The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1916-10-19

"Du Dist Elm Englaender." Schmidt
announced with malevolent glare at
his captive.
"No. I'm an American" he explained.
"AmerikanerT the sergeant repeat
ed obviously.
eyes, Americanev' Charlie mimicked
him, congratulating himself that the
German language offered fewer diff
culties than the French. He even be-
gan to pride himself on being natural
linguist. And in order to convince this
fellow beyond possibility of doubt,
he reached a hand toward his nip
pocket. where he carried his identified
ton papers.
Sergeant Schmidt's eagle eye no
sooner detected the move OF hand
toward hip than he thrust his revolver
:lto Mr.. Browns stomach.
"Haltl
That was something that Charlie
understood without difficulty, too. He
raised both hands above his head as
high as he could get them, while
look of ineffable disgust suffused his
face.
"You d-n fool" he exclaimed,
"rm not reaching for gun. These
are my passports. Look! Papers!'
With shake and twist he managed
to throw his coat back from his right
hip. And Sergeant Schmidt then pro-
ceededs to relieve him Of the bulky
packet that projected from the pocket.
He looked at them with scowl.
"Ah, you are Franzoesisch" he de-
clared, still in his native tongue, for
he knew no other.
"I'm what" Charlie inquired.
"Franzoesisch! You are no Ameri-
kaner."
Charlie grasped only the last word.
Eyes, that's right-Americane. right
from the corner Of Forty-second street
and Broadway; and. believe me, wish
I was right back there right now"
"What do you say?" the sergeant
asked him.
"None of your d-n business. -. !.
You bonehead." Mr.. Brown
was quite enjoying himself, abusing
that walking arsenal with impunity.
"Have a cigaretteY' he asked. holding
out his case.
Sergeant Schmidt was not above &C
cepting one, even from the enemy. And
he thanked Charlie in voice as gentle
as a bass drum.
Gee, I'd like to give you one good
wallop on the nose just for luck" the
American remarked longingly.
Then Schmidt suddenly snatched or
Mr.. Browns hat.
mix on the Hermann stuf-what
are you doing?" Charlie demanded. He
began to feel as If he were taking part
in slapstick vaudeville skit.
The sergeant had his face buried in
side the hat. He was looking for
clues.
"Engllschv he sputtered the next
moment.
"Of course it's EngIishw Charlie re-
torted. "It cost me two-and-six," he
added. regarding the rough handling or
his straw with indignation.
Sergeant Schmidt leaned over. and,
Selling Charles coat by the collar.
he pulled 1t back from his neck while
he examined the label.
English also. Spionl Thou art an
English spy"
His trusty henchmen, Hans and
Otto, together with their corporal,
brought their guns up to their sides;
and, kissing "Spion" in the most sim
lister manner imaginable, they all three
approached Charlie threateningly.
Mr.. Brown suddenly changed his
mind about the vaudeville. 1t seemed
to him that possibly he had been I'M
Willingly cast for tragedy.
"Spion-spion!" he repeated. "Good
grief, you don't mean spy"
"Spy, spy-ja wohl," said Schmidt.
"Komm hier!'
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
mev' he cried. "I'm not English. I'm
not a spy" And remembering all at
once that the girl whom 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-
uantly. His anger was already begin
ming to get the better of his fear.
"Say-if you shoot me there are q
hundred million people back there