Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-09-23

A peasant, half-mad, has stopped at
the inn to warn its people that the
enemy is approaching.
"Hurt?' he cried. Hurt? You
don't know 'em. They came
into my house and, nasty as you
please. wanted food. My old woman
started to argue with 'em. She wasn't
scared then, and one of 'em took hold
of her by the arm. Maybe he didn't
mean anything; but she didn't under
stand, and she threw dipper of cold
water in his face like any decent wom-
an woodland they shot her They
shot her for that! Civilian assaulting
an officer they called it. | was
out in the fields. The neighbors came
and told me. And l hurried home to
find her dead-her that hadn't done
n0thing-dead! And l leaned
out Of the windOw-and | shot two of
em-and then l ran. How l ran!
And they didn't get me-and they
won't get me" The half-crazed peas
ant rushed off then, shouting to right
l.
out of a window, or figure in a door
way. The Germans are coming! The
Germans are cOmingw And after
him poured the scurryng mob. all cry
ing the same dread warning.
Charlie Brown was getting all the
color the most ambitious reporter
could have coveted. He turned a So
Der face to old Christophe.
This is going to be bad. old man,
he said.
Its like some hideous nightmare"
Ethel exclaimed.
Yes, madame-and this is but the
beginning" Christophe informed her
gravely.
Charlie Brown remembered then
that Madame de Lorde. as she wished
to be known, still fingered there. And
he did not like the thought Of her fac
ing that oncoming German horde.
IF you'll go to your room, I'll come
TO you if you want me-if there's any
need" he said.
"Yes-yes. And oh! these poor, poor
people. Sne cried.
Hadn't you better close the doors?"
Charlie asked the innkeeper.
Why, msieu, shall only have to
open them" Christophe replied. Il am
not afraid, m'sieu."
Il wish had your nerve" Charlie
told him. "All this has certainly got
my goat. It's the limit"
Christophe, by a quick. sibilant
sound, enjoined caution.
"M'sieu, they are herev he warned
him.
de had scarcely spoken when the
Arst OF the gray-clad invaders was mo-
lnentarily framed in the open window.
ne rode a bicycle-that forerunner Of
destruction. And fine, clean-looking
youngster he was. one of the pick of
me kaiser's first-line troops. Cool,
aiert businesslike, he -pedaled deliber-
ate'y on as If unconscious Of the black
looks that met his coming. And as he
passed the inn he turned his sunburned
ACE so that he might seize a quick
out comprehensive glance at its inte-
nor. Cumbered with full fighting kit
as ne was, he showed none of the IA
usue that had all but overcome Charlie
hrown before he arrived at the Lion
Ut On the contrary. he looked fit
IS q prizefghter, trained to the min
ute And behind him rode another as
IKE MIN as a second pea out of the
same pod.
Charlie Brown gazed at them breath
'fSSIy. He was conscious of a mighty
admiration for those two infnitesimal
eogs In the great German military ma
ehne. And he said to Christophe in
an qwed whisper:
Gosh! They're not afraid, are they?
anyone might pot them from a win
1""'' The thing might happen any
moment
\, Perhaps they are not afraid because
'hey know if they are killed they will
oe Wen avenged" Christophe an
s"ered And then ne said. Really,
"a sieu, do not speak English. ask
s'u 70 &c 1t may be easier for me.
Please, m'sierl qulcklyg'
me American reluctantly left the
~lhdow' He did not want to miss