Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-10-18
UNDER FIRE
A European War story based on the drama of
ROI COOPER r1EGRUE

With shake and twist he managed
TO throw his coat back from his right
hip. And Sergeant Schmidt then pro-
ceeded to relieve him of the bulky
packet that projected from the pocket.
He looked at them with a scowl.
"Ah. you are Franzoesisch" he de
clared. still in his native tongue. for
he knew no other.
I'm whaty" 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
was right back there right now"
What do you sayT' the sergeant
asked him.
None of your d--n business. . i.
You bonehead" Mr.. Brown
was quite enjoying himself, abusing
that walking arsenal with impunity.
Have cigaretteI" he asked. holding
out his case.
Sergeant Schmidt was not above ac-
cepting one, even from the enemy. And
he thanked Charlie in a voice as gentle
as bass drum.
Gee, Id like to give you one good
wallop on the nose just for luck" the
American remarked longingly.
Then Schmidt suddenly snatched Off
Mr.. Browns hat.
mix on the Hermann stuff-what
are you doing?" Charlie demanded He
began TO feel as If he were taking part
in a slapstick vaudeville skit.
The sergeant had his face buried in
side the hat. He was looking for
clues.
"Engllschr' he sputtered the next
moment.
"Of course it's English!" Charlie re-
torted. ut cost me two-and-six." he
added. regarding the rough handling Of
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. Spion! Thou art an
EAiiSiicD spy
His trusty henchmen. Hans and
Otto, together with their corporal.
bought their guns up to their sides;
and Kissing "Splonw in the most sin
lister manner ina ginable. 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 east for a tragedy.
"Spion-spionr he repeated Good
grief. you don't mean spy?"
Spy, spy-ja wohl." said Schmidt.
"Komm hieri"
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 whom he had first
met at the house of Sir George Wag-
staff in London could speak German,
he yelled at the top of lis voice, Ma
dame de Lorde. Madame de Lorder'
The two priyates 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
hundred million people back there
who're going to be sore as hellr' 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 priyates then
grasped their victim and hustled him
across the room.
''Say-what are you going to do with
me?" Charlie asked. let me aloner'