Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-10-04
Captured by
a Girl
By RUTH GRAHAM

In camp f0r instruction, ana eFellttf-
ally they were all put on the fightina
line. Ned was good German scholar
but he didn't know word of French.
One day Ned. with his regiment, was
charging German trench. The Amer
leans pushed clear over the trench and
some distance beyond. The countr!
was open, and here and there was o
dwelling house. There was no organ
lied force of Germans to resist the
Americans. and they pushed on nearly
a mile from their base. But presently
a number of helmets were seen in their
rear, and it was evident that unless
they got back pretty quickly they would
be captured. They broke ranks, each
man shifting for himself.
Mason in his fight ran through the
yard of a house which was between
him and the Germans. screening him
from their sight. Coming to we'll.
he got into it and, catching hold of the
bucket, let himself go down with it.
He was safe from the Germans, but
there were disadvantages in his posi-
tion. There are more comfortable
places than a well of cold water.
Nevertheless Mason remained where
he was till he heard no near sounds;
then he began to think of leaving his
hiding place. He did not know wheth-
er he was within the French or the
German lines. If the former. he might
help himself out by the bucket rope
and rejoin his command; if the latter,
by leaving his hiding place he would
surely be captured.
more than death, but being frozen to
death in cold water was not to be
considered. After enduring his situa-
tion as long as possible he pulled him
self up by the bucket rope, bracing
himself by a foot on each side of the
After resting a few minutes he ven
tured to put his head up where he
could see about him.
1t happened that young girl was
coming to the well for water and was
within a few feet of it when Ned rails
ed his head up. She gave a shrek and
retreated few steps. Was she French
or German? Ned did not know. He
hoped she was French, but since he
did not speak French he was obliged
to explain his dripping presence in the
German tongue.
The girl listened to him for a few
moments, then broke in. reckoning him
to follow her. She led the way to the
house. put him in room and locked
the door. Presently it was opened and
some dry clothing was thrown in to
him.
1t was now evening, and Ned made
up his mind that he would remain
quietly where he was confined and dur
ing the night would make an attempt
to escape. He knew that he was on
the second floor Of the house, for he
had mounted a stairway. After it was
quite dark he went to the window to
reconnoiter. The blinds were closed.
and he opened them as softly as pos
sible, hoping not to attract attention
by the act. Directly below him was
the roof of one story addition to the
house. He resolved to go through the
window, drop to the ground and take
his chances to escape to the French
lines in the darkness. He had put one
leg out when he heard a click from a
window at an angle with the one he
was leaving. Looking up. he could
discern in the dim light the girl who
had captured him pointing a pistol at
him. He at once retreated to the room
he had left.
Ned gave up hope of making an es-
cape through that window The girl
was doubtless watching him till the
arrival Of troops to take him in charge
and would not leave her post till they
came. He thought Of leaving by the
window, letting her shoot him If she
liked. Better death than a German
prisoner, and possibly she, being wo
man, would not have the heart to
shoot him. While he was trying to
make up his mind what to do he heard
the tramp of men without. then foot
steps coming up the stairs. The door
was thrown open by his capturer, and
in the doorway stood Tom Bradley, one
of the sergeants of his company. Brad
ley started back in surprise, then. look
ing at the girl, said:
"Is this your German prisoner?"
"Oui, monsieur"
well. you've captured an American
AN Americana"
Mon Dieu. mademoiselle. Why the
dickens didn't You tell me you were
| French?'
but you spoke German"
THAT was because don't know
| French"
HES your prisoner" said the ser
geant to the girl. "What shall we dc
with him.
What you please" said the girl.
| well. shall march him to his
| trench and prefer charges against hin
for desertion in order to fiirt with 6
| French girl
| He marched Ned downstairs. placed
him in the center of eight men ani
IL. l.