Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1918-09-05
copyridht. 1913. by Pat Avn o'Brisn

| there were plenty Of them In the old
house). and sit down for the spider to
come down and get him. But always ]
pictured myself In the same predica.
ment and rescued the ny just as the
spider was about to grab him. Several
times when things were dull I was
tempted to see the tragedy through,
but perhaps the same Providence that
guided me safely through all perils
was guarding. too. the destiny Of those
flies, for always weakened and the
dies never did suffer from my lust for
amusement.
The house was well supplied with
b0oks-in fact, one Of the choicest IL
braries I think ever saw-but they
were all written either In Flemish or
French. could read no Flemish and
very little French. might have made
little Roadway with the latter, but
the books all seemed too deep for me
| and gave 1t up. There was one thing
though that did read and reread
from beginning to end; that was a
New York Herald which must have ar.
rived Just about the time war was de-
clared. Several things In this in
terested me. and particularly the base
ball scores. which I studied with as
much care as real fan possibly could
an up-to-date score. couldn't refrain
from laughing when I came to an ac-
count Of Zimmerman (of the Cubs)
being benched for some spat with the
umpire, and 1t afforded me Just as
much interest three years after it had
happened-perhaps mOre-than some
current item Of worldwide interest
had at that time.
rummaged the house many times
from cellar to garnet in my search for
something to eat. but the harvest Of
three years Of war had made any sue
cess along that line impossible. was
like the man out in ShA ocean In boat
and thirsty with water everywhere but
not drop to drink.
I was tempted while in the city to
go to church one Sunday, but my better
judgment told me 1t would be useless
risk. OF course. someone would surely
say something to me Aysa didn't
know how many Germans would be
there or what might happen, 20 1 gave
up that idea.
During all the time was concealed
in this house saw but one automobile
and that was a German star officers.
That same afternoon had one of the
rights Of my young life.
had been gazing out Of the keyhole
as usual when I heard coming down
the street the measured tread Of Ger
man soldiers. It didn't sQsind like very
many, but there was NO fonbt In my
mind that Ger1An soldiers were
marching down the street. I went up
stairs and peeked through the window
and sure enough a squad Of German In
fantry was coming down the street
accompanied by a military motor
truck. I hadn't the slightest idea that
they were coming after me. but stiA
the possibilities Of the situation gave
me more or less alarm. and 1 consid-
cred how could make my escape If
BY chance I was the man they wers
after. The idea Of hfd3ng In the wine
cellar appealed to me as the most
practical: there must have been
plenty of places among the wine kegs
and cases where man could conceal
himself. but, as a matter of fact, did
not believe that any such contingency
would arise.
The marching soldiers came nearer.
could hear them at the next house.
In a moment would see them pass
the keyhole through which was look.
ing.
"HaltI"
At the word Of command shouted By
a Junior officer the squad came to at.
tention right In front Of the housed
WAITED no longer. Running down the
stairs I flew into the wine cellar and
although 1t was almost pitch dark.
the only light coming from a grating
which led to the backyard-I soon
found q satisfactory hiding place in
the extreme rear Of the cellar. I had
had the presence Of mind to leave the
door Of the wine cellar ajar, figuring
that II the soldiers found closed door
they would be more apt to search for
fugitive behind 1t than II the door
were open.
My decision to get away from that
front door had been made and carried
out none too soon, for had only Just
located myself between two big wine
cases when heard the tramp Of sol.
diers' feet marching up the front stoop
q crash at the front door. few hasty
words Of command which I did not I'M.
derstand. and then the noise Of sour.
rying feet from room to room and such
Q banging and hammering and smash.
ing and crashing that could not make
out what was going on.
II Huyliger had revealed my hiding
place to the Huns. - I was now CON
hdent he had. felt that there was lit
tls prospect Of their overlooking me
They would search the house from tor