The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-10-09
Their Chauffeur
By F. A. Mitchell

| When the pan European war broke
| out two American girls were touring
in Germany in a motorcar. They were
at Nuremberg at the time and made
bee line for Paris. They had not gone
fifty miles from the old town before
they were halted by troop Of Uhlans,
and their car was impressed into the
service of the government
They were standing in the road, not
knowing what to do. when a man
came riding on horseback. Seeing two
girls looking as forlorn as couple of
chickens in a shower, he drew rein and
asked them In German if there was
ANYTHING he could do for them. They
spoke the language tolerably we'll and
told him what had happened. He look
ed about him for a place where they
might be temporarily housed and said:
1.-THE schloss is the nearest abode.
! l think you had better go there. The
count has joined his command, but his
mother, the countess. will be at home
and | am sure will welcome luckless
strangers"
The girls thanked the speaker and
resolved TO take his advice. Turning
in at the gateway Of the grounds. they
assembled to the entrance Of the schloss.
| No one being there. they passed
| through 1t and entered court. An
automobile was the only movable arti-
Gle in sight. and as they approached 1t
living object crawled from under It
He was clad in overalls and begrimed.
| He rose and. facing the girls. looked at
them inquiringly.
They told their story and said they
wished to 60 to France. He told them
that he was quite sure the countess
would welcome them. He was en-
deavoring to get the automobile In or
der that 1t might take him to Wurttem-
berg. He would take them there. and
from Wurttemberg they might find con-
veyance to Paris This suited them ex-
actly. The man said that he was not
at to accompany them, but pointed to
door at which they might gain admit
lance to the schloss. They went to
the door. rang 4 bell. and maid ap'
peared.
I'VE were told" said one Of them
by the chauffeur that If we applied
at this door we might see the countess.
Please tell her that two American girls
whose car has been taken by the gov
eminent would be grateful for shelter
till they can 60 forward on their jour-
ney."
The maid asked them to enter and,
leaving them in a reception room.
went away. Presently she returned
and led them to room where white
headed old lady received them and In
vited them to be her guests as long as
they found 1t convenient
They told her that they had seen In
the court man working on an auto
mobile who was intending to 60 to
Wurttemberg and had offered to take
them with him. At this moment
voice called from above. "Motherw
and the old lady excused herself and
left the room. Presently she returned
and said that the auto would 90 to
Wurttemberg the next morning and
she did not doubt that from there they
would be able to make their way to
Paris. They were shown to q room by
the maid and when they had made a
toilet returned to the drawing room.
II have heard" said one Of the girls.
that you have parted with your son,
who has gone to join the army. 1t
must be hard to send him away under
such circumstances"
Indeed 1t is" replied the countess.
The girls supped with the countess
and ate hearty meal, for they were
hungry. In the early evening they
chatted with their hostess, but were
tired and went early to their rooms,
where they slept as soundly as II they
had not been dispossessed Of their
only means Of conveyance
The morning was bright. but hot.
They breakfasted with the countess.
and after breakfast she disappeared
for an hour, when the maid announced
that the auto was ready and led them
to porte-cochere where it stood. The
countess was there with a man in uni.
form. He turned as they approached,
and they recognized him whom they
had mistaken for a chauffeur.
II regret" he said. that I have not
been able to show you any attention.
My chauffeur was summoned two DAYS
ago to join his regiment. leaving me
with an auto needing repairs and no
one but myself to repair 1t. We who
depend upon servants do not realize
how much We are indebted to them
TILL they are snatched away from US"
The girls looked at each other and
smiled. They had mistaken a count
for chauffeur. and when they had
referred to him as such to his mother
he had doubtless followed them into
the house by another entrance and on
hearing their words had csilsd her
out and asked her to leave them In
their mistake.
The ride to Wurttemberg proved an
enjoyable one. and before 1t was fin.
ished they were all laughing at the
mistake that lad been made. Thew
were In no danger of losing the car
since an officer Of tho Rovor,,n ,r