Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1916-12-28
Their Chauffeur
By F. A. MlTCtIEL


In Germany In 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 a 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 man
came riding on horseback. Seeing two
girls looking as forlorn as a 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 well and
told him what had happened. lie look
ed about him for a place where they
might be temporarily housed and said:
"rhe schloss is the nearest abode.
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
ascended to the entrance Of the schloss.
No one being there, they passed
through II and entered court. An
automobile was the only movable arti'
Gle in sight, and as they approached 1t
a living object crawled from under II
He was clad in overals and begrimed
He rose and, facing the girls, looked at
them inquiringly.
They told their story and said they
wished to 20 to France. He told them
that he was quite sure the countess
would welcome them. He was en-
deavoring 10 get the automobile in or
der that it might take him to Wurttem'
berg. He would take them there, and
from Wmttemberg they might find con
veyance to Paris. This suited them eX-
actly. The man said that he was not
I'll TO accompany them, but pointed to a
door at which they might gain admit
tance to the schloss. They went to
the door, rang a bell, and a maid ap'
peared.
1--WE were told" said one Of them,
''by the chauffeur that il 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
ernment 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 a room where white
headed old lady received them and in
yited them to be her guests as long as
they found 1t convenient
They told her that they had seen In
the court q man working on an auto
mobile who was intending to go to
Wurttemberg and had offered to take
them with him. At this moment
voice called from above, Mother!
and the old lady excused herself and
left the room. Presently she returned
and said that the auto would 60 to
Wurttemberg the next morning ana
she did not doubt that from there they
would be able to make their way to
Paris. They were shown to a room by
the maid and when they had made a
toilet returned to the drawing room.
~ have heard" said one Of the girls
"that you have parted with your son.
who has gone to join the army. II
must be hard to send him away under
such circumstances"
Indeed 1t is" replied the countess
The girls supped with the countess
and ate a 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 If 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 a porte-cochere where 1t stood. The
countess was there with 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
NY chauffeur was summoned two days
ago to join his regiment, leaving me
with an auto needing repairs and no
one but myself to repair it. We who
depend upon servants do not realize
how much we are indebted to them
till they are snatched away from u.s."
The girls looked at each other and
smiled. They had mistaken a count
for a 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 called her
out and asked her to leave them In
their mistake.
The ride to Wurttemberg proved an
enjoyable one. and before it was fin
ished they were all laughing at the
mistake that had been made. They
were In no danger of losing the car
since an officer Of the Bavarian army
was at the wheel. On arriving at
their destination he secured them
safe conduct to Paris and saw to 1t
that they were given passage on the