davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pulaskian., 1918-11-08
CHAPTER XIII.
Five Days in an Empty House.

Five Days in an Empty House.
The five days I spent in that house
seemed to me like five years. During
all that time I had very little to eat
less in fact than / had been getting in
the fields. I did not feel it so bad, per-
haps, because of the fact that I was no
longer exposed to the other priyations
which before had combined to make
nv condition so wretched. now had a
good place to sleep, at any rate, and I
did not wake every half hour or so as
I had been accustomed to do in the
fields and woods, and, of course, my
hunger was not aggravated by the
physical exertions which had been
necessary before.
Nevertheless, perhaps because I had
more time now to think of the hunger
pains which were gnawing at me all
the time, 1 don't believe I was ever 50
miserable as I was at that period of
my adventure. felt SO mean towards
the world I would have committed
murder, I think, with very little PROV
ocation.
German soldiers were passing the
house at all hours of the day. I
watched them hour after hour from the
keyhole of the door-to have shown
myself at the window was out of the
question because the house in which
l was concealed was supposed to be
untenanted.
Because Of the fact that I was IN
able to speak either Flemish or Ger
man I could not go out and buy food,
although I still had the money with
The Pulaskian., 1918-11-08

hQnmageo the Rouse many lines.
which to do it. That was one of the
things that CALLED one-the thought
that had the wherewithal in my
Jeans to buy all the food l needed and
yet no way of getting it without en-
dangering my liberty and life.
At night, however, after it was dark,
would steal quietly out of the house
to see what could pick up in the way
of food. BY that time, of course, the
stores were closed, but I secured the
streets, the alleys and the byways for
scraps of food and occasionally got up
courage enough to appeal to Belgian
PEASANTS whom l met on the streets,
and in that way I managed to keep
body and soul together.
1t was quite apparent to me, how
ever, that I was worse off in the city
than / had been in the fields, and [
decided to get out of that house just
as soon as l knew definitely that Huy-
Tiger had made up his mind to do moth
Ing further for me.
When I was not at the keyhole of the
door l spent most of my day on the top
floor in a room which looked out on the
street. BY keeping well away from the
window | could see much of what was
going on without being seen myself
In my restlessness, / used to walk back
and forth in that room and kept it up
SO constantly that l believe / must have
worn a path in the floor. 1t was nine
steps from one wall to the other, and
as | had little else to amuse me | fig
ured out one day after l had been
pacing up and down for several hours
just how much distance | would have
covered on my way to Holland if my
footsteps had been taken in that direc-
ton instead of just up and down that
old room. was very much surprised
to find that in three hours | crossed
the room no less than 5000 times and
the distance covered was between nine
and ten miles. 1t was not very graft
flying to realize that after walking all
that distance | wasn't a step nearer my
goal than when I started, but | had to
do something while waiting for Huy-
Tiger to help me, and pacing UP and
down was a natural outlet for my
restlessness. i.
While looking out of the top floor
window one day, noticed cat on a
window ledge of the house across the
street. ! had nice piece of broken
The Pulaskian., 1918-11-08

officer would be so considerate of his
men as to try to trap me rather than
carry the cellar by force if they had
the slightest idea that l was there.
I took off my shoes and crept softly
and slowly to the cellar steps and then
step by step, placing my weight down
gradually SO as to prevent the steps
from creaking, l climbed to the top.
The sight that met my eyes as I
glanced into the kitchen told me the
whole story The water faucets had
been ripped from the sinks, the water
pipes haveing been torn off, and
gas fixtures. cooking utensils and
everything else which contained even
the smallest proportion of the metals
The Pulaskian., 1918-11-08

My one chance seemed to be to stand
pat in the hope that the officer in
charge might possibly come to the con-
clusion that he had arrived at the
house too late-that the bird had
flown.
My position in that wine cellar was
anything but a comfortable one. Rats
and mice were scurrying across the
floor and the smashing and crashing
going on overhead was anything but
promising. Evidently those soldiers
imagined that l ought to be hiding in
the walls, for it sounded as though
they were tearing off the wainscotting,
the picture molding and, in fact,
everything that they could tear or pull
apart.
Before very long they would finish
their search upstairs and would come
down to the basement. What they
would do when they discovered the
wine I had no idea. Perhaps they
would let themselves loose on it and
give me my chance. With q bottle of
wine in each hand I figured | could put
up good fight in the dark, especially
as was becoming more and more ac-
customed to it and could begin to dis
tinguish things here and there, where
as when they entered the pitchy dark
ness of the cellar, they would be as
blind as bats in the sun.
Perhaps it was twenty minutes be-
fore I heard what sounded like my
death-knell to me; the soldiers were
coming down the cellar steps!
elutched a wine bottle in each hand
and waited with bated breath.
Tramp Tramp Tramp! In mo-
ment they would be in the cellar
proper. I could almost hear my heart
beating. The mice scurried across the
floor by the scores, frightened no
doubt by the vibration and noise made
by the descending soldiers. Some of
the creatures ran across me where ]
stood between two wine cases, but
was too much interested in bigger
game to pay any attention to mice.
Tramp! Tramp! ssHalt!" Again
an order was given in German, and al
though I did not understand it I am
willing to bless every word of it, be
cause it resulted in the soldiers turn
ing right about face, marching up the
stairs again, through the hall and Out
of the front door and away
I could hardly believe my ears. T
seemed almost too good to be true thai
they could have given up the search
just as they were about to come upon
their quarry, but unless my ears de
ceived me that was what they hat
done.
The possibility that the whole thing
might be a German ruse Gid not escape
me, and 1 remained in the cellar fol
nearly an hour after they had appar
emily departed before I ventured tt
move, listening intently IN the mean
while for the slightest sound which
would reveal the presence of a sentry
upstairs.
Not hearing a sound I began to fee
that they had indeed given up the hunt
for did not believe that a German
The Pulaskian., 1918-11-08

and dumb Belgian peasant as far AZ
it would carry me.
Before I finally left the house I had
a remarkable experience which SHAH
remember as long as live.
The Pulaskian., 1918-11-08
GRO BE CONTINUITY
Showing It,

"That De Jones must be yyoadese
fully brave man.
'Nyhat makes you thinE sol'
! Because in the course OF single
day he dcfied The cook. fatty 3isobeyeaa
his wife and bullied the ice man.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
RAILROAD STRIKE
WOULD BE BLOW
TO VAR CHANGES
Sec. McAdoo's Statement Was Transmit
ted To-day to Every Railroad Shop in
the United States--Was Issued as
Result of Strike at Alexandria, Va.

Washington, D. c., May 3l.-Railroad
shop men of the United States were to.
day notified through their union heads of
the statement issued by Director General
of Railroads McAdoo last night remind
ing them that they are government EN-
ployes in time of war and that a strike
or any cessation Of work at the present
time would be a direct blow to the prose
cution of the war The statement, issued
In connection with the walkcut few
days ago of several hundred machinists
and shopmen at the Alexandria, Va,
shops OF the Southern railroad and
threats of general strike of union shop
men next Monday unless further pay
advances are granted, declares "the gov
ernment cannot be intimidated by any Of
its employees"
The shopmen are reminded that a
board on wages and working conditions
has been created which will hear all cases
in which a group of employees feel justice
has not been done. Referring to the
Va, walkout, the director
general declared il was the first time in
he history Of our government that any
,f its employees have attempted strike
against their government.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
SMITH--BENJAMIN.
Groom Is About to Enter the q. S. Ma
rine Corps

A quiet home wedding took place at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. George c. Ben
jamin Thursday morning, May 30, when
their daughter, Hazel Mildred, was unit
ed in marriage TO Arthur Lewis Smith
by Rev. B. G. Lipsky in the presence of
immediate families and near friends. The
couple were unattended.
The bride was becomingy gowned in a
changeable gray and rose messaline. The
room was tastefully decorated with ferns
and white liIacs, the American flag form
ing an arehway under which the couple
stood. The double ring service was used.
After the ceremony, dainty refreshments
of cake and ice cream were served.
Mrs. Smith is a graduate of Spaulding
high school in the class of 'l3 and of the
teacher training course in IA. She has
been very successful teacher for the
past four years, teaching her last two
years in the primary department of the
new Berlin school, which is situated on
the Barre and Montpelier road
The groom is graduate of Albany
Business college and has been employed
as bookkeeper in the G, p. Dudley com
pany clothing store in Hanover, n. H.
Mr. Smith has enlisted in the marine
corps and is now awaiting his call.
The happy couple left midst showers
Of confetti on short wedding trip to
Boston and vicinity On their return the |
bride will make her home with her par
snts while her husband is in service. The |
good wishes of their many friends go |
With them.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
WAR CHEST DRIVE NEXT WEEK.
All Local Efforts are Centering About
That.

All of the more essential activities in
Barre next week are to center around
an intensive campaign to be waged in
behalf of Barres war chest. The COM
munity elected fortnight ago is max
ing strenuous efforts to have every de-
tail arranged before the day of the big
drive. Granite manufacturers are lend
ing their assistance, and they have prom
ised TO use every last ounce of eo-opers-
tion in the canvass of the stonesheds
For all Of the fine spirit of liberality
and the tremendous enthusiasm gener-
ated in previous campaigns, 1t may be
said the forthcoming war chest drive is
to enlist an even greater number cf Civ
ers and to require an even more general
display of patriotic zeal than anything
that has preceded ii in the line Of war
drives II will be renewed, concen-
rated appeal to every man, woman and
,hiId to give every dollar to the relief
IF the men of the American army now
lighting the armies of the kaiser in
France in order that we may continue
o live in security and comfort. Are
you going to enlist in the great second
inc advance on kaiserism? Think il
,veri
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
GERMANS SIZING
THEIR COLUMNS
ABOUT RHEIMS
Resistance of That Stronghold Has
Served to Check Advance on East
ern End of the Line and West
ern End Also Holds.

Paris, May 3l.Bafiied by the valor
of the allied soldiers, the Germans yes,
terday failed to enlarge greatly the poek-
ct in the allied line. Even in the center,
the enemy appears to have been held and
the advance there is slackning.
In accordance with their favorite ma
nellver, the Germans apparently are
swinging their columns eastward with
the object of getting around Rheims
through Vile en- Tardenois and the val
ley of the Ardre. The bastion constitut-
ed by the ruined city and the high ground
known as the mountain of Rheims Is a
menace to the German flank. 1t is too
strong to attack in front with any
chances of success, so the enemy is try
ing to turn it from the southwest.
While any progress by the Germans
on French soil, with the inevitable trail
Of ruin and DISSOLUTION, strikes French
hearts sorely, the answering confidence
with which the general public views the
situation, is most remarkable.
No doubt is felt as to the outcome and
there is no weakening in the resolve toI
fight on to the end.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
WAR RALLY PLANNED.
1t Is Hoped That Gov. Graham Can Be
Present,

A big Italian American war rally is
projected for Monday evening, and a
committee of Italian and American citi.
ems of Barre is completing arrangements
for the affair The meeting will be pre-
ceded by parade, in which it is ex-
pected that both bands will participate.
Gov. Graham and Lieut.. Gov. Hulburd
are among those expected to be present.
Atty Joseph Frattini of Montpelier has
been engaged for brief address, but
much of the time allotted for speechmak-
ing will be reserved for an eminent Ital.
ian orator from out of town, whom the
committee is endeavoring to secure for
the war rally. Not all of the plans are
but more detailed announce
ment will be made later. In the mean
time reserve Monday evening for the war
rally.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
ALLIES, MAKING STAND ON MARINE,
HEL D THE GERMANS TO SMALL GAIN.
BUT LEFT FL LANK HAD TO RETREAT
GREAT OPEN BATTLE
MAY BE THE OUTCOME
OF ALLIES RETREAT
French Newspapers Recognize the I'm
portanee of Advance Made by Germans
But They Express Confidence in
Outcome of the Battle.

Paris, May 3l.-The extreme point of
the German advance is lie Charmed
about two miles north of the river Msrne,
according TO an outline of the battle.
front as marked out by newspaper cor
respondent, the Havas agency says.
The fighting front, it is declared, runs
as follows; From Chavigny, north of
scissors, it describes a circle west of
that city and rejoins the river Crise
south of Scissors. Then it goes to Berry,
follows the Soissons- Chateau Thierry
road until near Hartennes, where it bends
southeast to Grand Rozoy Thence south
ward, leaving Mulchy lie Chateau, il
passes Nanteuil- -Notre Dame and ad.
vances toward the Marne to Courcy,
Breezy, Courpoil and lie Charmed, which
marks its extreme southern point.
Through vezilly, BrouiIlet, Savigny
and Thiellois it runs northeastward to
the environs of Rheims.
The Havas correspondent at the front.
who Is considered to reflect the official
view, thus summarizes the situation:
The rapid advance of the enemy is
due to the temporary numerical Inferior
ity of the allies which has completely
changed the aspect of the struggle. IL is
necessary to go back to the beginning of
the war for a like situation. This is
war Of movement where two armies ma
neuver under the open sky.
Under these conditions the momen- |
tary advantage of an army and the cap
ture OF town may mean nothing. The |
problem is more vast For its own rea
sons, our command did not find it advis- !
able to give battle either on the Somne
1r in Flanders after the March offensive.
It confined itself to stopping the enemy.
Shall we accept battle this time as
We formerly accepted it on the Marne
That is the secret of our command. The
iermans have no illusions as to the value
# the success they have gained. They
tnow we have several million picked
roops forming in maneuvering masses
which they will have to encounter
omewhere.
IF the enemy had the choice of ground
or the offensive, we have the much more
important choice Of the field of battle on
vhieh Germsny's destinies will be decd- {
d. [
1T will be seen therefore, that there is I
o ground for alarm. We probably are a
yitnessing the preliminary to a great {
attic which both sides wish to be de. ]
isive. Consequently, it Is comprehen t
ble that our commanders do not act q
but strictly in accordance with /
lans agreed upon" In
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
ANOTHER SERVICE FLAG.
Was Dedicated at Barre Golf Club Links
Yesterday.

A service flag with - stars was raised
at the Barre Golf club yesterday. Pres.
ident Duncan j. Mcmillan, in a fitting
speech, spoke Of the. boys who had gone
forward In answer to the call. He hoped
that all would be spared 10 come back
once more and enjoy a good game OF golf.
His address was listened TO by about
80 members Of the club. and at the close
Of his remarks. Nelson Stuart. son Of
AIr. and Mrs. d. r. Stuart Of Spaulding
street. let loose the aag 10 the breezes.
while the members sang The Star Span
gied Banner" The service fag was do
mated 10 the club by one Of its members,
L. r Hutchinson.
The names Of the members who have
Joined the oolers are a. follows:
William Milne. w D. LOWE. Max Fish
er. Dr. J. A Wark. Carl Burgess. Georre
Mackay. u. Forsyth, D. Peduzri. A. Nj
cora. 4 Abbott. William Johnston, ,. D.
Stewart.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
r. F. D. MEN ASSEMBLED.
Adjourned Annual Meeting of Washing
ton County Association Held.

The Washington County Rural Car
riers' association held their adjourned
annual meeting at Odd Fellows hall in
Montpelier on Thursday, May 30.
The following officers were elected
President, John Moran, Montpelier; sec
retary, b. II. Townsend, Plainfeld; treas.
urer, Ivan Sparrow, Montpelier. Ivan
Sparrow and T.. G. More of Worcester
were chosen as delegates to the state
convention.
At the close Of the business meeting,
the carriers and their families sat down
TO bountiful dinner, served by the la
dies. Following this was an informal pro-
gram, consisting of a short talk on the
rural delivery service by the president
of the association. John Moran a recita-
tion by little Elizabeth Sparrow instru-
mental music, closing with the singing ef
America"
The occasion was greatly enjoyed bv
all present the company dispensing with
pleasant anticipation of the next meet
ing, which probably will be held on Feb.
%, 1919.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
SAMUEL WEBSTER BENJAMIN.
Veteran Of Civil War Died in Montpelier
Wednesday Evening.

Samuel Webster Benjamin. age IA
years, Civil war veteran, who for 30
years carried bullet in his back, re.
eeived in the battle of Gettysburg, died
at his home on Barre street in Montpelier
Wednesday evening, following a few
weeks illness resulting from a shock.
The deceased was born in Berlin May /,
1912, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Ben
jamin, one of eight children. and lived in
that town until he came TO Montpelier
in 1907, He was married March 2, 1855.
to Edna Lucy Downing of Barre and two
children were born to them, of whom Eda
died in 1874, while one daughter, Mrs
Karl Keith, and his widow survive the
deceased in his own family. He also
leaves a brother, Ira, who lives in Berlin,
and two sisters, Mrs. P. P. House and
Mrs. A. Fl. Stewart of Berlin.
He comes from family who lived
many years in Berlin, his great grand
father having been ono of the early resi-
dents of the town. His grandfather for
many years operated the first sawmill
in Berlin near what is known
as Benjamin falls and near the farm
upon which the deceased was born and
-eared He obtained district school
,ducation, after which he went to Barre
In 1852 he left home for the
irst time, enlisting in Company c, 18th
Vermont regiment, in the Civil war. His
egiment was a part of the army of the
Potomac and it was in General Pickett's
harge that Mr.. Benjamin was wounded.
bullet going nearly through his body |
nd lodging in his back, where it re
NAMED for SO years. Then it gave indi |
ations that it was working out and he
to an operation, the bullet |
eing removed. after which Mr.. Benjamin
arried it in his vest pocket as remem-
rance of the famous charge.
Upon his return from the war he took
p civilian life in the manner in which
is ancestors had always been prominent
nd was several years an official in Ber-
n, including lister and selectman. He
-ss Republican and always took part
the elections during the active years
I his life. When arrangements for the
,union of the 18th regiment we're made
1908 he was president of the commit
e. He was prominently connected with
,e getting of the franchise for the cleo.
'ic road He was connected with the
-ange for many years.
The funeral will take place at 2 o'clock !. .
sturday afternoon. :,
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-31
CIRCUS AT MONTPELIER.
Attracted Many People from Barre and
Vicinity.

Some hundreds OF Barre people and
as many more from nearby towns AZ
this end OF the creek. leaving home and
kindred, succumbed to the lure of the
circus to-day, Montpelier, the temporary
abiding place of the Hagenback Wallace
shows being the mecca for those seeking
tented tonic for the tired. City residents
and country cousins lined the streets OF
the capital while the circus folk carried
out a really creditable parade. II lacked
none of the features OF a real, old.fash
ioned circus carnival and the crowd
seemed to feel glad that it had ventured
out under drab skies to see the big sho.
in its morning performance. II was
fantastic panorama, with ius prancng
horses, rumbling wagons and screaming
calliopes. and a gaping and somewhat
awestruck audience that lined the streets
on both sides must have forgotten mo.
mentarily the SOLDERING thoughts which
predominate in most public gatherings
The Hagenbeck Wallace bigtop was
reared on Langdon's meadow al an early
hour oday. II was the hour when the
small boy had his innings. but this after.
noon old and young alike invaded the
grounds and gave themselves over to
the spell of the Snowman. The perform
ance was eminently satisfactory. Most
people find that their first impressions
ire governed by the menagerie, and they
we're not disappointed. As travelling
100 it measured up to expectations and
n merit rather tended to exceed the av-
rage showing of circus animals. Three
zig rings were in operation, and the ex-
client report which Barre visitors at |
he circus when il exhibited in White |
river Junction yesterday brought back |
vas well sustained. II was great day |
or the man who likes to be boy egdin. |