The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-11-24
UNDER FIRE
A European War story based on the drama of
ROI COOPER N1EGRUE

with a shake and a twist he managed
TO throw his coat back from bis right
hip. And Sergeant Schmidt then pro
cecded TO relieve him OF the bulky
packet that projected from the pocket,
He looked at them with a scOwl.
"Ah. you are FranzoeslschW he de
clnred, still in his native tongue, for
he knew no other.
I'm what" Charlie inquired.
"Franzoessch! You are no Amer;-
kaner."
Charlie grasped only the last word.
yes, that's right-Americane right
from the corner of Forty second street
and Broadway; and. believe me, wish
was right back there right now"
what do you sayT the sergeant
asked him.
"None OF your d-n business. .
You bonehead." Mr.. Brown
was quite enjoying himself, abusing
that walking arsenal with lmpunity.
Have a cigaretteY" he asked, holding
out his case.
Sergeant Schmidt was not above &C.
ceptlng one, even from the enemy. And
he thanked Charlie in a voice as gentle
as bass drum.
Gee, I'd like to give you one good
wnllop on the nose just for luck" the
American remarked lOngingly.
Then Schmidt suddenly snatched on
Mr.. Browns hat.
Xix on the Hermann stuff-what
are you dolng?" Charlie demanded. He
began 10 feel as II he We're taking part
In slapstick vaudeville skit
The sergeant had his face buried in
side the hat He was looking for
clues.
"Engllsch" he sputtered the next
moment.
"Of course it's English!' Charlie re-
torted. "It cost me tWo-and-six." he
added. regarding the rough handling of
his straw with Indignation.
Sergeant Schmidt leaned over and
seizing Charles coat by the collar,
he pulled It back from his neck while
he examined the label.
English also. Spion! Thou art an
English spy"
His trusty hPnchmen, Hans and
Otto, together with their corporal.
brought their guns up TO their sides
and, kissing "Splon! in the most sin
lister manner imaginable. they all three
approached Charlie threatenlngTy.
Mr.. Brown suddenly changed hiS
mind about the vaudeville. 1t seemed
to him that possibly he bad been un-
Willingly cast for n tragedy.
"Spion-spion" he repeated. Good
grief, you don't mean spy?"
spy, spy-ja woh," said Schmidt.
"KOmm hlerr
He took hold of Charles arm and
faced him about so that he confronted
the trio of formidable soldiers. And
then the sergeant ordered them to load
Charlie observed the operation with
increasing alarm.
Good God. you're not going TO shoot
mer he cried I'm not English. I'm
not a spy" And remembering all at
once that the girl wAom he had first
met at the house OF Sir George Wag-
staff in London could speak German,
he yelled at the top OF his voice, Ma,
dame de Lorde! Madame de Lorde!'
The two privates were aiming at
him now And he faced them indig-
nantly. His anger was already begin
ming to get the better of his fear.
"Say--if you shoot me there are a
hundred million people back there
who're going to be sore as hell!' he
snarled. They'll come over here and
blow you Off the face of the earth"
At an order from the sergeant the
corporal and one of the privates then
grnsped their victim and hustled him
across the room.
"Say-what are you going to do with
me| Charlie asked. LET me aloneP'