She is not a spy?' I asked.
"a very fragrant case of spying
But" l stammered, you would not
execute wOman"
The reply came after brief silence.
"My friend" he said, Gin this war we
have gone back to those times when
this country was Gaul. Our warfare
has dropped the veneering it assumed
under civilization. We are fighting
life and death struggle"
My curiosity had vanished. I did not
request to be passed to the German
lines. l took the first passage could
get for England. Before I got ship
for America a Zeppelin dropped a
bomb within a hundred feet of me. l
was picked up senseless and taken to
q hospital In a week sailed for home
and just before leaving port liner
was torpedoed and the wrecked sur
vivors were brought in, the most pitt
full lot ever saw. All the way over
sat up with a life belt about me, my
shoes and outer clothing loOsened so
that l would be ready for the water at
any moment Upon my arrival at home
l was beset by questions from eager
persons to tell them all about the war.
Ny invarlable reply was that, to get a
clear idea of it, they must go and see
it themselves. Asked how I liked it.
replied that it was splendid.
+ MORAL INDIFFERENCE. +
4 II ignorance and passion are !
: the foes Of popular morality it Z
I. must be confessed that moral in J.