The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-10-10

ktOer0 WcE0 pieuty VI tuctu III Suc Vtu |
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 fiy Just as the
spider was about to grab him Several
times when things were dull was
to see the trngedy through.
but perhaps the same Providence that
guided me safely through all perils
was guarding. too. the destiny OF those
fiies, for I always weakened and the
flies never did suffer from my lust for
The house was well supplied with
books--ln fact, one of the choicest IL
braries thAk I ever saw--but they
were all written either In Flemish or
French. I could read no Flemish and
very little French. might have made
q little headway with the latter. but
the books all seemed too deep for me
and gave 1t mp. There was one thing
though that did read and reread
from beginning to end; that was
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. I couldn't refrain
from laughing when came to an ac-
count Of Zimmerman (of the Cubs)
being benched for some spat with the
umpire. and II afforded me just rs
much interest three years after It had
happened-perhaps mors-than some
current item of worldwide interest
had at that time.
I 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. I was
like the man out In tho ocean In boat
and thirsty with water everywhere but
not . drop to drink.
was tempted while In the city to
60 to church one Sunday. but my better
judgment told me It would be useless
risk. OF course, someone would surely
say something to me and I didn't
know how many Germans would be
there or what might happen, so gave
up that idea.
During all the time I was concealed
In this house saw but one automobile
and that was . German stan officers
That same afternoon had one Of thu
frlghts Of my young life.
I had been gazing out Of the keyhol,
as usual when 1 heard coming dowi
the street the measured tread Of Ger
man soldiers. 1t didn't sound like yer!
many, but there was no doubt In m!
mind that German soldiers wer'
marching down the street. I went up
stairs and peeked through the window
and sure enough squad Of German In
fantry was coming down the stree
accompanied by military motto
truck. I hadn't the slightest idea tina
they were coming after me. but still
the possibilities Of the situation CAV
me more or less alarm, and consid
cred how I could make my escape
by chance I was the man they wer
after. The idea Of hiding In the win
cellar appealed to me as the mos
practical; there must have beel
plenty Of places among the wine keg
and cases where man could cOnces
himself. but. as q matter Of fact, di
not believe that any such contingenc
would arise.
The marching soldiers came neareI
could hear them at the next hous<
In q moment would see them pas
the keyhole through which was looi
ing.
"Halt"
At the word of command shouted b
junior officer the squad came to al
tention right in front Of the housed
Iwaited no longer. Running down tn
stairs flew into the wine cellar an
although II was almost pitch dark
the only light coming from gratin
which led to the backyard--I 500
found satisfactory hiding place
the extreme rear OF the cellar. ha
had the presence of mind to leave tn
door of the wine cellar ajar. figurin
that II the soldiers found closed doc
they would be more apt to search Il
fugitive behlnd 1t than II the doc
were open.
} Ny decision to get away from thi
J front door had been made and carrie
out none too soon. for had only Jul
located myself Between two big win
: cases when heard the tramp Of 80
diers' feet marching up the front stoo
: a crash at the front door. a few hast
J words of command which did not vi
} derstand. and then the noise of scu
rying feet from room to room and sue
} a banging and hammering and smasl
. ing and crashing that could not NAL
out what was going on.
II Huyliger had revealed my hidiI
} place to the Huns. as was now col
: fident he had. felt that there was II
tie prospect Of their overlooking m
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