Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-06-21

to the worst that pottery would
come in mighty handy. single
blow with one of those big vases would
nut a man out as neatly as posslole
and as there was lots of pottery and
onlv three men, 1 believed 1 had an ex-
ceIIent chance of holding my own In
the combat which had invited.
1 had already picked out in my nina
what 1 was going 10 use, and got up,
stood with my back TO the wal anu
told them that if they ever figured on
getting the passport then would be
their best chance.
ApparentIy they realized that meant
business and they Immediately began 10
expostulate at the attitude l was tax
ing
one of the men spoke excellent Eng
lish. In fact he told me that he could
speak FIVE languages. and If he could lie
in the others as 1 know he did in my
own tongue. he was not only an accom-
plished linguisU but most versatile
liar into the bargain.
They Expostulats in Vain
They argued and expostulated with
me for some time.
NY dear fellow" said the linguist,
.it is not that we want TO deprive
YOU of the passport. Good heavens! If
il will aid you in getting out of the
country 1 wish you could have six just
like it. But for our own protection
YOU owe il to us TO proceed on your
Journey as best you can without II, be-
cause as long as you have il in your
possession you jeopardize our lives, too.
Don't you think il is fairer that you
should risk your own safety rather than
place the lives of three innocent men in
danger2"
s- ID dc
I retorted, as I made my way to the
door. and am glad you realize your
danger. Keep it in mind, for in case
any OF you should happen TO feel in
cIined to notify the German authorities
that 1 am in this part of the country,
think il over before you do so. Re-
member always that IL the Germans
get me. they get the passport, too. and
If they get the passport your lives won't
be worth a damnl When 1 tell the his
tory of that clever little piece Of paste
board 1 will implicate all three of you.
and whoever else is working with you,
my word will be taken before yours.
Goodnight"
The bluff evidently worked, because
[ was able to get out of the city with
out moIestation from the Germans.
L have never seen these men since.
[ hone I never shall, because 1 am
afraid 1 might be tempted TO do some
thing for which I might otherwise be
sorry.
Few Belgians Like Them
1 do not mean to imply that all Bel
gians are like this. 1 had evidently
fallen into the hands of a gang who
were endeavoring to make capital out of
the misfortunes of those who referred
20 them for help. In all countries there
are bad as well as good, and in a coun-
try which has suffered as much as poor
Belgium it is no wonder if some of the
survivors have lost their sense of moral
perspective.
I know that the average poor peasant
in Belgium would divide his scanty ra-
tions with a needy fugitive sooner than
wealthy Belgian would dole out a
morsel from his comparatively well
stocked lsrder. Perhaps the poor have
less to lose than the rich if their gen.
crosby or charity is discovered by the
Huns.
There have ben many Belgians shot
. for helping escaped prisoners and other
fugitives. and il is not TO be wondered
at that they are willing to take as few
: chances as possible. A man with a
, family. specially. docs not feel justified
in helping a stranger when he knows
, that he and his whole family may be
; shot o. sent to prison for their pains.
Although I suffered much from the
attitude of Huyliger and his associates,
I suppose I ought to hold no grudge
against them in view of the unenviable
predicament in which they are them
selves.
CONTINUED Next Issue)